Obama is creating a mass following of net-generation teen, pre-teen and millennial young people. Many parents ask me: Why do teens and young people love Obama? Here are the reasons I think that Obama strikes a strong chord with our generation.
**Please note, this is not an endorsement of Obama, just an explanation of this trend–I prefer to keep my own political opinions out of this blog, but thought it is an important issue to talk about!
1) Obama is young
We like Obama because he does not feel as far away from our own reality as many of the other candidates. He feels young, he feels fresh and therefore he is relatable to us.
2) Obama lets youth feel important
Talk about a grass roots campaign! Obama asks us, begs us, and gives incentives to youth for speaking out on his behalf because he tells us we matter! Many of my friends are practically begging to campaign for him and he makes us feel great about helping him. He thanks us and reinforces the importance of the young vote—we love feeling important.
3) Obama pushes change, which feels like a challenge, which feels exciting
Obama constantly talks about change, new beginnings and his untainted background. We love be a part of something that is new, exciting and a little counter-revolutionary or daring, so we jump on his band wagon!
4) Obama loves net-generation tools (the internet)
Obama is all over the web, he has YouTube videos, online platforms, chat rooms and a blog. Many other candidates have these as well, but Obama focused his campaign on the online community early and with full force. We love tackling and reading all of his online aspects and feel he is speaking to us in our language.
5) Obama is good looking
Isn’t there some research done that the most attractive candidate always wins? Well, Obama has grasped the votes and hearts of many young women. Obama girl flaunts her crush on Obama and has a following of her own.
Obama Girl on MSNBC:
In this election especially, the young vote is important and Obama has captured the fascination and support of our generation.
Stay Informed,
Vanessa
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Your article is SPOT ON!! you hit the right points!!
Personality cult of Barack Obama
I disagree. I’m eighteen years old and not ONE of those reasons explain why I am in support of Barack Obama. As a student and an aspiring teacher, I support Barack Obama because he thinks education is important, and doesn’t support things like “No Child Left Behind”, but is in support of paying “Master” teachers more, and rewarding them for a job well done, as to treat them like professionals. He has opposed the Iraq War from the start–something that I believe shows good judgement. He is articulate. He doesn’t smear his opponent like John McCain does with LIES to try to evoke fear in the American people. He turned down Washington jobs to work in his community. He has thoughtful ideas on a comprehensive Energy Plan, such as creating millions of “green jobs”. He knows that by being in support of “pro-choice”, the number of abortions in this country will be dramatically lowered; he’s sensible in that way. My reasons and my support for Obama go far beyond his looks and the way he “makes me feel important”, and I know many more young people like myself who feel that saying these things about us is unfair and untrue.
Melissa
I am glad you actually know about Obama’s positions on issues. Unfortunately I think you are in the minority. I agree that most young people should not only like Obama for these things, but they do and if you were to ask many young people about Obama’s policies most of them would not know specifics. Obama himself has stated that he believes the majority of young people do not know enough about politics or specific issues and he is trying to change that, as am I with my other political articles.
V
I am sorry melissa, I think you are overly idealistic about youth today. I am 19 and most of my friends are obsessed with Obama–stickers, shirts the whole thing but we have little to no idea about his stance on issues.
We like to think we do not like him because ‘he makes us feel important’ but lets get real, he does.
Its good you are so informed, but not many other people are.
Peace,
Andrei
Wrong:
1. Obama said “This isn’t about a conversation that occurred in a dorm room in 1968.”
Young people today are SICK and TIRED of the far right and far left bull that baby boomers have turned the USA into. One look at Fox News or MSNBC has us vomiting.
2. Joe Lieberman is allied with John McCain.
Young people, Young men especially, love video games. Moron Lieberman pissed off all these kids when they were 10 (Mortal Kombat hearings) who COULDN’T WAIT to vote against him as VP in the 2000 election.
