Jan 4, 2008 5:18 pm US/Central
Youth Vote Helping To Catapult Obama Campaign
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama greets supporters at a campaign event at Oskaloosa Middle School Dec. 22, 2007, in Oskaloosa, Iowa.
Eric Thayer/Getty Images
Barack Obama is looking for a repeat in New Hampshire, one day after his historic win in Iowa. He encouraged a crowd in Portsmouth Friday to help send a powerful message to the rest of the country.
"You understand that the real gamble is to get the same old folks to do the same old things," Obama said. "Playing the same Washington game over and over again and somehow expecting a different result that is a gamble we cannot afford. That is a risk we cannot take. It is time to turn the page. It is time to stand up."
As CBS 2's Jim Williams reports, young voters are helping Obama pull ahead in a competitive Democratic race.
It was not a casual decision to put the word "change" behind Obama as he made his victory speech in Iowa.
On the campus of DePaul University in Chicago that message is resonating with young voters.
"I know he's young and all but I see so much energy in him that I think he can really bring about change," said sophomore Natasha Kassam.
One poll of in Iowa showed Obama winning 57 percent of Democratic voters under the age of 30.
"This is the first time we've seen the influx, first time caucus-goers under the age of 30 actually match the voters over the age of 65," said Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.
So what is it about Obama that strikes a cord with young people?
Some observers say his youth -- he'll be 47 this year -- emphasizes the potential for change.
John Kennedy, Bobby Kennedy and Bill Clinton -- even younger than Obama when they ran for president -- also had great appeal to young voters.
DePaul professor Molly Andolino says Obama is also addressing several issues important to young people in ways they find hopeful and optimistic.
"He's talked about environmentalism; he's been anti-war from the beginning. He talks about Darfar, which this generation cares about," Andolino said.
"He's the first guy I legitimately get inspired by and get excited by," said DePaul senior Chad Obermiller said.
"For me it's his charisma, his eloquence. He's very articulate," said DePaul senior Antoine Rezko. "He's very appealing to college students."
CBS 2 randomly stopped about a dozen students at DePaul Friday. All but one said they were supporting Obama, and that one young man was undecided between Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton. It was not a scientific poll, and we do have to take into account that Obama is a favorite son here. Nonetheless, many young people in other parts of the country are saying the same things about Obama.
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