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27 October 2008
Young Delegate Discusses Youth Vote in 2008 U.S. Elections
Ask America webchat transcript, October 27
Kim Ahern was a delegate from the state of Rhode Island to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver, Colorado. She answered questions in an October 27 Ask America webchat on the youth vote in U.S. elections.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Ask America Webchat Transcript
Online Forum Afghanistan: Youth Vote
Guest: Kim Ahern
Date: October 27, 2008
Time: 7:30 a.m. EDT (11:30 GMT, 16:00 Kabul)
Moderator: Welcome to the Online Forum Afghanistan! Our next discussion will take place on October 27, 2008 at 16:00 Kabul. Please join us!
Moderator:If you missed our recent discussion with Dr. Allan Lichtman, please view the transcript here: http://www.america.gov/st/washfile-english/2008/October/20081020141625eaifas0.9360468.html
Moderator: Welcome to today's discussion! The webchat will begin at 1600 Kabul/11:30 GMT.
Moderator: Hello everyone, we'll get started in just a moment.
Kim Ahern: Hello, my name is Kim Ahern and I was the youngest Obama delegate (age: 24) from the State of Rhode Island to the Democratic National Convention this past August. I am very excited to take part in this chat today because the power of the youth vote in our country has been a driving force behind Senator Obama’s campaign for the presidency. It has long been said that our generation (18–30 year olds) don’t care and are apathetic about politics; however, this past Presidential campaign proven that notion to be false. In fact, young people have come out to vote in the primaries in record numbers and that is in large part because so many of them are excited about Barack Obama’s candidacy. In addition, these young voters aren’t simply voting -- they are also organizing, volunteering, knocking on doors, calling undecided voters and fundraising for the campaign as well.
Moderator: Kim will now begin answering your questions!
Question [guestchat]: how do you assess impact of young persons on 2008 election?
Answer [Kim Ahern]: As I said in my opening statement, young people are very much involved in this election more than any others in recent times. There’s a great youth voter website that analyzes the recent trends in youth voting issues and have confirmed what many of us have known to be true: that young voters all across our country are voting overwhelmingly for Barack Obama. Here is a great chart that shows this pattern over the past few election cycles: http://think.mtv.com/044FDFFFF00989E5200070098D335/. Based on that chart, and if all these young voters do come out to the polls in 8 days – I think the impact will be quite clear that these voters made the difference.
Q [Ajmal]: Why the public are supporting Senator Obama in a large margin than Senator McCain??
Moderator: As we wait for Kim's next answer, we want to let you know that we are expecting Brian Graham, a Republican delegate from Florida, to join us.
A [Kim Ahern]: One reason so many individuals are supporting Barack Obama’s candidacy is that our country is deeply ready for a fundamental change, both in our elected leaders and the way we view our nation. Barack Obama is offering that change that so many of us are looking for; I think that is one of the main reasons that many voters are supporting him. Although we still have 8 days to go until the election!
Q [kamal Naser]: Did you received my quastion? sir /madam
Moderator: Hello Kamal and welcome. Yes, we see all of the questions coming in. Please be patient as our guest answers them.
Q [ALI EID]: please tell me more about the IMPCT OF THE INTERNET ON the elections? ali cairo
A [Kim Ahern]: The internet is clearly changing the way the world works and elections are no exception. One thing that Barack Obama’s campaign has consistently done better than all others is use to the power of the internet to increase support for his candidacy. For instance, the Students for Barack Obama group started as a facebook group in early 2007 before Sen. Obama had even announced he was running for President! After he announced, his campaign already had important internet networks in place (like that Facebook group) to reach out to!
Also, the Obama campaign has used the internet to fundraise as well - from small donors all across our country.
Q [kulbeer]: i want to study in U.S.A.. but i don't have any way to ge the student visa...how can i ge the student visa?
Moderator: Hello Kulbeer. The toic of today's discussion is the Youth Vote in the United States. However, we do suggest you visit the following site for information on how to study in the U.S. http://www.educationusa.state.gov/
Q [reza]: and if you have any message for young students what will be about?
A [Kim Ahern]: My biggest piece of advice for any young people that want to get involved in the political process is to just do it! The simple act of volunteering for any campaign (that you of course feel strongly about) can open many doors that you would never even expect. Also, by volunteering you increase your political contacts and also make new friends in the process!
