In the Iowa caucus, young voter turnout tied with senior citizens. Yesterday in New Hampshire, people under the age of 30 surpassed voters 65 and up. After doubling their turnout in New Hampshire, young voters are in the pole position heading into the next primary battles. A whooping 37% of people under 30 voted in the New Hampshire primary, compared to 18% in 2004. After losing the youth vote 5 to 1 in Iowa, Sen. Clinton pledged to do a better job reaching out to young people. She asked the young people in New Hampshire to vote with "your heart and your mind," and that helped her shave some much needed votes away from Sen. Obama, particularly with single women. Sen. Clinton even won with 25-29 year olds – reversing a 57% – 15% Obama win with the same age group in Iowa. Young voters are finally being courted by the leading Democratic candidates. Will speeches about saving social security be replaced on the stump with calls to end predatory student lending? While we have to wait to see the full impact the rise of young voters will have on the election and ultimately legislation, the Democratic Party should be thanking their lucky stars. Young people are coming out in droves for them while Republicans are only getting a trickling of support. 61% of young voters in New Hampshire went for the big D, while only 39% were down with GOP. The young and restless are this cycle’s NASCAR Dads. Democrats captured the hearts and minds of this generation in 2004 and again in 2006. If a Clinton/Obama or Obama/Clinton ticket keeps them loyal to Democrats for the 3rd election in a row, it’s "three strikes, and you’re out" for Republicans.

Listen to me discuss how young voters are learning they matter on NPR’s News and Notes yesterday.