This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/oct/27/virginia-young-voters-obama
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Virginia's young voters weigh issues as Obama hopes to carry state again | Virginia's young voters weigh issues as Obama hopes to carry state again |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| "If we win Virginia, we will win this election," President Barack Obama told a cheering crowd in Leesburg, in the north of the state, in August. | "If we win Virginia, we will win this election," President Barack Obama told a cheering crowd in Leesburg, in the north of the state, in August. |
| Old Dominion, as Virginia is known, was one of the states Obama wrested from the Republicans in 2008, beating John McCain by six points as he swept to power. This time, his campaign knows it will be closer. | Old Dominion, as Virginia is known, was one of the states Obama wrested from the Republicans in 2008, beating John McCain by six points as he swept to power. This time, his campaign knows it will be closer. |
| Until recently the president held a slender lead over Mitt Romney here, but with the latter's recent resurgence, the two appear to be neck-and-neck. One of the keys to Obama's victory here in 2008, as in so many other states, was the lead he amassed among young voters, who turned out in huge numbers four years ago. | Until recently the president held a slender lead over Mitt Romney here, but with the latter's recent resurgence, the two appear to be neck-and-neck. One of the keys to Obama's victory here in 2008, as in so many other states, was the lead he amassed among young voters, who turned out in huge numbers four years ago. |
| The question now is whether he can count on them again. | The question now is whether he can count on them again. |
| "I voted for Obama last time because he seemed pretty inspirational, he's obviously a great talker and has a lot of charisma. But this year I have no clue who I'm going to vote for. I have no clue if I'm even going to vote." | "I voted for Obama last time because he seemed pretty inspirational, he's obviously a great talker and has a lot of charisma. But this year I have no clue who I'm going to vote for. I have no clue if I'm even going to vote." |
| Amanda Ravan has been affected more than most by the economic downturn. Her father lost the job he had held for 25 years during the dying days of the Bush administration. He found work again in 2008, but hundreds of miles away, in South Carolina. He and her mother decided to move. | Amanda Ravan has been affected more than most by the economic downturn. Her father lost the job he had held for 25 years during the dying days of the Bush administration. He found work again in 2008, but hundreds of miles away, in South Carolina. He and her mother decided to move. |
| "I don't get to see them as often as I'd like," Ravan said. "Maybe three or four times a year." The 25-year-old now lives with her grandmother in Mechanics Ville, 30 minutes drive east of Richmond. She works as a parking valet in Richmond at night and is attending Virginia Commonwealth University by day – hoping to become a kindergarten teacher. | "I don't get to see them as often as I'd like," Ravan said. "Maybe three or four times a year." The 25-year-old now lives with her grandmother in Mechanics Ville, 30 minutes drive east of Richmond. She works as a parking valet in Richmond at night and is attending Virginia Commonwealth University by day – hoping to become a kindergarten teacher. |
| "The jobs situation isn't great," she said. "And the economy doesn't look like it's improved much. But it's hard with the opposite party stopping him." | "The jobs situation isn't great," she said. "And the economy doesn't look like it's improved much. But it's hard with the opposite party stopping him." |
| Ravan said she would watch the remaining presidential debates, which she said could potentially influence her decision, but she has become disillusioned since 2008. It's exactly the sort of story Obama and his campaign do not want to hear, but her apathy appears to be mirrored by some of the election polling. | Ravan said she would watch the remaining presidential debates, which she said could potentially influence her decision, but she has become disillusioned since 2008. It's exactly the sort of story Obama and his campaign do not want to hear, but her apathy appears to be mirrored by some of the election polling. |
| Just before the election four years ago, Gallup polling of likely voters showed 15% of those planning to cast their vote were in the 18-29 age group. The organisation's polling this time shows that group making up just 12% of the electorate – a significant decrease. | Just before the election four years ago, Gallup polling of likely voters showed 15% of those planning to cast their vote were in the 18-29 age group. The organisation's polling this time shows that group making up just 12% of the electorate – a significant decrease. |
| Young voters coming out in smaller numbers is more of a problem for Obama because he gets so much more support among that group. Americans aged between 18-29 voted almost 2 to 1 for Obama four years ago, as the Hope and Change message – plus the intense network of grassroots campaigning – won hearts and minds. While young people seem likely to vote in smaller numbers, some say they may also show less support for the president. | Young voters coming out in smaller numbers is more of a problem for Obama because he gets so much more support among that group. Americans aged between 18-29 voted almost 2 to 1 for Obama four years ago, as the Hope and Change message – plus the intense network of grassroots campaigning – won hearts and minds. While young people seem likely to vote in smaller numbers, some say they may also show less support for the president. |
