CNN

Jack,
My guess would be that they are afraid of being drafted and sent to Iraq/Iran/Aghanistan or the Middle Eastern Country of McCain's choice. I know we do not have a draft but I jsut have a feeling that McCain would try to reinstate one if elected President. Apparently others agree.

Jack
My guess would be that they are afraid of being drafted and sent to Iraq/Iran/Aghanistan or the Middle Eastern Country of McCain’s choice. I know we do not have a draft but I jsut have a feeling that McCain would try to reinstate one if elected President. Apparently others agree.

Jenny GA

Because we young people arent as stupid as people think. The Republican Party is out of touch with the rest of us. We dont want to get drafted, and were tired of this war. The September 11th attacks happened when I was 11 years old. Weve been at war with "the terrorists" ever since. When I was younger, we were bombing Kosovo. Im tired of war, Im tired of seeing my friends not have health insurance, Im tired of seeing the words "faith, security and freedom" used as excuses for the government violate peoples basic human rights. Im tired, Jack. Thats why the GOP wont get my vote.

Because we young people arent as stupid as people think. The Republican Party is out of touch with the rest of us. We dont want to get drafted, and were tired of this war. The September 11th attacks happened when I was 11 years old. Weve been at war with “the terrorists� ever since. When I was younger, we were bombing Kosovo. Im tired of war, Im tired of seeing my friends not have health insurance, Im tired of seeing the words “faith, security and freedom� used as excuses for the government to violate peoples basic human rights. Im tired, Jack. Thats why the GOP wont get my vote.

hi jack
the Rep party has Bush and the young people in 2008 are tierd of the way they have run this country and now its time for new blood to run the White House.The days of the old Rep are over Bush made shore,thats why Jeb Bush didnt run.
clearwater,fl

Jack, The trendy youth of this country tend to follow ultra modern, energetic, and visionary candidates who speak of hope, change, and a better outlook for them in the future. This describes the Democratic Party. The Republican Party has old ideas with an even older candidate running for President. Age means everything to young people.

Because they don't have a candidate who isn't qualified to receive Social Security.

Because they are not members of the "Have" & "Have more" Club. You KNOW it is very exclusive.

My one, two, three for the GOP:
1. End the war in Iraq and redirect those funds to the US,
2. Rescind tax breaks to oil companies, and
3. Tax the wealthy at previous rates. That'd attract young voters and old ones too.

Maybe change its name to the Grand New Party, GNP has a ring to it.

There's a market out there for McCain. Take it from an Idahoan, the second reddist state in the Union. Depict him as a pick-up drivin' spit-kickin' Rambo-type guy (which isn't a stretch) and the kids will eat it up. Maybe you can even get a clip of him playing "Grand Theft Auto IV" to seal the deal.

Boise

A 72 year old , with archaic vision isn't going to do it that is for sure.
Nobody can rally the the young like Obama.

Sadly, they can only attract those who drink the republican kool ade, has anyone ever checked how many young republicans have joined the military to fight for this country? If this is a just war, we need a draft so that everyone must serve, not just the few!!!!

Before that question can be answered we need to know what the Mission is exactly. If wasting money & lives is the Mission we are succeeding big time.

It won't happen with a 72 year old candidate who believes we might be sending our young people to Iraq for 100 years!

Because the Republican Party platform is one of selfishness and corporate greed. They want to be able to do anything they want, whenever they want, pay no taxes, and sit on their soap box and tell people that if they want something, go get it yourself, we don't care about you.

I've met two kinds of Republicans. The ones that are very well off. They want to keep all their money, don't want to have government tell them what to do, but want to enforce their beliefs of others. The other group of Republicans are the ones that the first group likes to scare the living daylights out of every 4 years to keep them in line.

How about a candidate that has some original ideas, is not one of the original signers of the Declaration of Independance and move more to the centre. I am sick of the religious extreme right controling the agenda. Women should control their rights to reproduction, this is not Saudi Arabia. Give it up on the gays and find a way for them to have a union, there are many financial and inheritance issues at stake. Get a real energy/economic plan. You can't keep cutting taxes and hope that China sucking all the jobs out of America will go away. Get a brain McBush!

Jack, too many of the GOP's ideas are arcane, divisive, religious, and harmful. This isn't to say that the entire party's ideology is wrong, just that the positives do not outweigh the negatives for this increasingly educated, inclusive, and secular group.

Well Im 22, hispanic and going to school but I plan to vote for John Mccain. The reason the republican party cant attract younger voters is b/c its viewed as the old rich white party which is wrong! Once I did some research and found out that the democrats are for the seperation of church and state, I was out of there. Never again will I vote for a democrat! From now on...either republican or independent.

Philip
Dallas Texas

They can't attract young voters b/c these voters never want to be boxed in for anything. As a Republican planning to vote for a Democrat I hate the sweeping stereotypes the Republicans have been demonstrating. Young voters don't believe you should do things just b/c your "fathers" did it that way...they are smarter than that!

This young voter will be attracted to the GOP if Barack Obama gets the Democratic nomination. I'm a Hillary Clinton supporter who could never consider voting for Obama.

Oh come on! Republicans and money which the youth will not have because the youth will have to pay for the travesty which is Iraq. The youth essentially fight the war, soldiers are the youth! So, you want to know why the republicans can't garner the youth vote? There isn't enough money to go around to garner youth support. The only way the republicans can obtain youth in its efforts is to lie, what else have the republicans but its prevarications because that is all it had before! Mass hypnosis is the answer!

They can't. Especially when you have grandpa running.

The GOP has been out of touch for the entire lifetime of those of us under 30. How would they even begin to attract any of us? Between out-of-date policies and out-of-touch politicians, the GOP is floundering. They've sold our parents' American dreams to the highest bidders by taxing the middle class, allowing jobs to disappear overseas, and letting the wealthy few get away with anything they damn well please. With all these experiences in our young lives, where does the GOP leave us?

Stop putting up 72-year-old presidential candidates.

Because the goal of the Republican party is to rob as much wealth as possible from young Americans. And, they are doing a hell of a job of it. Americans under 30 will be paying for cost of Iraq and the Bush tax cuts for decades to come.

Because they put up 72-year-old presidential candidates.

perhaps if the GOP gave a damn about anyone that is not rich, richer, and richest, maybe they would attract voters of all ages. the party is too busy catering to its uber-conservative, rich, white base to care about the fact that when those relics are gone, so will be their party.

Jack this one is real easy, McCain has to talk his wife into a mass free beer party sponsered by her company, Get everyone pissed and get them to sign on the doted line!

Well, Jack, think about it this way. Who in his right mind wants a $2500 tax credit for shelling out $9000 for private health insurance? Who wants to stay in Iraq for 100 years? Who wants to continue the failed economic policies of the Bush Administration? Why would anyone under 30 or over 30 vote for McCain unless they've done well under Bush 43?

By helping to elect Barck Obama as the Demcoratic nominee. I am a young voter and will vote for McCain if Obama is the nominee.

Jack, the classic definition of a conservative is, "We've always done it this way." Young people won't buy into the same-old-same-old conservative politicians and policies their parents have voted for in the past.

Jack these kids friends and classmates are dying in Iraq and coming home maimed mentally or physically from there. Their middle class families are being destroyed by the republican economic policies. Their grandparents can't afford their medication or their groceries. If their college degree does get them a job it doesn't pay a living wage. Their's is the first generation in a long time that must be wondering about the future. That's why the republicans can't attract more people under thirty.

Most Republicans are all about greed. The majority of young people are not rich enough to benefit from the tax breaks given to the wealthiest or own government subsidized oil companies raking in millions. I don't know a young person who could relate to a 70 year old president.

The Rebulican party is entrenched in its belief system. As a delegate to some local Republican conventions here in KY, I have noticed that if you do not follow the party line, there is no room for your opinions. For example, the 3 minute debate rule was reduced to two minutes. This shuts down opposing viewpoints.

What young person is going to become involved with a party unwilling to listen to him/her? How do you help change the direction a party is going in w/o allowing for dissent?

