Presidential Candidates Seek Youth Vote
By PHILIP ELLIOTT, AP
Posted: 2008-02-03 14:42:38
NEW YORK (Feb. 2) - Democrat Barack Obama told young voters Saturday his multicultural background lets him "see through the eyes of other people" abroad in ways another president could not. Closer to home - and student pocketbooks - rival Hillary Rodham Clinton spoke of aggressive steps to make college affordable.

The two Democrats and Republicans Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul joined in a youth-oriented forum sponsored by MTV, The Associated Press and MySpace, each fielding questions separately by satellite. In perhaps a sign of Obama's strength with young people, both Clinton and Huckabee were asked not just about themselves, but about him.

Clinton, asked what Obama symbolized in the contest, said she and her rival together "represent such a sea change in America" - one bidding to become the first female president, the other wanting to be the first black president. "Whichever of us gets the nomination, we are making history," she said, before rapidly asserting she is the best equipped to lead.

Equally mindful of history, Obama declared the contest is not about the race or the sex of the candidates. If it were just about his race, he said, "I wouldn't have to answer questions. I could just show up."

Clinton was in Tucson, Ariz., and Obama in Minneapolis, each in motion across a vast landscape in the closing stretch before the two dozen presidential nomination contests Tuesday. John McCain and Mitt Romney, top contenders for the GOP nomination, declined to participate in the forum. McCain answered questions solo at an MTV-MySpace forum from New Hampshire in December.

Obama, an Illinois senator, asked young voters concerned about America's place in the world to judge him on his record of standing against the Iraq war and on his background as the son of a Kenyan father and mother from Kansas. He noted his schooldays in Indonesia.

"If I convene a meeting of Muslim leaders to try to bridge the divide between Islam and the West, I do so with the credibility of someone who lived in a Muslim country for four years when I was a child," he said. "And although I'm a Christian I have a sense of that culture."

He said his supporters were diligently countering an anonymous e-mail campaign painting him as a Muslim, a faith he's never practiced.

"I am a member of the same Christian church where I've been for the last 20 years," he said. "I've been pledging allegiance to the flag since I was 3 years old. These are the old smear tactics that we see in every campaign."

Clinton, a New York senator, emphasized college affordability in response to a question, and outlined her proposals to help students pay off debt with national service, to increase Pell grants and to sweeten other college aid.

She said student loan companies should be cut out of the process and colleges should enter contracts with freshmen ensuring no tuition increases until they graduate.

"We are literally slamming the door of college in the face of so many young people," she said. Obama, too, talked about his national service plan to relieve college debt.

Huckabee, opening the forum, complained that he always gets "the God questions" when he'd rather be talking about public policy, and denied there's any conflict between his faith and the right things to do as president.

The former Baptist preacher was asked almost right off if he would be capable of making decisions in the Oval Office that might be at odds with his religion.

"There's not this glaring conflict," he said. "Faith helps me to understand what is right."

Religious conservatives have provided much of Huckabee's support and he's not been shy about courting them.

"I always get asked the God questions," he said, adding that "it's really been frustrating" that people don't want to know more about his work as Arkansas governor.

Paul told the forum he opposed U.S. intervention in Sudan's Darfur region and placed little faith in the ability of the United Nations to relieve the crisis there. He was asked what he'd do to stop the crisis from turning into a genocide on the scale of that experienced in Rwanda.

"I don't believe in using force in that manner," he said. "Under the Constitution, we're not allowed to do that."

He said he might support some interim aid, steered through international agencies, to address "these social problems in Africa." The U.N. estimates that 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million have been displaced since ethnic African rebels in Darfur took up arms against the Arab-dominated central government, accusing it of discrimination, in 2003.

What are your thoughts from reading this article.
How effective is using the mediums of MTV, Myspace, or Facebook to reach the young voter?
Whom would you vote for president of the United States?
Who do you think will win the presidency position?

