Those Darn Liberal Youngins!

This sure is interesting:

Young Americans are more likely than the general public to favor a government-run universal health care insurance system, an open-door policy on immigration and the legalization of gay marriage, according to a New York Times/CBS News/MTV poll. The poll also found that they are more likely to say the war in Iraq is heading to a successful conclusion.

If you count the Iraq position, I wouldn't call this an example of liberalism as much as an example of optimism. That, and an indication that younger people want to know what the hell is going on with their country:

The poll offers a snapshot of a group whose energy and idealism have always been as alluring to politicians as its scattered focus and shifting interests have been frustrating. It found that substantially more Americans ages 17 to 29 than four years ago are paying attention to the presidential race.

Now, if you roll with the Elephants, here's where things get spooky:

But they appeared to be really familiar with only two of the candidates, Senators Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton, both Democrats.

They have continued a long-term drift away from the Republican Party. And although they are just as worried as the general population about the outlook for the country and think their generation is likely to be worse off than that of their parents, they retain a belief that their votes can make a difference, the poll found.

Getting to know the only black and only female candidates in the presidential race? Drifting away from the Grand Old Party? Thinking that their votes can make a difference? Maybe young people are becoming more liberal.