Anti-Trump, but not fully for Biden: Will Gen Z vote?

[634-5789]

Roughly three weeks from the election, a POLITICO/Morning Consult poll and interviews with two dozen youth voting experts and grassroots organizers suggest he’s had only mixed success with that message. The youngest citizens are eager to make a difference, driven by strong anti-Trump sentiment and the tumult of 2020. But they’re not fully sold on a Biden-led Democratic Party and still have concerns about voting.

The poll surveyed 1,000 eligible Gen Z voters, people between 18 and 23 years old, and found that they were twice as likely to vote for Biden as President Donald Trump: 51 percent to 25 percent. Meanwhile, registered voters of all ages had just a 6-point preference for Biden. Two-thirds of Gen Zers disapprove of the job Trump is doing in office, with many pointing to the Black Lives Matter protests and the pandemic as reasons why they were more likely to vote for Biden.

But Biden isn't inspiring much loyalty: 45 percent of Gen Zers supporting him said they were mainly voting against Trump, while only 26 percent of registered voters said the same. Slightly more Gen Z respondents view Biden unfavorably than favorably. It’s a tilt of 3 percentage points, but young organizers at local nonprofits and campuses across the country said the sentiment rings true. They’ve often heard distrust of the former vice president and the Democratic Party establishment on the ground.


https://www.politico.com/news/2020/10/11/gen-z-vote-2020-trump-biden-424571

[Ferrets are Cool]

1. It needs to be hammered that OrangeAnus is the reason they can't/shouldn't go out partying on Sat

night, why they have no concerts to attend and can't join their friends at a restaurant for a little respite after work. That is what will get through to them.

[Luciferous]

2. My kiddo is 21 and is voting for Biden like the rest of my household, but none of us are

Last edited Sun Oct 11, 2020, 03:39 PM - Edit history (1)

particularly enthusiastic about Biden. She says we need to stop nominating old white guys.

ETA that I actually volunteered to work the polls this election, am the ONLY one on my block with a Biden sign in my yard, and regularly donate to other Democratic candidates. I am also an active participant in my county's party organization.

My daughter votes in every election, has encouraged all of her friends to vote, and actually helped one get registered so she could vote for Biden.Oh, and she also donates money to Planned Parenthood on a regular basis, even though she is a broke college student. I find it insulting that so many people on here wanted to bash me or call me names just because I was honest about not liking Biden very much.

[still_one]

10. "reluctantly like the rest of my household"???????????

[PSPS]

23. Yup. Primary nonsense again.

But it garners clicks for politico.

[Luciferous]

58. I just thought I would share her perspective here but apparently that was a mistake 🙄

[Luciferous]

62. No she IS eager to get rid of Trump but that doesn't necessarily mean that

she is enthusiastic about Biden either. And calling people ignorant or clueless isn't a great way to get them to come around to your point of view- duh!

[Luciferous]

56. Yes. He wasn't my first choice, or my second, or even my fourth. My husband wasn't

even planning on voting at all until I convinced him that getting Trump out of office was too important. So yes, nobody in my house is excited about voting for Biden but we're still doing it. But apparently that isn't good enough for some people on this forum. I suppose I should feign enthusiasm to make a bunch of strangers on the internet happy?

[still_one]

63. Not being excited is one thing, but using the word "reluctantly has an entirely different meaning

I can tell you one thing, there is not ONE of the Democratic candidates who were running for the nomination who are "reluctant" about voting for Biden/Harris

[Bernardo de La Paz]

12. Tell her she is voting to position Kamala Harris for 2024 or 2028. Harris is not an old white guy.nt

[Mariana]

31. There's no need to harangue her, she's already decided to vote for Biden. nt.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

42. Wasn't suggesting haranguing her. Poster can mention it to her daughter to help her feel good. . .nt

[Luciferous]

57. I get that, but people that age aren't always thinking about the long game.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

64. So help them get thinking earlier in life. Actually many of them think about the REALLY LONG game

Like Greta Thunberg is.

[Luciferous]

65. Even though she doesn't like Biden she has still been encouraging her friends to vote for him. She

does understand what's at stake, but that doesn't mean she has to like Biden. It's more of a vote against Trump than for Biden, and a lot of her friends feel the same way.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

66. We'll take it and hope to teach that half a loaf is better than a poke in the eye. . . . nt

[MrsCoffee]

19. Unless the old white guy is Sanders, eh?

Sorry, the old white guy excuse falls pretty flat right now. Especially when there is the opportunity to vote for a young black woman to make history.

Why would anyone be reluctant to vote for that?

[NurseJackie]

21. Haaaaa!

[Mariana]

34. Where did the poster say her daughter ever supported Sanders? nt.

[Luciferous]

59. I didn't even mention Sanders did I?

[KatyMan]

29. This:

"Eden Dranger
@Eden_Eats
·
Aug 21
At this point, not voting for Biden because he’s not your ideal candidate is like finding out Trader Joe’s is out of dried mango, so instead you throw yourself into oncoming traffic."