If the GOP would go back to their roots of being the party of limited government more people, young and old, might join the group. The Bush/Cheney twins have perpetuated a seemingly endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan, gutted the Bill of Rights and produced the largest deficit in American history. Why would any US citizen support a political party whose current presidential candidate appears to want to keep that status quo?

The problem younger voters have is that the Republicans are constantly tied to questionable policy and old money. It is hard to vote for Bush type policies that allow rich corporate America to walk all over the younger generation trying to get our foot in the door. Where are our jobs? – in India, China, etc. Where is our quality eduction? – being ignored so that everyone learns to pass a test that does not relate to college or job skills, but determines if our schools will be open and funded. Why is our actual and projected quality of living lower than that of our elders? – because we are financing their lifestyle by mortgaging our future to China.

Stefan
Hoffman Estates, IL

When George Bush took office, the under 30 voters were junior high through college age. They have seen what this oil baron, war mongering administration has done to the country. They aren't wealthy enough for those privileged tax breaks and probably can't afford oil stock either. They are being robbed at the gas pump, their homes are being foreclosed on, health care has become a luxury and the cost of food has become a major concern. With John McCain promising more of the same, they realize only a drastic change in Washington can save this country.

The GOP can attract young voters by showing some sort of interest in their future. After 12 years of watching this party sell out our country to their corporate buddies, this is a sale that will be hard to make. Maybe that tried-and-true "fear card" will do the trick again.

We have brains, and we aren't afraid to use them.

It boggles my mind the Republicans attract any voters much less younger voters. Over the past 8 years they've given us neverending wars, bad trade policies that have cost millions of jobs, record breaking debt and a near depression. They support the troops in name only but balk at providing GI benefits. Education is now reserved for the wealthy. In the meantime, health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies and big oil have been laughing all the way to the bank. I'll take the tax and spend Democrats over the charge and spend Republicans any day.

As long as the party remains co-opted by religious right extremists, most young voters will continue to stay away in droves. However, should they abandon the politics of fear and nation building and return to the principles of _less_ government, the party could stand a chance of attracting the next generation

And if we could get all the gossip columnists out of politics we might stand a chance of having a REAL national dialogue about issues that matter. These kids are _smart_ we ought to be listening to them. Goodness knows we so-called adults have not done a very good job of running things.

I am a clean shaven Conservative.It is absolutely appalling to see what has become of the GOP.No one in his right senses should vote that party.The party can´t attract young peolple because its members are hypocrites,some of them are racists,bigots,wankers,deluded and not open-minded.

Jack... It seems more and more, the Republicans want to distance themselves from the mainstream American and embrace the extreme. Whether it's taxation,military spending, or the environment,(among other things) they don't seem to realize that people want hope and to dream of having a prosperous future for their families but don't subscribe to the current attitude or the GOP that it's them vs. the rest of America. The current president said "I'm a uniter not a divider" and nothing was further from the truth. Main stream America wants to get along and let it be.

People's minds don't fully develop until they are 25.

Dick B from Bluffton Indiana

They can't. All they have to do is look around and see each year the cost of higher education keeps going up and when a Republican is in office they don't believe in giving a person a break but want all the gravy in the bowl for themselves and won't let any drip down. A poor person is crazy voting for the GOP.

This wasn't a question ... it's a joke, right, Jack? How could anyone entering our economy faced with the option of 6-figure college debt or a life of flipping burgers be thankful for the GOP? Three-fourths of our current national debt can be traced to two Republican presidents ... Reagan and Bush ... and I'm still trying to figure out what we bought.

When I was young and first entered politics, I watched a WWII hero, George McGovern, brought down in flames by the GOP. I would encourage our young voters to obtain a strong grasp of history ... it is a lock that what you will learn you will also see again.

No one under thirty is rich enough to join the party. Who are the elitists? (Elitism – the belief that some people or things are inherently superior to others and deserve preeminence, preferential treatment, or higher rewards because of their superiority.) Actually this sounds a little like the Clinton’s! (Did I say that out loud?)

the Republicans need to run candidates that are NOT, as the old "doo-wop" song goes, "stuck in the 60's tonight".

They don’t want to be drafted.

Joe, I suppose if the younger voter in question was ignorant and loved the idea of a war on every front, the GOP could easily attract them. I just hope the younger generation, for the most part, are free of that mindset.

Come on, Jack, this is a no brainer. If the Republicans want to attract young voters all they have to do is switch to being Democrats!

Jack - why should young people age themselves prematurely by joining ranks with the extreme GOP!!!!

Jack, I'm a 20 year young caucasian female, and I think the answer is to, get Barack Obama, somehow, to campaign as a republican.

They're called the "Grand Old Party" for a reason. Their ideas are old and tired.

They like things the way they were when Ronald Reagan walked the earth. They can't stand change, and they attack new ideas, even the good ones. They don't adapt well. Their idea of family values are stuck in "Ozzie and Harriet" mode. They don't like anybody that deviates from this norm.

My message to Republicans is: The world is changing, whether you like it or not. Society has changed. The family structure has changed. Technology has changed. If you want to survive as a party, you'd better learn to adapt to those changes. If you don't, then you should change from G.O.P. to N.R.L.B. (No Republican Left Behind).

To be an influence in the Republican Party you have to have money or age. Republicans bill themselves as that traditional, hold the status quo – which silences the young voice. Our culture has changed and the Republicans are still trying to do business the old way – stay the course.

They really do not need to attract younger voters in order to win the White House over and over. They need only two things: a few million swing (Reagan Dem) voters who usually vote republican when they start paying attention after the World Series is over; and for the Dems to keep nominating losers for reasons that no sensible person could ever grasp. So far this year, we Dems are heading that way again.

Younger voters? Who needs them? The Dems are their own worst enemy.

They don't want to see their great-grand children in Iraq and they know the current policies of the Republicans cater to the wealthy as well as Social Security is busted because of Bush's war and McCain is a continuation of those policies.

The Republicans are so out of touch with the majority of the people.
They think party is more important than the people. They have forgotten that they are supposed to serve the people and this is a country of, by and for the people. They got greedy and think this constitution is of, by and for the lobbyists and corporations at the expense of the people and the environment!

They are afraid of the BABY BOMBERS.

Republicans only care about their own old sorry you know whats – they don't care about young people or the future of this country. It is amazing that anyone who loves their children or grandchildren would ever vote Republican. The Republican Party should be banned (like the Nazi Party in Germany).

you really think I would tell them if i knew! Of course not! Ask why they are gonna lose the vote, an i'll be up with an essay in the minute! No Jack,we really can't affford. Obama showed the right judgement again by being the only one to have the right gas policy. America 08 I should hope.

Pander to them like Obama does! Rob in PA

The Republicans will do fine if they prove they are fighting for America and hard working Americans instead of only for Big Business, like both parties seem to be doing right now.

Jack do you really think I would tell them if i knew? Are you kidding me? Of course not! Ask why they are gonna lose the vote, an i’ll be up with an essay in the minute! No Jack,we really can’t affford. Obama showed the right judgement again by being the only one to have the right gas policy. America 08 I should hope.

JACK
he would have to get keith urban, elvis, which can't be done but it would be as likely to rise elvis as likely he can get the young voters

Well the GOP can stop walking around with corn cobs stuck up their collective rumps & run some candidates who are not fossils. The GOP doesn't seem to get the idea that doing modern things doesn't mean you have to give up values.
Patricia
Palmdale, Ca.

Jack,
Because their ideals and values are so far apart from the way the current generation of young Americans see things. The GOP like to present themselves as the group who knows best. Like an abusive step-father. Even facing this historic election they refuse to budge from their self-rightious view of how the world should be. Just look at McCain, he touts himself as someone who won't budge from what he see's to be right and wrong. How can you possibly reason with someone like that. One day the republicans will be extinct and they will have no one to blame but themselves for their inability to change with the world around them.

It's simple Jack. They realise the mess the previous generation has left for them and they know to clean it up things are going to have to change. Wait a minute! Isn't that what our generation said? Good book by the way.

