The Daily Orange political columnists focus on keys to success for either Obama, Romney as New York primary draws near

On a clear night in 2008, Barack Obama was announced as the next president. At that moment, the built-up energy of his ‘Yes We Can’ campaign surged through college campuses as students took to the streets to celebrate with fireworks and chants of ‘O-BA-MA.’

It was a display of emotion usually reserved for a World Series championship by a team you have rooted for through decades of disappointment or when sororities induct a new class of freshmen.

But since then, we’ve had fewer reasons to celebrate. The change promised is sometimes overshadowed by other misfortunes. This has led many young voters to lose their beliefs in politics or to rally instead around Republican nominee Ron Paul.

But if the Obama administration plans to win in this year’s upcoming election, it must remobilize the Millennial Generation once again.

In 2008, those aged 18-29 voted for Obama by an overwhelming margin of 66 percent, compared to just 50 percent of those older than 30 who voted for him. Many estimates indicate it was not their actual votes that mattered as much as their passion that drove other groups to vote, which led to his victory.

But 2012 is a much closer race and Obama could use the boost of energy that only young voters can provide. If he can once again rally their support, Obama can energize his campaign, and we will again be dancing in the streets.

Stephen Fox is a graduate student studying for his master’s degree in entrepreneurship and a graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. His columns appear online weekly. He can be reached at smfox03@syr.edu.

Published on April 22, 2012 at 12:00 pm