Donald Trump and the Millennial Vote

Originally written for and posted on Political Storm, June 9, 2016

A year ago, the American public harbored concerns of a dynasty election between Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. A year later, the thought of a dynasty match up is far gone as American voters find themselves saddled with choosing between presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton and Republican nominee Donald Trump. For Millennials, the choice between Trump or Clinton has become an existential issue.

It is no surprise that 2016 is a do or die year for Republicans. The GOP is in dire need to win the presidency this year; otherwise will mean the cementing of Obamacare and the solidification of the current administration’s failed policies both at home and abroad.

Coming off a resounding victory in 2014, Republicans seemed poised to maintain the momentum and ride it all the way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, and the Millennial vote was ready to help. That is, until Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee. Trump’s brash tone and rhetoric resonate well with the middle class, but has fallen upon deaf ears among Millennial voters.

Born between 1982 and 2000, Millennials are one of the most freedom-loving generations and are the largest voting bloc in the country.  In other words, the Millennial vote has the potential to decide who’s hired and who’s fired on November 8, 2016.

Since Donald Trump became the presumptive nominee, Republicans have watched as fellow Young GOP members in high ranking positions stand down and publicly submit resignation letters that read more like an obituary on the values of the Republican Party.

The truth is, the GOP is being pulled in multiple directions like never before. With party members and officials disenfranchised by Trump being the nominee, it has become clear the Republican party is undergoing a season of change and the timing could not have been worse. With America’s future at stake and the Millennial vote being the GOP’s golden ticket, the Republican party has an uphill battle with a chosen candidate who lacks the luster to entice the Millennials to show up and vote Republican on Election day.
The question lingers as to where the Millennial vote will go. Looking on the left side of the aisle, Clinton has her own issues with the youth vote. While 2016 may not have been the year of a dynasty race, it can still be the year of Jeb Bush as disenfranchised Millennial voters and other Republicans follow the former Florida Governor’s pledge to focus on helping down ballot races instead of campaigning for a candidate who is anything but conservative in their eyes.

There is no question the 2016 race for the White House will go down in history as one of the most bizarre presidential elections in modern time, and will leave a lasting impression on the Republican party, win, lose, or draw.