Maybe, just maybe the young voters in this country are voting on issues that will impact their future. I have an 18 year old daughter that will vote in her first presidential election this fall. Her main concern is healthcare. She also is facing student loan debt when she finishes school. It doesn't take a fully developed brain to see how damaged their future already is thanks to corporate greed that is fueled by GOP policies. As for me a 42 year old voter ...... well I take great pleasure telling the armed services recruiter that calls at least once a month for her "Sorry, but George Bush isn't getting any of my kids."

Being a senior now and looking back it is obvious our generation tend to be married to one particular political party for life and likely because it was ingrained in us by our parents. This is true for Canadians who have 4 major political parties but old timers or baby boomers if you prefer can't get out of our rut and continue to support our parents party regardless of the consequences to ourselves and our country.

In short the younger generation is better informed than we were through most of our lives and they seemed to be more determined to make their own decisions without our influences. They recognize that conservatism with it's trickle down economics has no benefits for the majority of society and it is quickly going the way of the dodo bird!

In short Jack this free thinking younger generation is North America's best hope for the future.

Since the Republicans are not as interested in "attracting" young voters as much as they are interested in keeping them out of the process so they don't vote for the other guy, the answer is easy - get the Clintons elected in the Democratic Primary. If this happens it is guaranteed we will see record low turnout in November and this will be a huge benefit to all of the Republican candidates.

Jack we young people are tired of washington old politics.

Lisa

Dallas

Well, I'm a 22 year old male, who identifies himself as a Republican, because to me, they represent the traditions that made this country great. There have been a few Democrats that have inspired me, but all the claims of "warmongers" have completely turned me away. There is a difference between a warmonger and someone who understands that the only thing some people understand is a display of power (like Saddam)

Jack, These things are cyclic, and the cycle is opposite to that of who is in power. If the Dems were in, they'd all be registering as Republicans just to be different from The Man.

RE: Elections-McCain.

The Republican Party needs to go back to it's founding principles. Protection of American jobs and industry, protection of the borders, don't spend it f you ain't got it, a true respect for individual freedom, and no involvement in foreign Byzantine intrigues.
Only then can the young people truly believe that their government is trying to protect their future.

Jack,

As a young person, it's my opinion that young people vote based on association, not the issues. Here's my bold prediction for 2016: Hulk Hogan versus Flavor Flave.

Warren – Detroit

The same way they attract their young wives: $

They could come out and say we goofed and we will get out of Iraq on January 22, 2009 and we will have our troops home in 48 hours and then we will eliminate the tax breaks for the wealthy, as well as tax social security on all wages earned, including capital gains. This would only be a good start. Of course I don't believe the young people are stupid enough to believe them so the Republican Party might as well surrender.

It's because all the things that interest American's under the age of 30 are not in the Republican menu. Most folks under 30 do not want to make all the money in the world, become grossly, crassly overpaid CEO's, have no desire to outsource their businesses, or make a member of the Saudi Royal Family their best friend. Nope, most people under 30 are still idealistic and have not become corrupted into metamorphisizing into the dreaded NeoCon.

He could start by try getting his TV ads to run on saturday mornings with the cartoon shows. They'd fit right in. At the moment they look like spots for AARP. His campaign hasn't figured out yet that the future is owned by the young voters. .

Republicans only care about themselves and their rich executive friends. Young people would do better to stay away from these right-wing executive supporting extremists. Republicans have sat back and allowed this country to fall into the bad shape it is today. They block every piece of legislation that can help a lot of people. The Democratic party is the party of the average American and I am proud member of the Democrats.

They could come out and say we goofed and we will get out of Iraq on January 22, 2009 and we will have our troops home in 48 hours and then we will eliminate the tax breaks for the wealthy, as well as tax social security on all wages earned, including capital gains. This would only be a good start. Of course I don't believe the young people are stupid enough to believe them so the Republican Party might as well surrender.

Jack, the only significant Republican to gain a following of young people was Ron Paul because he had a plan to actually help the younger generation, instead of making today's problems another day's worry (which will be the younger generation's worry when they grow up). The young followers of Obama are flocking to him because they needed something to give them hope that their future will not be horrible, with a lower living standard than today's. Given all of the major candidates' plans to increase government spending, I do not see this happening unfortunately.
Ben Johnson, Chicago IL

It's like the old saying, if you're young and a Republican, you have no heart. If you're old and a Democrat, you have no brain. Although the latter part of that statement no longer rings true with today's crop of Republicans. Maybe if the Republican party recognized that the world changes and policies that worked in 1908 no longer work in 2008, they might gain a few votes. Well, that and the whole rich old white guys image.

Simple. Stop nominating tired old men with tired old ideas from a different era and find a vibrant, young, forward-thinking candidate. McCain reminds youthful voters of their feeble grandfather.

Even though Romney didn't "connect" as well as he needed to, he certainly would have been a more attractive choice for young voters.

After reading many of your posts I can tell many of your "educated" readers are in fact not. The President of the United States does not "start or stop" a draft, the congress does. In fact the first peace time draft was signed into law by President Roosevelt in 1940, and selective service requirements were set by congress in 1980 and signed into law by then President Carter.

We need to actually tech history in college classes. Maybe then when polls are taken of young people on campuses they will actually be informed citizens.

Learn and vote Republican!

Jack,

How could our young honestly be expected to support current Republican party faithful when they see their peers being deployed and killed in a war that almost 70% of Americans disagree with.

Times are really, really hard and no one under the age of 30 is going to flock to the Republican Party unless they are richer than Bill Gates and don't have the social conscience he does.

Jack,

Contrary to popular believe, the younger generation is much smarter than we give them credit for in some areas. They know that if the problems facing America are not fixed now, they will have to deal with them when they approach retirement. They also know that the Republican party although quite popular is responsible for the majority of those issues that plague this country. I also would not be a bit surprised if we see a change of the "OLD Guard" in the Congress and Senate in the next few years, because they know for change to really happen we must make a total change.

Our young people seem to be smarter than our older people. They are not stuck in the old style politics and they believe that we can do things in a better way. I am a middle aged white woman and think the young folks are correct. Go Obama!!!

Jack.

There are millions of youthful voter's out there who consider themselves conservatives. Because they don't blog–or respond to your on-line queries doesn't mean they stil don't exit.

Despite popular myth–most conservatives don't spend a lot of time on the blogs or in cyperspace. They are busy in the reality based world they find themselves living in. Reality, and the practical use of Presidential power provide the most motivation to them.

Action–as opposed to words. An agenda based on the know realities of science–as opposed to hope and blind promises–is what motivates them.

In the early 1950's, my grandparents' house was festooned with buttons and banners proclaiming "I Like Ike".

Especially in the last eight years, the party has turned into a right-wing puppet for the rich and the 'military-industrial complex' that Ike warned us about.

because people are tired of the politics of the past.we don't care what color our president is,we don't care if he has a funny name.we don't care about about what his preacher says.we don't mind if our president is still young enough to have a hopeful vision for the world.we want a president that will make the government work for us,again.we want a leader who will take care of our troops when they come home.

Voters under 30 are mostly liberals and the republican party does not attract many liberals while the democrats are nothing but liberals. Generally after 30 years of age most people become more conservative and are actually making a decent living and start to wizen up to the democrats taxing the hell out of the middle class and well off to feed clothe and support the poor and class of people that refuse to work because they have been given everything all their lives by the government and never had to work for anything. It was provided for them by the democrats and the ones that DO work and pay taxes.
By age 30 people are thinking about working towards retirement. The under 30 crowd are just starting to find their way in the world and think nothing of social security and Medicare and things that mater to older people. The under 30 crowd think they will live forever and will worry about all that later These are the prime voters for the democrats. They tend to always have their had out and want a leg up. they pay the least in Taxes in most cases and if that pattern does not change will continue to not pay much if any in taxes to support the things they want the government to provide throughout their whole lives. That leaves the responsible people to provide for everyone else.
The republican party only needs to let the democrats take over the white house again and raise taxes on the middle and well off and oil companies to fund projects that they can't make happen like Universal healthcare. The Oil companies and businesses will leave taking more jobs with them. this country uses 21 million barrels of oil each day. Only 5 million barrels per day of that oil comes from domestic sources right here because of what the democrats did with a 30 year ban on oil exploration and restricted pumping from existing wells. At $120.00 a barrel that is a whole lot of money going to foreign countries to support them when it could be making tax dollars right here in America and providing American jobs right here at home. The democrats are a very big part of the current economic problems. All it would take is 4 years with a democratic president to finish this country off. The war in Iraq was voted on by Democrats and republicans so all this BS about the republicans starting this war is a damn lie. All the democrats had to do was to vote against it in the first place but they DID NOT. They continue to fund it. They are just as culpable as any other party. Our troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are both democrats and republicans and even a few independents I am sure. They all bleed red no mater the party.

