Millennials: If you wait for the ideal candidate,

[MineralMan]

your non-participation in the 2016 presidential election will be noticed. Perhaps some of you think that is a good thing. It is not.

There are no ideal candidates, really. But the candidates there are direct their attention to the voters. They look back to see who voted in 2012 and 2014, and study the demographics of those voters. Why? Because those people are very likely to show up in November in 2016, too.

There will be elections in 2018 and 2020. In those elections, candidates will look again at the demographics of the 2016 election, and will campaign to win the hearts and votes of those voters, just like they always do. Will the millennial age demographic be well represented? Not if they stay home to avoid voting for the better of the two major party candidates.

A huge amount of research and planning is based on voter turnout statistics from the two most recent elections. If millennials show up in November, they will be noticed and attention will be paid to them in 2018 and 2020. If they do not show up or think they're protesting something by failing to vote, they will not be noticed, and no more attention will be paid than is being paid in 2016.

It's a vicious cycle, but one that repeats itself, whether non-voters like it or not. Candidates care only about voters. They ignore non-voters, because non-voters don't vote. There's no protest registered by not voting. There's only a low number of voters in a demographic that does not turn out and vote for the better of two candidates for every office.

So, if you're thinking about sitting on your hands for the 2016 General Election, consider thinking again. If you believe your age demographic should be noticed, go vote and you will be noticed. Vote for the better of the two candidates, based on your beliefs, and help that candidate win. Then, in 2018 and 2020, the candidates for all sorts of offices will notice that millennials came to the polls and voted. They'll work to appeal to the issues important to millennials. Change will occur.

Or, forget that there are no ideal candidates. This year, it's likely that a candidate from the Boomer generation will be the nominee in both parties. There will be a Democrat and a Republican. Don't like either one? OK, but make a choice and vote. If you don't, you won't count. You won't be noticed. You won't be considered until you demonstrate that you participate in the one action that elects people - voting.

If you don't care what I think, that's OK. I'll be voting. So will my age peers. We've been doing that for a long time now, because we know that if we do, candidates notice us and want our votes. You can do the same. Get noticed. Vote. Vote as sensibly as you can manage. Vote for the better of the two candidates. Help get that candidate elected. People will notice if you do that.

It's up to you, of course. It's your decision as an individual member of your primary demographic group. Make your choice. You'll be noticed either way, but you won't be noticed in a positive way if you stay home.

That's my opinion. Thanks for reading it.

[berniepdx420]

1. ...

settle settle settle... pick the least worst of the corporate candidate... Its a shell game my friends... been watching it my whole life... Enough is Enough!!!!

[forjusticethunders]

6. You're throwing a fucking tantrum.

This is that attitude that GETS us corporate candidates in the first place because why the fuck should politicians care what lefties and young people think if they keep not voting? We've been doing the "don't vote out of protest" thing for 40 years and where has it gotten us? I guess the Dems really went hard left after they lost to Bush, as seen in that courageous, unanimous Democratic vote against the Iraq War...oh wait that didn't happen.

Not voting isn't a voice, it's silence.

[berniepdx420]

7. vote Bernie all the way

[Bettie]

95. What gets us corporate candidates is the

fact that most of us "lefties", you know, the ones you hate, end up voting for the lesser evil.

I've voted in every election since I was 18 years old and have always voted for the Dem.

And what did I get? A bunch of politicians who are much more interested in keeping corporate 'persons' happy than in working to better the lives of actual humans. A bunch of politicians who work hand in glove with the right wing to tear down what was built by those who came before.

Fact is that I will still end up voting for the lesser evil, knowing that I'm putting another nail in the coffin of the middle class. In doing so, I'm perpetuating the cycle and the next corporatist will be even farther to the right than Clinton.

I have no idea how to explain this exercise in futility to my kids.

