Since the 2008 election, Democrats have been counting on young voters as an essential part of what they called a "new American majority." But the 2024 election may have spelled the end of the youth vote as a dependable part of the Democrats' coalition.
There was a big dustup on Twitter this week in exactly this subject, or more obliquely how difficult it is to get established and comfortable as a young person in the current economy.
There were compelling stories from people like Rufo and others of wise decisions and lifestyles when working low wage jobs and eventually moving up. Others, older, boomers such as myself saying suck it up, things aren't so bad.
Unmentioned in much of the discussion is how much natural advantages some have. A JD Vance in this world will do fairly well no matter his circumstances, he is very bright. For the average guy trying to get established in 2024 things are maybe not so easy. Young men are hurt the most from competition of unregulated and illegal immigration.
People aren't dating, they aren't getting married, they aren't having kids. It's one of our most serious unrecognised issues.
Here is a suggestion about young men, at least. Stop the damn Forever Wars. The Democrats have become the war party, helped along by a dying breed of Republican neocons that are definitely not MAGA. If you look up war monger in the dictionary, there is a picture of Dick Cheney who endorsed Harris who was out campaigning with his daughter. If there is a Democrat who isn't all in on Ukraine, I can't think of them.
I lived through Vietnam as a young man and the war hung over our head like the Sword of Damocles. Democrats, after the revolt against LBJ, were the peace party back them and young men gravitated toward them. Young women did too, back then. Not clear they would today but if the Democrats get their way about putting them in combat roles, maybe. And then there is the specter of nuclear war which Democrats seem all too eager to court. Contrast that with Trump who pledged to end the Ukraine war on Day One. I am doubtful that he will be successful that fast but at least he will quit pouring gas on the fire.
Young people are low information voters. Peer opinions,the coolness factor , the vibe, matter. Republicans used to be uncool because they were bossy evangelicals telling people how to live their lives or corrupt corporate republicans in the pay of big Business. Today its the democrats who are moralizing school marmish snowflakes. They don't feel "safe" if someone misgenders them. They can't claim to be less corrupt than republicans either.
Paradoxically, Trump has ended up achieving coolness. He's kind of retro with his floppy suits and long tie and Palm Beach look. He's badass, surviving an assassination attempt and defying ALL the mainstream media. And he's funny. ( This is not just my personal opinion, I have two daughters in their twenties and I talk to them and to their friends).
"In the 2016 presidential primaries, 18-29 year olds gave more votes to Bernie Sanders, who ran as a "democratic socialist," than to the combined total of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump." -- John D. Jurisdiction
It's a right of passage, a prerogative reserved for youth -- those not yet encumbered by careers, home mortgages, children and assorted other adult obligations -- to be starry-eyed liberals, leftists and even professed socialists. Most of us have adapted to the changes necessitated by changed life events, and the fact those changes alter our own world views and priorities. Congress is flush with too many political careerists. Term limits is not just a good answer, but arguably the only answer.
The appeal of right wing populism is real and not just restricted to the USA. The democrats need to listen but the pain at the voting booth will convince enough of them to really listen, especially to young men who used to be reliable supervisors as recently as the Obama administration
Quite simply the Democratic Party and its message are dying they just need to be buried
There was a big dustup on Twitter this week in exactly this subject, or more obliquely how difficult it is to get established and comfortable as a young person in the current economy.
There were compelling stories from people like Rufo and others of wise decisions and lifestyles when working low wage jobs and eventually moving up. Others, older, boomers such as myself saying suck it up, things aren't so bad.
Unmentioned in much of the discussion is how much natural advantages some have. A JD Vance in this world will do fairly well no matter his circumstances, he is very bright. For the average guy trying to get established in 2024 things are maybe not so easy. Young men are hurt the most from competition of unregulated and illegal immigration.
People aren't dating, they aren't getting married, they aren't having kids. It's one of our most serious unrecognised issues.
If the future of the Democrat party hinges on women like the four screeching women Senators on display this week, then there's no hope.
Here is a suggestion about young men, at least. Stop the damn Forever Wars. The Democrats have become the war party, helped along by a dying breed of Republican neocons that are definitely not MAGA. If you look up war monger in the dictionary, there is a picture of Dick Cheney who endorsed Harris who was out campaigning with his daughter. If there is a Democrat who isn't all in on Ukraine, I can't think of them.
I lived through Vietnam as a young man and the war hung over our head like the Sword of Damocles. Democrats, after the revolt against LBJ, were the peace party back them and young men gravitated toward them. Young women did too, back then. Not clear they would today but if the Democrats get their way about putting them in combat roles, maybe. And then there is the specter of nuclear war which Democrats seem all too eager to court. Contrast that with Trump who pledged to end the Ukraine war on Day One. I am doubtful that he will be successful that fast but at least he will quit pouring gas on the fire.
Young people are low information voters. Peer opinions,the coolness factor , the vibe, matter. Republicans used to be uncool because they were bossy evangelicals telling people how to live their lives or corrupt corporate republicans in the pay of big Business. Today its the democrats who are moralizing school marmish snowflakes. They don't feel "safe" if someone misgenders them. They can't claim to be less corrupt than republicans either.
Paradoxically, Trump has ended up achieving coolness. He's kind of retro with his floppy suits and long tie and Palm Beach look. He's badass, surviving an assassination attempt and defying ALL the mainstream media. And he's funny. ( This is not just my personal opinion, I have two daughters in their twenties and I talk to them and to their friends).
Note that the AfD candidate for Chancellor and the NR candidate for president are women.
Yep especially $2, young men
But Democrats have also become the war party (Ukraine) and the woke party of transgenders that alienates young women.
"In the 2016 presidential primaries, 18-29 year olds gave more votes to Bernie Sanders, who ran as a "democratic socialist," than to the combined total of Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump." -- John D. Jurisdiction
It's a right of passage, a prerogative reserved for youth -- those not yet encumbered by careers, home mortgages, children and assorted other adult obligations -- to be starry-eyed liberals, leftists and even professed socialists. Most of us have adapted to the changes necessitated by changed life events, and the fact those changes alter our own world views and priorities. Congress is flush with too many political careerists. Term limits is not just a good answer, but arguably the only answer.
The appeal of right wing populism is real and not just restricted to the USA. The democrats need to listen but the pain at the voting booth will convince enough of them to really listen, especially to young men who used to be reliable supervisors as recently as the Obama administration