3. He’s not a Clinton or Bush.
We are sick to DEATH of political dynasties. To hell with all of them. Kennedys and Reagans are included. Hillary Clinton also pissed off a lot of young men over raising concerns over “Hot Coffee.” She may \have won over the robotic soccer moms, but not their sons.
4. John McCain supports the Iraq war.
Our friends are fighting and dying over there. Elderly people see a man who fought for his country, young people see a man willing to sacrifice people to support Bush.
5. George W. Bush.
Cemented his place in history by taking us to the brink of facism. Thanks to him young people are LEAVING the GOP, and supporting Obama.
He isn’t the golden boy people think he is, but young people are willing to stick with Obama because he’s the Anti-Bush, and if he isn’t a good president, we can show him the door in four years. 1 term for Obama is better than a third term for Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the jerks.
Amen, Jimmy.
And Andrei, though I respect that you are willing to admit that, if you say that you yourself are dissapointed in the fact that you know little about Barack and only like him because he “makes you feel important”, well then get to Barackobama.com and do your research! Extra credit if you know why McCain would make a disastorous choice other than the vague “he’ll be another 8 years of Bush” (however, true). Nothing is stopping you, and you’ll feel much better when you can back up how you feel with facts. Nothing annoys me more when young people walk into the Obama office that I volunteer at and ask for buttons and yard signs, but flat out deny when we ask them to volunteer, or “can’t come up with a reason why they like Barack off the top of their head”. God forbid young people try to LEARN something, right?
I would argue that one reason Obama is appealing to young people is the underlying truth of his message of change. He says we can change, and all of a sudden young people are open to the possibility of having their chance to influence the identity of what America is. We have grown up in a country already settled, already defined, and we want to question what our predecessors have done and believed. McCain brings to the table politics as we have always known it. Obama has led us to believe we get our turn to have a say. And this is extremely inspiring to those of us who have felt limited and ingored by the system so far.
I think many young people are very aware of the fact that our lives will be much, much different from our parents’ lives, and that in order to address the incredible challenges we will have to face, we need to start now. Obama won’t be able to give us the miracles we need to protect our environment, stabilize our economy, get us out of Iraq, etc. but at least there is a sliver of light coming through that door. McCain, on the other hand, is a politician who has a Cold War era perspective on America (and the world), which doesn’t include many of the newer issues needing to be addressed.
Young people want a chance to make their mark, and Obama seems to want to let them do it.
I love Obama and yes, it is time for change. I am young but I not only like him because of him encouraging us but because of improtant issues which must be addressed and fixed in this country.
no child left behind Did you know that 100 of childs are obedn in hunrgy for food.
Sorry folks, but the terrrible truth is that Mr. Obama is just another politician on the block. Who plays the same old political game and the same political “rules” in the book of American politics. There is nothing different about him than any other politician on Capital Hill. They are all the same. One rotten bunch of corrupt “civil- servants” who pad their thick wallets and over splurging bank accounts with money while the rest of us sit back and applaud them. But just what is it about these worthless “do- nothings” that so hypnotises us? I beg to know, because the horrible affect of their spell has us lying in the cesspool of economic turmoil. Vote these bums out of Washington now, or face the much “worser” days of tommorow.
you support Obama because you don’t fully understand what the results are going to be with his policies. my son who is in college is smart enough to understand that obama’s economic plan will run this country into the ground. poor people do not hire people. education is nothing without money being put into it. if we don’t have jobs there will be no money for education. GM is laying off people. obama would tax GM more with his plan. so GM would layoff more people. that is just an example of what will happen. people won’t be able to pay their bills or send their kids to school much less feed them. so vote for Obama if you want higher unemployment! this is economics 101 and is taught in school. educate yourself and you will hopefully figure it out. McCain is very different than Bush and if you are knowledgable on his policies versus McCain’s, you will see that!
