Millennial week

It’s millennial week, according to the Guardian. A week where Hillary Clinton turned up the heat on millennial voters, inviting this generally skeptical generation into the big tent. 

She’s got Twitter, and Facebook, Snapchat and Instagram, but Team Clinton doesn’t have the support it would like to see. Clinton is not the fiery Bernie Sanders; instead she is seen as a boring, conventional second choice. 

Here’s why: 

We are living in an age that is the product of austerity measures, deregulation, skyrocketing student-loan debt, high unemployment and a lack of affordable housing…So when a disheveled old white dude comes along and says our society is rigged for the rich, perpetual warfare is not the answer, and people of color should not be slaughtered by the police…you’re damn right we’re going to stand with him. (TIME) 

Clinton is failing to engage millennials.

They rallied around Obama, a candidate who evoked response through evocative language; a candidate that received their first presidential vote as they came of age. “Hope” and “Change we can count on” became a rallying cry for a new order, a better system. They are looking for that same emotional engagement from the next candidate. 

Clinton is not Barack Obama. She comes across as awkward, stilted and scripted. Millennials, who value authenticity and candidness, have a hard time connecting with someone who is criticized about her honesty and trustworthiness.

On the Politics for Humans podcast, John Favreau, a millennial himself, says that his generation responds to informal, conversational speech.  Obama was a natural at this; Clinton is continuing to improve. She needs to “meet them where they are and speak to them where they are. Figure out where young people are getting their news and information…Hillary Clinton needs to go on those shows and go to colleges and speak to young voters.” 

This week, she did just that.   

Exhibit 1: Rally at Temple 

She was honest and authentic: “I also know that even if you are totally opposed to Donald Trump, you still may have some questions about me. I get that.” She elucidated the point that millennials overwhelming agree on: “We have to stand up to this hate. We cannot let it go on.” And ended with a call to action: "The next 50 days will shape the next 50 years.”

Exhibit 2: Between Two Ferns (Watch it. It’s that good) 

Clinton delivered deadpan answers to Zach Galifianakis’ outrageous questions. She poked fun at herself, the media and her critics. Most important, she parodied the very criticism levied against her: that she is too scripted and robotic. Clinton comes across as funny and likeable, with a dry sense of humor.

According to the Census Bureau, millennials are now the largest generation of voters in America. They matter and both candidates know it. (Donald Trump has been using the word “revolution” lately. Sound like another candidate we know?). There are two aspects to willing millennials: 1.) winning their support and 2.) getting them to the polls. Ideologically, millennials are Clinton’s votes to lose. She’s got to continue engaging them on their level in an authentic way. She was witty and likable on Between the Ferns. 

She needs to do this more often.