Are young voters really as Democratic as being portrayed?

[Frodo]

This might be a better place to put this.

Oh, and BTW, if anyone happens to have the link to the actual survey this article is referring to, don't hesitate to share it here if I don't get around to it first:
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Study: Generation gap in U.S. largest since ’60s;
Social values and morality are areas were older, younger people differ most

updated 1:12 a.m. ET, Mon., June 29, 2009

WASHINGTON - American adults from young to old disagree increasingly today on social values ranging from religion to relationships, creating the largest generation gap since divisions 40 years ago over Vietnam, civil rights and women's liberation.

A survey being released Monday by the Pew Research Center highlights a widening age divide after last November's election, when 18- to 29-year-olds voted for Democrat Barack Obama by a 2-to-1 ratio.

Almost eight in 10 people believe there is a major difference in the point of view of younger people and older people today, according to the independent public opinion research group. That is the highest spread since 1969, when about 74 percent reported major differences in an era of generational conflicts over the Vietnam War and civil and women's rights. In contrast, just 60 percent in 1979 saw a generation gap.

[Vepres]

Young people are much more to the left on social issues and not as arrogant and forceful in their foreign policy beliefs. On economic issues they're similar to older generations however.

[Ogre Mage]

The GOP's hostility to gay rights is symptomatic of their hostility to historically discriminated groups.  In modern times the party has had bad relations with women's rights and minority organizations and they have not done well with those demographics in elections.  Their issues with gays and lesbians are in a similar vein.  It feeds the perception that whatever tokens they might shove in front of the camera, only the powers that have always been are represented there.

I'm not saying your wrong, but it is hard to reach out to these organizations when they have practically become wings of the Democratic primary. You didn't hear any women's rights group criticizing Clinton during the Lewinsky scandal.

President Clinton was pro-choice and he created the FMLA and SCHIP, all of which was opposed by the Republican base.  The President actually did something to support families instead of just (hypocritically) touting "family values."  I daresay women noticed.

[CJK]

Well I have proof that embracing gay marriage won't help much in my state, Ohio, at least. 60% oppose a law allowing same sex couples to marry (civil unions are evenly divided). Among those who know someone who is gay, 53% still oppose. Moreover, even among those 18-34 52% would oppose such a law.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1346

[Dan the Roman]

Well I have proof that embracing gay marriage won't help much in my state, Ohio, at least. 60% oppose a law allowing same sex couples to marry (civil unions are evenly divided). Among those who know someone who is gay, 53% still oppose. Moreover, even among those 18-34 52% would oppose such a law.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1346

The thing about Gay Rights, and not getting this is one reason the GOP is in so much trouble, is not really about Gays or actual rights, or issues. There are a whole lot of voters who are not Gay, don't really support Gay Marriage, and yet find it unseemly for a politician to make a big deal about opposing Gay Marriage. Its really quite odd, but its basically a type of metric for determining if someone is a nasty person. And far more voters than those who actually support gay rights think politicians who oppose it are mean and nasty.

This is sort of the same way that during the 1990s any Republican who was Pro-Choice was automatically a moderate regardless of other issue positions. The whole thing is weird side effect of the way voters use cues as short-cuts to conclusions.

A good example of this is California with Prop 8. Clearly a majority of voters voted for it, but open support for the Proposition is a fringe position in public, and given the climate of the last few months it mus be even among many of the people who voted for it. Its pretty clear that Meg Whittman is going to have serious trouble in the General Election from her support of Proposition 8.

Part of the reason for this is that the Civil Union position, while superficially appealing, is intellectually unsustainable. If one is religious enough to oppose Marriage, and buys the arguments about weakening it, one should naturally oppose Civil Unions as well. In turn, once someone has legitimized in their own mind that Gay Relationships are equal and deserving of equal recognition it is a very small jump to full marriage. Therefore, while it is a position that appeals to voters in their own minds, it sounds spectacularly condescending or dishonest when proposed by a politician.

The GOP can get by without being the Pro-Gay Marriage party. It will take enormous damage however from being the Anti-Gay Marriage party.

[Smash255]

Well I have proof that embracing gay marriage won't help much in my state, Ohio, at least. 60% oppose a law allowing same sex couples to marry (civil unions are evenly divided). Among those who know someone who is gay, 53% still oppose. Moreover, even among those 18-34 52% would oppose such a law.

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/x1322.xml?ReleaseID=1346

The thing about Gay Rights, and not getting this is one reason the GOP is in so much trouble, is not really about Gays or actual rights, or issues. There are a whole lot of voters who are not Gay, don't really support Gay Marriage, and yet find it unseemly for a politician to make a big deal about opposing Gay Marriage. Its really quite odd, but its basically a type of metric for determining if someone is a nasty person. And far more voters than those who actually support gay rights think politicians who oppose it are mean and nasty.

This is sort of the same way that during the 1990s any Republican who was Pro-Choice was automatically a moderate regardless of other issue positions. The whole thing is weird side effect of the way voters use cues as short-cuts to conclusions.

A good example of this is California with Prop 8. Clearly a majority of voters voted for it, but open support for the Proposition is a fringe position in public, and given the climate of the last few months it mus be even among many of the people who voted for it. Its pretty clear that Meg Whittman is going to have serious trouble in the General Election from her support of Proposition 8.

Part of the reason for this is that the Civil Union position, while superficially appealing, is intellectually unsustainable. If one is religious enough to oppose Marriage, and buys the arguments about weakening it, one should naturally oppose Civil Unions as well. In turn, once someone has legitimized in their own mind that Gay Relationships are equal and deserving of equal recognition it is a very small jump to full marriage. Therefore, while it is a position that appeals to voters in their own minds, it sounds spectacularly condescending or dishonest when proposed by a politician.

The GOP can get by without being the Pro-Gay Marriage party. It will take enormous damage however from being the Anti-Gay Marriage party.

I agree.  I don't think their is any question that the tide is turning on Gay Marriage, but it is more than just the Gay Marriage or Rights issue which is going to wind up hurting the GOP here.  More than that its the hateful rhetoric used by some who are opposed to it.  Calling it an abomination, the worst threat we face, allowing them to exist, dysfunctional, etc.  In order for the GOP to become more than just a regional party they need to be able to get some appeal among young voters and get back some of the educated middle to upper middle class suburbanites who have been leaving the party in droves.   This type of rhetoric and fighting Gay Marriage tooth and nail won't get that done.