[forjusticethunders]

97. Which pols were you voting for?

Southern Blue Dogs?
Liberals on the coasts?
If the Dems are listening to the corporations too much (and they are), then where's the counter-movement?
It's also very important to note that many marginalized people are loyal to the Democratic Party because the Party is their only bulwark against full-force fascism. So obviously those people feel like the Party is working for them.

Also this isn't about hate. This is about frustration. We've been trying the same "protest" tactics for 40 damn years and it hasn't worked except as a means of virtue signaling for white progressives.

[Bettie]

98. Right

So, I was voting for the "wrong" Dem candidates...the ones that were on my ballot. I have very little control over who is on my ballot.

And yes, I'm white, female, and middle class, and in a "mostly white, small population state" so I don't matter at all.

"Frustration", eh? How about the frustration of having no one to vote FOR only being told to vote AGAINST a right wing bogyman?

A bulwark against "full force fascism" shouldn't be a promise of "slightly less than full force fascism" or oligarchy.

[brush]

11. Really tired of this "settle" stuff being repeated over and over. Start you own party then . . .

so you'll have someone to vote for in the general election who reflects you hallowed principles.

[Svafa]

24. I think it would be in the best interest of the Democratic party that this does not happen.

They are not doing a very good job of ensuring that it doesn't.

[brush]

42. I get that, but I do get tired of this same "I'm not gonna settle" argument

If the complainers had the gumption to really do something besides being keyboard warriors who say they will stay home if you don't nominate my candidate, I love to give them credit.

A new left-leaning party that has managed to get the petitions sighed and the funding to get on ballots and start with winning local offices on up to county and state and then work to finally be able to field a viable presidential candidate to the left of the Dem party, that would be great.

A coalition could be formed between the new party and the Dems that could totally marginalize the repugs, but until then, I don't want to hear about "I will not settle".

So take you ball and go home already.

[AgingAmerican]

73. The lesser of two evils is still evil

I'm not gonna settle!

[brush]

90. So start your own party so you don't have to.

[AgingAmerican]

91. NO

I will help change this party back to what it was

[Rebkeh]

2. I think people forget that we are not their lapdogs

We are their boss. They respond to us.

That is why they call it a representative democracy.

[hack89]

3. They respond to your votes. Which was the point of the OP.

and which many here fail to understand.

[Rebkeh]

5. It's on them to earn the votes

They need to run better candidates and should start by listening to the people.

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. They absolutely need to earn them! This is part of the problem with a two party system. Candidates

work by the "where else ya gonna go" principle. The problem with voting against the Repubs via the Dems is that it can lead to what looks like a mandate, when it is really no such thing.

[hack89]

23. But if you don't vote at all you will be ignored.

your vote is your only leverage. Bernie supporting Independents posture around here like they are king makers with the power to pick electoral winners and losers. That is bull shit simply because that power has yet to be demonstrated. And it has not been demonstrated because at its core is a demographic with really shitty voting rates. There is a good reason the establishment knew Hillary would eventually win - they saw who Bernie's core support came from and understood immediately the limits of that group. Now if Bernie had motivated them to behave unlike historic norms, things would be different. But they let Bernie down. And marginalized themselves that much more.

[840high]

38. Amen.

[randome]

45. Typical faddish Independent. You don't have to lift a finger, everyone else should.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Precision and concision. That's the game.[/center][/font][hr]

[IamMab]

60. Kind of like with Fight for $15. What did Bernie Sanders actually DO for Fight for $15? Nothing.

But he sure was ready to take credit when all the heavy lifting in NY was done, wasn't he? All because he said a long time ago that the minimum wage should be higher? What a fraud.

[COLGATE4]

4. Yep. I said that to a State Trooper one time (about me

being his boss and him working for me). Didn't work out so well.

[MineralMan]

9. They listen to people who vote.

Everyone else, they ignore. Simple.

