YOUTH VOTES! 2012 U.S. Elections

USA

many
young
Americanswill votein 2012electionsfor thefirst timein their
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Editor, eJournal USA
IIP/CD/WC
U.S. Department of State
2200 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20522-0501 USA
E-mail: eJournalUSA@state.gov

2012 U.S. elections.

Each eJournal is published in English,
followed by electronic versions in French,
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Selected editions also appear in Arabic,
Chinese and Persian. Each journal iscatalogued by volume and number.

will vote for the

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Programs of the U.S. Department ofState publishes eJournal USA. Eachissue examines a major topic facing
the United States and the international
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readers about U.S. society, values,
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YOUTH VOTES!
many
young

Coordinator, Dawn L. McCall; Executive
Editor, Nicholas S. Namba; Director of
Written Content, Michael Jay Friedman;
Editorial Director, Mary T. Chunko;
Managing Editor, Andrzej Zwaniecki;
Production Chief, Michelle Farrell;
Designers: Dori Walker, Lauren Russell

first or second time in the

Published August 2012

Americans

USA
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
VOLUME 16 / NUMBER 11

MILLENNIALS ROCK THE

VOTE!

© Andy Scott Chang/Demotix/Corbis

HOW DIFFERENT ARE

MILLENNIALS?

› Are more EDUCATED and lesslikely to start a family early.
›F ace tougher economic challenges, but
are still UPBEAT about the future.
› Are more COMFORTABLE
with immigration and interracial
marriage.
› Are more racially and ethnically

DIVERSE and overwhelmingly
think diversity is good for the country.

This issue of eJournal USA looks at how
the Millennials—Americans born fromthe early 1980s to the mid-1990s—arechanging the face of the U.S. electorate
and politics. How are they different fromprevious generations? What is at stake for
the Millennial Generation in the November
2012 election? Are they joining thetwo major U.S. political parties? And why
do they support various candidates andcauses?
You will find answers to many of thesequestions in a Facebook debate between
young Democratic and Republican activists (PAGE2), in blogs by campaign
volunteers (PAGE 5) and in the Millennial generation portrait grounded in recent
data (PAGE 12). In a cartoon strip on
the youngest member of the U.S. Congress(PAGE 8), you can learn how being
young—once considered a political liability—can be turned into a political advantage.
What is clear is that young Americans
remain optimistic and committed todemocracy, even as they face the most challenging economy and job market since theGreat Depression of the 1930s.
— The Editors› Hold more PROGRESSIVE views
on social issues, the role of government
and U.S. international engagement.

eJournal USA | 1

IN 2012

WHAT’S ATSTAKE?

WHY BOTHER TO VOTE?

We invited college-age Democrats andRepublicans to discuss U.S. political parties
and the 2012 elections. Logan Brog, Benjamin
Howard and Aditi Ghai joined a debate in a
Facebook chatroom. Managing editor Andrzej
Zwaniecki moderated.

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT IDEA OR PRINCIPLE
Q:
THAT DISTINGUISHES YOUR PARTY FROM YOURPOLITICAL OPPONENTS?
LOGAN For me, the Democratic Party represents America’s diversity.
Democrats favor progress over conservatism, believe that everyone
deserves an equal opportunity to succeed under the law, andsupport a robust social safety net to protect the least advantaged.
Additionally, Democrats seek a solution to global climate change anda principled-yet-pragmatic foreign policy.
ADITI For me, it is Republican Party’s humanist sense of the individual,

a belief that individuals have the opportunity to define their own
future, to succeed on their own merits, and to do so without
unnecessary interference or intervention from the government. Thisidea is similar to that sense of “opportunity” that Logan mentioned; Ijust see it as much more expansive on the Republican platform.
BENJAMIN Democrats think that opportunity is important too. That’s

why we support education, health insurance, financial regulation, andenvironmental regulations, which give all people the opportunity
to succeed, even if they are underprivileged. It’s often difficult forpeople to exercise their rights if they don’t have the means to do so,which is why we as Democrats want to level the playing field.
ADITI I don’t think support for those issues that you just mentioned

is exclusive to Democrats. Republicans deeply care about the above
mentioned issues too. It’s just a question of extent and priority. You
cannot ignore the reality that we have a finite amount of resources.
Allocating an excessive amount of any given resource to one issue
necessarily diminishes the amount you have left to devote to allothers. Whether you want to define this trade-off between two issues,
say education and welfare, or between two generations, the harms ofover-committing resources are obvious.

2  | eJournal USA

LOGAN V. BROG
Student and outreachdirec tor for Dar tmouthCollege Democrats.

BENJAMIN HOWARD

Student and Obama
campaign volunteer at
New York University.

ADITI GHAI

Student and vicepresident of the Harvard
College Republicans.

