Post-debate reactions: More than two dozen young Americans weigh in

Asked three words they'd use to describe the debate, the most common answers were: “hopeless,” “sad,” “frustrating,” “embarrassing.”

I spent last night watching the debate at The Bench, a brand-new hub for culture and politics in New York City. The crowd was made up of mostly young professionals — many who work in politics or community organizing of some sort. There was shock, a little bit of laughter, but mainly… a lot of people with their head in their hands wondering how it got to be this way as President Joe Biden stumbled over his words and former President Donald Trump repeated falsehoods, including those about the results of the 2020 election (yes, still).

Photo from last night at The Bench.

Since the first few minutes of the debate, the feedback has been nonstop. I’ll get into the specifics in a minute. But beyond substance, one of the most interesting dynamics I’m witnessing has been the number of young people I’m hearing from who aren’t typically politically interested or involved. I’ve never gotten this much incoming from people who aren’t hyper political saying things along the lines of ... 'What is happening and how did it get to be like this?' At the same time, almost everyone who I’ve asked says they plan to vote.

In hopes of hearing what young voters ages 18-29 think following last night's presidential debate, I put out a brief informal survey this morning.

So far, I’ve gotten input from more than 2 dozen young voters ages 18-28. That includes people from: Alabama, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Virginia, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, Florida, Kentucky, Missouri, Washington D.C., New York, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Georgia. 68% of respondents identify as Democrats. 

Asked who they planned to vote for before the debate, 80% said Biden. Asked who they plan to vote for after the debate, 56% said Biden. 

The most common response to “How do you feel after watching the debate?,” is “frustration,” “fear,” and “hopelessness.” 

Here are some quotes: 

"How the f*** do we not have better candidates to put forward? How are the parties this broken???? What the F***" 

"I feel like we are being presented with 2 choices as if we were stupid followers. The American citizens know there are other people much more fit and better for the job yet we are doing nothing about it, neither are their respective parties"

"For my first time voting, it's incredibly disappointing not to see a good option. It's disheartening to feel my voice in this democracy may not matter with these candidates as my primary choices. We need new leadership who can authentically represent the youth and champion the issues we are passionate about."

Overall, the respondents said the issues they are most concerned with were not addressed. The top issues they shared were:

• Democracy (and keeping Trump out of office)

• Foreign policy (Israel/Ukraine)

• The economy

• Abortion/healthcare

• (And on X, I’m seeing that gun violence prevention activists are concerned that guns didn't come up at all)

Asked three words they'd use to describe the debate, the most common answers were: “hopeless,” “sad,” “frustrating,” “embarrassing.”

On where they want the nominating process to go from here, most want to see a new Democratic nominee -- others advocated for new candidates on both sides. Some suggested age limits. 

Here’s what organizers and activists are saying…

I also held a brief listening session with a few left-leaning political organizers this morning. Here are some insights from that conversation: 

• Overall, they weren’t surprised, and said they knew these were the candidates, though it feels as though no one was previously willing to listen to the young people advocating for a change-up for many months, even years (dating back to 2020)

• One organizer was on campus at the College of Charleston last night, where most of the young people she spoke to plan to vote but weren't watching the debate/or didn't know there was a debate on

• There put a huge emphasis on voting for Biden or whoever the Democratic nominee is for their ability to nominate Supreme Court justices - that determines their vote and they say that is a way to mobilize other young voters

Asked how they plan to mobilize young voters who are skeptical, especially of Biden, they said: 

"The stakes didn’t change"

"It’s not just about how well he can perform on a debate stage"

"It’s about so much more. It’s not just voting for one person, it’s voting for an administration, for who is going to gut the Department of Education or appoint a really qualified and intelligent person to lead it, who will nominate Supreme Court judges"

"Don't vote shame, listen to their concerns, and validate young people's feelings"

"Beyond SCOTUS, there are federal judges"

On trust…

With all the chatter about the Democratic Party bringing forth a new candidate... it's important to consider what swapping out President Biden would do for young people's trust in the system, given that this is an age-cohort already deeply distrusting of our traditional institutions (just 13% of young people ages 18-29 trust the presidency a great deal/quote a lot, according to Gallup). I asked a few folks working to organize young voters about this this morning.

Here's some of what they shared: 

"Not a good thing for trust. There are so many cards stacked against us as we're trying to build this trust everyday"

"Concerned that if this were something to move forward, does that take us 10 steps back from all the work that we’ve done?"

If Biden steps aside/or there is a new Democratic candidate, one said ...

"Young people could feel they’re being listened to and that their concerns are being taken seriously… but if that were to happen, which I don’t think it will, it’s very clear that was not the plan and that was not intended, so I don’t think it would be embraced as 'the system is listening to us,' more so that the system feels backed into a corner"

Meanwhile, many of the youngest organizers and activists deeply entrenched in the Democratic party and who are familiar with President Biden, his reputation, have perhaps met him, know his character, and tout his record, are firmly sticking by his side.

For example — last night, Voters of Tomorrow founder Santiago Mayer texted me:

📲 “This Democratic source says that Joe Biden is going to be our nominee.” He added: “I’m not panicked about Joe Biden being the nominee, I’m panicked of what four more years of Donald Trump.”

Today, Voters of Tomorrow put out a statement highlighting “differences between Biden and Trump on Gen Z’s top issues on full display during debate” and announced a website called ‘GenZforTrump.org’ to highlight Trump’s agenda and past record.

In the news 🗞

• The Biden-Trump Debate: What Young Voters Thought About the First Presidential Debate, Samuel Larreal and Tori Gantz for Teen Vogue, 6/28

• How did the presidential debate reverberate with members of Gen Z?, Leila Fadel, Michel Martin, and Elena Moore for NPR, 6/28