McCain Gets Hip (Replacement)

While Obama was brushing the dirt off his shoulders from the ABC debate, John McCain's been busy trying to prove he is hip beyond his 71 years. McCain said Tuesday at Villanova University that he will "contest every vote of every young American."

Add this to a laundry list of groups whose vote McCain claims to be "contesting"-- workers, African Americans, Hispanics--all while toeing the conservative party line. Quite a feat.

So how will McCain contest young voters? He told Fox News earlier this month that: "It's pretty clear that Senator Obama and Senator Clinton have energized the younger voters and I believe I have and I believe I've got to compete on that grounds too. That's why I go on shows that young people watch." This comes a few days after pseudo-reality show star Heidi Montag endorsed McCain, and he assured her, "I never miss an episode of 'The Hills.'"

McCain's strategy to net young voters seems based entirely on their television preferences. Meanwhile, his stance on the issues that matter to young voters aren't likely to win him any new believers, and his outreach to young voters is practically nonexistent. McCain has flip-flopped on equal access to higher education for immigrants through the DREAM act, is still refusing to support an update of the GI Bill, and hasn't outlined any plans to help make college more affordable. And that's just on student issues: as WireTap magazine points out, while on the McCain website you can be a "lawyer for McCain," there's no page dedicated to young people. Its hard to see how any of this helps his appeal to young voters.

McCain also suggested Tuesday that Obama's success among young Americans came from the fact that "he's extremely eloquent." But given McCain's record, and the fact that young people have been deserting the Republican party in droves since 2000, there's more to the youth vote than Obama's eloquence. And McCain will have to do more than stop by the Daily Show to change their mind.

Comments (42)

1. Well, McCain just looking at history...and history shows "the youth vote" ain't that big a deal.

   So he TALKS big about them, but knows he shouldn't waste much time on it, both from that historic point of view and the fact...

   he wouldn't win hardly any of it...especially against Obama.

   Posted by Mask at 04/18/2008 @ 2:27pm

2. Dream on! The oldest presidential candidate in modern history is going to win the youth vote?

   Where is McCain's grassroots organization on college campuses? I don't think the college Republicans are capable of delivering for McCain!

   Posted by Metteyya at 04/18/2008 @ 2:38pm

3. This might fly. Neocons, like the worst of teens, are self-absorbed and intemperate. They think they have "talent on loan from God" (Rush's self description) and forever flying into pissy rage fits. They cling to Guns God and Gay issues. Just read the neocons postings here for an ongoing taste of that ever so sublime blend of anger and arrogance. Or tune into hate radio, or ironically, check out the Hillary campaign. Same difference, same as it ever was.

   Posted by winyahn at 04/18/2008 @ 3:02pm

4. "They cling to Guns God and Gay issues." Posted by WINYAHN 04/18/2008 @ 3:02pm

   Oh, you must be an elitist. Not the economic "the-clothes-make-the-man, my-bank-account-says-I'm-worth-more-than-you" type of elitist. Just the kind of elitist that uses words like "Guns", "God", and "gays" in one sentence in referencing republicans and/or Small Town 'merica!

   Posted by MATTMAN at 04/18/2008 @ 3:19pm

5. he wouldn't win hardly any of it...especially against Obama.

   Posted by MASK 04/18/2008 @ 2:27pm

   I'm sure we won't see him aggressively pursuing Black America either. He may instead have to do as Tracy Morgan's character on "30 Rock" did, and do a fresh, hip-hoppety spot aimed at black youths saying "YO! Don't vote!"

   Posted by MATTMAN at 04/18/2008 @ 3:22pm

6. Likely outcome of John McCain trying to be 'hip' [youtube.com]

   Posted by Mask at 04/18/2008 @ 3:27pm

7. McCain just needs to stick with what he knows.

   Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 3:45pm

8. McCain just needs to stick with what he knows.

   Posted by CCCOMFO1 04/18/2008 @ 3:45pm

   Which is war, unfortunately.

