By Rob BielunasSPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE
The millennial generation is becoming one of the biggest voting blocs in our current political system, and when they come out to the polls they have the power to swing elections. In 2008, the millennial generation was key in President Obama’s election and again in his re-election in 2012. When millennials come out, Democrats win.
But why is this? Well it’s simple; the Democrats are fighting for them. When millennials look at the political system, they see Democrats talking about student loan reform and social and economic justice. They see the Republicans talking about shutting down the government, repealing healthcare for millions of Americans and trying to suppress the rights of gay and lesbian couples to get married.
In a nutshell, that is how the Democrats are winning over the millennial generation. Millennials want to hear a message of positivity and hope, which the political right is not offering.
You can have the best message in the world but it means nothing if you can’t spread it. Once again the Democrats are leading when it comes to reaching out to millennial voters. In 2008, then-Senator Obama’s campaign used social media in an effective way. The traditional methods of campaigning are no longer effective enough on their own. Now candidates also need to have a large and interactive social media presence. The millennial generation is used to having information at their fingertips. If a candidate fails to build a presence on social media, their campaign will not last long.
Lastly, a quick word to the rest of the millennial generation; if you are unhappy with how things are being run, get involved in politics. Not just on the federal level but also on the local and state levels. If we want things to change then we are the ones that need to change it. Write your elected leaders, volunteer on campaigns and even run for office because when we are active in the political system, things change and we all win because of it.
Rob Bielunas is the president of the Democrats of Hofstra University.
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