October 23, 2008
Why the ‘Generation Jones’ Vote May Be Crucial in Election 2008 (Peter Fenn)
We talk about the “Greatest Generation” — the World War II vets and those whose views were formed during the Depression. A lot of focus has also been put on “baby boomers” as many move into retirement. Then, of course, there are the Generation Xers who followed and Generation Y, the new, young voters with increasing influence on the political process.
Pollsters differ on how to split them up by age group, but the exit polls for 2004 and 2008 split the electorate up into 18-29, 30-44, 45-59 and 60 and over.
The one group that might be worth a special look is the “Generation Jones” voters, those who are somewhat lost between the baby boomers and Generation X, who were born between 1954 and 1965. These voters were too young to get the full effect of the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights struggles and missed much of the rock culture. They are described by social commentator Jonathan Pontell as “the generation of unfulfilled expectations” — as in keeping up with the Joneses.
These voters are what one would have to call middle-aged. In 2008 they are between the ages of 43 and 54, a critical swing group. Many of them came of age politically during the time of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. In 2004, they narrowly favored George Bush and in 2000 were pretty evenly divided between Gore and Bush. In short, they are very much up for grabs in this presidential election and in the down-ballot Senate and House races.
Since they represent nearly a quarter of the electorate, they are a strong target for all the campaign’s messages. Because they generally have favorable impressions of Reagan, favor balanced budgets and fiscal responsibility, yet are concerned about the excesses of the past eight years and are feeling squeezed with the economic meltdown, they are clearly a focus for both Obama and McCain, even if neither campaign has quite explained it that way!
As Campaign 2008 enters the final days, keep an eye on these voters — they will be critical to the outcome.
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This old fogey in her 60's is voting for Obama. I'm hopeful those between age 43-54 will mostly take the same route. We'll see soon!
Comment by Joyce — October 23, 2008 @ 2:57 pm
A day in the life of Palin
One wonders if Obama could be so resilient
Michael Graham By Michael Graham
Thursday, October 23, 2008 -
I have a dream for Sen. Barack Obama.
I have a dream that one day, for just 24 hours, he could be Sarah Palin.
OK, maybe that’s less of a dream and more a plot point from a bad Lindsay Lohan movie (redundancy alert!).
But imagine the Democratic nominee’s day as Barack Palin Obama:
He wake up and reaches for a secret cigarette and a copy of The New York Times [NYT]. Instead of the usual partisan puff pieces (“Obama Health Care Plan Pledges Miraculous Healings For All”), the Times is running exposes about his family.
Does his spouse have extremist political views? Who pays when his kids travel to Washington? And how do we know one of them isn’t really his grandkid?
Opening the editorial page Palin-Obama finds column after column filled with personal attacks and insults. Comments about his looks, how much his clothes cost, his speaking style - even suggestions that the radical teachings of his church might be a legitimate topic for discussion.
He clicks on MSNBC and sees the spittle-flecked face of Chris Matthews.
“Obama says he’s cutting taxes for 95 percent of taxpayers, but he’s not. He’s just sending them checks! No cut in their tax rate AT ALL! IT’S A LIE, A LIE! AAARRGGHHHH!
As the MSNBC medical staff fires yet another tranquilizer dart into Matthews’ thrashing body, Palin-Obama gets ready to face the day.
At the airport, Palin-Obama is under siege from the traveling press. “Why are you hiding, Sen. Obama? You haven’t taken questions from us since last month. Joe Biden hasn’t held a press avail since Sept. 7! Afraid he’ll make another ‘guaranteed crisis’ comment? How many more screw-ups before you dump the guy?”
A crowd of thousands gathers to hear him speak. When Palin-Obama mentions the “destructive foreign policy of George W. Bush,” someone shouts “murderer!” Another cries, “off with this head!”
By lunchtime, the cable news headline is: “Obama Whips Up Angry Mob, Some Fear Campaign May Inspire Violence.”
That afternoon, Palin-Obama sits down with a CNN reporter who spends the first half of the interview asking variations of the question, “How can a half-term senator with zero executive experience and no record of achievement be president? Shouldn’t you be ashamed of yourself for even running?”
“Let’s talk energy independence,” Palin-Obama asks hopefully. The reporter instead demands to know why Obama won’t release his medical records, his original birth certificate or the names of about half his contributors.
“You’re the most secretive candidate since Nixon,” the reporter insists. “And besides, the guy who plays you on ‘Saturday Night Live’ is way hotter.”
Comment by Igor R. — October 23, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Obama doesn't have to face a day like that because he doesn't lie in public as does Ms Palin.
His spouse wasn't a member of a party that openly advocates treason against the United States. Palin's was. Obama hasn't made ficticious charges for his children's travel as Ms. Palin has. There is no question about the paternity of his family because it is accomplished and stable and obviously built on love.
In short, if you run a decent campaign and have a decent life there really isn't a lot to criticize. If you are mindless, dishonest and obviously unqualified there's gonna be some questions.
Comment by pghremodeler — October 23, 2008 @ 7:05 pm
No. 3 - You've been breathing in too much drywall dust if you really believe that. And your last sentence is exactly why there are so many questions about B.O. Unlike Palin though, he just refuses to answer them, or he makes shyte up.
Comment by FrankSeville — October 23, 2008 @ 9:38 pm
As an older voter I have the time to properly research all the candidates. I,m still waiting for Obama,s birth certificate. It worries me that he has not produced it and now he,s in Hawaii for other reasons but I bet his birth certificate will magically show up in the near future.Better check the ink on this one.
Our constitution is very clear on who can legally run for the presidency.Can,t change that!
Joyce, as old as you are I would think you would have learned something in all those years.
Comment by Teerry Gee — October 23, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
#5. I have learned a lot, Terry. I have never been registered as a Democrat or Republican. I vote for the best candidate and that's what I'm doing again. Most people our age fear change and will not take the leap. I have no use for 98% of politicians, but I do feel Obama is different on the inside. I can hear you laughing reading this, but I'm very intuitive and always go with my gut.
Comment by Joyce — October 24, 2008 @ 2:06 pm
I'm sorry pghremodeler, he has not led a decent life. He has had some successes, but the people he chose to surround himself with a terrible, terrible people. Of course you think that the Weather Underground did wonderful things for this country, so we really don't speak the same language because words have different meaning to me and you.
Comment by Igor R. — October 24, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
Joyce, here you are on a relatively serious political blog saying that you're (a) intuitive (b) do not fear change (c) going with your gut. You realize that you could post here under the name of "Joyce" and be a patient at the Maricopa County Facility for the Criminally Insane, a Kenyan teenager, or a twenty-ish volunteer for the Obama campaign posing as a typical Hillary voter in a home state of McCain with a Jewish husband to boot totally convinced that Obama is the answer.
Unless you can come up with logical arguments your recitations of "Obama has already won" and "Deal with it" will fall on deaf ears.
Comment by Igor R. — October 24, 2008 @ 5:24 pm
#8. Your ignorance speaks volumes about YOU.
Comment by Joyce — October 25, 2008 @ 1:32 pm
Joyce, and your lack of coherent arguments about you. Imagine following a lead of someone who claims to vote for a candidate because they are "intuitive"!
Comment by Igor R. — October 25, 2008 @ 6:27 pm
You might be interested in Clarence Page's take on the Generation Jones demographic and the election:
[Clarence Page]
Generation Jones even has its own website!
[GenerationJones.com]
Comment by Adam Stanhope — October 26, 2008 @ 5:57 pm