Class Period: All Classes

1. my thoughts from reading this article are that this voteing is really starting to turn into a comption.
2.using media like myspace or face book is really useful because if you use something that young people are on to advertise then you can really get them on your side it doesnt matter if they can vote

3.i would vote for obama not just because he is black but because i think he really makes a good point about getting into school.

4.i think clinton will win just because of the fact that there are still alot of people out against blacks and they will vote for her just because she is not black

Class Period: period 4 thea

my thoughts on the article is that politics are weird, and that they feel that the only way of reaching to the youth is by puting thing on www.myspace.com and www.facebook.com. Thats is a very smart way to reach of but that also show that the young aldults and aldults have no lives. this also shows that people dont read the newspapper or watch the news.

Using the mediums, mtv,myspace and facebook is very effective beacuse they can reach aldult by putting ads on Mtv, putting ads on myspace shows the young youth whats going on in the campaign and putting adds on facebook shows the college student how they can vote and do other things.

I would vote for Barack Obama or Hilary Cliton becasue they are democrats and they care about the people that cant help themselves.

I think that Barack Obama will win because most black people will start to vote because they see that they have the opputinity to help have a Barack Obama win the campaign

My thoughts are that the candidates are really trying to get young people to vote or to put them in a voting state of mind.Those mediums are a great way to inform the youth because most of them are all ways on my space .Obama is who i wood vote for. Hilary

Class Period: 3rd

Given the fact that politics is one of my passions the fact that the presidential candidates are trying there hardest to incorporate and involve youth into there campaign and future plans especially college affordability truly makes me proud. I believe that by incorporating popular forms of media of today greatly increases the audience whom a candidate has in giving there opinion and information about who they are and what they stand for. Thus making them more known and hopefully liked by a broader rage of individuals be they young or old black or white today everyone is reached out to in some way.

If the election were today my top candidate would be Hillary Clinton. I believe that she is the best qualified and best choice for president. She has wonderful policies and not to mention some of the best human characteristic possible. She would be a wonderful leader, on who could steer us on the right path. Don’t get me wrong I like Mr. Obama and I would truly pick him if Hilary was not in the race but seeing we are to pick the best he just doesn’t fit the bill.

Although I like and think she will win, there is a slight chance that Hilary Clinton will not. It’s embarrassing to say it but many of “our people” will vote for Obama jus because he is black not on his abilities to be president therefore making it hard to predict a winner.


Sorry for writing so much lol :)

Class Period: 6th/7th

i feel that we as a culuture it will be nice to have a black man as the president. i dont really watch the news but everytime i do i here good things about Obama. just this past weekend i was having a disscussion with my sister and she ask me how will i feel to have a black president? i told her i would feel acomplished becaused if he can become president then that means black people can and any other race can do anything they put their minds to!

Class Period: 4/5

1. I think that this article taught me alot of things that i did not know.It also helped me understand more things.
2. It is the only way to reach or get younger kids attention. I think that it is the best way to tell the younger kids what the world is comeing to now.
3. I will vote for Barack Obama
4. She is strong women. I also want a lady for president.

Class Period: 1

I feel that the canidates intrest in youth is something that is refreshing and new. A lot of time the presidental election is based on what only the voters think not what we think. By using myspace and MTV the canidates are reaching for people who not only can't vote but to younger people who aren't register who can vote. Which has even raised voter registrtion.Which I think is a good change to come with the Bush's Adminstration now leaving the White House.

Class Period: period 4 thea

I think it's effective because music reaches to the youth and getting a message across on MTV makes the youth become more involved in politics and look at the problems our world is facing right now. To be honest I would either vote for Clinton, Huckabee or Obama. I would vote for Clinton because I agree with the college tuitions. Kids feel like if they don't get a scholarship then college isn't an option and I disagree with that and Barak because of his plan to higher minimum wages and his plan of national service for college. I would also vote for Huckabee because problems such as hunger need to be addressed in Africa. I honestly think Barak Obama will win the election because I think he has some good ideas for our country but Bush messed us up so bad I think it will be awhile before we can get back on track but he has some great plans.

