Abstract

What Young Voters Want

This article discusses the political situation in the United States and the feelings of the younger generation. Following the attacks of September II, young Americans, like all Americans, were quick to display signs of patriotism. Military recruiters reported that inquiries and interviews rose, though there has been no discernible increase in the number of people actually joining the armed forces. In fact, young people's feelings of patriotism, which are generally weaker than those of the older generation, rose in the aftermath of the tragedy. But what this newfound patriotism will mean in terms of a positive view of government and support for a progressive agenda remains to be seen. Prior to September 11, 2001 Generation Xers (born between 1964 and 1975) were the GOP's most ardent supporters, if they paid attention to politics at all. If looked at the numbers among white voters, where one finds the bulk of Republicans in the electorate, one sees this pattern quite clearly.