Link to tweet

?s=20]

[Mariana]

35. The OP's daughter IS voting for Biden. nt.

[KatyMan]

40. Yes, I was commenting in a general sense nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

44. Except that the OP did NOT mention a daughter. Just excerpted an article. . . . nt

[yardwork]

33. Who is we? And Kamala Harris isn't an old white guy.

[JI7]

52. Harris isn't an old white guy.

[Luciferous]

60. But she isn't at the top of the ticket and I think that was her point.

[JI7]

67. Being VP helps in being at the top of the ticket in later elections

and she is still on the ticket .

[Happyhippychick]

3. I only have anecdotal evidence, mom and adolescent therapist to GenZ

Uncle Joe was a hugely popular figure when Obama was president and GenZ feels very fondly toward him.

An Instagram "thing" was to pose with their voter registration card when they turned 18 and another "thing" is to pose with their absentee ballot and the email message saying their ballot was received.

GenZ pulled off the TikTok troll for Trump's rally that was epic. They.hate.him.

[634-5789]

4. Here's hoping you're right.

[samnsara]

5. my barely 18 yr old grand daughter was all bernie...she doesnt even follow politics so

..must have been some social media advice. Once Joe won I had the gramma chat with her and she knows how important this election is so Im sure her vote will be for Joe. She usually makes very good choices. She even wore a mask during her HS graduation.. the only one to do so... Good girl!

[ProudMNDemocrat]

6. My granddaughter is 23....

I have informed her in a civil manner why we are where we are at right now. I have pleaded with her to get registered and vote. It is HER future that is on the line. What I did tell her was that "Republicans do not have your best social and economic interests in mind. "

I hope that sticks in her mind.

[Mike 03]

7. If my family is any indication... YES

Their mothers and grandmothers will disown them if they don't. (But my niece is all in for Joe and Kamala anyway)

[kacekwl]

8. They've often heard distrust of the former vice president and the Democratic Party establishment on

the ground. By who ? More many people say Bullshit. THINK People.

[Pobeka]

9. It still astounds me folks can't vote for better instead of perfect.

And so they sit it out and end up with worse.

And they do it time and time again and don't understand these decisions to sit it out and wait for perfect just cause us to descend into the abyss over many election cycles.

VOTE FOR BETTER, THERE IS NO PERFECT.

[smirkymonkey]

14. Hear, hear!

[LizBeth]

27. "can't vote for better instead of perfect" Totally agree with your post.

[Wounded Bear]

43. I like the marriage analogy...You're not getting married, you're catching a bus.

Take the one that is at least going in the direction you want to go.

[Pobeka]

46. Yep, and eventually all the buses over the entire trip lead to the destination.

[Blue_true]

50. That mindset reminds me of they type of people that only see failure in a setback.

They can’t bring themselves to see a springboard to success in that setback.

[greymattermom]

11. It drives me crazy that these folks complain about how their lives suck,

and then don't vote. You wonder why politicians don't pay attention to you? Really? Vote you idiots. EOM

[Bettie]

13. My two big kids

18 and 19 are voting for Biden.

And yes, it is more a vote against Trump than for Biden. But, it's still a vote for Biden.

They want change, but right now, they will take what they can get.

They, and their friends, will not be satisfied forever with the status quo. They want a world they can still live in and that is not a sure thing between climate change and the vast majority of wealth going to a few people at the very top.

These kids will change the world because their lives literally depend on it.

[beachbumbob]

15. Young voters never have voted in high numbers, though this year

may be different,

[LizBeth]

28. It will be interesting to see if a disaster like Trump will bring out their vote, and fun if it does

[beachbumbob]

39. If trump disaster doesn't, nothing EVER will

[LizBeth]

41. +1

[SharonClark]

16. I wish them well. It's their future to decide.

[David__77]

17. The polling questions force this conclusion.

Yeah, I’m motivated to defeat Trump and the way to do that is to elect Biden. I don’t think Trump being extraordinarily heinous somehow harms preference for Biden.

[TuxedoKat]

18. My two daughters

18 and 23 will both vote for Joe, and all their friends as well, even the ones registered Republican.

[CrispyQ]

20. Hope they sharpen up.

[FM123]

22. I have three kids in their twenties - two millenials and one zoomer

During the 2016 election they were head over heels for Bernie, but in the end voted for Hillary all while they griped and groaned about it. This time is different - when Bernie dropped out they jumped right quick on the Biden train. No, they don't love him like hubby & I do but they like two things about him - he has opened his arms/mind to some of their progressive ideals and he takes their issues (especially social justice and climate change) seriously. I can't speak for all young people, but I suspect there are other kids like mine that will suit up show up and come through for Biden.