Class Period: 9*

*This article is interesting. Its amazing how older people turn to younger people in order to get what they want.

*Using Mtv,Myspace, and facebook is a good way to reach out to people and put your thoughts out. Basically everybody has a myspace and if not a facebook and everybody watches MTV or BET. So using these types of communication is great to reach young voters.

*If I was voting in this presidential election i would vote for Hilary Clinton. I think she will represent the women of america well and i think that it is time that we have someone with good experience in office rather than someone off the street who thinks they can get the job done and all they can do is mess up our country.

*I think that Barack will win the election bacause he has alot of people who wants to see what a black men can do in office.I just hope that we get a good president with a good head hat can turn this country and make it a better place to live.

Class Period: 9

1.My thoughts after this article just makes me bored and not interested in politics honestly.
2.To me using meddia like Myspace, Facebook, and MTV is working pretty good it's reaching out to the youth and it's really making them want to vote.
3.If i could vote I would vote for Barak Obama
4 I really can't answer that question right now because I'm not totally sure. I hope Barak Obama!

Class Period: 1 period

*This article was kind of interesting. It made me actually think a little bit about the candidates and what they stand for.
*I believe using MTV,Myspace,and Facebook are really effective because a vast population of America has access to one of the three. It will also raise voter awareness in young people. It will hopefully get voter registration up.
*I would personally vote for Obama,simply because he seems real. He's not using someone else's fame to get ahead.
*I think Clinton will win because people loved her husband.So,they're going to assume she's going to be like him as president.

Class Period: 3

~My thoughts from reading this articli is that it dose'nt matter wat religion you is or how you live your life but its the goals you set and how you set them for your country.

~It is effective using the mediums of MTV,Myspace, or face book to reach young voters becausec if you have a myspace,facebook, or you watch mtv then young voters will watch,or login and view the campaign.

~I would vote for Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.

~Hillary Rodham Clinton because she is Bill Clinton wife and she know how the work should be done in and out the office.

Class Period: 4-5

The main idea of the article is showing how the canidates are trying to get young adults to vote for
them. By being on mtv, myspace, and facebook they may be targeting kids hoping their parent may listen to the kids. Then they are trying to tell the voters to not look at the canidates on race and/or sex but on views and plans once in the White House.

Class Period: 1

-My thoughs from reading the article is that this election is the biggest on of them all because we have a women and a balck man runing and from the article it seems like they are doing pretty good.one canidate getting mad because people keep asking him the same question,he shouldn't and just keep answering it. but really the election is just getting really serious.
-By using thoes web sites to reach out to young poeple i think has a really big effect on the kids. That is because they are always on it a if the canidates keep getting on it then the kids are bound to get tired of it and vote, or the use of TV.
-I would vote for Obama, because we need a little color to the white house!!
-At this point i really dont know who is going to win?

Class Period: 3

My thoughts about reading this article is i think obama and clinton made some very good points about what each one of them want to change and improve on when they make it to presidency.

I think it was very smart of them to use Myspace,MTV,and facebook to reach young people. They probably think young teens don't watch the news so they had to think of other ways to grab our attention to get our support.

I would vote for Obama for president of the united states. Obama make so very good point and not to be racial but i want to see a new color in the the white house.

I think Obama will win the presidency.

Class Period: 1st

My thoughts from reading this article is that they are telling the public one thing to get our attention but once one of them win they will probably not stand by their word maybe some of them will.Using MTV,Myspace,or facebook to reach out to the young voters is not effective because they are probably thinking that is how to get young people attention because if they see it on tv they will probably change the channel and not pay any attention to it.I would vote Barack Obama because I think they need to give black people a chance to prove that we can do an important job such as being the president of the United States.I am not sure who willw in the presidency position because Obama has got of almost half of the world vote and Clinton also have almost half of the world vote.

