President Obama and likely Republican nominee Mitt Romney have each stepped up their efforts to woo young voters.
The president visited the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to talk to young voters about the rising cost of student loans. Unless Congress acts by the 1st of July, tuition loan rates could double for more than seven million students.
Republican Mitt Romney has also urged Congress to extend the lower rates. While campaigning in Pennsylvania, he said younger voters have broader concerns that extend beyond the cost of college.
Romney campaign officials said young people have been hurt under the Obama administration, with an unemployment rate of 16.4 percent, double the rate for all Americans.
Polls show the president enjoys a wide margin of support among young voters. In 2008, Mr. Obama carried 18-to-29-year-olds by almost 2-1, and a recent NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll gave him a 60 percent to 34 percent advantage over Romney among voters 18-to-34.
Quotes
"I think young voters in this country have to vote for me if they're really thinking of what's in the best interest of the country and what's in their personal best interest..." - Mitt Romney.
Warm Up Questions
1. What does the word "tuition" mean?
2. What is a student loan?
3. According to the story, why are student loans a hot-button issue this election year?
Discussion Questions
1. Do you think it's important for presidential candidates to reach out to youth voters? Why or why not?
2. Are you old enough to vote? Based on what you know, who will you be voting for in the 2012 presidential election?
Additional Resources
Lesson Plan: ANALYZING THE CANDIDATES IN THE 2012 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Lesson Plan: Social Media and Advertising in the 2012 Elections
