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This paper uses data from the Census Bureau Civic Supplements (2008-2010) to assess the effect of Internet use on the civic engagement of younger Americans. The paper argues that the means by which the Internet is both accessed and consumed--especially by younger citizens--necessitates an updating and reassessment of some of the empirical findings of the extant literature. Specifically, we are interested in how the frequency of connecting with friends and family on-line--which would capture use of social networking sites--is an important alternative means of operationalizing the key independent variable "Internet use." Findings suggest that while frequent Internet users were more likely to be engaged across a variety of different dependent variables, even after controlling for other confounding variables, the overall level of civic engagement among the young remains low. The findings do suggest that greater attention be given to the effect of non-political on-line activity on civic engagement, and the ability of such online activity to generate a virtual form of social capital, particularly among younger Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper will examine the role that racial resentment (or symbolic racism) played in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. Using data from 2008 NES, the paper will analyze whether symbolic racism affected the presidential vote above and beyond other predictors of vote choice. The paper will also examine whether symbolic racism can account for defections by white Democrats who might have otherwise supported Barack Obama. Findings are compared to prior presidential elections in order to determine whether the mere presence of an African American candidate activated racial resentment among key groups of whites in the electorate. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines party identification in the Northeast. Despite emerging as the most Democratic region, there is a very limited understanding of the dynamics underlying party support. The paper is primarily focused on partisanship in the region, specifically by examining the contribution of generational replacement and conversion in the process of partisan change, as well as the attitudinal and social group correlates of party support. As well as contributing to the understanding of partisanship in the Northeast, the paper will also discuss the extent to which a Democratic "Solid Northeast" may have emerged in American politics. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]