Dems fret Biden's inaction on student debt will burn in midterms

[JoeOtterbein]

Politico

Youth turnout could be diminished if Gen Z and Millennials don't see executive action on student loans.

By CHRISTOPHER CADELAGO and LAURA BARRÓN-LÓPEZ

03/18/2022 06:00 PM EDT

President Joe Biden’s indecision on student loan debt could dampen turnout with a key constituency ahead of the midterms: younger voters.

While White House officials have indicated he may extend the freeze on student loan payments for the fourth time, Biden’s lack of certainty ahead of another looming deadline is causing heartburn across the president’s party.

Advocates in close touch with the White House are impatient, arguing that even if Biden ultimately moves forward with another payment suspension by the May expiration date, it’s becoming increasingly tough for them to inspire restive young voters to match their record 2020 or 2018 turnout levels. And Democratic lawmakers are pressing Biden to give millions of borrowers more than a month’s notice when deciding on an extension, which prevents them from going over a financial cliff.

The ultimate answer, both advocates and Democrats say, is for Biden to finally use his executive authority to fulfill a campaign promise to eliminate at least $10,000 in student debt for every borrower. And they’re hoping he does it before November.

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more at link

[Chicago1980]

1. Student debt holders of that kind need to extract heads from rears.

Sitting things out doesn't help get what you want.

Some people are too goddamn one issued and whiny.

[JoeOtterbein]

3. Lots of parents...

...paid for a good education for their children. And are still paying today. Some worth it. Others of us just got ripped off.

[MineralMan]

25. Ah...the truth revealed.

See #23

[JoeOtterbein]

26. I voted Dem all my life.

Is truth.

[MineralMan]

27. Yeah, OK.

Right now, though, you aren't helping, I think.

[JoeOtterbein]

29. It never helps when we...

...are hiding what other Americans feel about politics. They are potential voters. Let's encourage them by voicing their problems and empathizing with their concerns.

Caring works wonders in politics.

And we all need to care more.

[DURHAM D]

2. I paid off my student loan years ago.

So, can I just get a check for $10,000 if the President eliminates same amount of owed student loans?

[JoeOtterbein]

4. Yes. If you paid a amount that was equal to what a student would pay...

...today.

Give me the years and the amounts and I'll do the calculations for you.

And I never went to any kind of "higher education"!

[AlexSFCA]

7. what is a calculus for a local community college?

[JoeOtterbein]

12. I need amounts. nt

[AlexSFCA]

5. government is not responsible for your loans

everyone should know this basic fact. There is a reason affordable options exist such as public community colleges. I bet they give more useful education that the colleges which take tens of thousands $ of your money without giving you education that can pay off the loan.

[JoeOtterbein]

11. Even if you were...

...grossly overcharged and deceived about the returns?

I call it fraud.

[Patterson]

6. If you screwballs want any kind of future you'd better get off your butts and vote Democratic.

[JoeOtterbein]

9. As...

...if!!!

[SYFROYH]

8. Classic Politico shit stirring

First, I'm all for loan forgiveness. I paid off my loans after 20 years of payments and I still favor loan forgiveness.

The "sources" are anonymous advocates of loan forgiveness. No names and no accountability. We have no idea what their opinions are based upon. It could be true or just an idle threat from advocates with no leverage.

But this kind of article is good for the clicks and thats why they publish it.

[JoeOtterbein]

10. Always read other...

...sources.

Right or wrong, it's best to know what they are saying.

[SYFROYH]

18. That's my point, we don't know if they said it or had reason to say it

These advocates should be able to speak for themselves on record if it's true. They are not revealing anything about the president or more powerful people so there's no need for anonymity.

Maybe they didn't say it.

Or maybe they did but they don't have any polling or reason to say it except to make an idle threat.

Or maybe they did say it and they have data to support it.

Whichever way it is, this reporting does nothing except incite clicks for Politico.

I think {the authors} (incorrectly attributed to Holly Otterbein originally) should work harder to report with accountability and be critical of those who are feeding her their opinions.

[JoeOtterbein]

20. Holly had nothing to...

...with it.

[SYFROYH]

21. whoops sorry, I was confusing this article with another one she wrote.

my apologies.

[JoeOtterbein]

24. No...

...problem.

[betsuni]

13. I didn't hear Biden make any "ambitious promise." Anyone not voting for Democrats because $10,000

isn't forgiven from their student debt in less than two years of the Biden administration because there aren't enough votes to pass legislation that Biden wanted but can't do because he couldn't tell the future and see Manchin and Sinema in his crystal ball...

Well, it's your future. I'm sure Republicans will not make you cry about promises.

I'd bet cash money that even if Biden did come up with an executive order for that $10,000, younger voter turnout wouldn't increase. I'm sure of it.

[W_HAMILTON]

14. What have Democrats in Congress done to address it?

If they Democrats in Congress are worrying about their election hopes because enough hasn't been done to address student loans, perhaps Democrats in Congress should do something about addressing student loans?

[Demovictory9]

15. The Biden Administration has done a lot of student loans... unlocked millions to the forgiveness pro

program.

[JI7]

16. An excuse

[luv2fly]

17. Don't borrow money you can't pay back

While the amount of debt some students get themselves into is ridiculous, it is not without their eyes being open the entire time.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

19. Payments on federal student loans have been halted for almost two years. Restarting them before

the midterms would be political suicide.

[mcar]

22. My Dem voting nephew was whining about that during a recent visit

I looked at him and said, "your pregnant wife and your pregnant sister are about to lose their human rights and you and your friends are threatening to vote 3rd party because of student loan debt?"

It stopped him cold. He then agreed with me.

[GoCubsGo]

28. This is the correct response.

And, just the tip of the ice berg as far as what we'll all lose if the Goons of Putin take over Congress.

[MineralMan]

23. The surest way to get student loan relief is to elect Democrats.

Anything that works against that is non-productive. Period.