Wrong. Just because there’s Hollywood hype, doesn’t mean “young” people just follow trends or what P Diddy tells them to. There is definitely a lot of my friends who are voting McCain – you can’t make bold statements based on hype. People are intelligent enough to consider not just one’s looks but their actual record as a public servant. McCain pummels Obama in this case.
i’ll tell you why i prefer obama. he’s the only one with enough balls to suggest leaving iraq.
you the people pay for it with your dollars and lives while the government you voted in laughs.
congratulations on sacrificing everything. you believed a lie (you can’t fight terrorism with terrorism), allowed yourselves to be scared into believing it was YOUR choice to invade, and made a few white guys in suits very, very rich.
oh, and you watched as the powers that be spent all your money, thus causing your economy to crumble. way to go.
obama seems the least ingenuine of all the politicians, and is the only person at the podium with enough intelligence to lead all you sheep in a new direction.
I am confused, I watch the debates and research each of the two candidates equally, yet nothing about the way obama presents himself seems to make me like him. Does any of our generation actually understand his policies!? Not that McCain is any better, but a bad idea is a bad idea! Just because someone gives out a completely stupid policy, but looks good and sounds good while doing it shouldn’t make up our minds. To anyone about ready to vote for Obama, i would hope that you take a closer look at his policies, and especially tax cuts, and ask yourself where the money is actually comming from. (should tax payers have to pay for people who dont pay taxes?) And how will it help to create this version of soclialized income taxes, in a bad economy? ummm, wait…it won’t.
You people are so brainwashed its pathetic!! Who cares if Obama can send a text message or operate a DVR. He is a big BSer and if elected he will destroy the country and life as we know it. The reason young people like him is this thing we call PC. A person who has a black friend will vote for Obama so they won’t hurt their feelings. This may may you people angry but that’s what the 1st amendment is for. If you value the 2nd amendment you will not vote for this poor excuse of a man!!! Vote for the right person and not because of looks, ability to use a cell phone and computer, or grew up a hard life with a whore for a mother and dead beat dad.
That is it. Drink the new Obama flavored Kool-Aid.
No more coal mining disasters. No more coal mining. No more coal mining jobs. No more coal plants. No more coal plant jobs. Get a good education, get a good job, look where he is prediciting electric costs to go.
Stand in line for your share of the wealth. Maybe there will be bread too.
I think these reasons as to why America’s youth like Obama make us seem shallow and uninformed and I strongly disagree. I believe Obama has charisma and good intentions that reach to people of all generations. I like Obama because he represents a REAL American. He is the definition of diversity. I think if more Americans would open their eyes, their minds, their arms, and their hearts and embrace the differences in this beautiful country we would all have the power to learn so much and to grow. Obama represents hope for this country to me. He is a man who represents multiple cultures, understands different faiths, and I think we are lucky to have such a candidate in this great nation. He is well educated, eloquent, very intelligent, puts a great deal of thought into his words and his policies, and he is a great role model for today’s youth. I believe that he does have the ability to bring about great change if people will just be a little more open minded and embrace him. The youth tend to have the innate ability to sense sincerity. I think many feel Obama is sincere about his passion for change and his love of this country. The youth typically are very idealistic and hopeful for the future, less jaded than the adult world. They still have that fire and they have faith in our ability to change for the better. Young Americans are more informed than you think, and we’d all be in a better place if we took more time to listen to the innocent thoughts and hopes of the children. I like Obama because he vows to review our government policies and programs from the ground up. To get rid of what doesn’t work and to focus on what does. I know there are no miracle workers, but I see something different brought to the table by Obama; new ideas, great passion. While he does not have as much political experience as John McCain, he has worked hard to get where he is, overcome great obstacles, and has led a very successful and well-balanced life. I believe he has the educational background and the intelligence to follow through and critically examine the current state of this nation.