[Rebkeh]

40. Normally, I'd agree

What's different about Millenials is the sheer number of them and the fact that they are the best educated and most politically engaged generation in a very long time. Maybe ever. This is not a low information group of people and they increase in numbers every year. Give it a few cycles and the Democratic Party is going to age itself out much like the GOP is doing now. There are only so many of their base left and since they won't appeal to other demographics, they are on borrowed time.

The Democratic Party is either going to evolve or go the way of the dodo bird. So what are they going to do to stay relevant? The answer is staring them in the face and yet they ignore it.

The oligarchy - corporate rulers, the one percent, the aristocracy, whatever you call the people pulling all the strings in this fading democracy - is on notice. Finally. This Gen Xer has been waiting a very long time for America to catch up, step up and put an end to it.

Listen to these young people, they are more invested than anyone else. I trust this generation's judgment a whole hell of a lot more than I trust my own generation's. We have failed in so many ways and a major course correction is needed, not just for us but for everyone.

And I didn't even mention Climate Change. The urgency is real.

If it was just a handful of people, I could understand your point. But I think you are missing the whole picture.

(oh, and lecturing grown adults as if they are children is going to get you absolutely nowhere)

[Karma13612]

83. +100

[TransitJohn]

58. No they don't.

Or else we'd have no capital punishment, and wouldn't have gone into Iraq. You know, things that the majority of voters are want.

[riderinthestorm]

70. Bwah!! No. No they dont listen to us. They listen to $$

They absolutely ignore us peons.

We don't want endless wars in the ME.

We wanted single payer.

We don't want the private prison system or the death penalty.

We want marijuana legalized.

We want dramatic muscular climate change action.

We want immigration reform with a path to citizenship.

We want the outrageous student loan debacle addressed and the reform of college payment immediately.

Etc etc etc

You know what the oligarchs give us?

A giant fuck you.

Who has Hillary allied herself with? The oligarchs.

This planet is in its 11th hour. There's no more time to wait for the oligarchs to help us.

2020 will see such dramatic weather and environmental events its possible that past "historical" models of how anyone will vote will be moot.

[Karma13612]

84. +1000 eom

[frylock]

75. They listen to people who vote.

[Bettie]

96. No, they don't listen to people who vote

they listen to corporations and the CEO's of corporations.

The rest of us get lip service and platitudes in an election year.

[nadinbrzezinski]

8. This is likely the funniest comedy I have read in a

Long time. Thanks

[MineralMan]

12. Oh, cool. I love to make people laugh...

when I'm joking. I'm not joking today. But go ahead and laugh on...

[nadinbrzezinski]

21. Oh it is hysterical

Democracies work that way...oligarchies not so much

[silvershadow]

10. The days of Clintonian triangulation are over for me. 50 years of Bushes and Clintons is the best

we can produce? I don't think so.

[MineralMan]

14. Yah, OK, then.

You will do as you choose, I have no doubt.

[silvershadow]

17. Believe it. They've done nothing for me or my family but make things worse. nt

[MineralMan]

30. I'm very sorry to hear that.

"They" haven't helped me much, either. I'm 70 years old. My retirement money was stolen by GWB and his insane policies. I have nothing except what I can still earn and my SS payment, which amounts to about $13K per year.

Guess what? If Republicans gain control of all three branches of government, I may not even have that. I'm still working, for now. I still can. I can still earn. My wife can, too. She's 10 years younger than I am, besides. But, we're one payment from one of our clients from disaster.

I'm very sorry that things are not going well for you either. I'm sure, however, that they can get much, much worse. For the time being, I'll be OK if they don't get worse. I'm sure as hell not going to passively let them get worse, so I'll be at my precinct's polling place in November.

I sure hope things work out. I sure hope we can prevent Republicans from controlling the entire federal government. You could help me, and yourself, you see. But, it's your decision. I hope you make the right one.

[silvershadow]

33. Screw em. Bern it down. nt

[MineralMan]

36. Yes, well, real good, then...

I guess I can't count on your vote in November. Never mind.

