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brooklynite

(96,882 posts) Thu May 7, 2020, 01:15 PM May 2020

'Clear warning signs': Focus group shows lack of enthusiasm for Biden among the young [View all]

Source: NBC News

WASHINGTON — Joe Biden is in no danger of losing young voters to President Donald Trump. But he faces a lack of enthusiasm among Millennials and Gen Z voters with the potential to decide his fate if they stay home or vote for a third-party candidate.

Many of these voters preferred Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primary and perceive Biden as a blank slate. They aren’t sure that he’s a change agent or that his policies match the scale of their problems. Some worry about his age and fitness. Most seem open to supporting Biden to stop Trump but need to hear more from him.

That’s the conclusion of new focus groups that delve into the mindset of Millennial and Gen Z voters who self-identify as Democrats or independents in 11 battleground states. They were conducted in late and mid-April by the political consulting firm Global Strategy Group on behalf of NextGen America, a youth-focused progressive advocacy group.

The good news for Biden is that many voters are persuaded by the argument that his views aren’t so far from those of Sanders, and by endorsements from leaders whom young people trust, including Sanders himself. Biden also benefits from the contrast with Trump, who is immensely unpopular among young Americans.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/clear-warning-signs-focus-group-shows-joe-biden-s-lack-n1201581?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma

177 replies

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'Clear warning signs': Focus group shows lack of enthusiasm for Biden among the young [View all] brooklynite May 2020 OP

Yeah I can verify personally as this was the conversation at the dinner table last night. mahina May 2020 #1

Staying home or voting 3rd party is a vote for Trump and is suicidal. lagomorph777 May 2020 #20

That's not what I am talking about mahina May 2020 #91

I'll vote and help but hard to get too optimistic. But it's life or death so gotta do it. lagomorph777 May 2020 #93

I've heard that from young neighbors about generic candidates... CBHagman May 2020 #130

I Get It RobinA May 2020 #158

I know. Voting is more like paying your electric bill or cleaning your gutters... CBHagman May 2020 #167

Well, I have personal stories to counteract that..some of my Cha May 2020 #129

They are worthy, conscientious, bright young people, Cha. Your post certainly cheers me up. Judi Lynn May 2020 #144

Marking for the many who will come Bettie May 2020 #2

If they want to hear more from him they should pay more attention to him. He's saying it, but... George II May 2020 #15

my 22 year old granddaughter and 20 year old grandson agingdem May 2020 #22

Have they heard about Biden's plan Hav May 2020 #39

I think anything promised as "free"... SergeStorms May 2020 #126

According to the premise of the "study groups", your granddaughter and grandson are exceptions. George II May 2020 #58

I don't think they are exceptions... agingdem May 2020 #94

I didn't mean to say they were, but younger voters do historically vote in smaller numbers... George II May 2020 #99

I know this is an inadequate comparison agingdem May 2020 #101

If they are paying attention why would they ask if Biden is the Best ? Do they enjoy what Trump is JI7 May 2020 #146

Hey...I grew up with Joe so to speak agingdem May 2020 #150

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #36

Yes, I have PatSeg May 2020 #80

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #90

Biden had an excellent interview on MJ's.. why are you tryiing to Smear Cha May 2020 #97

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #105

Clearly you are. Cha May 2020 #107

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #114

Well PatSeg May 2020 #119

So did I, Pat! Cha May 2020 #121

I always give most newbies PatSeg May 2020 #123

This isn't a public opinion issue or a matter of guessing. It's about his latest medical. ancianita May 2020 #100

Damn right. And they have plenty of time to do that now. LiberalFighter May 2020 #43

This dismissal is a great way to lose the youth vote. AtheistCrusader May 2020 #64

What dismissal? The fact is that Biden IS getting his message out, across many platforms, but.... George II May 2020 #82

Dismissal? They deserve our contempt and scorn. Kaleva May 2020 #86

This will certainly help the situation. AtheistCrusader May 2020 #102

I dig how you awkwardly move the goalposts on this one and pretend relevance. LanternWaste May 2020 #160

I didn't move anything. AtheistCrusader May 2020 #161

You can't lose what you never had...I say fuck them...70,000 + people are dead and these folks are Demsrule86 May 2020 #96

you bet... agingdem May 2020 #106

I agree with that... I think most of these kids those who vote will vote for Biden. Demsrule86 May 2020 #120

LOL , The so called Youth Vote NEVER votes and it's because they just aren't interested JI7 May 2020 #147

There is no youth vote. Codeine May 2020 #151

Yep. They all have phones treestar May 2020 #142

Any wedge in a storm. AtheistCrusader May 2020 #162

Stop that right now. hamsterjill May 2020 #62

Oh, I thought you were marking for the hundreds of "Dem enthusiasm gap" stories maxrandb May 2020 #131