Q:
YOUR GENERATION IS ENTERING ADULTHOOD AT A
CHALLENGING TIME FOR THE U.S. ECONOMY. DO YOUTHINK THAT THE 2012 ELECTIONS CAN CHANGE THAT?

Millennials say:
I would be more
likely TO VOTE uponreceiving . . .
FACEBOOK MESSAGE65%ADITI Elections in themselves can’t, but the elected and the

TEXT MESSAGE

policy they enact can. In short, yes. I am not ignorant nor do
I believe that the current economic downturn was entirely thefault of our sitting president. But I do believe that the policies
he enacted exacerbated it. If those policies are reversed I thinkthat a lot can change for better.

58%

BENJAMIN Democrats, including the president, have taken

PHONE CALL

steps to boost the chances that the economy recovers, that
employment opportunity improves, and that the social safety
net survives. While it’s not entirely up to the government
how the economy does, voting for the right party can have ahuge impact.
ADITI Elections are also about our nation’s morale. They canbring about a psychological change and consequently effectreal change in our economy and social wellbeing. President
Obama has failed to reconcile his agenda with the current
reality, failed to bring about the change he promised, andtherefore has negatively impacted our nation’s morale. It’s time
for someone new who can pick it up, and with it pick up the
economic and political standing of our nation in the international community.
LOGAN The 2012 presidential election is a really consequential
one. Republicans are threatening to repeal President Obama’s
health care reform, which will provide health insurance tomillions of additional Americans. New financial regulations,which protect many hard-working Americans, are also injeopardy. Additionally, as most Republicans do not “believe”
in climate change, they would not work to solve key environmental issues if they win. Finally, Democrats support increased
funding for infrastructure projects, which will make it easier forbusinesses to thrive.

EMAIL

38%
13%
Source: 2012 Generation
Opportunity report

My preferred meansof communicatingwith friends . . .

49%

IN PERSON33%TEXTING

4%

PHONE

7%

WEBSITE
8%
OTHER
Source: “Social Media, Social Life”
report by Common Sense MediaeJournal USA | 3

LOGANBENJAMINADITI

WHY SHOULD YOUNG AMERICANS JOIN THE REPUBLICAN OR
Q:
DEMOCRATIC PARTY RATHER THAN VOTE FOR CANDIDATESWHO BEST REPRESENT THEIR VIEWS?
ADITI They shouldn’t. I think it’s only appropriate to affiliate with a party

when your personal and self-defined views overlap with the views of a given
party. Otherwise, it’s quite frankly silly for an individual to join a party andadopt its views as his or her own. This runs contrary to the individualistic
spirit that I discussed earlier. I am a Republican because I support personal
enterprise and small government. I do not support personal enterprise andsmall government because I am a Republican.
LOGAN There are three main reasons one should consider joining a party.
First, in many states one must be a Democrat to vote in a Democratic primaryelection, or a Republican to vote in Republican primary election. Second, aparty affiliation allows one to influence the party platform [the positions theparty takes on major issues]. An affiliation with a political party also makes it
easier to campaign and to make your voice heard. Finally, many people who
agree with one core Democratic principle will also agree with others.
BENJAMIN I’ll just reiterate that joining a party and influencing its policies isa great way to express yourself politically.

Q:ANY FINAL THOUGHTS?
BENJAMIN Becoming politically active and trying to influence the way thegovernment is run is an important part of being a citizen. For a long time, theDemocratic Party has fought for the rights of young people and been the place
where young people can become leaders and influence the policies that shape
their lives.
ADITI The saying goes that if you’re not a Democrat by 20 you lack a heart, andif you’re not a Republican by 40 you lack a brain. But especially in this day andage, the heartwarming and exaggerated promises of change coming from the
Democratic Party are not enough to combat our nearly $16 trillion national debt
or our 8.2 percent unemployment rate. I don’t disagree with any of the issues that
Logan or Ben have identified, I just don’t see how they can commit themselves
to all these issues at once unless their “commitment” is purely rhetorical, lacking
backing from concrete action.
LOGAN The Democratic Party is fundamentally about responsibility — taking careof our neighbor, our country, our environment and our world. Progress requires
a universal commitment toward our common welfare, and it is Democratic policy
ideas that move us toward that goal.

4  | eJournal USA

CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERBLOGSINSIGHT INTO VOTERS’ THINKING

INCH BY INCH TO VICTORY

I have been a supporter of Ron Paul since 2007.
Getting to work for his 2012 campaign in New
Hampshire was a real treat.

I am campaigning for President
Obama’s re-election because I share
his vision for America.

I want to live free, I want my children to live free and I want theirchildren to live free. As Ron Paul says, every generation deserves tolive free. To be a part of a movement that promotes liberty, honesty
and limited government is to be a part of a movement that wants tomake America a freer nation.

