The first debate of the 2024 election season between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump left young voters disheartened and critical. Described as disappointing, dreadful, and a train wreck, the debate did not meet the expectations of many Gen Z voters.
A panel of six young voters, representing a spectrum of political views from Republican to Democrat to progressive and undecided, shared their reactions in a discussion hosted by GBH News. Here’s a summary of their perspectives:
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
General Impressions: The panel found the debate long, boring, and lacking energy. Moderators Jake Tapper and Dana Bash were criticized for insufficient fact-checking.
Disconnected Politicians: Kunal Botla, an 18-year-old progressive, remarked that the debate highlighted a disconnect between politicians and voters’ needs.
Voter Apathy: Clyve Lawrence, a 21-year-old progressive, expressed concern that the debate might increase voter apathy among those already disillusioned with the Biden-Trump choice.
Reliving 2020: Audrey Grant, a 22-year-old Democrat, felt the debate was a reminder of the stagnant political landscape since 2020.
Trump’s Advantage: Tim Smyth, a 24-year-old Republican, saw the debate as a positive for Trump and a negative for Biden, noting that Biden appeared confused.
Candidate Performances
Biden’s Performance:
- Missed Opportunities: Botla and Lawrence acknowledged Biden’s achievements in reducing inflation and student debt but felt he didn’t highlight these successes.
- Poor Portrayal: Botla and Grant criticized Biden for not effectively presenting himself as the incumbent president.
- Age Concerns: Grant and Abigail Meyers, a 20-year-old Democrat, expressed worries about Biden’s age and mental capacity, feeling his performance overshadowed Trump’s contentious remarks.
Trump’s Performance:
- Composed and Restrained: Trump was described as more composed and energetic compared to Biden.
- Effective Attacks: Smyth noted that Trump successfully highlighted Biden’s failures and presented his vision for the country.
- Foreign Policy Weakness: Lawrence criticized Trump’s responses on NATO and Israel, finding them dodgy and appalling.
- Frequent Evasions: The panel agreed that Trump often evaded direct answers and lied frequently.
Debate Outcome
Winners and Losers:
- Trump: Smyth and Ky Urban, a 21-year-old Republican, felt Trump won the debate.
- No Clear Winner: Grant, Botla, Lawrence, and Meyers believed that neither side truly won, with some viewing society and the American people as the real losers.
Key Takeaways
- Biden’s Strategy: Botla suggested that Biden needs to market himself better and emphasize his successes.
- Appealing to Youth: Grant emphasized the need for Biden to connect with young voters, who are hesitant to support him.
- Democratic Party’s Wakeup Call: Lawrence urged the Democratic Party to consider alternatives to Biden or to significantly bolster Biden’s messaging.
As the election season progresses, the sentiments of these young voters underscore the critical need for both parties to address the concerns and expectations of the younger electorate.
