Presidential elections and American youth: 'star' factors and the current race

Historically, young people in America have remained on the outskirts of voting during national and municipal elections. This is due to the fact that candidates rarely possess the charisma - charm and magnetism - to win over youth and mobilize them to vote.

It takes, not only a vibrant and relatable personality, but also a refreshing political stance. Some recent examples of politicians notable for connecting with American youth are former Presidents John F. Kennedy and Bill Clinton. Both possess two “star” factors: charisma and an ideology of change. But do any current US candidates wield “star” factors, too? They, in fact, help explain why Senator Barack Obama has unmatched popularity among a young demographic in the current United States Presidential nomination race.

John F. Kennedy served as President of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Being president at only 44-years-old, he was successful in unifying youth in America with his charismatic personality both through his speeches and by example. He, and his wife Jackie Onassis, were like popular young movie stars, who influenced fashion trends among fellow young Americans. Kennedy's extraordinary oratory skills unified and inspired national youth.

During President JFK's time, the US was amidst a Cold War, entering the end of racial segregation, the beginning of a robust space program, and a “New Frontier” in national policy. Under these circumstances, JFK declared that “the times demand new invention, innovation, imagination, decision;” and that “the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans - born in this century.”

William J. Clinton, US President from 1993 - 2001, only 47-years-old upon inauguration, was one of the youngest to ever hold the office (third to only Theodore Roosevelt and John F. Kennedy). His two terms succeeded George H.W. Bush's presidency that saw the Persain Gulf War with Operation Desert Storm, and left behind a declining US economy.

Clinton focused on domestic issues during his campaign, held many open forums for dialogue with young Americans - even appearing several times on television networks like MTV, which cater pop culture towards teenagers and young adults. During one appearance, Clinton played jazz saxophone for an audience of high school and college students. Because of exposure like this, Clinton used his charismatic relationship with the public to garner great support, even maintaining a high approval rating after his scandal near the end of his time in office. Clinton also gave inspirational speeches, like his Inaugural Address, with statements such as: “The American people have summoned the change we celebrate today. You have raised your voices in an unmistakable chorus, you have cast your votes in historic numbers…yes, you, my fellow Americans, have forced the spring;” and as such, “you, too, must play your part in our renewal. I challenge a new generation of young Americans to a season of service, to act on your idealism…there is much to be done.”

Popularity among youth depends upon current cultural and political events. In America, the present circumstances have created a politicized society. It's because of current events - September 11th, the on-going involvement in Afghanistan, invasion of Iraq, war-mongering rhetoric towards Iran, and an economy revealing signs of recession - that high school and college students, as well as young professionals, are increasingly involved in politics today.

Whether you are on a campus, at a social event, walking the city streets or riding public transportation, you cannot escape seeing campaign advertisements or hearing heated debates about US Presidential nominees.

The 2-term Administration of George W. Bush has ultimately led to a more critical media and a disappointed American public. A poll conducted by CNN in March 2008 showed that G.W Bush's overall approval rating has plummeted 40 points (from before the war in Iraq) to a current 31% low among US citizens. American Research Group, Inc tallied a poll where 80% of Americans expressed disappointment overall with the current administration. Along these lines, many young people are disenchanted with Republicans and doubt that the unchallenged candidate Sen. John McCain will have anything refreshing to offer. His proposals for the Middle East echo President Bush's foreign policy in the area, demonstrated by McCain's February 2008 statement that he will continue US involvement for “100 years in Iraq,” or his impromptu rendition of the parody song “Bomb Iran” to the Beach Boy's “Barbara Ann” during an April 2007 campaign stop in South Carolina. Most young Americans are starkly opposed to a continuation of this rhetoric and policy. There is, however, quite a large majority of Republican youth in the United States, but their counterparts overshadow them.

Discussion and debate in the American public sphere revolves around Democratic Party candidates Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama. Both of who would constitute two “firsts” for America if elected for office: the first woman, and the first visible minority. Thus, politics has become a gender-and-race issue, boiling down to almost a veritable popularity contest between the two “firsts.” Since the Democratic candidates have been neck-and-neck at every turn of the race, many feel that they have stooped to petty methods of slander, negative ad-campaigns, and critiques of rival candidates in the form of personal attacks. The candidate that gets blamed for the aforementioned tactics in US media and informal conversations is Clinton. On the other hand, there is almost general consensus that Barack Obama is riding above this wave.

Hillary Clinton represents herself as the establishment candidate, costing her support from teens and young adults, who are desperate for something new. Barack Obama has succeeded, meanwhile, in rooting his campaign in an ideology of change, much like his predecessors JFK and Bill Clinton; the Senator speaks of togetherness and hope. This unifies his supporters and allows them to feel alongside Obama in his quest, that he is their leader, but also a fellow neighbor who understands shared wants and concerns. The American youth have developed an obsession with Obama's rhetoric of change, hope, and optimism in contrast to a more “institutional” leadership that Clinton is proposing. The junior Senator uses expert oratory skills to motivate young people in America with key quotes, such as these (emphasis added):

“Today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical..., what gives me the most hope is the next generation - the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.”

“I know I haven't spent a lot of time learning the ways of Washington. But I've been there long enough to know that the ways of Washington must change.”

“Change has always happened - not from the top-down, but from the bottom-up. And that's exactly how you and I will change this country. If you want a new kind of politics, it's time to turn the page...It's time to turn the page for hope.”

“This campaign can't only be about me. It must be about us - it must be about what we can do together. This campaign must be the occasion, the vehicle, of your hopes, and your dreams.“

“There is power in hope...If you will join me in this improbable quest, if you feel destiny calling, and see as I see, a future of endless possibility stretching before us; if you sense, as I sense, that the time is now to shake off our slumber, and slough off our fear...then I am ready to take up the cause, and march with you, and work with you. Today, together, we can finish the work that needs to be done...- let's get to work.”

Obama's rhetoric has proved refreshing in light of President Bush's inarticulate nature. It is also unbeatable, because at this point in history it is virtually impossible to find an American who does not support optimism, hope, change, and community. The ideology of change is not Obama's only political strength, but also his other “star” factor: charisma.

John McCain is 72-years-old and Hillary Clinton is 61, while Barack Obama is only 47. This age gap has helped shape the image of Obama as the hip, young, vibrant alternative to stuffy Republicanism and previous White House experience. Recently, on April 14, 2007, Obama was shown playing basketball at stops along his campaign trail on many television networks. It's one example of how accessible the politician is to American youth. This is important because of dissatisfaction with the Bush Administration, leaving the young thirsty for a refreshing political figurehead. They are drawn into his charismatic campaigning and support him in droves, boasting “Obama 08” and “Change We Can Believe In” bumper stickers, water bottles, pins, key chains, posters, banners hung from apartment windows and baseball caps. The slew of available t-shirt choices endorsing Obama includes one that substitutes the Senator in place of revolutionary Che Guevara. The Obama-Brand is in full swing among young people in the US; and, for many, he has already won the popularity contest against Clinton.

It seems as though Sen. Barack Obama has taken a few notes from the pages of American history. And it is from these notes that his “star” factors, charisma and an ideology of change, have built momentum to the point that Obama shines brighter than Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. John McCain. The enduring question is, will the American youth live up to the Obama-Brand that they endorse, and actually make a difference, first, in the Democratic Party nomination, and then in the presidential elections? The other daunting question is, if they do, will Obama live up to his own image, promises, and hype - or will his star wane? If the time comes, will American youth and Obama actually “get to work” together - or, will support dwindle as the pressures of presidency get in the way of hope and change?