Oh Vanessa, this is truly sad. If the young generation bases picking a President on looks, making them feel important, that he/she uses the internet/blogs/tools as them, that they seem young, that they talk about change. We are in such trouble. Why do the young people not consider facts, (blogs are not facts), ask what kinda of change. Consider if this individual is honest, has integrity, is experienced, has America’s best interest in mind, their foreign policy, what their background is, what do they stand for. Looks? I find that ridiculous! As well as that someone else needs to make you feel that you matter. You should know that you matter, the young are America’s future, as well as that you affect what we will endure now. Of course he campaigned to get votes, I even saw people going into neighborhoods knockin on doors and taking them to vote, if they would vote for him. The young also seem ready to believe whatever someone says as truth, especially if he/she is good looking to them and is a smooth talker. I warn you all to beware of the wolf in sheeps clothing. I ask the young generation to have more substance than what you described and expect the President to also have great substance and to know the differnce.
Ditto Titus
From what I have seen the young generation believes what they hear and do not actually get the facts. They also don’t have a clear understanding on foreign policy or economics. Both being complicated situations.
MOI-you are misinformed! What Obama said was he’d withdraw funding. Leaving our troops in a dangerous position. There is already a plan of withdrawl, it just takes time, please read so you are informed. Please also keep in mind the surge worked and now they will return home with honor and that those who died did not die in vain. Does any realize actions speak louder than words? You got alot of lip service from Obama, even though he flip flopped all over the place. His record shows something completely different. It seems to me that the young group as well as others were infatuated with this man and did not see past the flash. To the point that the truth be in front of them they ignored it or didn’t believe it. To those of you talking about McCain telling lies. THAT IS A LIE. Factsheet in fact pointed out several of Obama’s lies about McCain, they even requested an apology from Obama because he called them a liar. This was in reference to the scare tactic Obama used saying McCain was going to hurt seniors due to his position on Medicare. Complete lie like so many others. However, there are facts behind questions that McCain brought up. Obama did a smear campaign and people believed him. Even though McCain is not Bush, they must be prejudice. One Republican is just like another. Sounds like a racial remark doesn’t it? Obama lied from the beginning he has no honor. He agreed to the limit on public campaign funds with McCain and then went the other way. No honor there! McCain could have done the same but honored his word. Obama spent $600,000,000 which could have helped America instead. $290,000,000 of that was illegal, so far it has not been returned. He ordered lobster, Iranian cavier and champayne while campaigning while staying at the Waldorf Hotel for an afternoon snack. Michelle talked as if she regularly shopped at Target, I didn’t realize they sold all those designer outfits there or all those diamonds and jewels she has. Maybe it was just for TP that went back to the mansion. On the campaigne trail though she down dressed to appear not to above the people. I know what this sounds like, but do you?
Correct. Only you left one reason out. The “lame-ass” kids at my highschool, and other local highschoolers I know support McCain. The “tight-ass” kids support Obama, cuz he’s black, young, and good-lookin’. Some don’t even know the risks of an inexperienced president who wants a change in America. NOW WHAT KINDA CHANGE WILL IT BE?! ..We will soon find out.
I am A white kid from Idaho, and voted for Obama because I believe he can use his charisma and diverse background as tools in reshaping our nation, as one. He puts so much soul into my heart, not for what he is gonna do, but what he has done already. Watching thousands of African-Americans in tears of joy the night of the election was inspiring, and it makes me feel good inside to be supportive of him. He simply brings out the good in people, and maybe is the key to closing the chapter of segregation in America, politics, and the potentially, the world. If we can’t believe in the good things he speaks about, than how are we to ever be good people? For me, America is not about taxes or self-protection, but living amongst an era that truly uprises from hate. Much love, everybody; thanks for listening to my view. :)
McCain is a peace of crap
I believe Obama relates to the young people today, as many have said, first of all he is ‘young’ himself. At least for being the President of the United States. When he speaks he wants you (everyone) to know just exactly what he is talking about. He doesn’t read from a script someone else has written, and seems to have a heart to want to do good for young and old Americas today!
Ok I agree with this article.
I do not support Obama at all and I am very young myself. He is a good speaker and spits back what people want to hear. Not to say, that the media is on his side. People see “how he says it” and not “what he says”. Foe example he said that he wants to stop wastful spending on the military but then he says he wants to stimulate the ecomny by spending millions of dollars on a program that found a new MOUSE. To me that is wacked up and puts us into trillions of dollar in debt when we are already in millions.
cindy you are very true!
