Is Biden doing enough to win over Gen Z?
Also: Miami's Spring Break crackdown, cancer-causing chemicals in acne creams, and Renee Rapp opens up
Is Biden doing enough to win over Gen Z?
President Joe Biden delivered his final State of the Union address before the 2024 election, making the case on why, at 81-years-old, he should serve four more years as President.
Biden seems to realize the importance of reaching out to younger voters - his campaign joined TikTok last month, and he welcomed social media influencers to the White House for a special briefing before the speech. His administration also hosted a recent Youth Policy Summit at the White House.
It was the first State of the Union where a President seemed to promote marijuana reform, an issue popular among younger voters, by saying that “no one should be jailed for using or possessing marijuana.”
But did he do enough? If you ask young voters, the answer is mixed.
A CNN flash poll found that while 65% of respondents had a positive reaction to Biden’s speech - if you dig deeper, the results show that young people were less enthused than older Americans. Among voters under 45 years old, only 24% had a very positive reaction, while 40% had a somewhat positive reaction. The results are flipped for voters over 45. 40% had a very positive reaction, while 25% had a somewhat positive reaction.
A Teen Vogue op-ed makes the case that President Joe Biden’s state of the Union address didn’t focus enough on the needs and lives of young voters, who he needs to support him in order to be re-elected. These issues include voting rights, climate change, affordable housing, immigration, LGBTQ rights, criminalization of poverty, expanding abortion access, breaking down systemic barriers preventing people of color from accessing health care.
But Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez, president of Next Gen America, a political organization seeking to empower young voters to engage in the political process, said that Biden’s State of the Union address “resonated deeply with the concerns and aspirations of our generation.”
“President Biden made clear in his speech that he is listening to America’s young people and that he is willing to work with us on the issues that matter most to us. From protecting abortion access and care to building a better economy that works for all of us, we commend the President for addressing these issues and fighting for our priorities,” Ramirez wrote in a statement, adding that her organization is committed to holding the Biden administration to their promises made tonight, as well as pushing for more.”
Do you think President Biden is doing an effective job addressing the concerns of young voters? Let us know in the comments.
Miami breaks up with Spring Break
Miami, the once-beloved haven for spring breakers seeking sun, sand, and a bit of wild fun, has officially "broken up" with its annual visitors. In a move reminiscent of a relationship gone sour, the city has implemented a slew of new rules aimed at curbing the chaos that has come to define the month of March in the city.
Gone are the days when spring break in Miami meant uninhibited partying from dusk till dawn. In their place, a new era of strict curfews, security searches, and bag checks at beach access points has emerged. The city's website details these measures, painting a picture of a Miami Beach that prioritizes safety and order over spontaneous beach parties. Visitors can also expect DUI checkpoints and road closures, a clear signal that the city is serious about cracking down on drug possession and violence.
Read more on Zivvy and watch our video
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Read more about this in The Diamondback
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Is Biden doing enough to win over Gen Z? Absolutely not. As the current president, why hasn't he already started to address the issues that Gen Z wants? If he hasn't yet, but campaigned on it last election, why would he next term? There are obviously reasons why he hasn't addressed these issues yet.