I just got back from the release of Rock the Vote's new "Nationwide Survey of 18-29 year olds." It doesn't look like Rock the Vote has put up the results of the poll yet, but I'll download some of the more interesting numbers below (and add my two-cent commentary, too).

Update: And here's the link.

The survey is significant because it is the first taken of young people after Super Tuesday. It took place from Feb. 9-17 and included a base sample of 500 18-29 year olds. The margin of error is +/- 4.4%.

Some good stats to have:

Issues that are most important to young people:

Jobs and economy (17%)
Iraq (12%)
Health care and prescription drugs (11%)
Education and cost of college (10%)
Immigration (8%)
Environment and global warming (7%)
Gas prices (6%)
Govt corruption and reform (6%)
Terrorism and Homeland security (5%)
Federal budget deficit (5%)
Taxes (3%)
Moral values (3%)
Social Security and retirement (2%)
Gay rights (2%)

Nothing particularly surprising there, but good to know. It's the most comprehensive list I've seen during this election season.

What young people think should happen in Iraq:

Withdraw all troops (36%)
Withdraw some troops (33%)
Keep number of troops as is (20%)
Send more troops (6%)

It's not surprising to me at all that more young people want the United States to withdraw completely from Iraq than any other category, but I do think it is important to note that young people aren't in agreement over this issue. A majority of young people—59%—believe we should keep some number of troops in Iraq.

Here are two of the more surprising findings:

1. Young people believe they/we/he/she can make a difference:

-88% believe that as a group, young people have the power to changes things in this country
-78% believe their votes will count this year
-75% believe as an individual, he/she has the power to change things in this country
-75% believe young people are making a difference this year

This is up overwhelmingly from past polls. Young people clearly believe they have the power to change our country, and that they can start making that change by casting a vote this year.

2. Conventional wisdom says that young people are into candidates and not issues. This is patently false:

 
Only 8% of Clinton supporters, 6% of Obama supporters, and 8% of McCain supporters say they are interested in the election because of a particular candidate. Instead, they say they are interested in a particular issue (or issues) or are just interested in "change."