Voting Patterns Stem From More Than Age

Growing up around Washington, D.C. has made Annie Minoff, CC ’11, cynical about government. While she is fresh on the scene as a first-time voter, Minoff’s perspective on politics has already begun to wilt.

People like Minoff, a member of Columbia University College Democrats, challenge the presumption set forth by national political pundits about age and political orientation. While analysts cite demographic trends with the Barack Obama campaign capturing the youth vote as Hillary Clinton and John McCain appeal to an older audience, Columbians and Harlem residents defy such a simple classification.

Local resident Justin Krebs started a group of fellow progressive-minded political junkies called “Drinking Liberally and Laughing Liberally” that plans outings to bars and comedy clubs for like-minded young voters. According to Krebs, the voting divide is not between the young and old, but between those new to politics and seasoned C-Span fans.

“It’s not that simple,” Krebs said with respect to pundit rhetoric on the age split. He added that most people see candidates, “in a much grayer nuance.”

Although there is often correlation between age and the history of a voter’s interest in politics, there are distinct implications between the two.

Philosophy professor Christia Mercer campaigned for Obama in New Hampshire over winter break. “He had the capacity to create a kind of passion, especially for young people, but also for middle-aged people like me,” she said.

Columbia University College Republicans President Chris Kulawik, CC ’08, shares Krebs’ skepticism about the age debate. While he observes a more dramatic divide within the Democratic party, Kulawik says that for Republicans, there is “more of a disparity between evangelicals and libertarians than old and young.”

Minoff doesn’t buy into the buzzword of “change” that candidates across the political spectrum spout every chance they get in the hope of drawing in youth voters like her.
Her ballot pick is “really a strategic decision based on demographics,” she explained.

But that pick is for Obama. She says her choice is not related to age, but grounded in her expectation that he’s the more likely winner. Still she admitted, “He inspires me in a way that Hillary Clinton doesn’t.”

Mitt Romney campaigner William Nosal, CC ’08, believes his candidate has made a concerted effort to connect with youth voters. At a recent Romney fundraiser in New York, economics major Nosal found himself surrounded by suit-wearing financially savvy recent college grads who work for banks or as consultants. “His [Romney’s] background in business is something that makes him appealing to young people,” Nosal said.

At the fundraiser, he also met Romney’s youngest son, Craig, whom Nosal found very relatable because of their closeness in age. “The fact that Mitt has so many sons, and that he brings them to a lot of events” is a big draw for young voters, Nosal said.
Yet Nosal and Kulawik agreed that anti-war republican Ron Paul is the conservative candidate with the strongest ties to the country’s youth. Kulawik explained, though, that for all the media attention and money the Paul phenomenon is getting—thanks to young supporters—the campaign isn’t getting as many votes as that of fellow white-haired candidate McCain.

That’s the point, according to Kulawik—that the age of the candidate doesn’t necessarily matter. Spry young Obama may be chumming the college crowd, but Ron Paul’s connection to young voters certainly is not based upon being close in age. And as for McCain enthusiasts, “I don’t think they’re all senior citizens or anything like that,” Kulawik said.

“I didn’t vote for her [Hillary Clinton] because I’m old!” Reverend Reginald Williams exclaimed, laughing. The reverend heads Harlem’s Charity Baptist Church of Christ, where he has hosted both former president Bill Clinton and presidential hopeful Hillary. “The policies. Her stance. It makes sense to me. She has a proven track record,” Williams said, explaining why he has chosen to support the Clinton campaign both from the pulpit and from the checkbook.

University Senior Executive Vice President Robert Kasdin, Executive Vice President for Government and Community Affairs Maxine Griffith, and Barnard College President Judith Shapiro have also contributed funds to Clinton’s campaign.

Though voters may be split along ideological lines, or perhaps in connection with age trends, Reverend Williams looks at the election divide in a more spiritual light. “Some will vote their hearts, some will vote their minds,” he said.

Daniel Amzallag and David Xia contributed to this article.

betsy.morais@columbiaspectator.com.