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Obama's Youth Army Takes Aim at Mom and Dad

Kids cajole elders on behalf of superstar candidate

By Greg Atwan,  Newser User

Posted Apr 8, 2008 8:09 AM CDT
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(Newser) – Barack Obama has a secret weapon in winning over undecided voters: their children, who have glommed onto the Illinois senator as they would a rock star. Voters from both parties tell the New York Times that their issue has turned them around on the issues—or at least turned them onto the youthful candidate—with dinner-table pitches and cold calls home from college.

Obama has picked up 60% of young Democrats in the primaries thus far, but lost narrowly with Dems old enough to be their parents. So sites like YrMama4Obama are encouraging kids to press the flesh with their progenitors as Pennsylvania looms. One psychologist says the youthful élan reminds many parents of lost idealism, but adds that this generation of parents is "more swayed by" its offspring: "a lot of parents are a little afraid of their kids.”

Dave Matthews plays during a free concert in Bloomington, Ind., in support of Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sunday, April 6, 2008.
Dave Matthews plays during a free concert in Bloomington, Ind., in support of Democratic presidential hopeful, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sunday, April 6, 2008.   (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., second right, jokes with 16-year-old Joe Kirk, of Billings, Mont.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., second right, jokes with 16-year-old Joe Kirk, of Billings, Mont.   (AP Photo/The Montana Standard, Lisa Kunkel)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., high-fives a young supporter in the Marvel Ranch restaurant in Reading, Pa., Monday, March 31, 2008.
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., high-fives a young supporter in the Marvel Ranch restaurant in Reading, Pa., Monday, March 31, 2008.   (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
A young supporter, right, leans over the rail as he listens to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., deliver a speech in Duncanville, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.
A young supporter, right, leans over the rail as he listens to Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., deliver a speech in Duncanville, Texas, Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008.   (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks on as host Gideon Yago speaks to a studio audience Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at MTV Studios in New York.
Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, D-Ill., looks on as host Gideon Yago speaks to a studio audience Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 at MTV Studios in New York.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the crowd following a campaign visit to a Seattle nightclub, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007.
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., waves to the crowd following a campaign visit to a Seattle nightclub, Tuesday, Dec. 11, 2007.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
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Obama's youth appeal extends to infants
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Barack Obama • Barack Obama supporters • Obama-mentum • young voters • idealism

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