I believe that every
American has a fundamental right to healthcare; that the UnitedStates must transition to acleaner, greener economy;
and that government
should play a role in aiding those who are lessfortunate.

Working on the campaign was tough. I and other volunteers had
long days, short nights and made thousands of phone calls during
preparations for the primary in New Hampshire. It was completely worth it. Nothing is more satisfying than talking to complete
strangers on the phone, trying to convince them that they should
vote for Ron Paul.
Talking to people was very personal and gave me a lot of insight into
their thinking and the political process itself. The most important
thing I learned was that while I had made up my mind on my presidential candidate for years, most people are completely undecided
right up to the end. Convincing a number of undecided people tochoose Ron Paul felt fantastic.

Cody Segraves (left)
Vice Chairman, Youth for Paul,
Gettysburg College

As a campus organizer at
my university, I work withother students, campaign
staff and the larger com- Logan V. Brog
Director, Dartmouth
munity to energize and OutreachCollege Democrats
mobilize our region to votefor Obama. We knock on
doors, distribute information, hold events, speakwith friends and community members, and hostdebates against those who do not share our political views to ensure that everyone knows why
this election - and his or her vote - is critical to
the success of our shared democracy. There is
no better feeling than convincing a voter thatmy candidate is their candidate, too: Each oneon-one conversation inches the campaign closer
to victory.
In my experience, elections are not won by money,
candidates or actions supported by them; elections
are won by the hard work of volunteers engaging
people in local communities. The stakes are just
too high to stay home and be complacent. The
success of my country depends on my candidate.
My candidate depends on people like me.

eJournal USA | 5

SHAPING MY POLITICAL CAREER

I am passionate about campaigning for Romney,
simply because he will improve America morethan anyone else can.
His fiscal expertise, executive experience in the public sector (asa governor) and private sector (as chief executive of Bain Capital,a private equity firm), integrity, and compassion make him theclear presidential choice.
Campaigning is second nature to me, but I especially enjoy activities in which I have personal interactions with voters: I learn
what’s really important to them. Their voices are useful in gauging
how the American people might respond to different campaign
events. Much of what I hear on the campaign trail is directly inline with Governor Romney’s ideas.
Aditi Ghai
Vice President of theHarvard College Republicans

WORTHY EXPERIENCE, RAIN OR SHINE

Campaigning is really just socializing
with a purpose.
My experience as a student volunteer with the
Romney campaign has involved phone banking,going door to door, organizing student support
for rallies, and a myriad of other activities. These
activities have afforded me the opportunity toengage with the American voter. By the same
token, they have enabled me to identify the issues that are truly important for the population,and evaluate how the position of my candidate
corresponds with the general sentiment of
this nation.
More important, campaign interactions compel
me to constantly consider where I stand, who I
stand with, and why I stand where I do on manyof the most pressing issues facing our nation andthe increasingly interdependent international
system to which it belongs. Taken together, theseconversations develop my political knowledge,
reinforce my political passion, and stimulate
my political curiosity in a way that makes evena Saturday morning campaign trek throughthe snow—in New Hampshire—seem incomparably pleasant.

6  | eJournal USA

I believe voters’ opinions will also help shape my political future as
my dream is to be a U.S. senator, or at least work in government
and engage in political life. The more I interact with and listen tovoters, the better I can serve them through my own career.
Out of all the campaigns for which I have volunteered, Romney’s
campaign has taught me the most and has been the most personally fulfilling. I have learned so much about organizing a presidential campaign, including the division of labor.
In December, I met and shook hands with Romney’s son Josh. He
exclaimed, “Oh my gosh, your hands are so cold!” I was in awe.
The Romneys are known to be kind people. However, not until
then did I realize just how wonderful they are! The experiencestrengthened my belief that Mitt Romney needs to be president!
Shoshana Weissmann
Students for Mitt Romney, George Washington University

CHANGE WITHIN REACH

Participating in the New York University (NYU)
Students for Barack Obama group, I have had
the great opportunity of working with young,passionate and driven volunteers.
By far my most rewarding experience has been the opportunity to
speak with a wide range of individuals about what matters most tothem. Listening to concerns of residents in Chester, Pennsylvania,
campaign supporters in Boston, Massachusetts, or fellow students
at NYU, I realized what a great opportunity it was to interact withpeople on such a personal level.
Also, after hearing their voices, I now recognize that listening toordinary people is the best way of understanding the problems weface in America.
Mike PlaceMedia Coordinator, NYU Students
for Barack ObamaCampaigning has taught me that change is always within reach.
Running a voter registration for NYU students, I have witnessedaspirations for the future of America turn into action and empowerment. This was clearly evident when NYU Students for Obamareceived a large and excited group of volunteers, who participatedin registering students to vote.