[silvershadow]

39. Your words, not mine. I have no comment about the general, but I do have a prediction. nt

[musicblind]

68. You can't strongly and consistently insinuate something and then pass the buck

by saying "your words, not mine"

If you don't plan to vote, then own it.

Honestly, you'd be better off writing-in Bernie than not voting. Not voting is the most un-American thing you can do. Period.

[silvershadow]

81. Selling out the Constitution in favor of The Corporate State actually is the most un-American thing

a person could do, so you might want to re-think your position. Very hard. Like, think so hard steam comes out of your ears if that's what is necessary. Because it is, in all actuality, quite that serious a matter at hand.

[Karma13612]

85. Hillary isn't the answer.

And it needs to stop now.

I'm 8 years your junior.

I am frightened to death of a Clinton OR a Republican presidency.

And literally CANNOT AFFORD it.

If we don't take a stand THIS election cycle, it IS Game over.

This is why we are fighting.

Why do think BERNIE decided to run??

Do you really think he did it as a career move? No, he did it because he KNOWS we are sinking.

He SINCERELY cares about our country and the climate.

It is NOW OR NEVER.

This is the Red line we are drawing in the sand.

The electorate is absolutely fed up and paying attention.

The perfect candidate IS running and we don't want to be forced to vote for the diametrically opposed candidate so she can finish us off.

[Svafa]

13. We have a real candidate.

And we are supporting him.

[MineralMan]

16. Yes. OK.

And if he doesn't become the nominee? What then?

[Svafa]

19. Then we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

[MineralMan]

31. I see. Well, there you go.

Good luck with that. Really.

[JoePhilly]

65. Didn't the "movement" want Warren first?

[Svafa]

67. Yes, many people did want Warren to run. Further evidence that this is about more than just Sanders'

candidacy.

[Karma13612]

86. Well said.+10 nt

[highprincipleswork]

15. Perhaps you forget that people have beliefs and emotions. It's not so easy to act in opposition to

those, and often not a good idea.

I don't believe they are looking for an "ideal" candidate. But they've found one that is pretty darn close. And they're sticking with him, as they should. All the way. Till the end, whatever end that may be.

If you're nervous where they are going to go with their votes, you should be. Perhaps Hillary and the Democratic Establishment will take that into account as they run their race and do whatever is needed to be a nominee, should that come to pass. They really should try to include the Millennials and the Independents and all the Bernie supporters. How? Well, keep borrowing from his playbook, as you have been all along.

It continually mystifies me why veering back to another course that hasn't work yet ( the alleged Republican-lite "center&quot is the favorite move of these Democratic Neo-whatevers, when there is a whole contingent of eager voters just sitting there waiting to be included, as long as you pay homage to their traditional Progressive Democratic values.

In this year, with so many yearning for a change and an anti-Establishment voice, I think it would be fatal.

[MineralMan]

18. Hmm...are you assuming I do not have both of those?

You're very wrong. But, you do as you please. Things will occur, whether you support them or not. And so it goes.

[highprincipleswork]

43. I know that everyone does. Just some don't respect those of others, or try to coerce them.

Things will occur, they won't be mine to control, nor yours either.

We cannot fathom the intentions of Hillary supporters in even supporting her. You guys seem to have a hard time thinking of accepting us in and continuing to assure us that some of our concerns will be taken care of.

The Democratic Party feels like a big fuck you to so many.

[Svafa]

22. +1

[think]

25. I understand your concern. Hopefully if Hillary if the nominee she'll do something that will restore

some confidence from those concerned about what she'd be like as a president.

If Hillary is seriously a progressive she'll make it more than clear what she stands for.

[Karma13612]

88. Then why isn't she showing her progressive

Side right now?

[Warren DeMontague]

27. dude, they're not on DU, waiting to hear your advice.

In case you haven't noticed, this place is almost entirely filled with cranky-ass duffers like you and me.

[GreatGazoo]

28. What Hillary supporters don't get: It isn't about Candidates

It isn't about liking the person or finding them to be "ideal."

