<p>carnut-
Most of us on this thread, and the “parent’s cafe” part of this forum are adults. Many of us have come to this site for years. I started coming here when my daughter was in 11th grade and my son was in 8th and enjoyed sharing the trial and triumphs of the college admissions process. Now my youngest is a sophomore in college, and my oldest a graduate student. I “know” many of the contributors on this forum and others from those years, so I think you are mistaken that those here are pretending to be adults. We may occasionally act like kids- but I can assure you, we’re old folks.</p>
<p>I believe most parents here welcome students if they want to participate and contribute to whatever threads interest them at the Parent Cafe. We have some very intelligent and articulate young adults who have added a great deal over the years. (hanna, xiggi, and others) You are more than welcome to lurk and hang out, ask questions and learn and participate! </p>
<p>This election is a great opportunity to learn about the issues, where the candidates stand, and what that will mean for your future.
I guess you could argue that college students shouldn’t be allowed to vote. I couldn’t at your age. I believe that the law was changed in part because people felt that if young men and women could serve in the military and die for our country, that they should have a say in our political system.
I know a lot of young people through my children. Most of them are very aware of the issues and some are even involved in the campaigns. The policies that are implemented now will effect you and your own kids for years to come. Don’t you want to have a say in that?</p>
<p>I said I PREFER to be on the plus side. Being to the good means there is a slightly greater chance the number is accurate as the spread probably is for the 95% or 98% confidence interval. There is probably a 67% chance you are actually ahead with just a 2%-3% lead. It takes a lot more data to be sure enough to go from 67% to 95% or 98% so that’s why the spread is larger. Now if the surveyed 5,000 people instead of just 500 the 2% lead might be enough to say you are actually ahead with 95% confidence and a 2% win with 50,000,000 voters is considered a decent clear win.</p>
<p>Take a look at the “political futures” chart that’s followed at Slate. People who are willing to bet real money on the outcome of the election are betting on Obama.</p>
<p>They all have lots of that Hope thing. I’d like his odds too if that were something I’d bet on. But to even be in shouting distance will give M hope and energize the Republicans and some independents.</p>
<p>Intrade determines the odds based on how many people “buy” each candidate. That’s why on the eve of the NH primary Obama was given a 99% chance to win. It’s also important to note the demographic that puts $ on intrade is more likely to vote obama and therefore is more skewed to thinking he is going to win. Intrade has been wrong numerous times this election…it’s just a pulse of public betting</p>
<p>That is just the number of contributors. Each has a limit of $2300 for the primary and $2300 for the general. </p>
<p>If everyone maxed out that would make >$2.3 BILLION dollars he could theoretically and legally raise for the general election. That would pay for a lot of mailers, huh?</p>
<p>According to a source who tracks TV ad buying, Obama campaign has bought two-minute blocks in every market in both Ohio and Texas on Monday. It’s unclear what the content will be, but sounds like it will be some sort of closing message. As we find out more, we’ll report more. </p>
<p>If this is true, the ads will cost an astounding amount of money. It will be well worth it if he manages to do well in both states. That will finish the Clinton candidacy, and he can focus on campaigning against John McCain.</p>
<p>NYMomof2: I agree. Bush and McCain have both started attacking Obama pretty hard. He needs to shake off Clinton sooner rather than later so that he can focus on the November election.</p>
<p>VP, I cannot believe how excited I am about the prospect of an Obama presidency. I was an early supporter (in 2004, when he was one of 7 candidates for the Democratic nomination for IL Senate seat), but did not think he was ready to run for president. He is about the 6th candidate I’ve supported in this cycle; I only got behind him when Edwards dropped out. But he has dispelled all of my concerns, and the more I watch him, the more impressed I am. </p>
<p>One thing that has really impressed me is the way his campaign has been managed - it’s really a lean, efficient, and savvy operation. His strategy of going after small donors, urging people to become involved in government, and going after votes in all 50 states (following Howard Dean’s example four years ago) is really paying off for him now, and it will pay off for the Democratic Party in November, as the campaign machinery he has established in so many states will benefit down-ticket races.</p>
<p>vicariousparent–so sorry to offend! I should have mentioned you as one of our articulate young people. I know there are others, too, but I don’t believe that this site is made up of kids pretending to be grown-ups. It’ sad that he finds our national politics of so little concern. </p>
<p>The fact that this election is turning young people out in record numbers is what gives me hope, whoever wins.</p>
<p><—old enough to be flattered to be called a “young adult.”</p>
<p>“One thing that has really impressed me is the way his campaign has been managed”</p>
<p>For me, it’s how much he’s learned as he goes along. To compare him in the first few debates to the most recent debate…it’s like two different people. It’s encouraging to me that he is able to recognize when he needs to improve, and he’s able to adjust over time to fix the problems.</p>
<p>God, it’s such a relief to listen to three candidates who don’t sound like the videos below. I like to hear Obama and McCain speak (even if I am much more inclined toward Obama) and less so Hillary (even though I respect her).</p>
<p>Speaking of fundraising, if Bloomberg endorses (and spends money for) McCain, then the playing field could get seriously leveled. Considering McCain endorsed Bloomberg some time ago it is quite likely that he will return the favor. Bloomberg’s buddies Arnold and Joe Lieberman are also behind McCain.</p>
