Canyon County youth trending Dem

Dan Popkey had a good column in Sunday's Idaho Statesman about the mock political conventions held last week at Caldwell High School. A snip:

Students pick their party affiliations and, until this year, they reflected Canyon County's GOP loyalty. The last time the presidential race was wide open - Bush-Gore, in 2000 - Republicans outnumbered Democrats about 400 to 200.

The ratio was reversed last week, with 487 students at the Democratic convention on Thursday and 199 with the GOP on Wednesday.

"I personally want to see the looks on your parents' faces when they find out where you hung out today," said Caitlin Hogge, an 18-year-old senior whose nominating speech helped Democrat John Edwards to a second-place finish ahead of Hillary Clinton. Obama won in a walk, with 423 delegate votes.

Later in the column, Popkey quoted 35-year-old state Sen. John McGee as saying the teens are more interested in backing Obama than being Democrats. The thing is, research has proven that people tend to  stick with the party they choose as young adults, and that nationally, far more young voters are identifying as Democrats than as Republicans. So if Obama gets the nomination (let us pray) and young Canyon Countians turn out en masse for him this year, it'll not only mean good coattails for downballot Dem candidates; it'll also portend a long-term Democratic trend for Idaho's second-largest county.

And why not? For every Patti Anne Lodge running home to bottle-feed her calves, there are a thousand young Canyon County residents struggling to make their rent and car payment, stuck in traffic commuting to and from low-paying service sector jobs. Canyon County is urban, it's diverse, and its residents deserve representation that's more in tune with their lives. It's no surprise that Caldwell High students realize this means voting Democratic.

Comments

[Robert]

I cannot believe Mr. McGee is so cocky in his comments. I wonder if McGee has driven or walked the neighborhoods in Caldwell that are hurting due to GOP policies? Is that the "Republican country" he is talking about? I was in Caldwell and Nampa this past weekend and even I can see that there is a strong class divide that is not helped by the fear politics from the Republicans. I sure hope us Ada Democrats get behind those Democrats in Canyon County. With the youth out there voting...we may see some surprises.

[Julie in Boise]

Robert, I agree. I think Sen. McGee may be in for some surprises this fall. He's running unopposed, but many Canyon County races are contested, and there are several great candidates who are really in touch with what their neighbors are living.

The Canyon County Democratic Central Committee meeting is at 7 p.m. the second Monday of each month - that's TONIGHT - at the Canyon County Courthouse, 1115 Albany, Caldwell.

Info on a few candidates has been posted on the Canyon County Dems' website:

http://www.canyon-democrats.org/ht/d/Candidates/candidateLevel/2/candidateOfficeType/2/pid/305127

[Colleen Fellows]

I second your sentiments!
While Ada County Dems need to hold current Legislative seats and work to gain in LDs 14, 15, 20 and 21, we still need to do what ever we can to help our counterparts in Canyon County. Don't just sit back, ask what you can do to help.

First thing, pull out your checkbooks! Second thing, in terms of lending a hand, start with your feet. Get on a comfy pair of sneakers and hit the pavement. Shoe leather is what is needed as much as money.

I was at the Canyon County candidate kick off at Nampa's Flying M Garage Saturday. Canyon County Dems have been trudging along and are making headway. The candidates are geared up and ready to work hard. If these candidates are willing to put their names on the ballot, then it's our job to stand behind them. It takes all of us in this together to make change happen to benefit all Idahoans.