What Repulses the Youngest of Voters

 Jittery personnel in the news media have been commenting on how it is taking so long for any Republicans to declare their intentions to run for the chance to challenge Barack Obama in 2012. They should switch to
decaf and remember that John Kerry did not announce his 04 campaign until 14 months before the election. 


That being said, they are on to something. Even following a midterm election that suggested the reddening of states Obama would supposedly have to carry in 2012, one former potential Republican challenger, John Thune conceded Obama would be too tough to beat the next time around.


As you take a deep breath and recover from the shock of rare Republican humility, consider these stock pictures of culturally diverse youth and their implications on the next presidential election. From Iowa to the general, Obama had the youth vote to thank in 08. There is no reason to expect he won't do it again, perhaps in larger numbers as we see an "ever-browning" of American youth. 


As Newt Gingrich becomes the only Republican to signal a go at Obama, he will be a novelty candidate to a disappearing niche. Gingrich's generalized attacks on Muslims, Kenyans, and Mexicans won't get the kids rushing to shake his hand because his exclusionary rhetoric insults either them personally or friends of theirs. One thing about Gingrich that can be appreciated is his openness. For the most part, the rest of the potential GOP candidates are either equivalents of Gingrich or they are Gingrich-Lite. They will try to win by appealing to the bitterness of a sliver of the electorate.  


And then there is Mitt. Romney does not have the same Birther appeal as Gingrich and others which could be attributable somehow to his Mormon faith. To some Birther types, Romney may seem just as foreign to them as Obama. Romney may not want to engage in Birther-rousing lest it bring attention to his own perceived peculiarities. 


Then there are Romney's difficulties with the kids. As one youth voter put it to me back in 08 "Romney's a tool. Everyone knows it."


Obama's domination among the younguns is as close to a lock as one could possibly get. Regardless of what is said of his policies, he has a way of conveying hope to the demo that needs it most in a way few other candidates of either party have been able to do. If I were to guess, instead of trying to find a viable moderate candidate the GOP is preparing for 2012 with a strategy they know. Get ready for them to challenge the citizenship of everyone who votes for Obama.

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