Class Period: 1

I'm not really into polictics but i think that it is interesting that they're using MTV, Myspace, and facebook. I think this allows many young black people and teens as well to become more aware of the Presidential race. I think that its phenominal that there is a black man running for president and a women at the same time running. This is a great opportunity for america to change its perception.

Class Period: 3rd

My thoughts about reading this article is i think obama and clinton made some very good points about what each one of them want to change and improve on when they make it to presidency.I think that they should use myspace, facebook, youtube and most important the television because when they show black history movies on bet, i watch them and i Know other people watch them too.

Class Period: 1st

My thoughts about this article are good because it is trying to get young people to vote. and i think its
very effective because lots of young voters watch tv
and are on the internet.and i think Hillary Clinton
is going to be president because some people think
a woman can do better than a man.also i would wote for Hillary because i think we shuld give a woman a shot

politics are trying to hard to get the young people into politics.although it is very important for them to get into politics.using these mediums is actually working no mater how much young people try to avoid politics it keeps popping up somewhere & everyewhere. i would vote for obama because to tell you the truth he is an african american. its time for the world to see how an african american can run the usa.i do think obama would win because he brings a compelling arguement to the election.

Class Period: 1

i politics are too much. i mean they are trying to hard to get us young people into politics. using these mediums are not working because they don't got me into politics. but to other young people it is working. i would vote obama because we need a black president in office. i hope hilary don't win because we don't want her to break down and cry when a tragic event happens while shes in in the office. but i really hope obama wins.

Class Period: 1

My thoughts about this article is that it's very imformative.It gave statements and perspectives from each canidate and imforming information that gave you a more idea of which canidate you would like to give your vote to. I think that using the media's like myspace,facebook,and mtv are great ideas to get intouch with younger voters. These places are know to have alot of teenage viewers and are a fast easy way to obtain information about canidates and help you relate to them more. If i was able to vote i would probably vote for Obama for the simple fact that he has great ideas to make the United States a better place. Also he is trying to change the world for the better. I'm not really sure on who will win the presidency position for the simple fact that I know most black people will vote for obama, but even though you don't see racism doesn't mean that it's not there, so if people don't want a black president they will be forced to go with Hilary Clinton, and as we all know there is a lower percentage of Black people in the nation ,so this election can go either way.

Class Period: 3

1)I think that this article is very informative. I think that not enough people really pay attention to the things that the runners are saying. People are really just paying attention to the sex and race. Yea its gonna be a historical moment but people need to know what they are saying. Like when they are talking about the college issue. Some of us are not worried about college right now because it is a couple years away. But they don't think of how much the prices will up by the time they go to college. Thats why i want to go with Hilary Clinton's idea of having all freshman having to sign a contract that will state that the tuition will not up for all four years that they are there.

2)I think MTV is really making a big idea just because of the race and sex issue. But that is what most people see in this whole presidents race. They see a woman and an African-American running for President and now everybody know is just voting because of that. Which is really stupid when you think about it.

3)I would vote for Hilary Clinton on this one because i like how she is talking about the issues that are really important like the war,taxes,and school systems.

4)And i think that Hilary would win this one and hopefully she does.

GOOD LUCK HILARY

Class Period: 1st

My thoughts from reading this article is Borack Obama doesn't want to be judge because of his race or religion he wants to be judged for the different things he stands for or aganst. It's very effective because the cadidates wouldn't appeal to a lot of the young voters if they did not use these types of mediums.Personally I would vote for borack obama not because of his race but because of the things he stands for and aganst. I think Borack Obama will win the presidential position.

Class Period: 6/7

To be honest, politics seems very uninteresting even though I did learn a lot of new things. The article was very educational and it focused on each candidate’s point of view.
I think the media is a great source to get out information to viewers. Myspace and facebook can be a reliable start because a lot of the youth either know about these websites or are even connected to them. Also, a large number of younger adults watch MTV. The candidates should seek some more ideas to spread the word. If I had an opportunity to vote, I would choose Obama because it would be nice to see a black man as president. He has some good ideas and visions for the future. I don’t think he’s going to win just for the simple fact that he’s a black man. I think Clinton is going to win the presidency position because white people think she’s better for the job. A lot of people are going to turn against Obama just because of his color and they think he won’t make it successfully.