The Republican Party is afraid of change and the only way that the party will ever embrace change is when the baby boomers finally die off. Young Americans will look to the Repbulican party again, once their grandparents stop running the show.

Elizabeth B.
Baton Rouge, LA

Too educated, the poor Republican's need to dumb down our nation a bit more.

Jack, I'm a dyed in the wool republican and can tell you that younger voters have historically voted democratic, cause that's a time, when one's thoughts are free and unencumbered, by the realities, of life. Later in life reality, along with conservatism sinks in and republicans are born. But after 8 years of George W., I'm ashamed, to admit my party affiliation and wouldn't blame voters, for blaming the republican party, for our nations problems. Just remember all thoses democrats that voted, for the 3 big business tax cuts, over the last 7 years.

Because they,like us older folks are just too damn poor to be a Republician.

Jack,

For the same reason that this old, white conservative bailed on the Republican Party. They haven’t had a good idea or a program that worked since Eisenhower built the interstate highway system. I’m just hopeful that Barack Obama can get us started in the right direction. Even if he is a miracle worker, it will take far longer than his eight years to turn around this country that has been taken to the brink of demise by the Bushes and the Clintons.

Ron Christman
Washington, PA

Get young runners

As long as the GOP continues to be driven by its insatiable desire for power and wealth, and not by investing in the futures of these young people, it never will attract them. They're generating the debt, and when they're all dead and gone, we'll be the ones left paying for their idiocy.

Morph that big fat elephant into a donkey and buy a clue. The Republicans are so out of touch with reality.

They can't attract them because young people seem to see through the smoke and mirrors and see that the GOP is willing to sacrifice their lives for the benefit of the petroleum industry and defense contractors. A young person voting for these warmongers is a young person looking to lose their lives for money.

Jack, the GOP clings to outdated ideas that have proved to only bring problems to our country. Young people are turning away fromthe GOP and turn to the Democrats, particularly to Obama, who promise real changes in our international and domestic issues. Young people believe only the Democrats can pull us out of wasteful and unwanted strife in the middle east, will provide true security on our borders and within our country, and will improve the economy with lower prices and needed jobs.

Jack, I can think of three reasons. First, the young voters are more attracted to the policies of the Democratic Party. Second, most of their growing up has been during the Bush administration and they are fed up with it. And third, during this last year, a large percentage are attracted to what they see in Sen. Obama.

With everything that is happening in this country, the economy, war etc has impacted these young people a lot. It will be a waste of time for GOP to put a lot of effort in this area. They should focus on their base and making sure those do not become democrats.

Nuwan from Houston,TX

The Republican Party has proven that they are not able to lead the country into the 18th Century. How in the hell can anyone expect them to lead during the modern age.

The Republican party sent what would be their jobs overseas and you wonder why they can't attract young voters?

The GOP can wait 20 years. Then most of the young voters will begin to be older like them.

Let's hope not – the GOP is the reason why we are in the shape we are in now.

End the WAR in Iraq!

They must do three things, Jack:

1. Get somebody inspirational on the ticket. Young people are emotional and want to believe in something bigger than themselves.

2. Get off the 'war is good' recording. Who do they think is over in Iraq fighting and dying for this war? Not a bunch of 60+ year olds, that's for sure.

3. Treat them like thinking adults. Talk to them, find out what is important to them and develop a platform that addresses their issues.

p.s. it's way too late this time around but a Democrat in the White House for 8 years will give them plenty of time to work on this.

maybe if they ran some candidates that were NOT, like to old "doo-wop" song says, "Stuck In The 50's Tonight" they could attract a younger crowd.

Why you ask? Perhaps we should revisit what G.O.P. actually stands for...

Jack

The GOP or Goofy Old People party is out of touch with mainstream America. They pray on weakness just like religion does. They browbeat you and tell you how to think, how to vote and how to live. If you disagree with anyone in the GOP your labled as an outcast and traitor. The GOP should stick to its hardcore white wing fringe voters and forget this election cycle. McCain was thrown a token bone this year and will get soundly defeated by Obama. We need to bring back the American Whig party dating back to 1776 to stand up to this autocratic rule. I am 35 and switched to Independent last year. We need a 3rd party badly in America!! Jason- Chandler, Arizona

Now, this is one of your biggest questions ever, Jack! Let's start
with Republicans changing from fear-based/old style dusty notion/Constitution blungeoning/sanctimonious/ self-righteous/gun toting stubborn mandates to thinking about THE PEOPLE for a change. Maybe then young Americans might relate.

Where do they take these polls? They must be using MTV data, because the young people I know are voting republican, and I live in the liberal state of California. I suspect with so many people taking polls out there, the majority of young folks being asked for their opinion will probably be playing video games on election day anyway. And although it may seem "fashionable" to say they support Obama or Hillary now, they probably wont back it up with a vote.

Jack,

I'm 23 years old. The Republican party could become environmentally responsible, support pulling out of Iraq, start taxing the wealthiest Americans at a higher rate and the poorest at a lower, push for a single-payer health care system...in fact they'd be better off hanging it up and starting a new party based upon the ideals of my generation. I only know of ONE friend or acquaintance who will not be voting for Barack Obama this November, and I live in Nebraska. Go Big Red? Not Republican red.

First of all, I think one would have to win a debate with those under 30 voters as to why they should vote Republican. And if their parents are Republicans, they've probably already lost that debate.

Jack, two words...Ronald Reagan. Here was a fine example of a G.O.P. candidate the youth of America could get behind. Find a candidate that represents who Ronald Reagan was, and you have your G.O.P. poster boy. Sadly, that won't happen this year with McBush.

offer them a free ipod, or blackberry phone with the stimulus check.

Whether people will admit it or not Obama has drawn the young crouds to vote.To get them to swing to republican give the nomination to Clinton.

Get with the program, Jack! The future is now and moving on!
In this Age of the Technology Highway, knowledge and information is just a click away.
This computer age has United, not Divide, people and made the world a smaller but more interesting world.

Do you really think they want to reverse history or make history?

Pay for our college tutition for free. And tell the truth. But, that still won't appeal to the young voters. Because it will be temporary and they rather spend that money on the war then to give it to hard working Americans. Democrats rule.

They can't becuase, with any luck, this younger generation has produced fewer homophobic, xenophobic, warmongering nationalist religous zealouts than before.

The reason they can't attract young people,is because it is the second largest group,in America, receiving government subsidies,and everyone knows that the Republicans don't want the federal government intervening in to things. They are for low government and personal responsibility for oneself. A totally foreign concept to many today. But gees! Why ask me? Ask Obama! And while you are asking him,ask him who is going to pay for it all! You might be surprised at the answer! Then maybe not!

First, I don't believe its just the republicans. I think Hillary has missed out on the young vote too. I believe Obama with his youth and style has attracted the young back into politics just like theKennedys did in the 60's.

Republicans by their nature are more inclined to attract the already successful, which is why republicans did so well during and just after the Clinton years. The youth of America aren't into their careers just yet, so they tend to be more idealistic and less protective, and thats where the republicans fall short.

We young people identify with the Democratic Party because we have grown up in a conservative lead country and we don't like where we're at. Dating back to the early 80's this country has only seen centrist or right of center control and what have we go to show for it? Rising health costs, an endless war, a floundering economy? It's time for a change.