Q [joseph]: Kim what is your best moment during the campaign?
A [Kim Ahern]: It hopefully hasn't happened yet! NOV. 4th is election day!
Q [Kuba]: Dear Kim Ahern: As you may know, youth vote is a big topic. The real question and real issue: Do the youth go to the voting booth!? The history shows not.
A [Kim Ahern]: There is definitely a common misconception that young people aren’t voting, which is large part based on our past voting trends. However, this past primary campaign season has blown that notion out of the water. Young people all across our country turned out in record numbers to vote for Barack Obama in the primaries. Young people tripled their turnout during the primary elections and over 80% voted with Democrats. (Source: Young Voter PAC)
Q [Kuba]: A second question please: If Youth Vote makes as much influence as expected. then what shall Youth demand AFTER nov 4?! A place in the government of Obama or McCain?
A [Kim Ahern]: That’s a great question – young voters, as well as all voters, need to stay engaged after the election! Barack Obama will be the first to say that as well (as he has in the past) -- all these new voters need to stay involved in the government. First, I think many of them need to actually consider working and serving our government as their job; for example through the Peace Corp. Additionally, the issues that matter most to young voters like student loans and healthcare need to be raised as well from this new majority we are forming.
Moderator: Welcome to those of you just joining us. We are now chatting with Kim Ahern, a Democrat who was a delegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. We expect to be joined by Brian Graham, a Republican delegate to the Party's convention in St. Paul.
Q [amir 2]: hi i am Mohammad from LC Bamayn: according to ur point of view, which one of the candidates has the best plan for maintaining and process of democracy in the third world countries such as Afghanistan
A [Kim Ahern]: One reason I’m supporting Sen. Obama is because he offers a fundamentally different worldview than Sen. McCain. He has said over and over that we need to increase dialogue across our borders and even talk to other national leaders that may not like us very much. This is dramatically different than we have seen over the last 8 years and I think is a much-needed change for our country. Specifically, regarding third world countries – I would point you toward Sen. Obama’s website and issue briefs related to foreign policy: http://origin.barackobama.com/issues/foreign_policy/
Comment [ezatullah LC jalalabad]: hi sir
Moderator: Hello ezatullah, welcome to our discussion.
Moderator: We see your many questions coming in, thank you everyone!
Q [Amrullah '' Omaid'' LC jalalabad, Afghanistan]: Hello this is Amrulllah from LC ajalalabad, Afghanistan, if you could plz tell us about the role of youth in U.S election
A [Kim Ahern]: I think youth are so inspired by Senator Obama because he has made them a center point of his campaign throughout the two years that he has been running for President. In one of his most famous speeches so far on race relations, he closed with this powerful quote: “I would not be running for President if I didn't believe with all my heart that this is what the vast majority of Americans want for this country. This union may never be perfect, but generation after generation has shown that it can always be perfected. And today, whenever I find myself feeling doubtful or cynical about this possibility, what gives me the most hope is the next generation -- the young people whose attitudes and beliefs and openness to change have already made history in this election.”
Q [amir]: do u think the social justice matter will be positive point according to American people view for senator Obama to win the election?
A [Kim Ahern]: From the economy to health care -– there are many important social justice reasons to support Senator Obama. One example evidenced in the last debate between Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama was when they were asked whether health care should be a right or responsibility. Sen. Obama answered without hesitation that it should be a right and expanded upon his own health care plan to bring affordable and accessible coverage to all Americans.
Q [rabie]: hi can you give me an idea about the elections system in the us?
A [Kim Ahern]: Basically, all citizens have the right to vote as soon as they reach the age of 18. After that, you can vote in many different elections (i.e. city council, state government and then the Presidential race). For the Presidential Election, there is a system called the Electoral College and that is how we elect our President (based on all of our individual votes). More on the Electoral College here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Electoral_College
Q [joseph]: Will you take a vacation after the election?
A [Kim Ahern]: I'll have law school exams after the election! I'm in my third year of law school and have finals in early December!
Comment [siam lc jalalanbad]: hello iam siam pasarly from afghanistan jalalabad
Moderator: Hello Siam, welcome to our online discussion. We're glad you are with us today.
Q [Chat2]: How did you decide to be involved in politics? Why young people are involved so much in politics?