We can’t fault young people for falling for the so called promised changes, because young people haven’t lived long enough to know that the world ain’t going to change by a mere human becuse if it hadn’t been done for centuries, it wont be done now. We cant fault young people for identifying with a younger than normal president, even though Obama is old enough to be some of the younger one’s their grandfather, but still younger than most presidents. We cant fault them for looking for leaders on the Internet, even though real life relationships with real character references ( whom he never gave us any while running for president , other than washed up domestic terrorists, and racist pastors, and convicted felons) never will replace virtual words that can say just about anything about anybody without any proof. However, Obama is good looking? OK, how is it that Obama is good looking, does any body really believe this report is correct, when Obama with a goofy hair cut, and big ears and a slim Jim body, who could pass for the cover of Mad magazine as Alfred Newman? Either all the young makes are gay who thinks Obama is good looking and the females who may not be gay, are looking for a grandpa goofy looking sugar daddy, or else this report is complete bogus!
I echo that this is sad indeed. He is black, he is young, he is charismatic so that’s what young people focused on?? So far, he has spent trillions putting us further into debt; he has undermined the military and hamstrung the CIA who seek to protect the country; he is seeking to control banks and therefore the financial systems; he is funneling money into ACORN whose voter fraud and underhanded methods are criminal; He will do nothing to thwart the influx of illegal immigrants because they represent a powerful voting block to further seal his rule. His new buddy appointed as FCC chairman will seek (and most likely succeed) in squelching the opposition voice–and if these idealistic, slobbering youth who think he is so wonderful have learned anything about America it is that the nation was founded on certain liberties including Freedom of Speech. He will seek to tax and control the internet and effectively squelch any opposition voice there as well. He will place further restrictive fines and regulations on industry (already most of America’s production have gone overseas due to failed liberal policies, punitive fines and regulations and the liberal Unions) resulting in higher sales taxes and industries seeking more profitable production overseas. He will place further fines and regulations on AGRICULTURE (where do we get our food??) forcing farmers and ranchers out of business and lessening the amount of food produced in our own country. Futher, if control is not equalized between the Democrat and Republican parties in Congress, he will gain further controls over every aspect of American life and further erode the fabric of the nation, he will appoint radical liberal activist judges who will twist the Constitution to suit their agenda and if people do not WAKE UP, he will waltz into another term and may then change the Constitution to allow for a third term or lifetime appointment. Read your history to find out what has happened to nations in which this scenario played out. This country was founded on principles of individual liberty, responsibility and freedom free from a dictatorial king or single leader. We are quickly headed toward undoing every tenet upon which this nation was formed and destroying America as the powerful, shining symbol of liberty in the world. Wake up before it is too late.
Barack Obama is a rare combination of inner strength, intelligence and morality.
jody pretty well sums it up. the youth of america tend to be idealistic and somewhat naive. they like cheerleaders, but like most cheerleaders obama lacks substance. obama’s honeymoon is pretty well over and people are seeing what he is really about (even democrats and moderates of his party). lots and lots of rhetoric, hot air, and empty promises. the world got a shot in the arm last week concerning his empty promises concerning the environment in copenhagen. i’m not opposed to healthcare reform, but want it to be carefully thought out, and definately not what the pelosi et al have put together. not something that has been rushed through only to be shoved down our throats. health care as the govt. pitches it is an entitlement. if we don’t have insurance they will fine us and / or throw us into jail. i don’t want you to pay my way, and i don’t want to pay your way. if you need healthcare get a frigging job and pay for it. I HAVE. we as americans have stood by and given up one civil liberty after another. THE GOVERNMENT WORKS FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE … NOT RULE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE. if our founding fathers could see the welfare state america is turning into i think they would not have bothered giving their lives for the freedoms we enjoy that we continually give back with every election of corrupt individuals.