Nah, but if you look there are plenty of people who Bettie May 2020 #135

This will matter when/if young people ever start voting texasleo May 2020 #3

When they do, we win. maxsolomon May 2020 #9

As one of those millenials told me, "Bernie is young at heart." progressoid May 2020 #52

That maybe what they said, but it didn't turn into votes for bernie now did it?! Thekaspervote May 2020 #57

Or. progressoid May 2020 #72

If you don't vote, you have no influence and no say...and young voters never have turned out. Demsrule86 May 2020 #87

So why the obsession on DU to slam young voters? progressoid May 2020 #104

Because we're hoping the Youth will save us from ourselves. maxsolomon May 2020 #124

Because it's an easy way to wedge our party from within, and suppress turnout. AtheistCrusader May 2020 #163

"Bernie is young at heart"? PatSeg May 2020 #81

I would have told them Mr.Bill May 2020 #92

It's not about his age. progressoid May 2020 #109

I'm just talking about the use of the word "heart". Mr.Bill May 2020 #112

Was that just after they attended a Bernie rally/concert Codeine May 2020 #152

Hahaha! progressoid May 2020 #155

Agree! Thekaspervote May 2020 #56

they DID NOT come out to vote for Sanders Either , There were young candidates they DID NOT JI7 May 2020 #148

I'm really fucking tired of this shit. we can do it May 2020 #4

No kidding. DavidDvorkin May 2020 #6

When does this become a RW talking point? LakeArenal May 2020 #24

Oh me three!! If they can't look at what's happening and feel compelled to vote then it's hopeless Thekaspervote May 2020 #60

Yepper spot on......this shit happened in the last election.... turbinetree May 2020 #117

Same here. R B Garr May 2020 #145

Well, despite being "enthusiastic" ... Happy Hoosier May 2020 #5

True, but he was out before almost half the states had even voted. (n/t) thesquanderer May 2020 #31

Doesn't matter whether half or all the states voted. Bernie wasn't turning out the youth vote Thekaspervote May 2020 #67

The states that had voted that added to the treestar May 2020 #141

I guess all the "youth" live in those other states? nt Codeine May 2020 #153

No, but just as the residents of different states don't all vote alike, thesquanderer May 2020 #159

"A blank slate?" AleksS May 2020 #7

VP under the greatest president of my lifetime. LakeArenal May 2020 #26

And the VP of one winning candidate treestar May 2020 #143

Yes PatSeg May 2020 #84

Ignorance is a straight-up devastating condition. Codeine May 2020 #154

They are the ones who will have to live with the mess. murielm99 May 2020 #8

Play them the handmaids tale and say thats your future if you don't get off your ass and vote. sunonmars May 2020 #28

Not worried DrToast May 2020 #10

Agree! Court the voters... not those that feign no enthusiasm. It's a waste.. they just don't vote Thekaspervote May 2020 #69

Yep. Go with those who show up to vote. Scurrilous May 2020 #88

Makes a great story. Yeah, he IS out there and has taken up policies on student debt, free emmaverybo May 2020 #11

His campaign needs to do a series of ads luvtheGWN May 2020 #30

No, Money will be an issue and this group doesn't vote. Demsrule86 May 2020 #89

Thank you! A voice of sanity...and good news Thekaspervote May 2020 #70

If we could just find a way for Biden to campaign on Animal Crossing yaesu May 2020 #12

I don't know kurtcagle May 2020 #45

To all, esp young: "Vote as if your FUTURE depends on it because it does." . . . nt Bernardo de La Paz May 2020 #13

There was no reference to the specific "focus groups" involved, unless I missed it.... George II May 2020 #14

Some younger voters tend to just sit out and not vote anyway kansasobama May 2020 #16

Bernie is not a Democrat in "off" years. LakeArenal May 2020 #27

The ones who supported Sanders are worried about Bidens health? Doreen May 2020 #17

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #41

And I'm worried Mr.Bill May 2020 #83

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #85

Bernie's heart attack scared his supporters. But then they realized that Joe is almost as old as totodeinhere May 2020 #98

editorial opinion piece and analysis nt msongs May 2020 #18

I am at the point of believing nothing negative I hear about Joe Lulu KC May 2020 #19

Absolutely!! Thekaspervote May 2020 #71

I voted for the first time in 2004 Dopers_Greed May 2020 #21

Yeah. Their answer is invariably luvtheGWN May 2020 #32

Yup! The msm just wants a horse race story Thekaspervote May 2020 #73

My first was 1992 Polybius May 2020 #133

If they had turned out for Bernie in bigger numbers we might have a different nominee. OrlandoDem2 May 2020 #23

Do we even need them to win? OneCrazyDiamond May 2020 #25

Trump was low hanging fruit 4 years ago too. progressoid May 2020 #53

Yeah, but we now all see its rotten, and will kill us. OneCrazyDiamond May 2020 #55

Hell they did not show up for Bernie..If they want helpisontheway May 2020 #29

They need to suck it up. We aren't voting for a single person. Afromania May 2020 #33