It isn't about what color our skin is.

It isn't about which genitals we have or how old we are.

The Clinton obsession with putting us all in categories and demanding that we vote according to the labels you have for us is insulting. It is nakedly "divide and conquer".

No candidate should get a blank check just because they will be the first person to combine any of your beloved labels and the title of President. Do you remember when the leader of Occupy Wall St made that speech and told us all what to think and why we supported them? No, because there was no leader of Occupy Wall Street. Imagine that -- People united around an issue (and it drove the label and celebrity obsessed MSM insane).


What this IS about: Championing some policies and progress that we can get behind. Policies not people.

[HumanityExperiment]

29. 'ideal candidates'...

ideal candidates = upholding principles each voter holds nearest and dearest

So 'It's up to you, of course'

if Bernie is their ideal candidate rather than HRC and they decide to 'wait' then the chance HRC might lose goes up and that's what your OP is alluding to...

Problem with what we have right now, is that HRC is just another corporatist republican light candidate so why would any young liberal /progressive idealist vote for that candidate?

But then your OP is just another of your 'troll light' OPs so for comedy factor you get a star, thx for that...

[MineralMan]

34. So, you think I'm a "troll," eh?

You don't know me, that's clear. But, again, that's OK. You will do as you please. I hope it all turns out OK for you.

[HumanityExperiment]

37. ...

No thought really needed to ascertain that, you're a 'troll light', one doesn't need to 'KNOW' you to read into and understand what you post here so there is that easy differentiation

Have a nice day!

[Hekate]

49. Cute. Newbie of just over a month schools DUer of 8 years. Or have we met before?

Never can tell with some folks.

[HumanityExperiment]

53. ...

Odd, you sound so much like GOP and GOP supporter with that reply... what difference does one's 'tenure' have ANYTHING to do with ability to post and debate on issue?

'School' is pretty easy to do when the level of discourse is what it is coming from many of the HRC supporters here but then I'm just using your 'reply tactic' here so there ya go... there is that

[LP2K12]

57. They, tried. Oh... they tried.

AUTOMATED MESSAGE: Results of your Jury Service

Mail Message
On Mon Apr 25, 2016, 05:36 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

'ideal candidates'...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1831323

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Newbie (or possibly returnee) of less than 8 weeks calling respected DUer of 8 years a troll. Doubles down when politely challenged.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Mon Apr 25, 2016, 05:47 PM, and the Jury voted 1-6 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Excuses, excuses. Sorry no dice.
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Calling another poster a troll needs to be backed up with more than hyperbole and snarky insults.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: What MM is doing is called "concern trolling". Not as bad as regular trolling, but deserving of scorn.
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Explanation: I agree with the alerted on poster's evaluation of the OP.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[HumanityExperiment]

69. Thx for posting this

not too difficult to draw the line to whom might have generated this post review, appreciate you posting this

[BlindTiresias]

32. .

[MineralMan]

35. You've posted that video before as a reply to me.

I confess that it makes no sense to me. What we have here is "failure to communicate."

[Aerows]

50. It makes perfect sense to me.

I guess you are "too experienced" and too into "what you deem reality" for the message to be conveyed to your saintly, superior sage ears.

And yes, I chose those words deliberately .

[BlindTiresias]

64. .

[Ferd Berfel]

41. On the other hand If you vote Status Quo - NOthing will ever change

this is the standard lesser of two evils crap that the DNC puts up every 4 years.

Just hold your nose and vote the the CLC Blue Dog Third Way neo-Dem, juuuust one more time.

and the Corporate shills just keep getting more and more entrenched.