Campaigning hastaught me thatchange is always
within reach.

For me, such an experience has truly emphasized the importance of political engagement
no matter the level or scale. Moreover, as thetime comes to elect the president, I will behappy to have done my part.

According to Millennials,

MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES

the U.S. faces are:

1. CREATING JOBS
2. REDUCING THE FEDERAL DEFICIT
3. ENSURING ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE
4. LOWERING TAXES
Source: Survey of Young Americans’ Attitudes Toward Politics and Public Service,
Institute of Politics, Harvard University; April 2012eJournal USA | 7

TO THE SYSTEM

Aaron Schock is a son of a physician and a homemaker. The family lives in Peoria, Illinois.

Illustrated by Chris Piers

Hey bro, let’s
have somefun!

Aaron Schock has been the United States Representative for Illinois's 18th congressional district since
Aaron
is a sona physician
andaa home2009.
At Schockthe ageof of31,
Schock,member of the Republican
Party,
Hey bro,let’s is both the youngest currently
maker. The family lives in Peoria, Illinois.
I can’t… have some
serving U.S. representative and the first member of I’m
theU.S.
Congress born in the 1980s.
doing
database
Aaron Schock is a son of a physician and a homemaker. The family lives in Peoria, Illinois.

Having completed allclasses, Schock asks theschool board to let him
graduate from high school
two years early. Having completed allclasses, Schock asks theschool board to let him
graduate from high school
Having completed
allearly.
two years
classes, Schock asks theschool board to let him
graduate from high school
two years early.

fun!
management for thatbookstore chain. And
HeyI havebro, let’s
thenhomeI can’t…
have
work someto do.
I’m doing databasefun!
management for that
I’ll help
bookstore chain. And
you.
then I have homeI can’t…
work to do.
Gee,I’mdidn’t
doingknow
databasehemanagementknew anything
for that
I’ll help
about
databases.”
bookstore
chain. And
you.
then I have homework to do.
Gee, didn’t know
he knew anything
I’ll help
about databases.”you.
Gee, didn’t know
They’ve
he knew
anything
rejectedrequestabout mydatabases.”just because theycan. I’m not goingto take it.

They’verejected my request
So whatjust because they
you gonna
can. I’m not going
do? Challenge
You bet.
them? to take it.
I’m going to run
They’vefor a seat on therejected my request
So whatschool board.
just because they
you gonna
can. I’m not going
do? Challenge
to take it.
them?
You’reSo whatnuts!
you gonna
do? Challengethem?

Schock organizes a grass-roots
election campaign as awrite-in candidate.

You bet.
I’m going to run
for a seat on theschool board.

You bet.
I’m going to run
for aYou’reseat on theschool board.
nuts!

You’renuts!

Schockorganizes
What
are your a grass-roots
qualifications,election
campaign as a
young
man?
write-incandidate.
I’ve worked
since I was 5. I

That qualifies
I’ve workedyou
for membership
since
I was
5. I
the arechamberWhat
your ofstarted myinownbusinesscommerce,
qualifications,when I was 12. Nownot theschoolboard.
man?
The board needsI’m doingyoung
accounting
That qualifies
a fresh perspective.
I’ve worked for a gravel
you for membershipNo memberis 5. I company.
since I wasin
the chamber ofyoungerthan
50.businessstarted myowncommerce, not thewhen I was 12. Now
school board.
I’m doing accounting
The board needs
That qualifies
for a gravel a fresh perspective.
you for8  | eJournal USA company. No member
is membershipin theyounger than
50.chamber ofcommerce, not thefor a gravelcompany.

Schock photo © AP Images

Schockorganizes
startedmy ownbusiness a grass-roots What are yourelection
campaign
as awhen
I was 12.
Now
qualifications,
I’mdoing accounting
young man?
write-incandidate.

Schock wins the seat on the schoolboard. Two years later, when Schock is
graduating early from college, the board
holds a vote.
Schock wins the seat on the schoolboard. Two years later, when Schock is
graduating early from college, the board
holds a vote.

Schock has
At 19, hedemonstrated financial
would be the youngest
expertise, which has
school board president
benefited the entire
in the history of
district. I propose him
Peoria.
for the post Schock has
At 19, hedemonstrated financialof president.
would be the youngest
expertise, which has
school board president
benefited the entire
in the history of
district. I propose him
Peoria.
for the post
Schock ofhaspresident.
At 19, hedemonstrated financial
would be the youngest
expertise, which has
school board president
benefited the entire
in the history of
district. I propose Let’shim
Peoria.
for the post makeof president.history.

Schock wins the seat on the schoolboard. Two years later, when Schock is
graduating early from college, the board
holds a vote.

Let’s
make
history.