The reason is simple. Rebellion. Older voters (parents) are traditionally more republican in their views. God, guns, and hate the gays. Young folks revel against anything parental. Because the older generation is more conservative the younger generation is more liberal. Conservatives can continue to make conservative laws and young liberals will continue to ignore them. Its the classic struggle really. I think it would make a great doctoral thesis.

Fred from Wisconsin

Simple Jack, It's the Grand Old (white man's) Party and politically INCORECT in this day and age...and it's hard for these young whipersnapers to identify with rich old white men.

I cast my first presidential vote in 1996. My perception of the Republican party at that time: (1) Reagonomics closed my middle class parents out of the housing market; (2) Bush the First sent fresh high school grads to war for what, from what I could tell, was no good reason; (3) the Republicans put up Bob Dole, who was older than my grandparents, to compete against young, hip, charismatic, saxophone-playing Bill Clinton. Hmmmm. Deja vu anyone?

Young voters are concerned about one thing: themselves. They want strong domestic policy. They don't care who has oil or who has democracy if they can't pay back their student loans and take a job they hate because they need health insurance. The Republicans simply don't have that image. They focus on asserting their authority overseas, meanwhile letting "the market" take care of its own citizens. The Democrats at least pretend to want to take care of us, and that's better than nothing.

I would suggest that people no matter what the age, just want the truth. They want a sense that adults are looking after the larger questions. If vpters of any age hear, such as McCain offers for example, that a tax holiday will somehow expand and not deplete gasoline supplies, they know they aren't dealing with truth tellers.

People under the age of 30 are too young to remember the G.O.P., the party formerly known as conservatives. The current version has turned "conservative" into a dirty word. a joke. Unlike older folks, younger voters are not likely to give respect where it has not been earned. They don't really care who you are, even if you are oh.., let's say president. If you're a dork, you're a dork.

Jake,

Who cares about the GOP. When are you going to report on the LA Court Case Peter Paul Vs. Clinton. I think the voters need to know about Hillary facing a possible felony if convicted. CNN keeps talking about Obama electability issues with Wright but I haven't heard about Obama facing a possible felony charge. Do the right thing and report on this case.

Please Jack-

These are educated college students.

For starters don't pick a leader that is likely as old or older than their grandparents.

Jack, as one of those voters in the under 30 age bracket I would have to say it's because of the huge disconnect the Republicans seem to have with the real world! The conservative republican "solutions" to our problems today all seem to be more of the same. "The economy is broken... cut more taxes for the rich! Health care is broken... cut more taxes for the rich! Gas prices are sky rocketing... cut more taxes for the rich!" These ideas have been shown not to work and we're currently living in the world they've created, how doing more of the same is going to change anything I don't know. The Democrats, on the other hand, seem to realize that what we've been doing isn't working and want to change the way things are done. Makes voting much easier, vote for the party that wants to fix things!

Any young person under the age of 30 would be crazy to register or vote Republican. McCain has no intention of stopping a war that has cost the lives of over 4000 US troops and billions and billions of dollars. Our troops are stretched to the limit and under McCain, war in Iran is a very real possibility. Our soldiers are currently serving three, four or more tours to the Mideast. What's next – reinstating the draft?

Well, Jack
Maybe if the GOP nominated a candidate under SEVENTY !!!! That n=might attract some young voters!

I think if the GOP returned to their original values it would help a lot. The only Republican I actually liked was Ron Paul. If the media gave him half the positive air time of McCain I'm sure he would have been the nominee by now. I was actually disgusted after following his candidacy how biased the media actually is. I lost trust in a LOT of news casters, it was extremely disappointing.

I learned which news casters are actually honest and speak truth to power and which are just on the payroll.

There was a time when the young flocked to the Republican Party... that was during the Regan years. The party has since evolved into too many hard nose unbending factions.

Obama is helping the Democrats evolve. My gut is, he'll help the Republicans evolve too. They have to evolve, to keep up with the times... and then the young will come again.

Here's what Republicans need to do.

1) Educate young voters that there have been more than two Presidents.
2) Pick a young energetic VP preferably from a swing state (Rob Portman, OH would be interesting for instance).
3) Win the "jobs" argument.

The rest will take care of itself.

(1). Have the republicans create so much havoc and strife in the world, both militarily and economically, that (2) the democrats get elected to clean up the mess and then bring back the draft, start cutting services to try and balance the budget, create new regulations, etc.

(3)Then another Reaganesque Voodoo Economist will come along, blaming the tax and spend democrats, and starting the cycle all over.

The republican plan is nearly 1/3 complete.

FDR wrote a little letter in 1923, regarding the republicans, that seems, once again, to be accurate.

Harry
Ky.

I'll tell you just how the GOP can attract young voters. They need to set up compounds across America so good Republicans can procreate like crazy and raise lots of kids without outside influence, not let anyone out except to vote and only a trusted few to do their business with the world. Inside the compound the children will be brainwashed to believe that it is God's will to support a Republican candidate regardless of the facts or their qualifications or nature. Remind anyone of fundamentalist Mormon compounds? See. I know it will work.

the only way the GOP can attract new voters is find a new canidate, but its too late for that to happen. John McCains age is a serious concern for us young voters. They have no chance!!!!

Jack

Oh this one is too easy - get a younger candidate.

Jerry
Roselle, Illinois

Dump McCain. Draft Chuck Hagel. EJM Granville, Ohio

Its simple. They should just select a younger candidate. Mcain would keep scaring the young folks.

For our nation's sake, please shut up.

These young people aren't stupid. They know that two of these candidates have already voted to go to war in Iran. That is right I said Iran. They know more than the average so call adult. When you listen to them this whole Rev Wright thing does not even phase them. And they are tired of everyone discrediting them. Telling them they won't show up to vote if there is a plays station marathon. It was because of young people that Kennedy got elected.

Jack is you have not notice there leader of there Party is old as Dinosaur he will never be able to get younger voter unless someone built a time Machine to let him go back 20- 30 years He has a Problem because Barack has the Energy Behind him that will go door to door and will call state by state Mcshame has no chance at this demographic

The youth of the U.S. is interested in any political party that talks about investing in the now and future of this country, not foreign countries. I am 57 years young and I am way past being out of patience with a government that has thrown away trillions of taxpayers money on foreign countries not to mention the thousands of soldiers killed needlessly. Young voters want leaders that will focus on our problems and I can't blame them because I feel the same.

Jack, . . . I hate to say it, but the Republican party used to be a status
Symbol. Now its like an old Ralph Lauren shirt. No one wears that
anymore. People would rather be free, and wear what they want.
Freedom is status now.

The GOP turn young people off! I don't want to be like Carl Rove, or Dick Cheney or any of those morans who think they know it all.

Easy. Keep doing what they're doing, pushing for Republicans to keep Clinton in the race.

If you want to win younger voters, who tend to be more passionate, pressure for the only vote for their party they can make someone they absolutely detest.

There's a reason 10% of the people voting in some of these elections are self-declared Republicans!

Because they are Running against Barack Obama is he is the Voice to the younger generation he understands John Mccain and the Republicans have no chance of getting the young vote

I'm not sure it matters. The youth get fired up, go to rallies, and think that their candidate is a rock star – then preceed not to get out of bed to vote. As a group, they are reliable non-voters.

It doesn't matter.

Because Young people have a different view than the Republican party & McCain. They are smarter & progressive
Ca.

Young people live in a global village whereas the older people identify themselves as being party of a local community. Generally speaking.

Mike Huckabee said he would censure a judge if he used international law concepts to interpret against a local law. This sort of thinking from GOP might identify with those with a close knit community attitude, like people in the bible belt etc but not going to do well with the more educated people who look at things from a more global perspective, and young people, who have grown up in an international enivronment.

Having said that Bush won 2004 even though most people hated him, so I cant see why Republicans might not win again in 2008 even though they shouldn't, and Barack is the best candidate by far.

I just plain believe that our kids are much smarter than that. The biggest reason for more young voters is Barack!