Class Period: Drama II

What are your thoughts from reading this article.
How effective is using the mediums of MTV, Myspace, or Facebook to reach the young voter?
Whom would you vote for president of the United States?
Who do you think will win the presidency position?
Class Period: All Classes

Email wa_abrown@lgca.org



My thoughts of reading this article is that i know for presidential campaings thatevery vote countesbut i think that Obama and Clinton should focus on older crowds. I see myspace and all the other young teen sites is a good way to get to young adults and most people thats above 18 isnt thining about elections. I really dont know iwould vote for because im not in polatics so i realy dont know. Well the way things look it looks like Obama is winning but it doesnt mean that hes going to win so i dont know about that.

Class Period: 1st

I THINK THIS WAS A GOOD ARTICLE TO READ.THE REASON TO USE MYSPACE AND FACEBOOK TO REACH THE YOUNG VOTER.THEY WAS AT THE STATES OF THE UNION.I THINK OBAMA.

Class Period: 4-5

1. What are your thoughts from reading this article.

2. How effective is using the mediums of MTV, Myspace, or Facebook to reach the young voter?

3. Whom would you vote for president of the United States?

4. Who do you think will win the presidency position?


Email wa_abrown@lgca.org


1. My thoughts on this article are positive. It let me in on alot of information that i did not no. When it came to Obama he stands strong for war in Iraq. Then with Clinton she wants to do alot with us young people when it comes to higher education. If there was a scale 1 through 10 I would give it a 10 completely.

2. Honestly I think it was a well thought out plan. I say that because many young adults today do not read the paper or watch T.V I do nither. takeing it to the web was easy and smartest thing to do. Especialy if you wanted to catch a new I eye. This is another thing I like and think is very effecitive.

3. Honestly I do not no who I would pick. I mean this only tell's me so much but it is also alot. Rite now I do not no who I would pick. After a little more attion form me on whats going on i should no soon.

4. I do not have a clear aswer on that one as well. I no that this race is not sexist or races to me it is. I mean so many people want a woman as a pesident. Then so many people want a black man as a president. The only good thing to me is that i think they both want to make good positive changes for are country.

Class Period: 1st

my thoughts on reading the article is basically this whole election is startin to be like a contest..i'm not even gonna lie i aint really read all of it..but still i think that this election is about who's gonna win..a black man or a white woman? if one of them win it doesnt matter becuz they both are making history..well thats all i gotta say... i'm out

Class Period: 3rd

Well basically this is how i feel about this article. When it comes to the presidental election or any type of election people will use what ever they can to get the competitor edge and when. At the same time i do believe that it is great that they are using myspace and facebook to reach the young people because basically this election will effect them more. Me personally i think that i am going to vote for Borac Ohbamah because we need a new color in the white house. Finally i feel that he will when because nothing against Hillary Clinton but i dont the feel the country is mature enough to handle a female president but it will happen soon.

Class Period: 9*

well although i wont be voting in this election i think that if you wanna win you are going to have to bring dirt out on people. Even though i really dont be on the myspace thing all like that i think thats it cool to promote the election on there. i hope Hillary Clinton wins because we need a women in the house to be in chagre. i think no i know that Hillary will win the election period.

Class Period: 1*

Well i think the compition is real tight because either way it goes were going to have a president we never had before. second, if had to choose a president i would have to go with clinton not only because shes a girl but because people think that girls cant do the things a male can do. And I'm Tierd of the males getting all the credit.I think thats a good thing that there using myspace MTV and Face book because now and day thats the only thing that catches or attienton.I think clinton would win the compition.

