The Future Is Ours

(NOTE: Originally published Nov 5th, 2004 on musicforamerica.org.)
It's official, the "kids didn't show up" spin is bull:

Despite long lines and registration snafus, voters under age 30 clocked the highest turnout percentage since 1972. The good news is that America's young people are more engaged in politics than at any time in two generations. Aging cynics have been quick to blame the kids for a host of political lapses, but the cynics have it wrong.

What's more, in battleground states -- where MfA and a host of others did the bulk of their work -- turnout was above 60%, and broke for Kerry by an average of almost 20 points.

Florida? Ours.
Ohio? Ours.
Colorado? Ours.
Virgina? Missouri? Arkansas? Ours.

Our generation did it's part and then some, and most of us will stick with it. Our choice was Kerry by a landslide. The future belongs to us, not the moral minority. Some in the media don't quite get it. If you see people bitch about our performance, send a letter to the editor to set the record straight. We should all be damn proud of what we've accomplished.

I posted this over on the Daily Kos, probably the highest-traffic liberal blog on the planet. It got to the front page and there are more than 300 comments. See what people are saying.

Here's what the electoral vote map looks like for our people. Read it and weep, Karl:

The reality is that Bush won by increasing his support in every age group above 30, adding SEVEN POINTS in the 60+ bracket alone. It was done through superior local organizing and the mobilization of people who are totally grossed out by dudes kissing. Most of us think our education and the war in Iraq are bigger deals, but many so-called "grown ups" apparently think it's a bigger deal if Suzie has two mommies.

Luckily for America, old people die. If we can maintain our edge with young voters and hold on to those we've got as they get older, the right wing revolution will come to an end four years from now.

The only question is whether or not we can hold the line and keep a country worth fighting for until then. We may have to play hardball, but I think we can do it