Because the Republican Party is completely out of touch with every important issue that affects us all. Finally, we have a new generation that can see through the Republican tactics of distraction. They know what the important issues are and it's not wearing flag pins, worrying about gay people spreading their lifestyles to our young or taking away our precious guns. It's about ending the war, global warming, healthcare, improving education, fighting poverty and the list goes on. Unless the Republican Party can focus on real issues, I'm happy to say the Democrats will be in power for a long time.

Deborah
Seattle, WA

Simply put...McCain is out of touch and has been for a very long time.

Maybe if they put big-boobed babes in swimsuits in their commercials they could draw some attention??

Works for the beer companies.

C'mon Jack. You'd think that would be obvious. Republicans have made a mess of things. Things with far-reaching consequences and the kind of longevity that upcoming generations will have to fix.

Having a party that feels they are entitled to disregard any opinion that doesn't conform to their narrow view of world doesn't help either. I say this as a "middle of the road" independent and firm believer in the Constitution of the United States.

The Republican Party should have chosen someone in touch with what is going on in America now if they want the young votes. Young voters are like teenagers who think their parents are the dumbest people in the world. It will take these young voters a few more years before they realize that experience is so valuable. When teenagers grow up and have families, they realize grandpa and grandma know how to handle little Joey's runny nose and fever. Experience keeps them from pushing the panic button. At 3 a.m. in the morning we don't want our inexperienced President pushing the panic button.

Get a younger candidate....DUH!!! The one they have now is rather out of touch.

The only way McCain can ATTRACT some young voters, if he will be able to find enough geriatrophiles. And fortunately, the clinical data say there aren't many of them...

jack you know the answer
take the nomination from hi and give it to a young guy like me or barack the old folks will do the same old sh.......................

ATLANTA

We hope the young voters vote for the one who is the most experienced and most qualified. That is Hillary Clinton.

Hi,
Has anyone looked into who is behind all the press Mr. Wright was getting?
Was it Clinton or McCain campaign people?
I wonder!

They can't.

Jack one word Obama !!

They can't–and it's more than Iraq. The Republicans have cut college loans and aid to education. Those just graduating face a lack of job openings in the areas they anticipated and difficulty in getting health insurance. As for home ownership..... And their parents are too stretched and worried about their own retirements to help them out. Unless they are in the top 1% income bracket, what has the Republican party done for them?

Simple. We grew up with the world and not sheltered like our parents and grandparents. Republicans win by preying on our fear of what and who we dont understand. Us young people understand the world better so fear tactics don't work as well on us.

They could switch Party;s because the Young voter are heavy democrat the Republicans stand for the old in this Country the Democrats stand up for the new ideas and you can not have the same way of doing something for 100 years jack So of course the Democrats will get the younger audience the Republican should change what there party stand for and since that is not going to happen there is nothing that they can do jack it is just how things are.

He might gain an advantage if John McCain would chose a young, attractive, articulate running mate. Someone who believes that reducing taxes during wartime is unconscionable and that Americans should never, ever torture others, under any circumstances and that we aren't quite as stupid as we appear.

Hmm, if he did that, I might consider him and I am a 58 year old white woman who supports Sen. Obama.

Change their party's name and pretend they are the party of love, peace, tolerance, unity; a party that puts people before their wars and profits. Yeah, when pigs fly!!

Q: How can the GOP attract young voters?

A: Give the Democratic nomination to Hillary Clinton

Jack,
Republicans are having a tough time winning my generation over because we're simply more progressive in our beliefs. We're the most tolerant generation in American history because we've grown up with Will and Grace, desegregated schools, and the diversity of opinion made possible by the Internet. John McCain and his conservative pals represent the same kind of 'stuck in the past' thinking that we want to move beyond in this election.

This is an easy one. The young of today don't remember when the GOP really was an American political party and not the cheerleading section for big business and globalists; they have decided that following blindly behind their parents' political beliefs are what got us where we are today; and if we don't change now we might not be a free republic much longer.
Hartwell, GA

I haven't heard anyone commenting on whether their stimulus deposit went into their accounts this week. Is there any news that this was done by the US Treasury or they just leading us on!

Jack,
It's just like you said. Coming of age during the Bush years is bound to have be driving this trend. As a 23 year old, I don't think I could vote Republican. Republicans are perceived as being anti-environment, anti-helping us kids in need while going through college, and they are seen to be the party of big corporations, hawkish national security policies and a lower taxes... as if lower taxes really resonates with your average young voter who has less financial headaches than the average person.

Most of all, the GOP is seen as the party of traditional values, going back to a Faux American paradise of the 1950's.. that, Jack, might turn off young voters most of all. Young people are more worried about the future, not the past.

My Republican friends are leaving the party because of George W. Bush and Dick Cheney! Then there is the Iraq War! Tax cuts for the rich! Big business bailouts! Wealthy oil company subsidies!
Oh well, I still say "Go Hilliary" NO OBAMA

Simple, make peace, not war.

Jack, Young people are impressionable and like rallys and being with their friends and acting like their friends and doing what their friends do. At the moment Obama is cool. Jenna Bush isn't even sure who she will vote for. I got the impression she won't even bother to vote. Young people live for the moment, tomorrow is another day. The Republicains need a young candidate, preferably a really cute guy, under 40 with a wrangler butt....
Charlotte
Clovis, Ca

By nature, the GOP is designed not to welcome newcomers. It's all about rules, regulations and being part of the "good ol' boys" club. Women still aren't given the same respect as men. I used to live in Texas and the two most common questions from Republicans were "What does your father do?" and "Where did you go to school?" Now why on earth would I want to join a club like that?

Boise, Idaho

They Can't.

Because most young people aren't rich, middle aged, white men.

Most voters under 30 have memories of pretty darn good years during their teens, in the last 8 years all the Republican Party has offered them is fear, lies, war, a future full of debt, intolerance,devisivness and the possiblity of a draft – $600 and a promise of no gas tax over the summer just won't get the vote with all of that on the table – thank heavens our young aren't that stupid.

Jack,

They're not getting young votes because they're not Obama. Republicans have this "Old-guy" feel to their campaigns, and as a mechanical engineering student I can tell you that just doesn't appeal to young people.

Our lives are always dictated by people that are older than us. Parents, professors, bosses, etc. After a while you just want to see a youngish face in politics that seems to care about your problems.

Unfortunately for McCain, he just doesn't fit the image young people are looking for. I think if he tries to stick to his core constituency and has efforts to get the youth vote on the side, he'll do well. Otherwise, you've got an old guy competing with a much younger guy to get votes for young people. It's common sense. Who do you think wins that contest?

Republican party would have convert to a Democratic party!

Jack,
Eleven years ago I changed my voter registration from Republican to Democrat, after twenty years as a Republican.

The Republican party was too extreme for me. I have many conservative values, but I am liberal in many ways also. There is no room in the Republican party for anything except their right-wing, conservative values and beliefs.

I am also disenchanted because the Republicans say they stand for one thing, then act in another way, such as fiscally conservative and compassionately conservative.

Young people may lack experience, but they are not stupid. The best thing, recently, that has happened TO the Republican party is John McCain, who is closer to being a Centrist than a right-wing extremest.
I plan on voting for McCain, unless Clinton is the nominee.

Bud Curtis
Miami, OK

Jack,

Simply put the GOP is a worthless party w/a worthless nominee. All they want to do is remain in a state of war w/everyone and anyone for 100+ yrs. The fact of the matter is I'm a registered Republican but will never vote for any GOP canididate ever. They went far too right wing on several occasions and now we're paying the price for their bumbling. Hopefully Obama will help us all recover somewhat. Thanks a lot W.

That should not be hard Jack. Use the Obama model: write great speeches about hope and change. These people do not care about experiences or who is tough enough to stand the heat of being a president. These young people do not want a fighter, they just want somebody to talk their language.

It means the Republican party serves the interest of the wealthy.
Have you ever seen many wealthy recent grads?

Jack:

Of course Jimmy Carter endorsed Obama. He made a date with our enemy, Hamas, just a few months before Obama will. After all, Barak also promised to talk to them and other terrorists to secure rapprochment. Oh yeah! Thanks for publishing this. Carol

The face of the republicans is 70 year old rich out of touch white man. Happy Mission Accomplished Day!