Let’s
make
history.

Schock and a school-board delegationfrom Peoria visit the state legislature in
Springfield, Illinois.
Schock and a school-board
delegation
I wasfrom Peoria visittold
theourstate
statelegislature in
representative, Ricca
Springfield, Illinois.

Slone, didn’t have time
to meet with us.
Again!
I was
We can’t
Schock anda school-board delegation
told our state
do muchfrom Peoria
visitit,the state legislaturein Ricca
representative,
about
Slone, didn’t have time
Springfield,
canIllinois.
we?
to meet with us.
Oh yes,Again!
We can’t
we can.
do much I wastold our state
about it,Riccacanrepresentative,
we?
Slone, didn’t have time
Oh yes,to meet with us.
we can.
Again!
We can’t
do muchabout it,can we?
Oh yes,we can.

In 2004, Schock decides to challenge Slone, a
Democrat, on the Republican ticket for the seat in
the state legislature.

In 2004,You’re
Schockdecides to challenge Slone, a
nuts,
Then
Aaron! Thisa heavily
Democrat,
onistheRepublican ticket forthe seat in
why hold an
low-income
theunionized,
state legislature.

election? Cows don’t
district. They always gochange their points offor Democrats.
view, voters do.
You’re nuts,
In 2004, Schock decides
challenge
Slone, aThen
Aaron!toThis
is a heavily
unionized, low-income
Democrat, on the Republican
ticket for the seat in why hold anelection? Cows don’t
district. They always go
the state legislature.
She has formorechange their points of
Democrats.
money for theview, voters do.
And I havecampaign.
You’renuts,
ideas and
Then
Aaron! This is a heavily
volunteers.
why hold anunionized, low-income
She hasdistrict. They always
go more election? Cows don’t
money for the change their points offor Democrats.
And
campaign.
view, votersdo.I haveideas andvolunteers.
She has moremoney for the
campaign.

And I haveideas andvolunteers.

eJournal USA | 9

I’ll represent

your interests CONTINUED
represent
TO THEI’llSYSTEM
better than she
your interests
does.
better than she
does.

I’ll represent

your
I bet
myinterests
better you
than shesnowshoes
I bet my
does.
can’t
snowshoes
youpersuade
can’t persuademe.
me.
I bet mysnowshoes you
can’t persuademe.

Schock narrowly wins the 2004 election and
Schockduring
narrowly
the 2004
election
the wins
first twosessionsof theand
Illinois
during thefirst twobecomessessionsthe
of chief
the Illinois
legislaturesponsor of 13
legislature
the chiefbillsbecomesthat becomelaw. sponsor of 13
bills that become law.
Schock narrowly wins the 2004 election
I’m andduring the first two sessions of
the Illinois
effective
becauseI’m
I because
don’t hesitate
legislature becomes theeffective
chief sponsorof 13toouttoto political
hesitatebills that become law. I don’treach

opponents.
reach out to political
opponents.
But 13 is an
I’meffective because
But 13unlucky
is an number.
UnlessWill you shootI don’t hesitate tounlucky number.
Unlessvoters stop
more bills?
reach out to politicalWill youfor
shootvoters stop me.
opponents.
for more bills?
me.
But 13 is an
unlucky number.
Will you shootfor more bills?

Unlessvoters stopme.

Schock jumps at the chance to win his district’s
Schockseat
jumps
at thechanceto winHehisparticipates
district’s in his
in theU.S.
Congress.
seat in the
U.S.primary.
Congress. He participates in his
party’s
party’s primary.
My business

I support energy

committed
MyI’mbusinessto bringing backI’m committed
achievements
individual
to bringing
backme.accountspeakforability.
individual accountability.

I support energy
conservation andalternative energy.

andI supportconservationenergySchock jumps
atthe chance to win his district’sachievements
My businessalternative
conservationand energy.
seat in the
U.S. speak
Congress.
for me.He participates in hisachievements
alternative energy.
speak for me.
party’s primary.

I’m committed
to bringing backindividual accountability.

10  | eJournal USA

It’s a pity,
can’t have them
It’s wea pity,as ourcandidate.
we can’tall
have
them
all as our candidate.
It’s a pity,
we can’t have them
all as our candidate.

election, Schock runs
against former television news reporterIn the 2008 general
Colleen Callahan.
election, Schock runs

against former television news reporter
ColleenIn the 2008
generalCallahan.
election, Schock runs
against former television news reporter
Colleen Callahan.

He has a trackrecord and a lot of
corporate money forhis campaign.

She has many
volunteers andlabor unions’support.
He has a trackrecord and a lot of
corporate money forhis campaign.

He has a trackrecord and a lot of
corporate money forhis campaign.

She has many
volunteers andlabor unions’support.

She has many
volunteers andlabor unions’support.

