Present, not past, matters to younger voters

[Shallah Kali]

Those in their 20s and 30s say they'll be swayed by presidential candidates' stands on security, jobs, and Iraq -- not Vietnam
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/109360806247360.xml

"We have to ask ourselves what these ads really are doing to the American people, the voters. Are they making them mad? To me, it's disturbing this is occurring, that it's gone this far," says Molina, whose brother served in Iraq.

"They're wasting energy on these attack ads and engulfing the media and time and space in the paper for this nonsense. You know why? They don't have an answer for a long-term American policy. They don't have an answer for the long term in Iraq. They don't have an answer for how they're going to pull out."

Young voters aren't ignorant about history, says Pamela Phan, 27, of Portland who registers young people to vote, but they need to see its relevance.

"Young voters aren't concerned about whether Kerry bled 35 years ago or not," Phan says, referring to former Sen. Bob Dole's questioning of the severity of Kerry's injuries. "They want to know: Can we find a job? Can we get an affordable education? If I fall and break my wrist, can I see a doctor?"

[JohnnyRingo]

1. Great point...And I've talked to a number of young, first time voters

recently.

I don't think the newly registered voters are included in any polls, either.