Poll: Young Americans More Satisfied, Less Likely To Vote

From Newsmax:

Young Americans More Satisfied, Less Likely to Vote




A new poll suggests that young Americans are less likely to vote in the November elections than their older countrymen because they are more satisfied with the state of affairs in the country.



Only 35 percent of potential voters in the 18-to-34 age range are enthusiastic about the midterm elections, compared to 65 percent of seniors, according to a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll.



As for why those young Americans are less enthusiastic about voting, clues may lie in a poll from the Society for Human Resources Management/National Journal Congressional Connection. This survey found that 54 percent of respondents between ages 18 and 29 are satisfied “with the way things are going in this country today,” while 28 percent of those from 30 to 49 feel that way. The satisfaction rate drops to 22 percent for respondents from 50 to 64. Among seniors 65 and over, just 19 percent are satisfied.



Fully 72 percent of voters over 65 are dissatisfied with the direction of the country, compared to only 39 percent of those under 30.



Nearly 60 percent of respondents between 18 and 29 said they believe the federal government will make progress in solving the nation’s crucial problems during the next 12 months, while 42 percent of those ages 30 to 64 agree, and just 36 percent of 65-plus Americans feel that way.



President Obama is doing an excellent job, 45 percent of young voters say, compared to 39 percent of voters 65 and over.



“The numbers are part of an overall pattern that shows sharper optimism about the country and higher approval of President Obama’s job performance among younger and minority voters, contours of support that match core groups in his winning 2008 coalition,” National Journal observed.



Sen. Judd Gregg, a New Hampshire Republican, thinks young people should be more concerned about the president’s policies that have boosted federal spending:



“I think if they look at what’s happening in this country relative to the debt burden they’re going to have to bear because we’re spending their money today, paying bills for today and the bills are being passed on to them, they might not be quite so optimistic.”