Is Biden Doing Enough To Win The Gen Z Vote?
Unrealistic campaign promises, or unrealistic expectations?
An article was published by Yahoo! News today discussing the disappointment many Generation Z voters expressed when asked if they would vote for Joe Biden in the 2024 election. Generation Z describes those born between 1996 and 2010, meaning in the upcoming election cycle, eligible voters will have been born as late as 2006. A few quotes from the article, written by Bianca Seward, describe their concerns:
“I genuinely could not live with myself if I voted for someone who’s made the decisions that Biden has,” said McKenzie, a 23-year-old working at Starbucks and as a union organizer in Madison, Wisconsin. “I didn’t even feel great about" voting for Biden in 2020, he said.
“It’s so complicated, because it almost feels like if I were to give my vote for Biden, I will be showing the Democratic Party that what they are putting out is enough, which is the bare minimum in my opinion,” said [Jayden] Camarena, a 24-year-old living outside the Bay Area.
“I mean, he made a lot of really big promises in his campaign and virtually none of them were followed through on,” said Austin Kapp, a 25-year-old living in Castle Rock, Colorado. “I mean, he could have codified Roe v. Wade, he could have stood up for the rights of people all over the country, he could have done a lot of things, but he didn’t.”
Other concerns from young voters include The President’s inability to cancel student debt entirely, and many are frustrated with his handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Where is the disconnect?
Honestly (and I mean this sincerely), why should we expect Gen Z to be any more informed on the issues than the rest of us? They were born into the digital world of smartphones, social media, and instant access to information in a way people my age had to wait until their midlife crisis to experience. Like the rest of us, they, too, are being bombarded with one-sided “profit-motivated” news coverage. (Side note: I’m not anti-Mainstream Media; I just understand that target marketing keeps them in business.) It’s nearly impossible to keep up with all the issues in a way that genuinely informs one’s vote. Add in the amount of “single issue” voters, and there’s plenty of opportunity for the opposition to any candidate to exploit a voter’s lack of a desire or ability to do “deep dives” into the issues.
Clarifying Gen Z’s Concerns on the Issues
President Biden stands out as the most pro-union president in our history, notably joining a picket line during the recent United Auto Workers strike. Regardless of opinions on the sincerity of his actions, the UAW achieved favorable terms for their workers, strengthening their economic position. Given the sentiments expressed in a Yahoo! article, it seems logical for a Starbucks union organizer to recognize his support.
Addressing concerns about the Democratic Party and Joe Biden's alleged "bare minimum" performance, a review of the Biden Administration's key accomplishments reveals significant efforts in addressing various issues.
Regarding the criticism that Biden didn't "codify Roe" after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v Wade in June 2022, a bill passed in May 2022 was ultimately defeated in the Senate.
Examining the Israel-Hamas conflict, some young voters wished for President Biden to advocate for a cease-fire, though neither Israel nor Hamas were willing to agree. The Biden Administration, alongside the State Department, Egypt, and Qatar, negotiated a humanitarian pause in November, resulting in the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas and the delivery of hundreds of thousands of tons of humanitarian aid. Fighting ultimately resumed when Hamas refused to release the names of any more hostages they were willing to let go.
President Biden has expressed support for a two-state solution as the path to a lasting peace between Palestine and Israel.
As for student loans, The Biden Administration erased nearly $130 billion in debt, but a Republican-led lawsuit thwarted their plans to eliminate up to $400 billion, ultimately decided in their favor by the Supreme Court.
Understanding The Bigger Picture
Like any voting demographic, Gen Z might form opinions influenced by the issues significant to them or due to a lack of clarity on a candidate's accomplishments in office. An effective government comprises a variety of concerns and solutions, a collaborative effort involving numerous contributors rather than being solely contingent on the actions of a single president. It's crucial not to underestimate this generation's influence and role in American democracy. Nevertheless, understanding the intricacies of the political system distinguishes an informed vote from one that lacks information or is only partially informed, potentially leading to adverse consequences for our future.
