Democrats Should Look to the Future
After looking at the built-in demographic advantages the Democrats enjoy, Michael Hais ties his post back to today's Democratic strategy.
The United States is a changed and continually changing nation. Taken together, these changes have made America a more diverse and more open nation. To a large extent these changes occurred because of Democratic efforts over Republican opposition. This should let the Democratic Party face the future with confidence and courage rather than the fear and paralysis that seems to be gripping it a year after the election of Barack Obama and a large congressional majority. But, the Democratic Party's opportunities cannot be taken for granted. The first step in taking advantage of those opportunities should be looking toward the America that is and will be and not looking back to the country that was.
Emphasis is mine. I suppose this is an echo of Colin's post below. There's a popular saying in hockey -- skate to the puck. Meaning, anticipate where the puck is going to be, not where it is. The decision-makers, particularly those within the Democratic Party, would be well-served to find their inner hockey player and follow that advice.
2008 Youth Vote in Context
The following charts and graphs are meant to contextualize the unique role that young voters played in the 2008 election, and their increasingly important role in a winning electoral coalition:
2008 Youth Electoral Map

2004 Youth Electoral Map

Youth Vote Partisan Advantage: 2000 - 2008

Youth Vote Historical Support: 1976 - 2008

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