Class Period: 3rd

What are your thoughts from reading this article.
How effective is using the mediums of MTV, Myspace, or Facebook to reach the young voter?
Whom would you vote for president of the United States?
Who do you think will win the presidency position?
Class Period: All Classes

1)My thoughts on the article where that they (canidates) are really relying on the youth votes. the are making sertain that they will do any thing to get the majoity of the youth votes.

2)I think is only a little effective. i say this because youth dont get on myspace and watch mtv to see a presidential candidate to speek and try to get their vote. most of of are going to turn the channel or not look at the video on myspace and face book. but some of us will watch a little and deside what we want.

3)I would vote for Hilary Clinton I say this becaus e I would like a change in the government. Yes Obama is a change, but we have had me in our government forever. and i think she would be a nice addition to the U.S presidensy. Also i like her thought on lowering the college tewition.

4)Think Barack Oboma is will win. He was won the most states so far. Also he has all colors and races voting and wanting him for president.

Class Period: 3

This article is very interesting. I think the tactics being used are somewhat dirty but I guess that is what they feel needs to be done.

I think using myspace and the other mediums are good ways to reach young people. Almost all the young people have a myspace page.

I haven't decided who i will vote for.

I think Hillary Clinton will win the presidency position.

Class Period: 7-8

To me i think that both barack and hilary are good candidates.Barack is not only a strong black man but he backs up on what he speaks on and thats a big thing for me. Hilary is an all around political figure fighting for the rights of all she deserves to be in the running for president woman or not.

The whole election i think is a big comepetition kind of like a track meet they're racing to the finish line.

Class Period: 1

What are your thoughts from reading this article.
How effective is using the mediums of MTV, Myspace, or Facebook to reach the young voter?
Whom would you vote for president of the United States?
Who do you think will win the presidency position?

My thoughts on reading this article is that both barack obama and hilary clinton are good candidates for president because they both speak on the issues.

it helps kids to get active and vote and also people.

I would vote for hilary clinton becuase i think a women needs to be in office.

I think barack obama will win presidency because everyone feels he should be president more than hilary.

I think this article discussed alot of issues going on today personally i think the democratic party has a better chance than republican.

Mtv,myspace,and other media is good because it helps spread the word to vote.

I think barack obama should win because he will make a good president to help the black community and other issues in our country.

Class Period: 6/7

I think in my own opinion from reading the article that more people should vote,why because voting could make a big difference in our lives and show that we want a better things to happen in life.

I think from using the mediums of MTV,Myspace,or Facebook to reach the young voters would be a good thing and a better way for them to vote, cause they always use the computers. I also think it would probably show the younger people that use myspace and other websites that voting can make a differance and be effective and a good way, so for now they can find another way to vote.

Right now I don't really know who I would vote for president, but I know I want someone who can speak and say things not for themselves but for the people and America. I also want a president who would do their very best to look out for the people in the worl and a supportive person. Another important one is to help people with their job and their education, no matter where they come from and their skin color.

I think in my own opiniom that Obama will win the presidency position.Why because he is an hard working person and want to help out the people in America. He also wants to look out for the children too. I think he is an supportive person and a had working person.

Class Period: 1st&4-5th period

I loved this article……. I really respect how they are trying to get the younger people involved even though we can’t vote we still need to know what is going on. I feel a lot more people would like to vote now because they are showing they care about the future which is us. I think Obama should win. Now don’t get me wrong I would like to see a woman with this job: I just think Mr. Clinton will try to run Mrs. Clinton and put things in her head……. I have a lot of respect for both Obama and Clinton because they are making history believe it or not….

Class Period: 6-7

From reading this article I do think this campaign is becoming a competion. But both Hillary and obama made good points. Using the media like MTV, myspace, or facebook to reach to the young voters is very effective because most of all young people watch MTV and are always on the computer. But if I was old enough to vote I would vote for obama and I also think he is going to win.

Class Period: 3

This discussion topic is now closed. Look at the date and time and it was suppose to close at 4:00 pm on Friday, February 8, 2008.

Class Period: All Classes