My transgender Son, Charlie, says the ONLY thing he knows about Hillary Clinton is she was SOS...

[cherokeeprogressive]

Before I go any further, he sent me a cellphone pic today of his new Social Security card. Charles G***t C*****w! Now to the DMV to get his license in his new name! I'm so fucking proud... Way to go Chuck!

I digress.

Born in '91, Charlie was about eight years old when Hillary Clinton walked out of the White House after her husband's last term. Charlie remembers NONE of that.

Charlie had ZERO interest in politics during the eight years Hillary Clinton was a Senator. NO memory of that, PLUS Hillary was a Senator from New York; Charlie was a kid in California.

So when I called him today to congratulate him on the SS card (I'm so fucking pumped for him) I asked who he thought he was supporting for President. He laughed. (paraphrasing here) "Either an old white guy or an old white lady I guess".

Before the conversation was over, I had been told Charlie couldn't get into researching the candidates; he works two jobs. He knows that Bernie's a "socialist", but isn't really clear on what socialism is (and was less clear when I told him there were different kinds) and knows ZERO about Hillary. Did you catch that? ZERO knowledge about Hillary.

Take my one 24 year old, and throw in ALL the 22 year olds, 21 year olds, 20 year olds, 19 year olds, and those who will be 18 on or before the day of the general election... and riddle me this: Shouldn't it give someone pause before they say "Hillary isn't talking to the press because she doesn't HAVE to talk to the press. She's got a 25 year record and everyone knows where she stands."

Does anyone ever think of that? I'd probably push the age of people who have little or no knowledge of Hillary's record and stances up to about 30.

Give 'em the silent treatment, and see if they vote for you.

[xfundy]

1. Congrats to Charlie!

Getting through the bureaucracy is a huge step.

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. That's my Boy. n/t

[840high]

13. +1

[Agschmid]

4. +1

[Agschmid]

3. So that feels directed at me...

Shouldn't it give someone pause before they say "Hillary isn't talking to the press because she doesn't HAVE to talk to the press. She's got a 25 year record and everyone knows where she stands."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026732399#post31

I think it's still early in the campaign, but I do still think she doesn't "need" the press in the same way a candidate like Sanders/Warren/O'Malley needs the press and it makes a big difference in what we perceive.

[cherokeeprogressive]

7. Actually that statement was motivated by someone else.

I don't know how anyone can say she doesn't need the press though when such a large part of the voting public doesn't have a clue who she is or what she stands for.

[Agschmid]

8. Her name recognition is great...

The other issue you may be correct on. The poll is old just FYI.

[rhett o rick]

11. Well I do agree. Her advisors are probably thinking that she is a shoo-in so

why discuss her baggage. It could only help her to hid under a desk until after the primary. And the DNC is happy to reduce the number of debates. No truth to the rumor that they are thinking of cutting the debates down to two and Sen Sanders won't be invited.

[Agschmid]

12. Clearly this is bull.

No truth to the rumor that they are thinking of cutting the debates down to two and Sen Sanders won't be invited.

[rhett o rick]

17. Of course it is. I didn't try to hid it. But it sure seems like the DNC is rooting for HRC.

And it seems to me that HRC is keeping a low profile.

[sabrina 1]

29. Bernie doesn't need the Corporate Media, last thing any non-Corporate candidate needs. Yesterday

Bernie's supporters reached nearly 6 million people in ONE HOUR on Twitter. They'll be doing that every day until every home in America knows who he is and what he stands for.

The MSM isn't important anymore. They sold out and their audiences left. More people saw Bernie's name in one hour on twitter than watch MSM news for more than a week.

OWS, the Egyptian revolution that toppled Mubarak, among other big movements, were all done on Social Media. Most people now get their news online.

The internet is on fire with news of Bernie. Each day more people are learning about him, with hundreds of thousands of supporters out there acting as their OWN media, and much more effectively.

Sick to death of Corporate media pundits who are so out of touch with what is going on outside the Corporate bubble, they are still talking about 'dragging Hillary to the Left' showing they don't even KNOW how people reacted to that most ridiculous claim. And they all say the same things, like a script they're reading.

Meantime FB, Reddit, Twitter, Utube, and a myriad of other Social Media sites are non-stop 'Bernie'. He trended in the top ten trends today, amazing really.

Hillary otoh, may need to talk to the media since her supporters are way more status quo and do watch the MSM for news.

[hollysmom]

5. sorry your son has to work two jobs, sometimes life sucks

I can see where he does not have time now, but when he was in school didn't he do politics?

Heck, I was in high and college during the 60's and that was a lot of what we cared about, I was constantly arguing with my conservative Barry Goldwater supporter boyfriend. ha ha, you might say it kept us virgins until I dumped him because you can only go so long with out progress (arguments) and moved on to a different political guy who would go to protests with me.
then after school, assassinations and the draft and the war, kept us focused. but now we have the internet, you can read the news on the bus on your phone. I know I keep challenging my niece, in her late 20's to pay attention and not just pull the lever. One set of nephews I don't see much of, the others we write to each other about politics all the time, so they are ready.

I know you son has a lot of his hands, and congratulations to him indeed, but still a few minutes here and there can bring him up to snuff before he votes and he will live in this brave new world,.

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. I'm pretty sure the gist of it was that the candidates "need to come to ME if they want my vote."

