“The Past vs. The Future”
January 26, 2008
Money quote from Obama’s victory speech tonight:
“The choice in this election is not between regions or religions or genders,” Obama said. “It’s not about rich versus poor; young versus old; and it is not about black versus white.
“It’s about the past versus the future.”
Andy has just pointed out to me that, “since this is Hillary Clinton vs. Barack Obama, it means that he’s calling her the past and himself the future.”
I’d say that’s pretty accurate. She wants to back in time to the 1990’s. He wants to take us forward.
I love this man!
[...] but what the hell, it’s a political time of year, and I think (along with my friend and co-worker Teresa) that this is an election where we are presented with the chance make an important generational [...]
I still think “the future” needs to close the deal and get out and vote. The younger generation numbers are slightly better than 4 years ago, but only slightly. If Obama is going to rely on the younger electorate they need to get out and vote. The best people to convince young voters to vote are their friends and peers.
Daniel: Very true! And for the first time in my life, I actually have friends who aren’t complete political junkies — Rye and Tony, this means you — that I can hopefully convince to turn out for the caucus.
If you were in my shoes, friends with a bunch of apolitical twenty-somethings. What would you say to get them to the caucus? I have my own ideas, but I’m curious to hear what you have to say.
I’d tell them this is part of what being an adult is all about. Their future is at stake. Just look what the voting in 2000 resulted in. Voting, in whatever form (secret ballot, caucus) is a civic duty we are lucky to have and too often take for granted.
But the truth of the matter is politicians do listen to constituents who contact them or voice their concerns. The youth of America shouldn’t abdicate such influence to older people who have understood this and therefore do exert their influence on their elected officials.
With Obama, you have a presidential candidate young enough still to relate to younger voters, and determined to change the politics in D.C. That’s reason enough to give him a chance by backing him with a vote.
Caucuses can be a confusing and chaotic way to vote, and so I don’t blame anyone for not attending. But caucus goers don’t have to be registered yet, so that’s one less barrier.
At the end of the day, people should voice their opinion, because they really cannot complain if they choose not to vote at all.