President Obama's State of the Union: An opening act to renew his contract with young voters

I've said before that that in the hyper-toxic political and economic atmosphere of 2012 for young voters, President Obama must deliver more than fire-in-his-belly inspiring rhetoric in order to reconnect with the youth demographic.

In yesterday's State of the Union address, he did precisely what the doctor prescribed to re-engage millennials.

The President offered (speech text) a strategic, policy-centric path forward for young people, the foundation of what he needs to be a lively, protracted dialogue with American young people that re-energizes them. The result for Team Obama would be another historically significant youth turnout favoring the Democratic ticket.

In his speech, he championed a rare breed of unifying hopeful populism that embodied a maturation of his '08 message to young voters. In 2008 the President was fighting for a transformational opportunity; in 2012, he is fighting to build, sustain and protect equity - "fairness," as he echoed numerous times - in the American experience.

For young people, the vast majority of whom are in financial hardship, this message of bridging the wealth gap resonates. Their tax bracket should not require they pay the government at a disproportionate rate, a system that protects tax-sheltered millionaires.

President Obama's remarks were unusually, and happily for America's youth, millennial-centric. On the domestic front, as Wes noted, he focused most attention on education. So what specifically connected to young people:

- Support for the Dream Act and like-minded measures extending citizenship to undocumented college grads who are loyal Americans in good moral standing
- Commitment to expanding the prowess and reach of community colleges
- Pledge to cut government backing of universities if they hike tuition and/or cut financial aid 
- Promise to invest more dollars into innovative medical and high-tech research

Wes, at this point and for the foreseeable future, barring a major national calamity, I don't see Republicans making a dent in whatever remains of President Obama's active youth support on college campuses (obviously, including progressive activists).

But, I would make two points: 1) Continued negativity in the GOP primary campaign will likely spur young voters away from the ballot box come this fall. 2) If the economy becomes increasingly unstable - especially, if there are thousands more young people out of work - than the GOP could more effectively pounce on the president. Capitalizing on an ever crippled American economy, the Republican alternative to Obama could be viewed as a potentially more credible manager of the economy, even from the vantage point of liberal-leaning young voters.

(This Baltimore Sun story conveys the uphill battle Obama still faces, particularly in swing states like North Carolina and Nevada that count fewer registered young voters.)

A final summation on last night: President Obama gave a brilliantly constructed speech, an ode to American nationalism that positioned the president as the most forceful possible candidate on national security. More than just young military men and women will respond enthusiastically to his suggestion that the political universe - and America more broadly - take a cue from the collaborative, mission-oriented team-spirit of the nation's armed forces.

All and all, a good opening act for President Obama to renew his contract with America's youth. Et tu, Wes?