Boomers, Xers, Gen Y all Playing a Part in U.S. Primaries
Really it is kind of fun to watch the generational dynamics at play in the U.S. primaries. There is something for everyone: the “GI Generation” John McCain, the consummate boomer Mrs. Clinton, and the self-styled Gen Xer Barack Obama. And let’s not forget Generation Y, who it seems are already out in force and ready to vote for Mr. Obama. All in all, an interesting mix.
Speaking of Mr. Obama, it really should be noted that technically he isn’t exactly a Generation Xer. Well, maybe he is. See, in terms of actual births, the baby boom was going until 1964 or 65 or maybe even 1966. Barack Obama was born in 1961, which pretty much makes him part of that generation. Having said that, if you were born anytime after 1960, you probably missed the fun part of the boom, the whole Woodstock-bell-bottoms-we’re-changing-the-world thing that Mrs. Clinton (born in 1947) so enjoyed. So it is not incorrect to suggest that 1960 really was the first year of Generation X births.
By the way, I haven’t heard Mr. Obama talking about the boomers needing to get over themselves lately - as he did about a year ago at this time. He has obviously figured out that the boomers are a big huge group and he needs their votes. Anyway, it is more effective for him to just talk about the ’same old folks’. Ouch, no wonder Hillary is getting teary.
The Generation Y dynamic is really the most interesting part of this, and the part to watch as the election gets closer. From what we have seen of them so far, Gen Y (another whole debate on birth years, but let’s say mid-1960s through to late 1970s) is a group with ideals, or who at least wants to have ideals. They may well be life-long voters, if they get inspired now - and it seems like they are. In Iowa at least he seemed to get the youth out, and we are seeing it again in New Hampshire. (Mrs. Clinton probably didn’t help her case with Gen Y when she expressed her view that young people had a ’sense of entitlement’ and thought ‘work was a four letter word’ - although she later apologized).
May the best generation win.
Kare Anderson responds:
Posted: March 21st, 2008 at 11:14 am →
And then there are all the non-generational differences - between the candidates and between the kinds of people who are attracted to each of them. BTW I just read the first chapters of your book and loved it - great research and writing for me a boomer and the closing keynoter at your country’s library conference last year