The O Generation

How young people affected the vote and how Barack (that's right, we're now on a first-name basis thing after he told me how much he loved me on national TV--thanks, Uncle B! I'm so proud of you!) connected with the so-called O Generation.

In many ways 2008 looks a lot like 1960, said Robert Dallek, the presidential historian. In both cases, a young Democrat won on a promise of youthful change. Voters, Mr. Dallek said, “want something fresh.”

President Kennedy responded not just with soaring rhetoric and new programs like the Peace Corps. He also transformed communication between the president and the people. At the White House, he projected an image of openness and transparency. He let photographers take pictures of the Kennedy children. He held televised news conferences for the first time.

From the NY Times