Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Proud of my State... for the moment

We, as Floridians, are used to listening to what enormous morons we are and have in our state. It seems that every time we turn around there is another news story about our state government or just the people of the state acting in ways that would embarrass anyone with a brain (and I include myself in that number). So it was very nice to open Time.com and realize that, while my generation (and the Boomer generation) in this state may still have an average IQ of about 74, the younger generation is sitting up, paying attention and doing what is right for this country of ours.

the once easily pigeonholed demographics in the Sunshine State are changing, and many pundits say the 30-and-under crowd could turn out to be the decisive factor in this year's closely contested race...polls through September showed [McCain] and Obama in a dead heat, Obama seems to be pulling away as the nation's economic crisis worsens. Four polls released last week show Obama not only leading —one, by Quinnipiac University, has him up by as much as eight points — but breaking the 50% barrier for the first time. and Obama in a dead heat, Obama seems to be pulling away as the nation's economic crisis worsens...The question is whether this group — which always talks an idealistic game but tends to sleep in on election day — has gotten more serious about actually turning out to vote. More than 150,000 voters under age 30 voted in Florida's Democratic primary this year, despite the fact that Obama didn't even campaign there because the national party had ruled the election wouldn't count. (That was due to Florida changing its primary date in violation of both GOP and Democratic Party rules). Almost 135,000 in that age group voted in the state's Republican primary. Those figures still accounted for less than 10% of all Florida primary voters, but they represented a 14% turnout for that bloc, up from a measly 4% in 2000.

My 19 year old son has watched this election closely. I wanted him to just do as he was told and vote the way I wanted him to, but he wanted to make up his own mind. (rolls eyes) Luckily he has brain and will be voting Obama. His ex-gf is a PoliSci major at UF and is voting Obama. His new (almost) gf is supporting Obama. And every single one of his friends who have been in my house is supporting Obama. Or so they say when I grill them.*

Let's hear it for the kids! Hopefully they will actually get out of bed and to the polls on election day! (My son will; I will drive him personally)

*I don't actually grill them. I just ask if they are registered voters. If they say Yes, I leave them alone. If they say No, I grill them to find out why not!

6 comments:

Michelle said...

You know what's a great group outing? Voting. Encourage your son and his friends to make it a social activity!

LeftLeaningLady said...

That is an excellant idea. Many of his friends are in other towns now, though, due to college. AND many vote in different polling places. I just got the rehearsal schedule for my son's play and he will be rehearsing that night, so at this point, I think I have to just make sure he goes.

Anonymous said...

sounds like the boy knows how to pick 'em! it's good to see FL getting a bit smarter about our choices...

Anonymous said...

polls are still looking good... can Florida redeem itself from its 2000 debacle???

LeftLeaningLady said...

I don't know that we will ever redeem ourselves for the 2000 debacle, but helping to put Obama in the White House will be a good first step!

ModernMommy said...

Let's go young people!!! Maybe in a few decades there will be enough of them to override the idiots!