   Posted by MATTMAN at 04/18/2008 @ 3:51pm

9. Posted by LVLIBERTY1 04/18/2008 @ 4:08pm

   Yeah, ol' Maverick John has "youth vote" written all over him.

   Especially when his Internet meme becomes "Bush 44".

   (yeah, I'm pushing it...heheh)

   Posted by Mask at 04/18/2008 @ 4:20pm

10. McCain just needs to stick with what he knows.

    Posted by CCCOMFO1 04/18/2008 @ 3:45pm

    you mean he's going to dump you for a younger, richer america?

    Posted by frosty zoom at 04/18/2008 @ 4:34pm

11. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 04/18/2008 @ 4:34pm

    Story of my life.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 5:00pm

12. Ah, the poor lost confused youth . . . When they do find their way to the polls, they are capable of doing almost anything.

    I remember summer of 2004 after Reagan died, there was a kid (18-20)at the video store with a kind of self-conscious goofy look on his face wearing one of those sweatshirts that said "REAGAN" on it. I was tempted to go up to him and say, gently of course, "You know, Reagan is no longer living. It's Bush who is running for re-election."

    Damn. When we have people that age regarding the Reagan Years as "the good ol' days" anything is possible. You can sell them bottled water from "Fiji" or pre-soiled jeans. If you make the vote available on their iPhone, maybe, but otherwise an insignificant demographic.

    Posted by goyadad at 04/18/2008 @ 5:46pm

13. Uhmmmmm:

    Newsweek Poll conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International. April 16-17, 2008. N=1,209 registered voters nationwide. MoE ± 3.

    "If the presidential election were being held TODAY and you HAD TO CHOOSE between [see below], the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for?" If other/unsure: "As of TODAY, do you LEAN more toward [see below], the Democrat, or McCain, the Republican?" Names rotated

    Date_________McCain (R)___Obama (D)___Other/Unsure

    4/16-17/08______44_________48____________8

    3/5-6/08________45_________46____________9

    Date_________McCain (R)___Clinton (D)___Other/Unsure

    4/16-17/08______43_________47___________10

    3/5-6/08________46_________48____________6

    "Suppose that neither Clinton nor Obama is able to secure the Democratic nomination and the party turns to Al Gore as its presidential candidate. If the presidential election were being held TODAY and you HAD TO CHOOSE between Al Gore, the Democrat, and John McCain, the Republican, who would you be more likely to vote for?" If other/unsure: "As of TODAY, do you LEAN more toward Gore, the Democrat, or McCain, the Republican?" Names rotated

    Date_________McCain (R)_____Gore (D)___Other/Unsure

    4/16-17/08_______46_________49___________5

    Posted by hsuBfools at 04/18/2008 @ 5:50pm

14. You can sell them bottled water from "Fiji" or pre-soiled jeans

    Posted by GOYADAD 04/18/2008 @ 5:46pm

    I never got the worn in jeans. I like to buy my clothes new not pre-worn.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 5:50pm

15. Posted by GOYADAD 04/18/2008 @ 5:46pm

    Oh and by the way I want you to know that not all of the youth is like that. I have plenty of friends who were excited about getting the ability to vote. I for one wished I could have voted earlier than I did.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 5:51pm

16. Wonder who's paying pollsters to include Al Gore in the mix again?

    Posted by hsuBfools at 04/18/2008 @ 5:55pm

17. Posted by CCCOMFO1 04/18/2008 @ 5:50pm

    Ah ha! But you admit you do drink the "Fiji" water, don't you? Go ahead, you know it's that good.

