Politics of the Obama Generation

Despite frustration with a struggling economy and what many feel is a lack of answers from the current administration, Millennials' re-election backing of President Barack Obama is slated to continue through the 2012 presidential election, though less than half approve of his performance thus far.

Referred to as the "Obama Generation," studies coming out of the Pew Center report that Millennials (Americans currently aged 18 to 30) "back Barack Obama for re-election by a wide margin in matchups against both Mitt Romney and Rick Perry, just 49 percent approve of his job performance, down 24 points since February 2009."

David Hopkins, a professor in the political science department, attributes being in a lower income bracket and having socially liberal leanings to the younger generation's widespread support of Obama. He also mentioned diversity as a major contributor. Reports by the Young Democrats of America show that nearly 39 percent of Millennials identify as non-white, making this the most diverse generation in American history.

Since Obama's election in 2008, the United States GDP has fluctuated, hitting historical lows in 2009, and the jobless rate currently stands at 9 percent.

Daniel Sologuren, president of the College Republicans of Boston College and A&S '12, feels that this will be Obama's biggest challenge: winning over young voters frustrated with joblessness. "I came into college thinking I can wait out this recession. That didn't work out."

Sologuren said that regardless of political party, in the general election, younger voters will migrate toward the candidate who shows potential in the economic realm. "The recession is affecting everyone. So regardless of political party, we need a solution for this," he said. "Republican or Democrat, a good idea is a good idea – we need jobs."

The Pew Center findings back this sentiment, reporting that more so than the older generations (supporters of Eisenhower, Truman, and Kennedy) who favor smaller government, Millennials advocate for an activist government.

Nicholas Doffek, president of the College Democrats of Boston College and A&S '13, disagrees. "With regard to the economy, there's only so much the president can do," he said. "When Obama was elected, the bar was set so impossibly high; people are finally realizing the limitations of Obama and the president."

In his experience leading the College Democrats, Doffek echoes the Pew Center findings that, still, over 50 percent of Millennials consider themselves Democrats. He said that though the hyper-hopeful support of Obama that marked his 2008 campaign has been quelled, support still exists. "People aren't so much critical of Obama, their expectations have been checked," he said. "There's still a favorable opinion, but he's no longer seen as the man who can change everything."

Legislation over social issues has taken center stage multiple times over the past three years, including the passage of gay marriage in several states. Doffek agrees with Hopkins and feels that Millennials will be drawn to vote for a candidate who shares their social ideology. "For the most part I believe our generation is socially liberal. Even now, radically conservative Republican candidates are rapidly losing support," he said, citing hopefuls Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) and Rick Santorum, former Pennsylvania senator.

Sologuren said that, when it comes down to it, younger voters will put jobs above social issues or any of the Obama administration's other initiatives.

"There will always be social issues, but we need to put employment first right now," he said. "When an administration comes into office, there's always one issues that they want to effect change in, then something they need to take care of. For Bush it was Sept. 11. For Obama, there are so many other issues, but he wants to be known for Obamacare. It's inappropriate."