Critique of Democrats: A Student’s Perspective

A student from Wesleyan University, Ethan Norton, recently shared his thoughts in a Washington Post op-ed about how Democrats are failing to connect with young voters.

Norton argues that the problem isn’t just about the political landscape; it’s also about communication. “Democrats talk endlessly about courting young voters, but they’re losing my generation because they’re completely missing the point,” he wrote, pointing to the backlash within the party following the former Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign difficulties.

He emphasizes that merely shouting terms like “constitutional crisis” won’t win votes. Likes on social media aren’t enough to engage young people, he believes.

Norton, a fourth-year media and film student, notes that his peers often scroll past unexciting Democratic content only to find more engaging conservative messages. “It’s like looking at your dinner companion’s unhealthy meal. You know it’s not good for you, but it looks way tastier than what’s on your plate,” he commented.

Specifically, he criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer’s website, describing it as outdated—”frozen in the 1980s.” He mentioned the redundant messages and a format that fails to capture attention. “Mr. Schumer’s approach is dead on arrival,” he remarked, noting that poor initial engagement can lead to audience drop-off.

One headline on Schumer’s site struck Norton as particularly ineffective: an all-caps warning about President Trump’s policies. “It’s bureaucratic and lethargic,” he suggested, advocating for a more dynamic, visually engaging approach that tells compelling human stories.

Norton pointed out that Schumer has been ridiculed by some over recent years for his attempts to challenge Trump. In contrast, he noted Democrats like New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who have embraced more effective online engagement.

He also took issue with Kamala Harris for missing an opportunity to appear on Joe Rogan’s podcast during her campaign, describing such platforms as ripe for creating shareable and engaging content. Norton claims that while Republicans may not have ideological dominance over young voters, they are certainly tapping into their interests.