Did the youth really help Obama win?

The 2008 presidential campaign was certainly historic in so many ways. The first africian american and the first woman vp nominee. There were many other historic moments of the campaign as well such as the unseen and unpresidented motivation and active particiapation of the youth in support of Obama. The youth came out to vote in a way that was never seen before. The lowest number of voters amoung different groups was the young voters. did this really help and impact the triumph of Obama???