Dems--Why Not Woo the Young?

By Thomas Geoghegan

This article appeared in the July 21, 2003 edition of The Nation.

July 2, 2003

Since 1968 the Democrats have been shut out, more or less, as majority party. But with a small bump in left-of-center turnout, they'd be running the country. The dropoff in voting has been greatest among the young. This is the biggest what-if in American politics: What if the Democrats pitched an issue to the young?

For example, student loans. Declare an amnesty. Or let college grads off the hook if their incomes fall below a certain level. Or at least let them discharge the loan in bankruptcy.

But is there a single bill in Congress from any Democrat to this effect? No. Instead, the Democrats over and over pitch their issues to the elderly--only, in the last election, to see the old people, hardhearted, reject them again. Isn't it better to woo the young?

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About Thomas Geoghegan

Thomas Geoghegan, a lawyer in Chicago, is the author of In America's Court: How a Civil Lawyer Who Likes to Settle Stumbled Into a Criminal Trial and Which Side AreYou On? Trying to Be for Labor When It's Flat on Its Back (both New Press). more...
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