[LizBeth]

30. I think this is where Biden really excels. Finding good people and listening. Being open.

[Mariana]

36. The overwhelming majority of Bernie supporters voted for Clinton in 2016.

Some people like to pretend this isn't so, but it is. This time the overwhelming majority of them will vote for Biden.

[oasis]

24. Ignore SCOTUS if they want to, but court rulings will kick their asses

for decades to come.

[still_one]

25. The article begins: "When Bernie Sanders -- political darling of Generation Z --"

What is missing from the article is the reality that it isn't just one demographic that wins general elections.

Based on recent polls, it is obvious that Biden is the one candidate that is able to win among the most broad and diverse populations within our country.

The fact that there are a significant number of states that no one thought would even be in play is evidence of that, and that the Biden/Harris ticket is the one that gives us the best chance of not only winning the WH, but also both houses of Congress.

Back in February 2019, the former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott made the comment that he thought Joe Biden was the only Democrat that would be competitive in the 2020 election against trump

[JI7]

53. They didn't come out to vote for Sanders either

[texasfiddler]

26. I am more excited that older voters are shifting to Biden.

I just don't trust young people to vote in numbers. I'll believe it when I see it.

[LizBeth]

32. +1

[Mariana]

37. Trump can't win if he doesn't get the majority of seniors' votes again.

If they even break 50-50, he's gone.

[still_one]

38. and that demographic is especially important in states like Florida

[LovingA2andMI]

45. Non-Voting Millennial

Which this is a blessing that he will now non-vote as if he was voting the vote would likely go to Trump. Had to work on him to sit this one out.

P.S. There will be either a undervote of Millennial Young African-American Males or a Split (and yes, some will vote for Trump).

This generation 27-35 years old - just are for a large part NOT being reached by the Biden Campaign. It is NOT because of the Biden campaign lack of trying.

Instead YouTube is playing a HUGE role in how they feel about Elections this year and voting. Also, before commenting back, it is NOT Russian related and if it was explained most would not understand here.

At least a portion of this age group will vote for Biden/Harris and that will be enough along with other votes to out Biden over the top.

[Chainfire]

47. I am slipping on my asbestos drawers

The truth is, although I see Biden as an honorable, decent, and ethical candidate, and fully qualified to be our President, he is not very inspiring to me either. I am sorry, but Biden is no Kennedy, Clinton or Obama.

Trump, however, is very inspiring, and I would walk on my hands and knees the ten miles to the polling station to vote against him. For the fist time in my life, although I am reasonably healthy for an old man, I am worried about my mortality. I am afraid I might die between now and the first day of early, in person voting, and fail in my responsibility to the nation. I once swore, without reservation, to protect and defend the nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic, and I have never renounced that oath. It is my sworn duty to do my part to see that Trump, who I do see as an enemy of the state, driven from office and into the trash heap of history to be known, for all times, as the biggest mistake the American voters ever made. I want to see us survive making America great again.
To be honest, regardless of the polls, I am scared shitless about the final outcome of this election.

[634-5789]

48. Don't be afraid...

I'm anxious myself, but I have seen some TeapubliKKKans turn away in disgust from the tRump cabal. Also, for what little it may matter, I'm no spring chicken either, so we just have to resign ourselves to the fact that the kids have to drag the Democracy bacjk into the WH. Take it easy, we'll be OK, and we're all in this together, Find peace.

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

49. Who says Gen Z doesn't support Biden?

Who else are they going to support at this point?

And voting against Trump is pretty strong motivation to vote!

My soon to be 18 year old son voted for Biden and all the Democrats, including Sara Gideon, Susan Collins' opponent.

[marlakay]

54. They can be influenced by their parents

If they themselves are not involved enough to know what is going on.

For years both my daughters voted dem then as they got older my younger daughter and husband in military have leaned more to the right. At one point while he worked in pentagon he changed to republican and she independent. It took Trump to change them back. They are voting Joe and now both independents. My older daughter tends to be influenced by who she is with, her first husband a union guy influenced her to vote dem. Now for past 7 years she has been with this guy I don't like who is a Trumper and last election she didn't vote afraid of what I might say. This time she is out front about her rightward leanings and voting Trump. We don't talk politics anymore because last time we fought and she used to be child I was closest to. She had her kids very young and both are voting age 21 & 23. The older one my grandson isn't political but for some weird reason after I got him to vote for Bernie back in 2016 he has swung to Trump and I think its because he is close to his mom. My granddaughter who has always been close to her dad the union guy is voting Biden. At least everyone votes.

[LAS14]

51. I'm counting on the passion to get rid of Trump. nt

[intheflow]

55. Misleading headline.

Fuck yes, we'll turn out. This isn't 2016. Trump is reviled. They will turn out to vote him out, which is enough for me right now.

What will end their future support will be if Joe does not aggressively seek prison for Trump and Barr, if his administration does nothing about reinstating racial justice and voting laws, and if the party weakens New Green Deal goals in favor of monied lobbyists.