Boy, looking
at him, I feel
really old.
Boy, looking
at him, I feel
really old.
Boy, looking
at him, I feel
really old.

No,
I have noplans to run forpresident.

No,
I have noplans to run forpresident.

No,
I have noplans to run forpresident.

Don’t
get upset. This is
Aaron Schock.
At 27, he’s theDon’tyoungest memberof Congress. get upset. This is
Aaron Schock.
At 27, he’s the
youngest member
Our of Congress.
Don’t
focus
with
young
get
upset.
Thisispeopleneeds to be
Aaron Schock.
Aton
27,economic
he’s theOur
issues.
youngest
memberfocus with youngof Congress.
people needs to beon economic
issues.
Our
focus with young
people needs to beon economic
issues.

For
now…
For
now…

For
now…

eJournal USA | 11

FACTSMILLENNIALS

Americans born between theearly 1980s and the mid-1990s arereferred to by many names, but

the “MILLENNIAL GENERATION”
and “MILLENNIALS”are thenames that seem to stick.
But whatever they are called,
members of this generation are
different from their parents andgrandparents.

ECHO BOOMERSNEW MIX IN THE MELTING POT
The percentage of particular racial groups in the United States

ADULTS > AGE 30

19%

13%

HISPANICHISPANIC

14%

AFRICANAMERICAN

11%70%

AFRICANAMERICAN

WHITE

5%

61%

1%

5%

OTHER

ASIAN

WHITE

ASIAN

1%

OTHER

MILLENNIALS < AGE 30

FAMILY LIFE

4%

Among Millennials and Boomers. Boomers are thoseborn during the “baby boom” from 1946 to 1964.

MILLENNIALS IN 2009

BOOMERS IN 1978

DIVORCED

6%

DIVORCED

21%

MARRIED
42%

MARRIED52%

SINGLE75%

SINGLEeJournal USA | 13

MILLENNIALS ON THEMSELVESWHEN ASKED, WHAT MAKES YOUR GENERATION UNIQUEMILLENNIALS RESPONDED:TECHNOLOGY

5%

11%

21%

MUSIC/POP CULTURE
BEING LIBERAL
BEING SMARTER
CLOTHES

6%
7%
WHEN ASKED, WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT IN YOUR LIFEMILLENNIALS RESPONDED:

15%BEING A GOOD PARENT30%

HAVING A SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGEHELPING OTHERS
BEING RELIGIOUS
HAVING MONEY

21%

WHEN SURVEYED,

54%

52%
15%

of 16–24-year-olds wish to start a business, or have already started one
Source: 2010 PEW Research Center’s report “Millennials: A Portrait of Generation Next”

14  | eJournal USA

Percentage of Millennials who use each mode of communication at least once per day

DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONSPhotos © AP Images; third image from bottom, Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

TEXTING 68% | SOCIAL NETWORKING 51% | EMAIL 30% | INSTANT MESSAGING 19% | VIDEO CHAT 8%

Source: “Social Media, Social Life” report by Common Sense MediaOBAMA
ON THE ISSUESIn 2012, President Obama is the Democratic Party candidate for the presidency.

© AP Images

16  | eJournal USA

On American Values
We’re not all tied together by ethnicity or a single religion. What ties us
together is this idea that everybody has
got a shot. As long as you carry out yourresponsibilities, you can make it. You
can get into the middle class and beyond. And you can start a company andsuddenly help bring the whole world
together. That’s what makes this country outstanding. ( …)Twitter Town Hall, July 6, 2011

On Innovation
Innovation has always been driven byindividual scientists and entrepreneurs.
(…) But innovation has also flourishedbecause we as a nation have invested in
the success of these individual entrepreneurs, these inventors, these scientists.
In this country, from the moment you
have a new idea, you can explore it in
the world’s best labs and universities;
you can develop it with a research grant;
you can protect it with a patent; youcan market it with a loan to start a new
business. You’ve got a chain that takes
a great idea all the way through, and© AP Images© Chris Fitzgerald/Candidate Photos / The Image Works[This] requires us to both have a commitment to our individualism and our
freedom and our creativity and our idiosyncrasies. But it also requires us tohave a commitment to each other. So
you and I are sitting here because somebody, somewhere, made an investment
in our futures. We’ve got the same obligation for the folks who are coming up
behind us. We’ve got to make sure that
we’re looking out for them, just like theprevious generations looked out for us.

that’s something that we as a nation have always invested in. It’s how
we as a people have advanced ideas from the earliest stages of research
to the point where you can hand it off and let the private sector run
with the ball. It’s how investments and basic research led to things likethe computer chip and GPS, and millions of good jobs.
Remarks at Penn State University, February 03, 2011