    Posted by goyadad at 04/18/2008 @ 5:59pm

18. Posted by GOYADAD 04/18/2008 @ 5:59pm

    I have in the past, it's too expensive. I drink regular water or the energy vitamin water. I don't like energy drinks because I'm pretty sure enough of that stuff and your heart will pop.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 6:09pm

19. Posted by GOYADAD 04/18/2008 @ 5:59pm

    I live in LA though. You don't drink from the tap unless you have a filter on it.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/18/2008 @ 6:21pm

20. Last year a lot of students in my classes were pushing for Ron Paul. Not so much now of course, but I don't hear any enthusiasm from them for any of the candidates like I did last year. Burnout perhaps? Too much going on? I definitely am getting a more than usual malaise emanating from them lately. And I don't think it has anything to do with the housing downturn...

    Posted by hsuBfools at 04/18/2008 @ 6:29pm

21. a lot of students in my classes were pushing for Ron Paul.

    Posted by HSUBFOOLS 04/18/2008 @ 6:29pm

    So . . . those kids weren't a little mixed up-- no more than a pina colada, anyway.

    Dare you admit you are a member of that disgraced profession, a teacher?

    In the words of that Iam Holm android from Alien, "I pity you . . ."

    Posted by goyadad at 04/18/2008 @ 7:22pm

22. Not so bad at the college level. Although I've taught all levels, it does seem more and more that freshmen regress to jr.h. patterns of behavior occasionally. Eventually there may not be much dif between those two levels... in lots of other ways too, as the 3 r's seem to be very lacking as of late. The anti-science new con repub fend for yourself dumbing down of the USA is definitely taking it's toll, but then again the costs of ed may be so out of reach for the middle class and poor as it is, to bother even worrying about. Hope not. Then everyone loses, big time. We just need to get rid of the corporate new con repubs running our country down into a 6 foot hole; that would be a good start.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 04/18/2008 @ 7:41pm

23. If McCain doesn't miss an episode of the Hills, then he lost my vote for all time (not like he ever really had it). Actually if he watched the show he would find out that Heidi is one of the more annoying and dumb characters; it would be like getting the endorsement of Puck from Real World fame.

    Liberty you actually think McCain is going to get a significant amount of youth vote? I could not disagree more. There is a difference between St. John the Maverick and Bush. Young voters liked Bush because 1) they are diehard republicans or 2) they vote for what they know. Most would fall under the first category from my experience. What does that mean? They are conservatives or Christian conservatives. The plain jane cons were split, they tend to not vote for "value" issues and worry more about taxes, entitlements and other money issues (trust me there are a lot of these conservatives) OR they were strictly value votes and abortion and gay marriage were A number 1 on their list of reasons to vote.

    I say the plain cons were split because many felt like the Bush Admin. hemorrhaged money. Those tended to vote for Kerry or stay home. Look at McCain though. He doesn't excite the Christian base (though that may change some) and he seems to get luke warm support from many money conservatives. I just don't see him closing the gap in a big way with his charisma and old JoeMentum.

    There is A LOT of excitement for Obama. I am slowly approaching 30, but I would like to think I am still apart of the youth. I've always been a political junkie, but so many of my friends and acquaintances have been turned onto the Obama campaign. Mask will say they don;t matter, and thats a valid point given past performance, but there really is a lot of excitement. Though that is a subjective view, so obviously it comes with a grain of salt.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 04/18/2008 @ 8:06pm

24. Last year a lot of students in my classes were pushing for Ron Paul.

    Posted by HSUBFOOLS 04/18/2008 @ 7:41pm

    Allow me to explain (Frank style) what this generation thinks.

    There are two types of governments: Mommy and Daddy governments. Now that may seem demeaning but it does sort of boil down this section of the electorate into a nice syrup. Mommy government, the worst of the Democratic party, helmets, cigarette bans, gun control, tell you what is best for you. See also: Hillary Clinton.

    Daddy government, abortion, church, get mad and break things, tell you what is good and what is evil. See also: Dick Cheney.