Jack,
To be honest I'm a 22 year old born and raised Republican. But after the last couple of years I'm sick of the way the goverment has treated the people of the United States of America. With the war, economy, environment, and every other issue I'm fed up with it and want to see a change for the better. This is exactly why I'll be voting Democrat in November!

Probably because the Republican party is so out of touch with anyone under the age of 30. Besides, why would the republicans want our votes anyway? I recall being told repeatedly by various older conservatives that because I'm young, I must be dumb, naive, and brainwashed by the liberal media and my liberal professors...

They can't. Their basic fundamental views do not fall in line with what most young voters believe. Many people's views change as they age, and the Republican party caters to that.

Jack – They will have a hard time. Bush ran as a compassionate republican, basically claiming to be a democrat in republican clothes. They won't be fooled again.

Here’s my question to you: Why can’t the Republican Party attract more voters under the age of 30?

Talk to your party boy Obama Hateman Jack. He is great with the young rock group people BUT he CAN NOT get the working white working class voters like Hillary, because of his real feeling; as shown in a Sacramento speech.
Now CNN is letting you already start McCain vs Obama attacks, right Hateman Jack??. Hillary IS NOT QUITTING YET loser.

Well, they need to star using their young star Republican Dan Quale more – he is exemplifies the typical young GOP (Dumb and totally out of touch) Hell, let him debate Omaba.

To attract young voters, the GOP should follow the lead of beer commercials – hot women, fast cars and cool gadgets!

Well....you got a better idea?

McCains age is his biggest issue with young people. These young people are not going to be interested in an old man. He doesnt speak their language. He is a stick in the mud. The GOP needs to bring in Huckabee as VP to attract the young voters.

Jack, As a Dem why would I want to tell the Republicans how to attract young voters. I would like to tell the Dems how to keep them"Live up to the promise and ideals the young are seeing right now."

No, no, no. We don't want McCain because we know BS when we see it. We have seen more in our youth than most of you older folks have seen in your entire life. Our wisdom grows faster than past generations because we learned from your mistakes. We see where your decisions have lead this country and in alot of cases it affected us more than you- negatively. Therefore, we are determined to make things right. But if you older folks continue to hold on to this "fear" and derail our hopes and dreams from becoming reality, your bad decisions will continue to drag us ALL down- as a country.

The young people of today are again expressing the commitment to building a better world that was the hallmark of we Baby Boomers in our earlier years. The Republicans held sway when Meism overcame altruism in our generation and now the Democrats are poised to once again capitalize on a new generation committed to looking forward rather backward.

As a registered republican I recently took part in a survey sent out by the RNC. It was clear from the way they asked the questions that the GOP is ruled by the extreme right who want to have their way or no way. When I was young, this sort of attitude made me pull away. I suspect that young people today are not much different. If the GOP is to attract younger voters, they need to move to the center and make their policies about progress not ideology.

the defection of the latest superdelagte means nothing!

Good Luck with that one – The only hope of attracting new young voters will be to court them from more fundamentally oriented schools and churches. Young voters will be missing out on many opportunities because of the present Republican party – education, healthcare, social security, uncertainty of the draft if there is an over-extended pointless war going on, economic security, and limited, if any, jobs available. The party is no longer relevent.

What do you expect? Republicans are against recreational drugs, premarital sex, and pornography. I don't know about you Jack, but that pretty much describes my life from age 18 to 30.

Dave
Ottawa

Target the age group that hasn't learned to read yet.

Elect Obama president wait 4 years and watch all the defections from the democrtic party because complete disapointment of 4 years of nothing getting done.

That's easy Jack...recruit Obama!

They can’t. We’re too intellgent.

New York

I support john McCain, and I am not old enough to vote. but when media takes McCain's "100 Years War" literally, it makes people turn their backs on his statement.
The democrats also say they will make health care more affordable, attracting many. But what about real issues about how health care is handled? Like what kind of pills you want compared to what you get. Also how will health care be affordable to young adults who still live with their parents.
The democrats are just telling us ear-candy. Health care, pulling out of the war, and lots more. John McCain can't do anything to attract younger voters, only the media can do that.

Hey Jack,

Why don't we see the sample size on these polls. Anybody can make a statistically invalid statement when its based on a small sample size. Show me the numbers.

How can a 72 year old person take us into the future. John Mccain has no new ideas. He is ninento. we are the wi-fi generation. A woman should have to right to choose. Goverment sould not have the right to tell woman what to do with their bodies.

Jack,

The only way the GOP is going to attract younger voters is to have a candidate that isn't older than dirt. Watching John McCain is as exciting as watching paint dry.

David, Kentucky

Jack,

It doesn't help the GOP attract younger voters when their nominee is someone who is old enough to have seen the sinking of Atlantis, the end of the Peloponnesian War, and the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

The real problem is that the GOP is woefully out of touch with what it means to be young. It's as if some of them never had a childhood and were born at the age of 55. They don't recognize that with each successive generation, divisions across race, religion, and sexual orientation are less sharp than they are for people who grew up when segregation was still lawful.

It's obviously the only good news to report on Obama's campaign right now.

At the rate they are going they will attract everyone.

Jack,

All our lives, us young folks have been taught to be tolerant of and compassionate towards our fellow man, to care about the health of this planet we've been given, and to settle our differences peacefully. If the religious wing of the GOP would practice those particular values of their faith, and stop concentrating on gay marriage, abortion, and stem cell research, they'd have a much better shot. I wish the rest of the "Old Party" good luck in that endeavour.

B in Baltimore

What does it mean to me? He's a politician so the first thing I wonder is 'what's in it for him?' With that question in mind, the answer becomes obvious; it means that this guy is from Indianapolis and he is thinking of running for office.
And they say that there is no honor among thieves. Maybe that's why I always feel like I've had my pocket picked at tax time.

Jack,
Learn from Senator Obama who has had more young adult support than any recent candidate in history. Fact is if Senator Clinton steals and deals the nomination away from him the young people will not come out.
Neither Clinton nor McCain attract young voters it is that simple!!
Obama does!!!!

I can only think of one way:

If Hillary gets (not wins) the nomination, McCain should court Obama for VP.

Am I crazy? No. The Democrats will be so divided if she somehow takes the nomination, McCain could not lose.

I know it would never happen, but it would be very interesting.

Who the hell is former DNC bigwig Andrews? His defection shows clearly that he is elitist and has no idea that if Obama is nominated McCain will be the next presdient.

George
Evarts, Kentucky

Re: Joe Andrew's defection–another Judas has emerged. For Hillary and Bill–"with friends like this . . ."

They can't, Its almost impossible. Why ? republicans only care for there selfs most young people are to smart to be tricked by the top ten percent
of the rich. Not to mention most kids feel the crunch of the Republicans greed and see there parents suffering to pay bills , why these rich brats suck up all the benefits. CNN we sometimes wonder who's side your on.when you put these disturbing Questions out.

Joe Andrew? Another unknown man who wants to get his name in the news. His change in support to Oabama means nothing to me. I suspect it means the same to Indiana voters. The superdelegates should remain quiet until the primaries are finished. This change hints at some political "tit for tat".

Jack,

The handwriting is on the wall. It's time for her to back out–but she won't.
She'll just divide the party more and more.

Jack-
I didn't even read your file but the blonde chick holding up the John McCain sign is hot. I wish she went to my college.

It means that Mr. Andrew does not have the testicular fortitude to stick around when the going gets tough. And Jack, your bias toward Obama becomes more obvious with each of your comments. It would be interesting if you and other CNN news people tried to remember once in a while that you're supposed to give unbiased reports, not tilt them either way to try to influence the public toward your personal choices.

Claudia
Rhode Island

The GOP is preceived as the war mungering party and that implies a potential draft. Most young peolpe with a capacity to critically think realize we went to Iraq under a false pretense and find little or no rationale that being a soldier in Iraq is patriotic.