[LAS14]

44. A word from my son, a Sanders supporter.

My son, a Bernie supporter, has a vision of a Sanders caucus in the Democratic side of congress, one he swears would not be obstructionist like the Tea Party*. I, a Hillary supporter who affirms the ideas that Bernie holds out as goals, allowed as how that would be great, but we're missing candidates to vote into congress. To date Bernie has found only 3 to support (well, anyway, to date a few days ago). I agree with the poster that to keep Bernie's ideas alive his supporters need to make sure we get a Democratic president, take back the senate, and lay groundwork to take back the house.

Keeping my fingers crossed.

* He swears they would not be obstructionist because of the kinds of people he's met at Sanders rallies. I told him about the kinds of people that make a yuge racket on DU. I believed Sanders when he said he didn't want the steriotypical Bernie Bro in his campaign. Let's hope my son's experience is closer to the truth than mine.

[Hekate]

46. Oh, there you go with that reality and experience stuff again.

Thanks.

[Sky Masterson]

47. Kids, Eat your Peas.

And do it voluntarily.
I know you hate peas, but go stand in line and fill out this form here declaring your support of peas.
You don't have to. I mean, you should support Peas, but if you don't want to stand in line the law doesn't require you to do it.
Also, If you don't vote for peas then the Carrots win!!!
Do you know how bad Carrots are?
Eat your peas!
Someday a can good will come along again that you like, and then you can get what you want.

[Aerows]

48. Nobody is waiting for you to do anything

so there is that.

[ReallyIAmAnOptimist]

51. As long as voters continue to accept this triangulation it will keep happening.

Not a millennial here, and no longer buying it.

[Lucinda]

55. We live in a representative government society. No one will ever get everything they want.

You want a left moving country, you have to move the right our direction. Everything else is just noise.

[KPN]

52. I agree. Everyone needs to get out and vote ...

but I would modify your statement to replace "the better of the two nominees" with "the best candidate overall based on your interests and values". Your statement is just doing what the parties have done consistently -- holding voters hostage to party interests over voter interests.

Don't you get that this is what this all about? Changing the system. We don't want and cannot afford to wait until 2020 or 2024. It may be too late by then for peaceful political revolution.

[Chan790]

54. It's not about an ideal candidate.

We have no illusions about Sanders or any other progressive being perfect; all imperfect candidates are human beings and human beings are flawed. If you have any doubt about that, drop one from a 5th floor balcony and note how fragile humans really are...or marry one. The lesson learned is the same.

It is however about feeling like we're not listened to when we say "there are many options we will back even if they are imperfect...but this one...this Hillary Clinton...she is thoroughly unacceptable and you will have to forgo our support if you nominate her."

It's not like they weren't told the consequences to our support if they nominated her...they chose to disbelieve and convince themselves that we didn't really mean it; that we'd fall in line. We are not to blame for their grand delusion. It is about worldview ultimately, and we don't share theirs...to us, Clintonism is as absurd as the worldview revealed in one of my favorite poems.

The world is blue as an orange
No error the words do not lie
They no longer allow you to sing
In the tower of kisses agreement
The madness the love
She her mouth of alliance
All the secrets all the smiles
Or what dress of indulgence
To believe in quite naked.
The wasps flourish greenly
Dawn goes by round her neck
A necklace of windows
You are all the solar joys
All the sun of this earth
On the roads of your beauty.
-Paul Eluard

The Clintonite worldview is as blue as an orange and nothing will ever be right again. The coalition is broken because we don't want the same things anymore--if we did, Hillary never would have been a viable candidate at-all. All we do by listening to you is lend credence to their worldview by voting for it. If I was ready to accept that kernel of your opinion were valid (and I don't think it is proven, though it is sensible)...we'd show more by voting en-mass for a non-viable 3rd-party candidate. That changes the narrative...clearly, we're engaged. Clearly we vote. Then the narrative isn't "Millennials don't vote." it's "Millennials won't vote for politicians that espouse the values of older progressives' generation."

But...we're not there yet. Clinton still has room to evolve and show she deserves our support. She certainly hasn't earned it to this point yet.

[Kelvin Mace]

56. Not looking for perfect, will settle for

ethical, honest, and not prone to hanging out with war criminals.

