Are Millennials Even More Fed Up With Politics Than Usual? Probably Not.

Get your news from a source that’s not owned and controlled by oligarchs. Sign up for the free Mother Jones Daily.


Yesterday I read this article in the Washington Post:

For millennial voters, the Clinton vs. Trump choice ‘feels like a joke’

In interviews this past week with more than 70 young voters in nine states from diverse backgrounds, lifestyles and careers, it is clear their mood is decidedly different from previous elections. Despite their varied lives, most of those interviewed shared a disgust with both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump so intense that it is pushing many beyond disillusionment and toward apathy.

….Though a few people voiced admiration for Clinton, most talked about both her and Trump in searing, caustic words: Super villain. Evil. Chameleon. Racist. Criminal. Egomaniac. Narcissist. Sociopath. Liar. Lying cutthroat. Panderer. Word salad. Willy-nilly. Douche. Joker. Troll. Oompa Loompa. Sad. Absurd. Horrifying. Dishonest. Disgusting. Dangerous. Disaster.

Etc.

My immediate first thought when I read this was: Sure, but is this attitude really any different than in years past? I mean, if you go out and ask people to bitch about politics—which is what these reporters are doing even if they don’t think they are—then they’re going to bitch about politics. I probably would too.

So then: is this just the usual griping? Or is it worse than usual? I was too lazy to look for the polling data, but Eric Boehlert came to my rescue today:

This is just for Florida, and who knows? Maybe Floridians are unusually cheery folks. I doubt it, though. And although Boehlert doesn’t mention this, that 12 percent of millennials who feel less motivated to vote this year is a smaller number than it is for older groups. Everything is close enough, in fact, that you can basically say there’s no difference between millennials and other age groups when it comes to enthusiasm for voting.

We get this every four years. Reporters fan out into “real America” and ask people about politics. And pretty much without exception, every four years people are frustrated, angry, apathetic, and convinced that politicians never do anything for them. Every. Four. Years.

So knock it off, folks. Seriously. I know that reporters like to report, but this kind of stuff is flatly useless unless you can back up your anecdotes with something a little more concrete. At the very least, compare it to 2012. Or 2008. Or 2004. Or better yet, all of those years. If there’s no real difference, then this is your story: “Voters, as usual, claim to be disgusted with politics.” You can put it right up there next to “Worthwhile Canadian initiative.”

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

payment methods

We Recommend

Latest

Sign up for our free newsletter

Subscribe to the Mother Jones Daily to have our top stories delivered directly to your inbox.

Get our award-winning magazine

Save big on a full year of investigations, ideas, and insights.

Subscribe

Support our journalism

Help Mother Jones' reporters dig deep with a tax-deductible donation.

Donate