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.
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.
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'