On Space Exploration
We are still a leader in space exploration. (…) The shuttle did someextraordinary work in low-orbit experiments, the International Space
Station, moving cargo. It was an extraordinary accomplishment andwe’re very proud of the work that it did. But now what we need is thatnext technological breakthrough. ( … )And what you’re seeing now is NASA, I think, redefining its mission. And we’ve set a goal to let’s ultimately get to Mars. A good pit
stop is an asteroid. We haven’t identified the actual asteroid yet, incase people are wondering. But the point is, let’s start stretching theboundaries so we’re not doing the same thing over and over again, butrather let’s start thinking about what’s the next horizon, what’s thenext frontier out there.
Twitter Town Hall, July 6, 2011

“What ties us TOGETHER is
this idea that EVERYBODY

has got a shot.”eJournal USA | 17

ROMNEY
ON THE ISSUES

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is the 2012 Republican Party
candidate for president.

© AP Images

18  | eJournal USA

On American Values

Speech at the Conservative Political Action
Conference, Washington, February 7, 2008
People, not government, are the source ofAmerica’s strength. There is no place thatis more important to the future strength ofAmerica than the American home. The workthat goes on within the walls of a home is
the most important work that is ever donein America. And if we want to strengthen
America, we need to strengthen the American family.
Campaign speech in Spartanburg, South
Carolina, February 22, 2007

On Innovation
Government funding for basic science andresearch in universities and research laboratories has been declining for years. It needs
to grow instead, particularly in engineeringand the physical sciences. Research in energy, materials science, nanotechnology andtransportation are vital to the economy andto our nation’s competitiveness. Government should not, however, attempt to pickwinning ideas or technologies in which it
would invest funds for development andcommercialization.
The realities of that marketplace sort out
those that have potential for growth and sustainability and those that do not. Attempting to substitute government for the roles
carried out by entrepreneurs, angel investors
and venture capitalists while also bypassing
the unforgiving test of the free market is avery bad idea indeed.

© Chris Fitzgerald/Candidate Photos / The Image Works

What is it about America’s culture that’s led
us to become the most powerful nation in
the history of the world? Well, we believein hard work and education. We love opportunity. Almost all of us are immigrants ordescendants of immigrants who came here
for opportunity. Opportunity’s in our DNA.
Americans love God, and those who don’t
have faith typically believe in something
greater than themself, a purpose-driven life,
if you will. And we sacrifice as Americans
everything we have, even our lives, for ourfamilies, for our freedoms and for our country. These values and beliefs of free American
people are the source of the nation’s strength,
and they always will be.

On Space Exploration
I’d like to bring in the top professors that relate to space areas and physics,
the top people from industry, because I want to make sure what we’re
doing in space translates into commercial products. I want to bring in our
top military experts on space needs. And I’d like to come together and talkabout different options and the cost. I’d like corporate America as well as
the defense network and others that could come together in a partnershipbasis to create a plan that will keep our space program thriving and growing. I’m not looking for a colony on the moon. I’d rather be rebuilding
housing here in the U.S.
CNN 2012 Republican primary debate, Jacksonville, Florida, January 26,
2012“Government
should not...

attempt to pickwinning ideas ortechnologies...”No Apology, a book by Mitt Romney,
published March 2, 2010eJournal USA | 19

YOUR GUIDE TO U.S. ELECTIONJARGON
Caucusthey run as independents. If they are
A caucus is a local meeting whereindependent, it means they are notregistered members of a political party
affiliated with a major political party,
in a city, town or county gather to showsuch as the Democratic or Republican
support for a candidate. Caucuses,
party. Voters can also choose to write inunlike conventions, involve many
the name of a candidate they support.
separate meetings held at the same time
General elections are run by the states,
at multiple locations.
but the date for the general election is set
A political party determines its nominees
by federal law. It is always the Tuesday
for statewide or national offices by theafter the first Monday in November.
combined recommendations of its
Measures such as proposed legislation,state caucuses.
referendums, bond issues (borrowing
Both the Democratic and Republicanmoney for public projects) and otherparties have their own rules governing
government actions also may bestate caucuses. Those rules vary fromplaced on the ballot. Each state has its
state to state.
own rules about what can be placedon the ballot.

Electoral College

Affiliation

The act of connecting or
associating with a person ororganization.

BallotThe official list of candidates
running for office.

Candidate

A person who seeks or isnominated for an office.

Delegate

A person authorized to act as arepresentative.

National convention

A meeting held every four years
by each of the major politicalparties to nominate the party’s
official presidential candidate.

