Poll: Republican resurgence among young adults
Republicans are enjoying new popularity among 18- to 29-year-olds, which may signal the first step in a Republican resurgence among young adults, a new poll suggests.
The poll finds young Republicans are more politically energized than young Democrats, and they鈥檙e more likely to say they will 鈥渄efinitely be voting鈥� in this November鈥檚 midterm elections.
Forty-one percent of young Republicans say they plan to vote in November, compared with 35 percent of Democrats and 13 percent of Independents, conducted by Harvard University鈥檚 Institute of Politics (IOP), a nonpartisan group.
Fifty-three percent of those who voted for Sen. John McCain (R) of Ariz., in 2008 say they will definitely vote in midterm elections, compared with 44 percent of those who voted for President Obama.
鈥淲e鈥檝e seen a reengagement of young adults in the political process in levels not seen in decades,鈥� says Bill Purcell, director of the IOP.
Young Republicans politically engaged
That reengagement seems to be strongest among young Republicans, adds Michael McDonald, associate professor of government and politics at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
鈥淢y impression is that there鈥檚 been a resurgence of young Republican self-identifiers,鈥� says Dr. McDonald, who was not involved in the poll. 鈥淚n the short-term, this points to a good election year for Republicans.鈥�
That鈥檚 not surprising, he says.
As the GOP attempts to rebuild its image following President George W. Bush鈥檚 unpopular second term, young voters may be taking advantage of the opportunity to mount an ideological comeback to change the course of the Republican Party. (Monitor report: Young Republicans seek a new kind of party)
鈥淭his is actually part of a normal pattern we see in politics: the resurgence of the party out of power during midterm elections,鈥� says McDonald. 鈥淲hen the governing party makes decisions that are unpopular, it tends to energize the opposition.鈥�
The No. 1 issue energizing the opposition?
鈥淵oung people are extremely, extremely concerned about the current financial state,鈥� says John Della Volpe, director of polling at IOP. 鈥淎 lot of the intensity we see from conservative Republicans is around issues related to the economy. That鈥檚 something that has an effect on all members of this generation.鈥� (Monitor report: The most fertile ground for Republicans is the growing ranks of independents.)
The poll found a majority of 18- to 29-year-olds experiencing significant anxiety about their personal finances, with 6 in 10 concerned about meeting current bills and 45 percent reporting their personal financial situation as "bad."
Worries about employment and healthcare
A majority of respondents said they worry about affording a place to live and affording healthcare. Almost half of those in college are concerned about their ability to stay in college, and almost half of those in the workforce are concerned about losing their jobs.
A considerable 84 percent of undergraduates polled said finding a job after graduation would be 鈥渄ifficult.鈥�
鈥淭he concept that each generation will grow up to be better off than the previous is questionable,鈥� says Purcell. 鈥淧olls show this generation unsure if they鈥檒l be better off.鈥�
Reflecting the unease of a generation entering the workforce during a major recession, less than half of 鈥渕illennials鈥� polled said they were confident they could reach the 鈥淎merican Dream.鈥� Less than half of 18- to 29-year-olds (46 percent) expect to be better off financially than their parents when they reach their parents鈥� age today.
鈥淭he level of economic anxiety [among young people] is palpable,鈥� says Mr. Della Volpe. 鈥淭his will certainly impact the relationship they have with personal finances as they grow older.鈥�
Young adults are also increasingly frustrated with government and with the economy, according to the poll.
Only 25 percent of 18- to 29-year-olds said they trust Congress to do the right thing all or most of the time. Only 29 percent trust federal government to do the right thing, and 44 percent trust the president. At 53 percent, the US military earns most young adults鈥� trust; Wall Street, at 11 percent, the least.
鈥淎t no time since our original survey in 2000 has the mood among America鈥檚 youngest cohort of voters seemed so dour,鈥� the report concludes. 鈥淢illions of young people are losing faith in government, politics and in many cases 鈥� the American Dream.鈥�
