In 2008, the youth of America rallied behind the election of a young dynamic and charismatic and historic candidate for President — Barack Obama.
He was hip, he spoke with great optimism of hope and change for their generation, and in turn those under the age of 30 supported his election with 66 percent of their vote.
In 2012, some youth disillusioned by high unemployment, war, lack of transparency, environmental policy, etc. let Obama win his re-election by their votes and grass roots support.
Having said that, Obama was still able to garner 60 percent of the vote of those under 30, and that was due in large part to the fact that this age group is more racially and ethnically diverse.
In 2012, it can be argued that Obama may not have been re-elected but for the youth vote.
If we look at some key battleground states it becomes quite apparent how important the youth voting bloc is.
This is what Pew Research Center concluded:
“In four of the key battleground states, Obama may not have won without the youth vote. In Florida, 47 percent of voters 30 and older backed Obama, while 52 percent supported Romney. But by winning younger voters by two-to-one (66 percent to 32 percent), Obama eked out a narrow one-point victory in the state (50 percent to 49 percent).
"The pattern was similar in Ohio — 48 percent of voters 30 and older voted for Obama. When younger voters were included, his share of the vote increased to 50 percent (versus 48 percent for Romney).
"And in both Pennsylvania and Virginia, the youth vote helped push Obama over 50 percent.
"In 2008, Obama won half or more of the vote among those 30 and older in all four states. Thus, he probably would have been able to carry the vote, even with less support from young voters.”
Well the record is clear that the youth who supported Obama with such fervor and the one’s most taken for granted are burdened by his tenure as President of the United States.
Here are some examples of how the youth of America have been taken for granted:
Unemployment. Just after his re-election — the U.S. Jobs Report in June 2013 showed that the unemployment rate among young people was double that of the national average.
They suffered an unemployment rate of 16 percent.
Student Loans. The President’s failed leadership resulted in interest rates on federally subsidized Stafford student loans soaring to 6.8 percent from 3.4 percent. This act alone cost the average college student loan an additional immediate $2,600.00 liability.
Ironically it is the Democrats that have blocked the President from acting on keeping rates low on student loans.
Obamacare. The lynchpin of the funding of Obamacare is the youth of America. The Obama administration's funding scheme requires millions of young Americans who currently uninsured to sign up for coverage under penalty.
The young are being burdened to pay for the old. At a time when youth are burdened with high unemployment, student loan debt, and starting out on their own, along comes the Obama administration to burden them further.
I cannot remember a time when in 2008 the youth of America was so positively and constructively mobilized and energized to become politically involved.
Today, America’s youth has no reason to trust politicians due to 8 years of empty promises for the change they hoped for and were promised.
Is it any wonder then that in 2016 Bernie Sanders is resonating with the youth of America? They are sick and tired of entrenched politicians like Hillary.
In 2008 the youth of America came out for Obama and in 2016 they just may stay in their dorms if Hillary is the nominee of the DNC.
If anything the youth of America learned the following life lesson at their expense:
Fool me once – shame on you. Fool me twice – shame on me.
Bradley A. Blakeman served as deputy assistant to President George W. Bush from 2001-04. He is currently a professor of politics and public policy at Georgetown University and a frequent contributor to Fox News Opinion. Read more reports from Bradley Blakeman — Click Here Now.
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