    Those are glib sort of statements but I think it paints the broad strokes for you. What you must understand is that young people generally HATE both types of government. That is why Ron Paul had a nice amount of support. To some up young people in a word, liberatarian. The party the choose is based more on what annoys them the least. On the fridges you have the same die hard-ness found in the general electorate, but in the middle you find the above. They want the following things 1) government to perform smoothly 2) government to be just large enough to get the job done 3) government to leave them the hell alone in the bedroom. 4) No wars. (they fight them)

    This may change as the electorate gets older and their needs change, but right now that's how I see it.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 04/18/2008 @ 8:18pm

25. Posted by TZIMISCE 04/18/2008 @ 8:06pm |

    Huh-huh-huh....didn't say they (or you) "don't matter".

    Just said that they're not the "force to be reckoned with" that folks like Cora Currier or Peter Rothberg keep CLAIMING they are or "will be THIS election".

    And I'll be happy to be proven wrong....some day.

    Posted by Mask at 04/18/2008 @ 8:23pm

26. Posted by MASK 04/18/2008 @ 8:23pm

    Yeah thats an overstatement. But sometime you do boarder on the "don't matter" side.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 04/18/2008 @ 8:26pm

27. Posted by TZIMISCE 04/18/2008 @ 8:26pm

    Just that thin line between that and "keeping your head on straight" and being realistic.

    Posted by Mask at 04/18/2008 @ 8:54pm

28. ah, life in the loony bin:

    Report: Netanyahu says 9/11 terror attacks good for Israel

    By Haaretz Service and Reuters

    The Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv on Wednesday reported that Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu told an audience at Bar Ilan university that the September 11, 2001 terror attacks had been beneficial for Israel.

    "We are benefiting from one thing, and that is the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and the American struggle in Iraq," Ma'ariv quoted the former prime minister as saying. He reportedly added that these events "swung American public opinion in our favor."

    Netanyahu reportedly made the comments during a conference at Bar-Ilan University on the division of Jerusalem as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians.

    Meanwhile, Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad cast doubt over the veracity of the September 11 attacks Thursday, calling it a pretext to invade Afghanistan and Iraq.

    "Four or five years ago, a suspicious event occurred in New York. A building collapsed and they said that 3,000 people had been killed but never published their names," Ahmadinejad told Iranians in the holy city of Qom.

    "Under this pretext, they [the U.S.] attacked Afghanistan and Iraq and since then, a million people have been killed only in Iraq."

    Speaking Wednesday at a news conference on the Iran threat, Netanyahu compared Ahmadinejad to Adolf Hitler and likened Tehran's nuclear program to the threat the Nazis posed to Europe in the late 1930s.

    Netanyahu said Iran differed from the Nazis in one vital respect, explaining that "where that [Nazi] regime embarked on a global conflict before it developed nuclear weapons," he said. "This regime [Iran] is developing nuclear weapons before it embarks on a global conflict."

    Posted by frosty zoom at 04/18/2008 @ 11:37pm

29. Hmmm, the spin is Obama's "the most liberal" freak on the planet - then why does

    Clinton's most solid support come from the most partisan Democrats (51% Clinton to 45% Obama), with weaker Democratic identifiers, independents, and most Republicans tending to support Obama.

    Interesting, she's very much moving right, her increased involvement in the fundamentalist "The Family" sect, all the tough / Generals love me / ready to bomb bomb bomb Iran mimickry... but this is not getting her the middle, rather just the extremists on the far left.

    Posted by winyahn at 04/19/2008 @ 1:25pm

30. Posted by TZIMISCE 04/18/2008 @ 8:18pm

    That's actually pretty good analysis, TZIMISCE. Too bad that we've had 3 gens. of Americans who have been raised by adolescents or arrested adolescents. The infantility of the public consciousness in this country is truly boggling. They keep approaching decisions about polity with the same mindset as picking out butt-wipe or cell phone service. That's why campaigns are still run the way they are.

    It's the same reason we have monster truck rallies, farting contests, WWE, and Nascar. It's all the same shit.

    Posted by goyadad at 04/19/2008 @ 2:09pm

31. McCain no Messiah

    Is John McCain the new Mr. Rogers?