| "Obama will still win the 18-29 vote," said Geoffrey Skelley, from the University of Virginia's center for politics. "But the question is really does he get closer nationally to the two-thirds he got of them in 2008, or is he only at around 60% this time?" | "Obama will still win the 18-29 vote," said Geoffrey Skelley, from the University of Virginia's center for politics. "But the question is really does he get closer nationally to the two-thirds he got of them in 2008, or is he only at around 60% this time?" |
| Skelley said he "would expect a drop off" this time round. As well as a faltering economy, young people face much higher unemployment rates than the national average, meaning they feel the pinch more than other voters. Romney will not win the group, but he could tighten the gap. | Skelley said he "would expect a drop off" this time round. As well as a faltering economy, young people face much higher unemployment rates than the national average, meaning they feel the pinch more than other voters. Romney will not win the group, but he could tighten the gap. |
| "I'm voting for Romney," said Mallory Pellicane, a 22-year-old nurse from Richmond. "For lots of different reasons. I haven't seen much from Obama over the last four years." Pellicane, who said she comes from a Republican family, voted for McCain in 2008, but said it was not just the family's honour that is guiding her vote. "I really haven't seen any change at all," Pellicane said when asked about Obama's first term. "He really hasn't done anything that I can look at and appreciate." | "I'm voting for Romney," said Mallory Pellicane, a 22-year-old nurse from Richmond. "For lots of different reasons. I haven't seen much from Obama over the last four years." Pellicane, who said she comes from a Republican family, voted for McCain in 2008, but said it was not just the family's honour that is guiding her vote. "I really haven't seen any change at all," Pellicane said when asked about Obama's first term. "He really hasn't done anything that I can look at and appreciate." |
| As for the president's opponent: "I just feel like I trust Romney. I feel like he really cares about people. And certain stories I've read about him I just really like," Pellicane said. "I am going to be one of the first people there to vote. I am very anxious to vote for him." | As for the president's opponent: "I just feel like I trust Romney. I feel like he really cares about people. And certain stories I've read about him I just really like," Pellicane said. "I am going to be one of the first people there to vote. I am very anxious to vote for him." |
| Some 70 miles west of Richmond is Charlottesville, home to one of America's top public universities. The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson after his own eight-year spell as president at the turn of the 19th century. The third president of the United States left his stamp on much of the university's architecture, with gleaming white columns and domes flanking the famous Academical Lawn. The leaves were just beginning to fall in early October, as students began to re-immerse themselves into the academic year. | Some 70 miles west of Richmond is Charlottesville, home to one of America's top public universities. The University of Virginia was founded by Thomas Jefferson after his own eight-year spell as president at the turn of the 19th century. The third president of the United States left his stamp on much of the university's architecture, with gleaming white columns and domes flanking the famous Academical Lawn. The leaves were just beginning to fall in early October, as students began to re-immerse themselves into the academic year. |
| "Obama," said Kerri Murphy, a Spanish and environmental science student, when asked who she would vote for in November. "Generally I care more about social issues than fiscal issues. It's difficult for me to vote for Romney and Ryan as a woman." | "Obama," said Kerri Murphy, a Spanish and environmental science student, when asked who she would vote for in November. "Generally I care more about social issues than fiscal issues. It's difficult for me to vote for Romney and Ryan as a woman." |
| While Obama has done some "not so great things" in the last four years, Murphy, 21, said there was no danger of her voting Republican. "There could be two very different Americas depending on who gets elected." | While Obama has done some "not so great things" in the last four years, Murphy, 21, said there was no danger of her voting Republican. "There could be two very different Americas depending on who gets elected." |
| Murphy is illustrative of one of the serious problems Romney and the Republican party at large have with winning young voters: on basic social issues they simply do not match up. On the traditional Democrat stomping ground of a university campus the Guardian spoke to a number of voters who might not be considered die-hard Obama supporters, but felt turned off by Romney. | Murphy is illustrative of one of the serious problems Romney and the Republican party at large have with winning young voters: on basic social issues they simply do not match up. On the traditional Democrat stomping ground of a university campus the Guardian spoke to a number of voters who might not be considered die-hard Obama supporters, but felt turned off by Romney. |
| "I'm voting for Obama mostly because I believe in Democratic ideals. I'm pro-choice, pro-gay marriage," said 19-year-old Laura Biver, a biology student originally from Alexandria, Virginia. "I don't particularly love Obama, but I like him better than Romney. And I like the ideas he stands for more." | "I'm voting for Obama mostly because I believe in Democratic ideals. I'm pro-choice, pro-gay marriage," said 19-year-old Laura Biver, a biology student originally from Alexandria, Virginia. "I don't particularly love Obama, but I like him better than Romney. And I like the ideas he stands for more." |
| Travelling further south though, it became apparent that not every young Obama voter was casting their ballot simply as a way to keep Romney at bay. | Travelling further south though, it became apparent that not every young Obama voter was casting their ballot simply as a way to keep Romney at bay. |