A [Kim Ahern]: I got involved in politics because in this election, it’s too important to sit on the sidelines and not care about the direction our country is going. In general, I think so many young people are involved because of that very same reason. Specifically, because we feel the rising cost of health care, we understand how tough student loans can be and we know that the only way to change these things is to get involved politically.
Q [amir2]: Hi Kim, what about younger candidates for the government offices?
A [Kim Ahern]: Absolutely. I think the first and foremost, electing a relatively younger President will set a powerful example for all young people to get involved in their governments and perhaps encourage more to even run for political office. Specifically for Barack Obama, I think his vision for our country offers a unique post-baby boomer era presidency that we have not yet experienced.
Q [Amrullah ''Omaid'' LC jalalabad, Afghanistan]: All the word is waiting to the U.S election, what will it have for the world and how improtant is this for Afghanistan and stability in area?
A [Kim Ahern]: Senator Obama has consistently said and demonstrated that he will work and speak directly with President Karzai. Over this past summer, Sen. Obama traveled to Afghanistan to discuss with President Karzai his plans for the region. He released a statement on that visit that I would encourage you to read http://obama.senate.gov/press/080720-statement_of_se_47/
Q [reza]: what is the message of this election for the American youths
A [Kim Ahern]: If you look back through history, there have been times when young people have begun to voice their independence through voting. One such time was when FDR was elected for the first time, which he did in large part by winning much of the youth vote. All those young people (at that time) turned into America’s “Greatest Generation” (a reference to a book by Tom Brokaw). I only mention that because I believe we are in another point like that right now. We are literally seeing hundreds of thousands of young people standing up for change in our country. I think if we carry through and elect Barack Obama President, then we can only expect greater things from this new generation.
Q [Amrullah ''Omaid'' LC jalalabad, Afghanistan]: I think Obama is the first black man who will be president, why there no chance for black people?
A [Kim Ahern]: I think the first thing to mention is that his candidacy is not simply about him being the first black President -– although the significance of that accomplishment is impossible to not notice. Rather, his candidacy is about offering a fundamentally different view; whether it be about race, age, or a post partisan viewpoint. However, I think the simple image of Senator Obama being sworn in as our President will send a strong symbol across the world of just how far our country as come as a nation. Once again, I’ll also ask that you consider watching his speech he gave on race relations last March: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrp-v2tHaDo
Q [siam lc jalalanbad]: if u tell me plz that obama and mccain r trying to win but they dont make together government
A [Kim Ahern]: Barack Obama has consistently reached across the partisan aisle and work with his Republican colleagues to bring about change. I think he will continue to do that if he is elected President. He has demonstrated that on such issues as education reform and nuclear weapons safety. Specifically, Sen. Obama was introduced to our country by giving a speech where he discussed the need for a more unified American (“not a Red America or a Blue America, but the United States of America”) and I think it is that promise that we can expect him to endure in the White House.
Q [Amrullah '' Omaid'' LC jalalabad, Afghanistan]: The terrorism issue is very important to be attention for in the World, what will be the new government policy about this problem?
A [Kim Ahern]: Both Sen. McCain and Sen. Obama will face the war of terrorism directly in the next Presidency and both have demonstrated a commitment to this important cause. For Sen. Obama, he has made it clear he will increase our troop presence in Afghanistan (as he shared with President Karzai) in order to catch Bin Laden. Of course, both candidates will make protecting our borders a national priority as well.
Kim Ahern: Thanks for joining me today in this chat – I really enjoyed speaking with all of you. We have 8 days left in this important election and I am going to be working as hard as I can to help elect Barack Obama President on Nov. 4th. Of course, whatever the outcome on Election Day – I hope we, as young voters across America, can continue to work for a better government whether John McCain or Barack Obama are elected.
Moderator: I want to thank Kim for being here with us today and thank you all for your questions! We'll continue to address them at the next Online Forum Afghanistan.
The webchat is now closed. A full transcript of today's webchat will be published (usually within one business day) to our Ask America homepage http://www.america.gov/multimedia/askamerica.html. You may also visit our online community at http://co-nx.state.gov
We invite you to visit America.gov's Elections08 homepage where you will find information on the candidates, the issues, and the process of electing the president. http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics/elections/index.html
Moderator:(Speakers are chosen for their expertise and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U.S. Department of State.)
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