by Lovia Larkin

Created on: May 29, 2009   Last Updated: June 01, 2009

I worked the presidential campaign this year and it was very enlightening regarding the appeal that traditional values like those Sarah Palin presented had on young voters. There were definitely different patterns though regarding the age rage and sex of the voters. It also depends on what you consider "young" voters.

I considered "young" voters to be anyone under the age of 35. At 35, generally the family is still young and growing, the careers are beginning but they have only voted in 3 or 4 presidential elections. Once Sarah Palin entered the race there was a marked increase in the activity and interest of those in the voting rage between 25 and 35; they connected with this working mother who raised her children with her husband of many years, worked, maintained a home and was not only active politically, but in the lives and activities of her children, and wore jeans on the campaign trail.

Sarah Palin represented the "can do" woman to many. She managed work, a marriage and a family life. She shared them with the world as she brought her family on the campaign trail; this family included a pregnant teenage daughter and a baby with Down's syndrome. Every mother's heart could be touched and she reached many with her attitude that marriage, family and God were important. Within the 25 -35 year old voters the identification came through with her unabashed support of her husband. The respect and love Sarah and Todd shared as not only individuals, but a couple weathering the storms of teenage angst and growing youngsters; preparing to send a son off to war and enlightening the public on the experiences and joys of bringing a child with special needs into the world, brought personal desires to the forefront of young voters.

To women she was empowerment and to men she represented a partnership. The partnership she shared with the world regarding her support and engagement with her husband and his activities. You could clearly see that they were in love and that both supported and encouraged each other not only in their working life, but in their hobbies as well. Though you might think that this would be a minuscule thing in the political arena it is not especially in pulling in the vote from the young adult males. The relationship with her husband, family and people were a huge pulling point for her and the election.

For those under 25, family was a huge issue . . .and of course her looks especially with males. She was the "hot" candidate and a "rockin"

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