    Or the new Christ?

    Or, perhaps, the new Obama?

    Will he have enough followers to get elected?

    I think he suffers from short-man syndrome, plus he never achieved what his father and grandfather achieved (4 star admirals), plus he latched onto a pill popping beer heiress of a wife who needs "disciplining." A dud of a pupil at the Naval Academy, a Keating Five scandal alum, for and against torture, for and against tax cuts, for and against immigrants--Perhaps he is a perfect candidate in the George Bush mold.

    PS. Mr. Rogers, Jesus and Obama were/are decent folks from what I hear. McCain, not so much.

    So, to sum up, as the Democratic party (the left of center wing of the Party of the Rich) self-destructs and the Republican party (the extreme right-wing of the Party of the Rich) also self -destructs with a McCain 100 year war presidency, I am hopeful that a new political alignment will occur--a party of the regular folks (includes Mr. Rogers, Obama and Jesus) will emerge ...

    Posted by hkaplan at 04/19/2008 @ 3:30pm

32. You must be the type of Jew MARKCANYON talks about.....brilliantly leading the Left to ruins, LOL!! I hope the HRC & especially the Magic campaign, are stuffed w/folks who think like you.....Bring it on!

    Posted by HAPPY2 04/19/2008 @ 5:01p

    Doubt it. They seem to be decently smart.

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/19/2008 @ 5:12pm

33. Posted by HAPPY2 04/19/2008 @ 5:01pm

    And by the way Happy what does the fact that he is a jew have to do with anything?

    Posted by Cccomfo1 at 04/19/2008 @ 5:13pm

34. You must be the type of Jew MARKCANYON talks about.....

    Posted by HAPPY2 04/19/2008 @ 5:01pm

    hardly. it seems like mr. kaplan is still alive........

    Posted by frosty zoom at 04/19/2008 @ 5:55pm

35. And by the way Happy what does the fact that he is a jew have to do with anything?----Posted by CCCOMFO1 04/19/2008 @ 5:13pm

    Maybe HAPP agrees with MARKHIMMLER a bit MORE than he lets on???

    Posted by Mask at 04/19/2008 @ 6:02pm

36. Posted by HAPPY2 04/19/2008 @ 6:51pm

    So...."Some of my best friends are Jewish"?

    Posted by Mask at 04/19/2008 @ 8:01pm

37. Straight-talk from fellow POW...

    Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals.

    As some of you might know, John McCain is a long-time acquaintance of mine that goes way back to our time together at the U.S. Naval Academy and as Prisoners of War in Vietnam. He is a man I respect and admire in some ways. But there are a number of reasons why I will not vote for him for President of the United States...

    When I was a Plebe (4th classman, or freshman) at the Naval Academy in 1957-58, I was assigned to the 17th Company for my four years there. In those days we had about 3,600 midshipmen spread among 24 companies, thus about 150 midshipmen to a company. As fortune would have it, John, a First Classman (senior) and his room mate lived directly across the hall from me and my two room mates. Believe me when I say that back then I would never in a million or more years have dreamed that the crazy guy across the hall would someday be a Senator and candidate for President!

    John was a wild man. He was funny, with a quick wit and he was intelligent. But he was intent on breaking every USNA regulation in our 4 inch thick USNA Regulations book...

    I can verify that John has an infamous reputation for being a hot head. He has a quick and explosive temper that many have experienced first hand. Folks, quite honestly that is not the finger I want next to that red button.

    It is also disappointing to see him take on and support Bush's war in Iraq, even stating we might be there for another 100 years. For me John represents the entrenched and bankrupt policies of Washington-as-usual. The past 7 years have proven to be disastrous for our country. And I believe John's views on war, foreign policy, economics, environment, health care, education, national infrastructure and other important areas are much the same as those of the Bush administration.