[eloydude]

6. Congratulations to your son, Charlie!

Ironically enough, I caught the FtM Transgender documentary last nigh on Showtime: "The Opposite Sex: Rene's story" - I thought it was a great documentary!

[enlightenment]

10. Good points.

And by the way, congrats to Charlie!
I remember when my son called and told me he was legally changing his name. He told me he wanted me to pick his new middle name, which made me feel very loved. It's an important moment.

[TDale313]

14. First, congrats to Charlie!

Truly great news.

Second, it's not just people too young to remember the Clinton years that Hillary needs to introduce- or reintroduce- herself to if she wants to gain their votes. A lot of people who are far older than Charlie are quite frankly disengaged from the political process. Others are paying attention, but don't have a particularly favorable opinion of Hillary Clinton. (Not talking about the unpersuadables, but there are undecideds she will need to reach if she expects to be the nominee and eventually president.)

Personally, I think it's a mistake to dodge the press. I get why she would- they have a 25 year history of attacking the Clintons- but it comes across as arrogant and entitled, and reinforces some of people's negative impressions of her. She would do well to not just say, in essence- "I stand by my record". She needs to make the case.

[JI7]

15. it would be easy for your son to find info on clinton and sanders if he had interest

[KittyWampus]

16. LOL! Another thread about Hillary not talking to the press… even though

it's how many months until primary season starts?

[tblue37]

30. It is important for the candidate to define herself for those who don't know her BEFORE

the opposition defines her, because the early impression people get is usually indelible.

[jberryhill]

18. Just a note on sending a pic of one's social security card...

There are various private parties between the sending end and the receiving end, and devices can be compromised. In general, it's not a good idea to send pictures of things like social security cards.

[cherokeeprogressive]

19. Believe it or not, he laid a piece of paper over the number...

Leaving only the name visible.

[jberryhill]

20. Awesome

I was hoping that might have been the case.

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. Not too much later the pic was on his Facebook feed.

I was flattered to get it before it got there LOL.

[pnwmom]

22. She DOES need to speak up, and she will. It's hard to imagine twenty-somethings

deciding she makes less sense than JEB or Ben or Scott.

[xfundy]

23. You are a great dad.

I'm gay, and I don't understand trans issues myself, not having lived them. I realized long ago it's not my place to judge others who just want to live their lives free, the same need as mine. I'm glad we have the 'T' in LGBTQ!

Go Charlie! And Go DAD!

[LuvNewcastle]

28. +1000 n/t

[DemocraticWing]

24. I'm 24.

I remember following politics all the way back to about 1996, but I come from an atypical background in that regard. Most people I know that are below 25 or so generally remember the 90s well (most people have childhood nostalgia) that carries over for anybody named Clinton, but I doubt they know too many details.

A lot of us remember 2008 though, so Hillary is a known quantity in that regard. For what it's worth, while many young people are "Ready for Hillary," Bernie's recent proposals (including free college) has turned a lot of heads among young people. He seems to actually care about our issues in a way that most young people think that politicians just don't. It's kind of a chicken-or-egg proposal: which came first, nonvoting youngsters or politicians who ignore the young? Give us something to vote for, and who knows, maybe youth turnout will spike?

It will be a fascinating election.

[jwirr]

25. Glad Charlie is where he wants to be now. Out of 5 grandchildren - 2 would be like your son

when it comes to Hillary. They just are not interested in politics. And like your son they are very busy.

However I am not sure that going on tv would even help with my two. They will probably ask me and their mother who to vote for.

[merrily]

26. Hearty congrats to your son on things most of us can take for granted,

a mom who supports our sexual identity and a Social Security card that reflects our gender.

Let it never be forgotten that the first President to say the word "transgender" publicly is a Democrat.

You may want to send your son a link to my thread on Democratic socialists, which is what Bernie is and which is very different from being a socialist.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12806844

This link too, to an article in The Advocate about Bernie Sanders. http://www.advocate.com/politics/election/2015/04/30/bernie-sanders-most-lgbt-friendly-candidate

He also might be interested in DOMA and DADT and the fact that, when told by gays in 2008 about how disappointed they had been in Bill, Hillary replied, "I thought we did very well."

See also: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/04/30/506212/-Hillary-s-serious-gay-problem-Updated#

If your son prefers, a not so old man is also probably running as a Democrat, namely Mike O'Malley. Obviously, I personally prefer Sanders.

Lincoln Chafee and Jim Webb are also probably running, though I am not recommending either of them.

[xfundy]

27. An info campaign on socialist countries would be good.

Nordic countries are doing great financially, that should be shouted from rooftops. Each country that is socialist is doing better than we are.

[Travis_0004]

31. I would assume aomebody who doesnt know who Hillary is probably isnt paying attention anyway.

If Hilary gives a press conference most people who are not interested in politics wont care or listen.

Bearnie Sanders is talking to the press and I would bet a lot of 25 year olds dont know who he is either. I even follow politics, and I dont really care at this point. There is less than a 50% chance Ill vote in the primary (race is usially decided by then since our primary is late).

Just tell me when the general election is and Ill be there. I imagine most young people feel this way.

[markpkessinger]

32. Great post -- and congratulations to your son . . .

Just want to add that for those of us who are old enough to remember Hillary's "25-year record," if Hillary's team is going to try to play that angle, then they have a few contradictions to explain. Just sayin'.