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Campaign Journal A group of snot nosed, candy loving, and unlikely pundits has predicted the winner of the presidential election every four years since the Eisenhower administration: kids. That’s right – the rug rats, babies, bambinos, small fry, and little shavers, nippers, and offshoots. Most foolish and myopic political theorists won't give it the time of day, but the Weekly Reader presidential poll of schoolchildren has pegged every winner since 1956. This year's winner? George W. Bush — and by a landslide. “I picked him because he’s so goofy doofy,” said four-year-old Bobby Jones while cuddling with his blankie and sucking on his doo-doo. “I picked him because I have a bush in my parent’s backyard, I think that’s a good reason,” said a logical and levelheaded six-year-old, Amy Pinewood. “George Bush will win because he knows how to cheat, and cheaters always win,” said another wise and cynical toddler. Most polls of adults put Bush and Democratic Sen. John Kerry neck-and-neck. (Stop me if you’ve heard this.) But this one wasn't even close: Bush got 65% of kids' votes, while Kerry got just over 33%, says Weekly Reader editor Toodles Touché. She says Bush's emphasis on terrorism and security won votes, that and the fact that he bares a striking resemblance to both Curious George and Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Newman. “He’s funny looking. The kids really seemed drawn to his beady little eyes,” said Patty Mustos, a second-grade teacher in Tarpon Springs, Fla., who says the president’s security message and cartoon-like mug resonated with her 7-year-olds. "From what I heard from my children, the kids who are for Bush, like to make little unilateral decisions. They’ll say, ‘we are not going to watch Barney or Sponge Bob ever again – and that’s that... Frankly, they kind of scare me.” Polling experts say kids' political views often reflect those of their parents... but just as often don’t. Voting was open to kids in first through 12th grade. Students could vote in class, via the Internet or by calling their favorite cartoon character (aka: local congress person) and voicing their little opinions. 327,707 kids in all 50 states cast ballots But even a sample size of more than a quarter-million students is "fee-fie-foe irrelevant," says Frank Fug of the Gallup Poll. He says polls must be truly random to be accurate and he warns kids who’s Frisbees land in his backyard that they won’t be getting them back.Oct 25 / 2004 |
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