[Autumn]

59. I don't need an ideal candidate and i'm not waiting for one either. I want one that I

can trust and one that I know will have my back when push comes to shove. In this 2016 presidential race there is only one. Bernie Sanders

[Bonobo]

61. Bit of a problem, MM.

You completely contradicted yourself on the issue most essential in your formulation:

1st paragraph:
"your non-participation in the 2016 presidential election will be noticed"

But in the 4th paragraph, you directly contradict that and say that their non-participation will NOT be noticed.

See the problem? So which is it because it can't be both? And depending on your answer, your conclusions must also change or it would seem you are engaging in some rather strenuous mental masturbation.

[Bread and Circus]

62. That's because Mineral Man doesn't know what he's talking about and is making shit up.

Sanctimonious bullshit, no less.

[timmymoff]

63. Here comes the begging from camp weathervane

to accept the shit sandwich which is offered. "Please don't sit out and make us miss our third way coronation, " cry Hillary supporters.

" We know she sucks but she is our brand of suckiness." "Why won't you unite with us, we know we stunk up the party for 30+ years, what's four more? Nothing seems more pitiful than begging people to vote for a corporate shill, or attempting to cast blame on those not interested in this brand of shit sandwich. What happened to the Democratic party?

[JoePhilly]

66. They wanted Warren, she said "No." So they flocked to Bernie ...

... when he said "Ok, I'll run."

That's the reality.

They were absolutely WAITING for the ideal candidate.

The one who would challenge Obama in a primary in 2012.

And they've continued to wait.

They flocked to Warren, and then accepted Bernie.

They won't do the hard work of building a slate of candidates.

Which is what they need to do.

[felix_numinous]

71. People don't want to participate in a rigged system

this fraudulent election has been tampered with, hacked and yet HRC people are expecting citizens to once again ignore this and move on.

It is akin to enabling an abusive relationship by acting as if nothing is wrong, being made to continue the lies and deceit, and just obey, comply with it.

When is it time to fix the election? It's now or never because HRC has already shown an inability to face reality, she is living in a virtual world of her own making.

[PowerToThePeople]

72. I hope they are noticed

Maybe we will start getting worth while candidates again.

[RKP5637]

82. So, let's see, they neither need Bernie supporters nor Independents. That should work well for

Trump. As is often the case, the democratic party is its own worst enemy. Rather than supporting a candidate that could pull the nation together, we go for one that will likely fragment democrats in the GE, and Trump will take it to his full advantage. I changed my registration to Unaffiliated. I just can't stand the DNC/DLC/MIC/DWS/HRC direction.

[jfern]

74. No one is waiting for the perfect. Hillary is about the furthest thing from an ideal candidate.

[dchill]

76. Very officious, authoritarian and condescending!

I'm a 64-year-old millennial who has always seen those "qualities" in your candidate, too.

Our candidate is already ideal, thank you.

[MrMickeysMom]

77. And now, I'll weigh in, because unlike your experience, I've had plenty of help with that generation

THEY are the ones who are canvassing with me (the boomer) and THEY are not sitting on their hands.

There... and I didn't have to go on and on to make my point, either.

[Fresh_Start]

78. I'd make one qualification to your OP

the PTB are so use to young voters not showing up for non-Presidential elections that voting in 2016 will not be enough for them to get the full benefits of their size, energy and commitment.
They really need to vote in 2016,2018,2020 and even the annual local elections.

Show them you won't stand for being ignored or discounted

Only your vote can help you win.
And please, I want you to win.

I want this country and this world to be so much better than it is today.
So don't be a slack-ard
Stand up, vote, be counted and change the damn country already.
We all want a better country.

[Bonobo]

79. You tend to confuse "getting noticed" with "being taken for granted".

Again, reread your 1st and 4th paragraph and you will see that you completely contradict yourself.

You say:

"Millennials: If you wait for the ideal candidate, your non-participation in the 2016 presidential election will be noticed."

