The Democracy Corp (.pdf) has a new poll out examining the opinions of young voters.
A major, multi-mode survey of America’s young people recently conducted by Democracy Corps shows young people profoundly alienated from the Republican Party and poised to deliver a significant majority to the Democratic nominee for President in 2008.
Young people disagree with Republicans on vitually every issue.
Exploring attitudes toward the parties themselves, young voters’ reaction to fundamental issues and their perceptions of the GOP suggest a fundamental alienation from the Republican Party, a crisis that will not leave with the Bush administration.
Young people react with hostility to the Republicans on almost every measure and
Republicans and younger voters disagree on almost every major issue of the day. The range of
the issue disagreements range from the most prominent issues of the day (Iraq, immigration) to
burning social issues (gay marriage, abortion) to fundamental ideological disagreements over
the size and scope of government.
And, yet, even among young people, the Republicans do better among white people.
It is also important to note that the large Democratic margin is driven, in part, by the diversity of this generation. Overall, Democrats are losing among white young voters.
It’s truly strange to feel like a minority in my own race. I can’t imagine supporting the Republicans. I don’t support them on any issue. Not one. I don’t feel that the Democrats are a threat to me, or treat me unfairly because of my race on any issue.
What explains this? Is Affirmative Action that unpopular? Does the new generation fall for the black welfare mother stereotype? Is it latent racism? Opposition to Hispanic immigration? There must be something that keeps young white voters in the Republican fold. I just don’t know what it is.
