Young Obama Supporters Missing From Health Reform Debate

Obama's tech-savvy young activists, who were instrumental in getting him elected, are not as active on health care reform, a gap Obama will have to fix if he is to regain momentum for his top domestic priority, The Associated Press reports. "Younger people are generally healthier and rely on less medical care, particularly young working men who make up the largest group that goes voluntarily without health insurance. They also are less likely to be as vocal at contentious town halls; many are either working or in school during the daytime forums. "

In an effort to activate his base, "Obama talked up health care in an online town meeting last week with Organizing for America, the campaign operation reconstituted as the White House political arm."

"Democrats on Capitol Hill are taking up the challenge as well. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., and other members of the party leadership planned to hold a news conference Wednesday in Washington to discuss the ways the plan would help young people. But critics also point to a failure of Obama's message, saying that by focusing so intently on the concerns of senior citizens the White House may have lost the attention of younger voters" (Fouhy, 8/24).