President Obama Calls on Young Voters; Turnout at Polls Expected to be Robust

Nov. 2, 2010— -- In a final attempt to call on the young voters that put him in the White House, President Obama went on the radio today to remind them "you can't shape your future if you don't participate."

The president's radio interview today on Ryan Seacrest's show -- taped yesterday -- proved Democrats weren't going down without a fight, even though they are expected to lose the congressional majority at the polls today.

"This is such a critical election, because we're living in a huge moment of change in this country," Obama told Seacrest." I am optimistic about this country because of young people. Because of their energy, because of their enthusiasm because of their ideas. But you know none of that will make a difference if they're not participating."

Obama's message also popped up for AOL users in a taped video message that greeted visitors this morning.

Voter turnout was reported to be higher than usual in all corners of the country. The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted Nevada's secretary of state as predicting turnout between 60 and 65 percent statewide and the Oregon secretary of state said turnout there could be as high as 72 percent, local media reported.

Democrats are hoping their eleventh-hour push will lessen the blow of what is widely expected to be a changing of the guard in Washington.

Marathon campaigner former President Bill Clinton stumped late into the night Monday, finishing in Florida after hitting five states in 24 hours.

"I think Florida is for everyone," he said in a state where Tea Party candidate Marco Rubio is leading former Gov. Charlie Crist in the race for U.S. Senate.

First Lady Michelle Obama hit up Las Vegas Monday before criss-crossing the country to Philadelphia to push for struggling Senate candidate Joe Sestak.

"Can we do this?" she bellowed to enthusiastic cheers.

Meanwhile, President Obama was forced to backtrack Monday after House Republican leader John Boehner blasted him for telling Latino voters they should punish their "enemies" for pushing immigration reform.

"Mr. President, that word isn't enemies," Boehner said, "they're patriots."

In a radio interview Monday, Obama conceded, "I probably should have used the word 'opponents' instead of enemies."

While Democrats campaign at a frenetic pace, Republican and Tea Party candidates remain confident that voters who pulled levers so enthusiastically for Obama two years ago will cast their vote for conservative candidates.

On Facebook, Sarah Palin declared today "our freedom day."

"Our revolution continues each election at the ballot box and tomorrow we will renew the spirit of the American Revolution once again," she wrote. "Let freedom ring!"

But the tide may be turning in Palin's home state of Alaska. Considered for weeks to be a lock for Republicans, Tea Party candidate Joe Miller appears to be losing steam and Republican Lisa Murkowski is a write-in candidate.

President Clinton has volunteered his help there in the last day or so, recording robo-calls for Democratic candidate Scott Adams.

The GOP needs to pick up 39 seats to regain a House majority and 10 to take power in the Senate. There are 435 seats at stake in the House and 37 in the Senate.

At least 108 House seats are vulnerable, including 68 seats that either lean Republican or are toss-ups, according to ABC News' race ratings. Republicans are poised to win at least four additional Senate seats, per ABC estimates.

The latest Gallup poll showed Republicans with a 15-point advantage on the generic ballot.