If you put up a poster of Mc Cain and asked young people "Would you vote for this man?", they would picture their grandfather with the same ideas. He is very much out of the loop where the young people are concerned. The Republican party made a mistake with this choice.

Because they are more open minded Jack, and they understand that we all need each other make this thing work. But hear my question to you Jack, why is John McCain fighting so hard to assure that Obama does not get the nomination. If I were he, I would hope that the worst possible candidate got the node so that I could beat them. He seems to be working very hard at making sure that he runs against Hillary, I wonder why?

I think when the youth of America learn of the tax and spend policies of Barack, they will realize what a mistake it would be to vote for him. Right now, they don't have to worry too much about take home pay and how little their net pay will be.

Once they see how much less they will be able to take home for their hard work because of a Democratic President' high tax policies, then many young voters will realize it is much smarter and in their best interest to vote Republican and let themselves decide how to spend the money they earned, not the government.

Jack, the republicans would have to get McCain to find an Obama-like candidate to run as VP, if there is such a person to attract the young voters. Or by choosing Jay-Z or Hannah Montana as VP might work.

It's hard for a young person to vote for McCain because he'd be the first president on Life Alert, and we don't want him to be confused about which button to push.

Hi Jack,

The GOP needs some young faces out on the trail and among the college age voters instead of showing John McCain so much!!

Jack; A Question for an upcoming blog.

Sen. Clinton has been saying to the American public " Hire Me " as your next President of The United States. The Question " Would you hire Senator Clinton given her resume, which is missing 20 years of experience." Jack I am making this statement because the only references to her total 35 years of experience is her 8 years in the White House, which was neither paid nor elected, and 7 Years in the U.S. Senate. What did she do for 20 years prior to the White House? As a Yale Law School grad. I assumed she worked, but for whom?, in what capacity? and for how long? the American public has a RIGHT TO KNOW ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE, especially paid, of a Presidential candidate.

Jack,

The Republican party has always felt that if they as a government helped business, then business would help the public.
Those days are so old fashioned and out of date, that as republicans grow old and die, the party may well become extinct.
Maybe a responsible party headed by young voters should be started. They have more than enough intelligence to do this without our help. We could even call it the "younger" party.

Jack

The Grand Old Party should take a look at its self and just
see how many African Americans are in the Republican party
in Congress. Maybe none?

Jerry

it's rather simple,younger people are afraid they would be sent to iraq and they think mccain is"grandpa"young people also think that the republican party is for old people and has forgotten the younger generation.

Because Republicans and anyone other then obama would not pull what obama did in Philly and Indiana.Obama tried the Jay Z Dirt Off Your Shoulder body language with Philly kids..and.. planted three Abecrombie shirted college type guys behind him as he gave a speech in Indiana....I hope these kids don't fall for the momentum spin ..if they want momentum..go to Great Adventure and ride the Kingda Ka ..buy remember .. momentum tends to make you puke.

Answer: George W. Bush

Just like our parents, most of my generation has now known somebody who has lost their life or been seriously injured in a war we deem unjust. Thus, our generation is not going to vote for the party that has taken these lives and refuses to admit that the loss of more life must end.

Who cares what Joe Wilson thinks Jack,or you either for that matter.Hillary is far superior in all aspects.

Maybe the Republican party needs to learn a thing or two from Ron Paul. He has attracted significant support from young voters throughout his bid for the Republican nomination despite the fact that he's older than John McCain.

Jonathon
Downey, California

Scared me for a minute there. I thought I seen one of my daughters in the picture on this blog. Whew!

John McCain needs to announce his VP and make sure it's Hanna Montana or maybe one of the American Idol contestants. Just kidding.

He probably won't need to worry about the youth vote when the Clinton vote kicks in after the democrats nominate Barack Obama.

Today's young adults are very well aware of the issues at stake in this election. They see a senseless war that is costing billions while they cannot afford to go to college or if they do, they can't even think about buying a home afterwads because they are paying off high priced college loans with the low paying jobs that they have to settle for. In a nutshell, they have seen the George W. Bush Administration put their future in debt. They want to see a change in the way Washington is running things. I believe that is why you see so many of these college educated people supporting Barack Obama.

The GOP attracts younger voters daily simply by showing how what the Democrats want is to pander to the poor and uneducated for votes to keep them in office by promising them they will take money from the evil rich and give it to them. The GOP shows how you can actually strive for something in live and if you actually make a good amount doing that you don’t have to be demonized by the DNC.

Quite simply, they can't. Its is the Grand "Old" Party. Republicans have nothing to offer young people.

George
Evarts, KY

If Obama wins the Primary nominations then he will get lots of votes in the General. easy one Jack.

Jack,
As a young American, age 19, the reason why I believe the GOP is losing basis with younger Americans, including myself, is because they aren't what they're supposed to be. Look at who's the leading GOP nominee, McCain. If the GOP really wanted to appeal more to the younger generation they would have listened to us and back the only conservative candidate out there, RON PAUL! He is a true republican and JOHN McCANT is just another Manchurian Candidate like the one we've had for the past eight years. We, young Americans, aren't as stupid as many think. So, listen up GOP if you want us, young Americans, to actually listen to anything you have to say prove yourself, nominate Ron Paul and you'll see who'll get into the white house.

McCain may not need all those young voters. Should Clinton fail to secure the nomination, McCain will inherit more than enough votes to make him the next president.

Personally I would prefer 8 more years of poor Bush than Obama for 1 day.

Jack,
They have tried. Yet they go for the tried and tested Senior and Reagan Democrats they will outbalance any advantage Sen. Obama will have.

The only reasons for a young person to vote for McCain would be one or all three reasons. One – they are trust fund babies. Two – they confuse the worship of God with the Conservatives and somehow do not understand the reason this Country came into being. Three – they are drinking the fear kool-aide (foxnews watcher).

They don't need new voters but they do need a new state to try and steal the election in. Florida and Ohio have been done and the country won't buy it if they try those states again.

Let's see ...what other state has the most electronic voting machines????

It's easy Jack. Denounce the war in Iraq, Karl Rove, GWB, put to rest fears of a draft once and for all by saying they refuse to allow it, increase school funding, do more to help with college tuition, and.... wait... that sounds like the Democrats....

Nope Jack, the Republicans are screwed.

Don't bother!

Cheers!

The GOP get's my vote if Obama get's the democratic nomination.
He has to much baggage.

I am a twenty-five year old grad student and I see little hope for the Republican party with most young people.

Most young people are far more tolerant, peaceful and thoughtful than most current Republicans. Until the Republican party rejects anti-gay/racist sentiments, stops the war in Iraq and the war-posturing in Iran and embrace science (ie stop ignoring global warming, at least admit evolution is possible, stop with Creationism in schools, etc...) young people will move in droves the the Democrats.

The Republicans won't do this, however, as they need the "old and scared" vote to win elections.

Philip (age 22) mentioned that he is going to vote for McCain because democrats believe in the separation of church and state. If that's the case Philip, move to Iran where your dreams can come true.

By choosing pro-choice candidates who are not as old as their grandfathers.

As a young voter myself being 18 I am voting McCain. But I think thre reason young people vote democrat is becuase they have grown up thinking things can be the way you want if you try hard enough. They have become idealistic just like the democratic party.

I don't know too many young voters who believe in the war in Iraq anymore, nor do I know many who are happy with the way college loans are being cut. Then too, they realize the implications of the huge national debt and trade deficit.

And I think most of them realize that a health care savings account won't cut it if someone in their family has cancer or some other serious condition that costs far more than a family health care savings account could fund. Elizabeth Edwards said it best. It won't work. Those are a few reasons.

They've come of age at a time when political discourse is so empty and rancorous, and our leadership is beyond pathetic. They've grown up knowing that change is needed, and they see a Republican candidate who ignores that in favor of cheerleading Bush's failures.

The GOP offers nothing to the young. Nothing.

As a young voter myself being 18 I am voting McCain. But I think thre reason young people vote democrat is becuase they have grown up thinking things can be the way you want if you try hard enough. They have become idealistic just like the democratic party.

Rolla
Missouri