    I'm disappointed to see John represent himself politically in ways that are not accurate. He is not a moderate Republican. On some issues he is a maverick. But his voting record is far to the right. I fear for his nominations to our Supreme Court, and the consequent continuing loss of individual freedoms, especially regarding moral and religious issues. John is not a religious person, but he has taken every opportunity to ally himself with some really obnoxious and crazy fundamentalist ministers lately. I was also disappointed to see him cozy up to Bush because I know he hates that man. He disingenuously and famously put his arm around the guy, even after Bush had intensely disrespected him with lies and slander. So on these and many other instances, I don't see that John is the "straight talk express" he markets himself to be.

    Senator John Sidney McCain, III is a remarkable man who has made enormous personal achievements. And he is a man that I am proud to call a fellow POW who "Returned With Honor." That's our POW motto. But since many of you keep asking what I think of him, I've decided to write it out. In short, I think John Sidney McCain, III is a good man, but not someone I will vote for in the upcoming election to be our President of the United States.

    Kind of gives his 'bomb bomb bomb' song a new meaning

    Posted by winyahn at 04/20/2008 @ 2:47pm

38. WHY IS THE MEDIA HIDING THE TRUTH ABOUT HILLARY'S SECRET RELIGION (CULT ?)

    It was obvious as one would watch the 'coverage' of the war that all of the cable news networks were working for the Bush Regime. The ONLY place we as Americans could attempt to gather some truth was through C-Span, Huff, Democracy Now and a few other sites which would show all of the networks to be actually misleading America. Now, with as simple a tool as Google, Americans can find out information that the networks won't give. Hillary's secret religion (cult) known as 'The Family' is a D.C. based group of the richest folks in America who 'pray to Jesus for the elite to rule the world' . The fact that there has been absolutely no mention of her cult leads one to believe that the higher-ups at the networks (and other big corporations) are a part of 'The Family'.....and the plan to rule the world. I know.... it sounds far fetched. You can find a great list of links regarding 'The Family' at www.Blacks4Barack.org. Truthtellers like Huffington, The Nation, Mother Jones and others have all done recent stories about 'The Family'....but where's CNN, MSNBC, Fox or the gang. They all know that there's an internet rumbling going on right now about this cult. But....no mention. Do the research yourselves....Google: 'Hillary The Family'or 'The Fellowship'....or 'The Christian Mafia'....once you do....you'll see that it is not only scary....BUT IT MUST BE STOPPED !!!!!!!!!!!!!! LEARN/SHARE !!!!!

    Visit: www.Blacks4Barack.org (A Multi-Racial Organization Dedicated to Truth)

    Posted by gregjones at 04/20/2008 @ 7:19pm

39. Posted by GREGJONES 04/20/2008 @ 7:19pm

    You really need to stop reading all those cult magazines.

    Posted by ACook at 04/20/2008 @ 7:38pm

40. Such is the Nation's malice and mettle.

    Posted by MARKCANYON 04/20/2008 @ 7:39pm

    good call, herr kettle.

    Posted by frosted zoom at 04/20/2008 @ 8:55pm

41. Big money deserves a big office. How about POTUS?

    As heiress to her father's stake in Hensley & Co. of Phoenix, Cindy McCain is an executive whose worth may exceed $100 million.

    Anheuser-Busch's political action committee was among McCain's earliest donors.

    Cindy McCain's father, James Hensley, and other Hensley & Co. executives gave so much the Federal Election Commission ordered McCain to give some of it back.

    Posted by winyahn at 04/20/2008 @ 10:54pm

42. Posted by HAPPY2 04/20/2008 @ 9:51pm

    no, happy. i worry about you and jm and frank and few others.

    i've told you i'm canadian. you believe me. i don't mention it everyday, yet you still believe that to be true.

    markcanyon said that the murder of many, many people was a good thing. you've read it.

    he never denies it.

    he doesn't say it now, yet he never denies it.

    and it worries me to see friends descend into such a dark gully.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 04/21/2008 @ 01:46am