Out with the old? Young Democrats are trying to convince voters to send a new generation to Congress

[Jilly_in_VA]

Mai Vang wouldn’t be born for another seven years when Bob Matsui was first elected to Congress from California in 1978. By the time Matsui died in 2005 and was replaced by his widow, Doris Matsui, Vang was still studying biology and sociology in college.

Now a member of the Sacramento City Council, Vang, 40, is mounting the first serious challenge that 81-year-old Matsui has faced since she began representing the area two decades ago. Vang is among a nationwide cadre of young Democrats who are trying to oust some of their party’s most stalwart figures in Washington, channeling angst that an aging generation of lawmakers is unable or unwilling to mount a bare-knuckles opposition to President Donald Trump.

“I’m not waiting for permission,” Vang said. “Because our communities are under attack, and we need leaders in this moment that understand the day-to-day struggles of our working families, and I believe that I could be the leader in this moment.”
(snip)

“No more wash, rinse and repeat,” said Abbie Morrissey, who works at the University of California, Davis, and attended Vang’s event. “We need to find young, engaged, energetic people that understand their young, engaged and energetic populations.”

https://apnews.com/article/young-democrats-incumbents-veterans-election-midterms-9d56be522bea570f586037a6895ff82a

I'm 82 and I tend to agree. What we lose in seniority we make up in vitality. We need more representatives with the vigor of AOC.

[gab13by13]

1. Age has nothing to do with it,

Bernie Sanders is still fighting hard.

We need fighters, no matter the age.

[RockCreek]

3. There need to be exceptions, as you say

I miss Pelosi as Speaker

[BidenRocks]

26. Few exceptions, but some.

If you were born with a rotary phone in your house, you may need to consider retiring.

Like me, you can utilize tech but only 5%. These days that doesn't cut it.
Even the language has advanced where older people are being translated to, not spoken to on the same level.

We need a few Yodas to direct the newly elected officials.

A new Camelot would be appropriate.

Historical restoration.

[Cirsium]

34. Why?

If you were born with a rotary phone in your house, you may need to consider retiring?

Nonsense. I am starting some major projects.

Utilize tech??

People aren't using, tech is using them. Most of it is smoke and mirrors, cons and hustles. Young people may not have the needed perspective on that.

When I was young I learned a lot from the generation born around 1900. That was irreplaceable.

[synni]

37. I hope you realize that rotary phones were still in use in the 1970s

People born in the 1970s are not old by any stretch of the imagination.

[RockCreek]

38. Born long before rotary phones were retired, yet I still have many years before I reach retirement age.

[DFW]

62. I was born in 1952, and still have years to go before I reach retirement age.

There will always be time to die of boredom. I'm not there yet.

[RockCreek]

64. So true, DFW!

[mr715]

80. Pelosi had generational talent as a legislative leader.

She knew how to pass legislation and she knew how to whip votes. She ran the show with an assassin's instinct.

She also was able to serve as a heat sink for all the hate the GOP projected. She just took it, got shit done, came out looking more poised and powerful.

I don't blame her for stepping aside, given how much she loathes Trump. She is over it, and she is entitled to her retirement. She is one of our greats.

[RetiredParatrooper]

29. Many of the older folks aren't meeting the moment

And that's a fact. Evolve or step aside.

THREE House Dems have died since Trump was sworn in.

[quakerboy]

39. a few questions and answers

What is the average age of adult americans? (google says 39)
What is the average age of members of congress? (google says 58.4)
What is the average age of US senators? (google says 64.7)

Who is experiencing discriminatory ageism in federal elections? Which age cohorts are under-represented, demographically?

[Cirsium]

36. LOLOLOLOLOLOL

Come on. Enough with this crap. People of all ages are meeting the moment. I guess you haven't noticed all of the gray hairs out there on the streets, or in the meetings, or volunteering. People of all ages are also failing the moment. I guess you haven't noticed all of the young MAGA cultists.

I am old enough to have argued with idiots back in the 60s who said "don't trust anyone over 30." They were wrong then, and people who express variations of that idea today are wrong, too.

[RetiredParatrooper]

66. I cannot agree

They are NOT meeting the moment. They haven't opposed a damn thing.

Schumer? Are you effing KIDDING me?

THREE Dems gone.

[Cirsium]

68. Oh, I see

A particular person from a particular age group is a disappointment, so therefore all people from that age group should be sent out to pasture.

Did I mention anything about Schumer? No.

[RetiredParatrooper]

69. Stick your head in the sand if you must

What have they opposed?

Schumer is the GD leader of the Senate Dems. Jeffries, the HML, is milquetoast. They have been a spectacular failures. Lead, follow, or GTF out of the way.

[Cirsium]

71. Right

Great rebuttal. There is only one problem - I said nothing about Schumer nor Jeffries.