Biden's team HAS TO HIRE A BUNCH OF SOCIAL MEDIA assistants to hit the social sites BComplex May 2020 #34

Well that's despressing Politicub May 2020 #35

If he's absent from the new media that's on the msm, not him. Thekaspervote May 2020 #77

So... they're enthusiastic about... [Redacted]? REALLY?? Woah... n/t TygrBright May 2020 #37

Young people don't vote BonnieJW May 2020 #38

"Sure, the house is on fire..." Grokenstein May 2020 #40

Well there is an old song for this "you can't always get what you want". redstatebluegirl May 2020 #42

I mean qazplm135 May 2020 #44

Focus groups? That's IT? Focus groups are far from representative sampling. ancianita May 2020 #46

Focus groups conducted by a "progressive" company, no less. Clearly ratfuckery. Squinch May 2020 #51

Thank you!! Thekaspervote May 2020 #78

Biden is going to have to convince Chainfire May 2020 #47

There is nothing that will convince those young or old if they are not already terrified of what's Thekaspervote May 2020 #54

No he won't. They know the deal. They just have to get their asses off the couch and go vote ancianita May 2020 #65

Why? Codeine May 2020 #156

the Media.. once again shooting the dem candidate! If Biden is doing so poorly why is he Thekaspervote May 2020 #48

+ agree. So if they aren't enthusiastic for Biden, does that infer they would support trump. Don't iluvtennis May 2020 #59

+1000 Thekaspervote May 2020 #79

why young people flock to rallies.... quickesst May 2020 #49

Would also explain the wave of young joining alt-right rallies. But if local get out the vote rwsanders May 2020 #138

if you re-read your post.... quickesst May 2020 #139

"Fun and trendy" Codeine May 2020 #157

Focus groups? Focus groups associated with Sanders, no less? What kind of bullshit is this? Squinch May 2020 #50

What a bunch of MALARKEY!! progressoid May 2020 #61

Not worried about lack of Democratic enthusiasm ibegurpard May 2020 #63

Nor I MosheFeingold May 2020 #75

That shouldn't matter much. greymattermom May 2020 #66

If a young person votes for Trump, they have that horrific albatross forever around their neck steve2470 May 2020 #68

Facism vs. not facism - them's the choices kiddos - Kashkakat v.2.0 May 2020 #74

Kids today! Buckeye_Democrat May 2020 #76

He needs a veep who WILL appeal to younger voters SpankMe May 2020 #95

A big no to that. Demsrule86 May 2020 #118

Tough shit. hotrod0808 May 2020 #103

You sound like me! Buckeye_Democrat May 2020 #111

We had hotrod0808 May 2020 #115

The alternative has never been acceptable to me. Buckeye_Democrat May 2020 #116

Dole wasn't too bad in 1996 Polybius May 2020 #134

Ok well I'll guess they'll just stay home and whine online? EllieBC May 2020 #108

Then there's this poll: Young Voters Solidly Favor Biden Over Trump CaptainTruth May 2020 #110

If we ever figured out a way for people to vote on Facebook Mr.Bill May 2020 #113

"Some worry about his age and fitness"!? Bernie had a heart attack while out campaigning! n/t captain jack May 2020 #122

I find that very understandable Skittles May 2020 #125

Just need enough to get them to the polls. Remember, Hortensis May 2020 #127

Well you know, 40 yrs ago young people were whining about Carter being Kashkakat v.2.0 May 2020 #128

Lack of enthusiasm here too! ananda May 2020 #132

Because Trump is a spry 73 year old. Please. I want a unicorn too. Capt. America May 2020 #136

Don't blame me/us we voted for Sanders. Union Yank May 2020 #137

Young people DID NOT come out to vote for Sanders Either and THEY DID NOT vote for Warren either JI7 May 2020 #149

How the actual fuck Codeine May 2020 #166

Message auto-removed Name removed May 2020 #168

I don't feel that way at all. Codeine May 2020 #170

Can't identify. When I was young I did not have treestar May 2020 #140

I think if we do not fight for every single vote possible, we could lose. Marrah_Goodman May 2020 #164

If the thought of kicking Trump to the curb Codeine May 2020 #171

If they are fucking stupid enough, they will have the younger generations blaming THEM. BigDemVoter May 2020 #165

brooklynite gonna just attack Biden for the next several months greenjar_01 May 2020 #169

This message was self-deleted by its author Chemisse May 2020 #172

Meh.. Maxheader May 2020 #173

I'm sure there are PACs that could figure a way to send messages to the young voters to register truthisfreedom May 2020 #174

I'm sure there are PACs that could figure a way to send messages to the young voters to register truthisfreedom May 2020 #175

The Media Needs to Give it A Rest with These Stories About Lack of Enthusiasm With Young Voters Indykatie May 2020 #176

True, I'm sure. Joinfortmill May 2020 #177