The Electoral College was established in Political Action Committee
1787 as a compromise between election A political action committee (PAC) isof the president by Congress and direct an organization that raises money forelection by the people.
the campaigns of political candidates
The number of electors varies by state. or causes it supports. It also raises
Each state is allocated a number of money against political candidates or
The act of submitting a name forelectors based on how many U.S. causes it opposes.
candidacy.
representatives it has—which is based PACs are formed by business, labor oron a population census conducted other special-interest groups. They are
every 10 years—plus its two U.S. not officially supported by a candidate
The place where votes are castsenators. In 2012, the populous state or political party. Such groups are
and registered.
of California has 55 electors while less prohibited from contributing their
populated states such as Alaska and funds to the PACs they establish.
Delaware each have three. The process However, employees or members of
A popular vote on a proposed
for selecting electors also varies statethese groups may contribute.
by state. Generally, state political party
public measure or actual law.
leaders nominate electors at their state
Primary Election
party conventions or the state party’sAprimary election is a contest in which to vote in some primaries to select thecentral committee elects them.
a political party selects its candidates Republican candidate for president. In
After Americans cast their votes in to run in the general election. The
open primaries, any registered voter isthe presidential election, electors in outcome is determined by theallowed to cast a ballot, regardless of
50 state capitals and in Washington registered voters who cast their ballots
party affiliation.
choose the next president. A majority at their local poll places.
Like the general election, primaries areof 270 electoral votes is required toelect the president and vice president. For the presidential nomination only, conducted by the states. Unlike the
The electors nearly always vote the same voters select delegates to cast their ballots general election, states set the schedule
way in December as the voters in their for a candidate at the party’s national for primaries.
convention. For all other primary races,
state did in November.
voters vote directly for a candidate.
Write-in Candidate

Nomination

Poll

Referendum

General Election

In a general election, voters choose
their candidate for federal, state andlocal offices. These candidates are either
nominated by their political party, or

20  | eJournal USA

Some primaries are closed. Thismeans they are restricted to voters
who have registered their politicalparty affiliations. In other words, only
registered Republicans will be allowed

A write-in candidate’s name does notappear on the ballot in an election.
Voters can vote for such a candidateby writing the person’s name in adesignated space on the ballot.

EVERYTHING (ALMOST) YOU WANTEDTO KNOW ABOUT U.S. ELECTIONS
How are federal officials elected?

Find an answer at the U.S. Library ofCongress website
http://goo.gl/ALXQw and other answers on thewebsite of the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs.

What political parties does
the United States have?
See http://goo.gl/dBqrz

How are U.S. voters changing?
See http://goo.gl/OXyhY

What are primaryelections about?
See http://goo.gl/sSYfE

What are party
conventions about?
See http://goo.gl/qofbP

Who was the first U.S.
woman elected to a national office?
See http://goo.gl/Kvlz7

If the Electoral College is
not a school, then what is it?
See http://goo.gl/z83ta

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Florencia Antonella Mastroianni, Argentina“The experienceof Model UN haschanged my life”
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United Kingdom“I made really, really good friends. Model
UN became my social circle.”
Beth Milton, United States of America...find out what the buzz is about.
Coming in the Next Issue:

The Model UN ExperienceFive presidents remarried after the death of their first
wives. Ronald Reagan was the only divorced president.
Six presidents had no children. Our 10th president,
John Tyler, had the most children (15).

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT WAS THE FIRST PRESIDENT

1939 New York World’s Fair. Harry S. Truman was the firstpresident to give a televised address, from the White House
on October 5, 1947.

was Ronald Reagan

Barack Obama is the

FIRST AFRICANAMERICAN(age 69);PRESIDENTIAL

TRIVIA

Taylor waspresident.

president—he was 42
when he succeeded
the ASSASSINATED
William McKinley

USAelectedman to become

FACES ON U.S. COINS

Washington
JacksonVan Buren

U.S. presidents Taylor

NEVER Fillmore
Lincoln

ATTENDED A. Johnson
eJournal USA • August 2012

WilsonCleveland

McKinley

Grant

9

Jefferson

Zachary

was the youngest

Lincoln

Roosevelt, however,

FACES ON U.S. PAPER CURRENCY

Kennedysame day inSource: CNN

Eisenhower(age 43). Theodore

continental United States.

Washington

was John F. Kennedy

on theevery state.

first president not born in theJacksonelection heldin Hawaii, making him theFranklin D. Roosevelt

first nationaltheyoungest
electedpresident

Lincolnday of theUnited States. He was born

WHAT DO YOU KNOW?

Jefferson

1848, was theto be elected president of theMadisonthe oldest
electedpresident

to appear on television, at the opening ceremonies for the

Washington

BARACK OBAMA became only the third senator to move directlyfrom the U.S. Senate to the White House. The other two were Warren G. Harding(1920) and John F. Kennedy (1960).

November 7,

JAMES BUCHANAN WAS THE ONLY PRESIDENT NEVER TO MARRY.

COLLEGE Cleveland
Truman