Page 4 - ARUBA TODAY

A4 U.S. NEWS
Tuesday 27 March 2018
Political force or fad? Young voters clout uncertain

By STEVE PEOPLES berg, expects to spend
Associated Press more money shaping the
NEW YORK (AP) — They 2018 midterms than any
have walked out, marched other election — and much
and demanded action of it on youth engagement,
across America to stop gun said chief operating officer
violence. But it's far from Matt McTighe.
certain that the young The organization already
people behind the "March spent more than $1 million
for Our Lives" movement to help student organizers
will be a political force at participate in last week-
the ballot box this fall. end's marches. They're
Republicans are skeptical. now focused on helping
Democrats are hopeful. high school and college
And outside groups that fa- students nationwide orga-
vor gun control aren't tak- nize their own "Students
ing any chances. Demand Action" groups,
Organizations aligned with a spinoff of the organiza-
Democrats on gun control tion's "Mom's Demand Ac-
are spending tens of mil- tion" against gun violence
lions of dollars to ensure chapters.
that young voters' passion About 40 students from across Wisconsin march in Madison, Wis. on their way to Janesville, Wis. Everytown also helped
and enthusiasm doesn't as part of a "50 Miles More" event to protest gun violence and advocate for gun control Monday, young people establish
fade before the November March 26, 2018. the non-profit group that
midterm elections, when (Logan Wroge/Wisconsin State Journal via AP) coordinated the weekend
the Republican Party's con- marches, while in some
trol of Congress will be put history. "We really believe in has raised the prospect of sands of people, many of cases paying for nuts-and-
to the test. this generation." a shift that could re-shape them in high school, partici- bolts items like sound sys-
"Other people look at those Past voting patterns show the American political pated in protest marches tems and stages.
young people and think how much work Steyer landscape this fall — and across the country Satur- "They've got the energy.
organizing them makes no and others have ahead perhaps for much longer. day. They've got the passion.
sense because they don't of them. Just 15 percent Student leaders from Park- New waves of protests are They don't necessarily have
vote," said Tom Steyer, of eligible voters between land have already suc- already being planned for the resources or the policy
the billionaire hedge-fund the ages of 18 and 20 cast ceeded in keeping the gun next month. expertise," McTighe said.
magnate-turned-liberal ballots in the last midterm debate from quickly fad- Their efforts are being aid- "We're going to be invest-
activist who has committed election. ing, as is often the case af- ed by powerful groups that ing heavily in these stu-
at least $31 million this year Still, the mobilization of ter mass shootings, though favor stricter gun laws. Ev- dents and making sure they
to what is believed to be young people following last that hasn't resulted in any erytown for Gun Safety, an engage in politics in every
the largest youth vote or- month's shooting at a Park- significant congressional organization backed by race and every single dis-
ganizing effort in American land, Florida, high school action. Hundreds of thou- billionaire Michael Bloom- trict across the country."q

Cynthia Nixon blasts Cuomo as 'bully,' 'wannabe Republican'

By DAVID KLEPPER Nixon's from-the-left chal- expanding public educa-
Associated Press lenge to Cuomo in Sep- tion funding and banning
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Ac- tember's Democratic pri- fracking.
tress Cynthia Nixon blasted mary has upended what Cuomo's allies came to his
Gov. Andrew Cuomo as many had predicted to defense Monday, with la-
a "bully" and a "wannabe be an easy re-election for bor leader Hector Figueroa
Republican" Monday dur- Cuomo, the son of the late saying the election will
ing her first visit to Albany Gov. Mario Cuomo. An ally come down to who can
since announcing her bid of Cuomo's nemesis, Dem- best serve New Yorkers,
for New York governor. ocratic New York City May- "not who can seize the
The "Sex and the City" star or Bill de Blasio of New York most headlines by waging
and public education ad- City, Nixon's bid is highlight- personal attacks against
vocate criticized the two- ing Cuomo's often uneasy another candidate."
term governor for not do- relationship with liberals in Nixon, a 51-year-old New
ing enough to ensure equal his own party. York native and Grammy,
opportunities for poor and A spokesman for Cuomo's Emmy and Tony winner
minority students. She also Candidate for New York governor Cynthia Nixon speaks during re-election campaign has never held public of-
faulted Cuomo's effort to a news conference Monday, March 26, 2018, in Albany, N.Y. did not immediately re- fice, but as an activist she
combat government cor- The "Sex and the City" star and public education advocate is spond to messages seek- has lobbied extensively for
ruption and said that while challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in September's Democratic ing a response to Nixon's better education funding
primary.
he touts himself as a pro- (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II) comments Monday. The and advocated for gay
gressive, he's governed campaign has previ- rights. She is the mother of
as a member of what she elected officials. He bul- day. My experience has ously pointed to Cuomo's three children and if elect-
called Albany's "old boys' lies anyone who criticizes taught me that there is only achievements including ed would be the state's first
club." him," Nixon said. "It reminds one way to deal with a bul- legalizing gay marriage, openly gay governor.
"We've all seen it: Andrew me of the behavior we see ly. You have to stand up to tightening gun restrictions, She faces a difficult run.
the bully. He bullies other from Donald Trump every him." raising the minimum wage, q