RALEIGH, N.C. – Since the 1972 election, after the adoption of the 26th Amendment lowering the voting age to 21, we regularly hear that this will be the year that “young voters” will make the difference. And just as regularly, young voters fail to show up at the polls in the numbers predicted.

BROOKLINE, N.H. — Blacks account for less than 1 percent of the population in this small suburban district near the Massachusetts border. But none of that seemed to matter to the people here at an annual fall festival this month.

“Flirt away, white women, older women — sorry — but you’re in demand. We’re switching between our heels and our flip-flops, wondering how the women’s vote will be split.”

–From NYT’s The Caucus

“But the CNN/ORC poll indicates McCain is even more popular among white women than Palin is (69 vs. 65 percent approval) — evidence his support among that demographic may be attributed to his own appeal, not Palin’s.”

CNN Political Ticker