But then:

"If millennials show up in November, they will be noticed and attention will be paid to them."

But you really make me laugh when you say:

They ignore non-voters, because non-voters don't vote. There's no protest registered by not voting. There's only a low number of voters in a demographic that does not turn out and vote for the better of two candidates for every office.

Why does it make me laugh? Well because in your earlier sentence, you say: "A huge amount of research and planning is based on voter turnout statistics from the two most recent elections." That is quite right. There is. And anyone who has ever done any marketing or even some fair and honest thinking will understand that corporations with entrenched and dependable market bases ALWAYS go after the new markets. It is the only way to actually increase your share of the market pie. So not only do I think you are wrong, I think you are very wrong. Rather than your vote being listened to, it is likely to be the first one to be ignored if you show yourself to be such a steady customer that there is no risk that you will change brands.

It's actually a very amusing OP!

[JonLeibowitz]

87. Not to mention, that non-participation is presumed to be not voting for (D)/(R)

I'm a millenial, and I would never not vote.

[VulgarPoet]

94. You have no idea how many times I've seen

"Voting for the Green party is the same as not voting" or y'know, the relentless screams of "NADER! NAAAAAADER!"

[Scootaloo]

80. Thank you for your condescending attempt at intimidation

[kaleckim]

89. Sorry

but give millennials an actual reason to freaking vote, and stop haranguing the actual victims of the policies that Clinton and her husband have supported for not wanting to vote against their own interests. They have over a trillion in student loan debt, the trade policies Clinton has supported has resulted in far fewer jobs that pay well and mass deindustrialization, they will be getting a trillion dollar infrastructure bill in the coming decades (their parents watched infrastructure crumble and did nothing), we are marching towards ecological collapse, your candidate is neck deep in Wall Street and corporate cash (largest donors over her career are banks, she has been meeting with corporate interests left and right since she entered the race).

Your generation inherited a country that was in far better shape economically, socially, politically and environmentally. You inherited a decent infrastructure, and refused to upkeep it. The result is a trillion dollars, at least, you are passing on to future generations. How do you make up for that, cause you owe us a damn answer? Then there is the trade model which has led to deindustrialization and decades stagnating wages. What's the plan, what are you going to do about NAFTA like deals and the WTO? Seems like the Democratic president is pushing for the TPP and TISA, and has backed three disastrous trade deals as well (look at the trade balance with S. Korea, what people now know about Panama and the fact that more union organizers die in Colombia than the rest of the world combined). You are doing and offering nothing substantive about global warming, which is irresponsible in the extreme. Cutting back investments in public education (up to the university level), abandoning inner city poor communities and gutting programs that the poor depended on. The Clintons were instrumental in those changes. Health care costs are still unsustainable, even with the ACA. While the ACA improves the system at bit, health care costs still outpace wage growth for most people since the ACA passed. What is the plan there? Everything has gotten worse under your generation's watch. Maybe you should write a post about what your candidate will do FOR millennials, cause as it stands now, millennials have to clean up the mess YOU created and only Sanders is offering real solutions. At the very least, you can stop your lectures and get out the way. The days are gone where the Democrats can take the left's vote for granted, so deal with it. This is the case because of the actual impact of the policies the Democrats have supported, not because of Das Capital. I think the Clinton crowd really doesn't fully appreciate how radically the country has changed and I am sick to the death of this entitled attitude. I hope you realize that it is radicalizing people, since the establishment is basically saying, take it or leave it. You forgot that your policies have to be equitable enough that people want to maintain the system, and they haven't been. If you can't change that, buckle up.

[agracie]

92. We *have* the ideal candidate. No need to wait anymore.

[Lucinda]

93. Yes! And she will be the next POTUS!

[kaleckim]

99. LOL!

Ideal? Do you work on Wall Street, or profit off of war? If so, yeah, she is ideal. You're about to party like it's 1999.