| Alvin Mosley grew up in the tiny town of Appomattox, named after the Appomattocs Native American tribe who dwelt there in the 17th century. Moseley, now 23, enrolled in the Marines in 2007, but left the military last year and initially struggled to find work. | Alvin Mosley grew up in the tiny town of Appomattox, named after the Appomattocs Native American tribe who dwelt there in the 17th century. Moseley, now 23, enrolled in the Marines in 2007, but left the military last year and initially struggled to find work. |
| "In the debate Mitt Romney was talking about how the higher people, like the millionaires, pay less taxes and I don't think that's fair," Moseley said. "I'm going to vote for Barack Obama. He's trying to keep the healthcare for people who can't afford healthcare. And also on top of that he's trying to make it faster for veterans to get their disability." | "In the debate Mitt Romney was talking about how the higher people, like the millionaires, pay less taxes and I don't think that's fair," Moseley said. "I'm going to vote for Barack Obama. He's trying to keep the healthcare for people who can't afford healthcare. And also on top of that he's trying to make it faster for veterans to get their disability." |
| Mosley toured Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Jordan while in the Marines, but became unemployed when he moved home. Mosley is a voter who can point to specific instances of how he has benefited from Obama's presidency, and is enthusiastic about voting. When out of work he was able to sign onto his mother's healthcare policy, as a result of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which allows people to stay on their parent's plans up to the age of 26. | Mosley toured Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Syria and Jordan while in the Marines, but became unemployed when he moved home. Mosley is a voter who can point to specific instances of how he has benefited from Obama's presidency, and is enthusiastic about voting. When out of work he was able to sign onto his mother's healthcare policy, as a result of the Affordable Healthcare Act, which allows people to stay on their parent's plans up to the age of 26. |
| The 23-year-old now travels to work in Lynchburg, Virginia, a small city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is built on a hill, with steep streets running through the downtown area, at points allowing commanding views of the dense woodland stretching away to the south. | The 23-year-old now travels to work in Lynchburg, Virginia, a small city nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The city is built on a hill, with steep streets running through the downtown area, at points allowing commanding views of the dense woodland stretching away to the south. |
| Down in the centre of Lynchburg, deserted when the Guardian stopped by on a Wednesday afternoon, a smattering of cafes and restaurants cater for downtown businesses. Shelli Monahan, 26, grew up in New Jersey, but moved to Lynchberg three years ago – "because it's cheaper to live". Monahan, who has two young children, works in a downtown cafe but plans to go to college. | Down in the centre of Lynchburg, deserted when the Guardian stopped by on a Wednesday afternoon, a smattering of cafes and restaurants cater for downtown businesses. Shelli Monahan, 26, grew up in New Jersey, but moved to Lynchberg three years ago – "because it's cheaper to live". Monahan, who has two young children, works in a downtown cafe but plans to go to college. |
| "Without an education you can't make it [in New Jersey]. So I planned to move here, go to school – and now still not move back because it's still too expensive," she said. | "Without an education you can't make it [in New Jersey]. So I planned to move here, go to school – and now still not move back because it's still too expensive," she said. |
| Monahan said she will vote for Obama in November. Like the young women voters in Charlottesville, she was mindful of where Romney and the Republicans stand on women's rights. "[Republicans] think it's awful for a woman to expect birth control to be paid for by her health insurance," she said. "I mean that's just ridiculous. Women's rights, being a woman, I take that very seriously. Definitely women's equality is a big thing." | Monahan said she will vote for Obama in November. Like the young women voters in Charlottesville, she was mindful of where Romney and the Republicans stand on women's rights. "[Republicans] think it's awful for a woman to expect birth control to be paid for by her health insurance," she said. "I mean that's just ridiculous. Women's rights, being a woman, I take that very seriously. Definitely women's equality is a big thing." |
| But Monahan is not just casting a vote against Romney. Like Mosley, she could also point to instances where Obama's presidency had "definitely" impacted her life, in her case through Obama increasing the funding for Pell grants. This positive impact is the main reason he will get her vote. | But Monahan is not just casting a vote against Romney. Like Mosley, she could also point to instances where Obama's presidency had "definitely" impacted her life, in her case through Obama increasing the funding for Pell grants. This positive impact is the main reason he will get her vote. |
| "He's for education. He wants to give everybody equal opportunity to get healthcare. My boyfriend is currently going to school for free on one of his grants, which is excellent. | "He's for education. He wants to give everybody equal opportunity to get healthcare. My boyfriend is currently going to school for free on one of his grants, which is excellent. |
| "No matter if you're rich or poor everybody should have equal opportunity to go to school, to get healthcare. | "No matter if you're rich or poor everybody should have equal opportunity to go to school, to get healthcare. |
| "We should be treated equally." | "We should be treated equally." |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. Enter your email address to subscribe. |