Young voters like Bernie Sanders because they think Hillary Clinton is their parents' candidate, PBS finds
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is crushing Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton among voters under 30, at least in the first two voting states. There are probably a lot of reasons younger voters back Sanders, including his aura of authenticity and outsider status, his promise of a Washington-shaking revolution, and his stands on campaign finance, tuition-free college, and taxing Wall Street. But, PBS Newshour's Daniel Bush says, millennials aren't "connecting with Hillary" for a more "obvious" reason, "and we're missing it." That reason? Clinton is yesterday's candidate.
The idea that Clinton, 68, is too old-school may seem odd considering that her main challenger — the one beloved by young voters — is a 74-year-old self-described democratic socialist. But many millennials were babies during Bill Clinton's presidency, in middle school during Hillary Clinton's 2008 run, and in high school when she was secretary of state. "Hillary is like our parents' Bernie," college freshman Madison Egan told Newshour over the din of indie rock group Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes, playing on stage at a Sanders rally in Manchester, New Hampshire.
"People who are 18 or 20 didn't live through the Clinton era. To them, Hillary is just another public figure," Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran of Bill Clinton's 1996 campaign, tells Newshour. "There is a generational shift going on."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Israel concedes it may not be able to destroy Hamas
Speed Read Despite five months of war in Gaza, Israeli intelligence officials admit the militant group eludes them
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The art world and motherhood: the end of a final taboo?
Talking Point Hettie Judah's new touring exhibition offers a 'riveting riposte' to old cliches
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
'Musk's reliance on China draws rising scrutiny'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel concedes it may not be able to destroy Hamas
Speed Read Despite five months of war in Gaza, Israeli intelligence officials admit the militant group eludes them
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump, billions richer, is selling Bibles
Speed Read The former president is hawking a $60 "God Bless the USA Bible"
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump gets $289M break, first criminal trial date
Speed Read The former president's fraud bond has been reduced to $175 million from $464 million
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US-Israel rift widens after UN cease-fire resolution
Speed Read The U.S. declined to veto a U.N. resolution calling for a two-week "immediate cease-fire" in Gaza
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
New Jersey first lady exits race to replace Menendez
Speed Read Tammy Murphy dropping out paves the way for Rep. Andy Kim to become the state's next senator
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly ISIS Moscow attack
Speed Read Putin has ignored the Islamic State's claim of responsibility for the concert hall shooting
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump-RNC pact puts Trump legal bills ahead of GOP
Speed Read The former president has struck a deal with the Republican National Committee to put donations toward his legal bills
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Vietnam president resigns amid scandal
Speed Read Vietnam loses its second president in two years as Vo Van Thuong steps down
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published