The most conservative members of the House and their ages:

Rep. Josh Gottheimer 51
Rep. Henry Cuellar 71
Jared Golden 44
Abigail Spanberger 47
Elissa Slotkin 50
Stephanie Murphy 48
Dean Phillips 57
Tom O’Halleran 80
Cynthia Axne 61
Susie Lee 60

The least conservative members of the House and their ages:

Eleanor Holmes Norton 89
Barbara Lee 80
Mondaire Jones 39
Janice Schakowsky 81
Jesús García 72
Earl Blumenauer 78
Adriano Espaillat 72
Pramila Jayapal 61
Bonnie Watson Coleman 81
Raúl Grijalva 78

See any patterns there? (Pro tip - it is not about age.)

(I don't know when their birthdays are, so I rounded the ages up to what they will be this year).

[RetiredParatrooper]

72. And again, stick your head in the sand if you must...

The actuarial tables are undefeated.

[Cirsium]

74. Indeed

People get old and they die. Brilliant insight there.

[RetiredParatrooper]

75. So you agree that new blood is needed

Progress!

[Cirsium]

77. whatever

I don't think you are being serious.

[RetiredParatrooper]

78. I am quite serious

I assure you.

The current crop of Dem leadership has not met the moment, and there is little reason at this point the think that they have the capability (or spine) to do so. The game is different now, and this has been building for decades. We are witnessing the culmination of a 50+ year plan by the Fascists, and it isn't like that anyone paying attention couldn't see this coming.

[Cirsium]

79. I agree

I agree with you 100% about the leadership. But you said it was about age. I pointed out that it is not about age.

I agree that we are witnessing the culmination of a 50+ year plan by the Fascists and that anyone paying attention could see this coming.

[leftstreet]

2. DURec

[Ping Tung]

4. I'll be 82 in March and I agree with John Steinbeck.

"Young wolves. show us your teeth." John Steinbeck

[QueerDuck]

5. Yea! Institutional knowledge and experience... what an outdated concept! Who needs it!? Eh? 😂🤣🙄

Let's put up a JV team up against the pros... because... reasons!

[sboatcar]

7. Have you seen how ineffective the status quo in congress has been?

Its not the youngsters doing it.

[QueerDuck]

8. Oh no... the minority party that's not in power, has no power. Wow. Go figure.

🥱

[sboatcar]

11. How many times have democrats caved to republicans?

I'm sorry, but any time the status quo democrats give them an inch, they take a mile. That's also not a courtesy that would be returned to us. We need a new playbook.

[QueerDuck]

13. Because Democrats being in the minority and not having enough votes to defeat the majority is "caving". Ridiculous!

And you are aware, I'm sure, that not every Democrat hails from a bright red state or district... many Democrats are in swing districts and swing-states and in order to be elected in the first place will depart from Vermont-style politics and rhetoric and voting... lest the entire state or district swing toward an ACTUAL Republican, thus giving YET ANOTHER seat to the party that's ALREADY IN CHARGE OF EVERYTHING ANYWAY. But it's more fun to attack Democrats than to admit the reality of how politics work and than it is to do the hard math.

[sboatcar]

14. So you are happy with the last shutdown ending and democrats caving to remove ACA subsidies?

I guess where I would choose to draw the line of compromise differs from where you would.

[QueerDuck]

16. So, because I understanding math and reality that means that I'm "happy" with how politics work? Again, ridiculous.

I guess I would choose to put the blame where it belongs: on the Republicans. I guess I would choose to attack the GOP instead of making unrealistic and mathematically impossible demands on the Democrats. I would choose to weaken and replace Republicans rather than trying to punish swing state Democrats. I would choose to "draw the line" there rather than trying to perpetuate a myth of feeble Democrats who are "too old" to do their jobs.

PS: The ACA subsidies were never in the hands of Democrats... this was lost from the beginning. We never had the votes. BLAME THE GOP for that.

[sboatcar]

18. Okay, you're right

Thank you for talking some sense into me. Seriously.

[Cha]

53. IKR? Ridiculous to blame Qualified,

Experienced Reps on not getting anything done when they are in the minority, and Fighting like Hell Anyway.. Against a bunch of Fucking Zombie Nazis.

Just because they are OLDER They don't fit in with the AGE Requirements.

[Phoenix61]

9. That institutional knowledge seems incapable of

change. Schumer and his “strongly worded” letters are of a past era. It looks wimpy and nobody wants a wimpy leader.

[QueerDuck]

12. Oh dear... the minority party is not in control and the majority party is.

He knows what he's doing. He's not there to entertain people with silly temper tantrums on camera. We have enough finger waggers and fist-shakers already. Let's leave those performative gimmicks and virtue signaling to the TV pundits, editorialists, youtubers and other assorted amateur online posters.

Nothing he does or says pleases his critics anyway. His press conferences are ignored or criticized as being "not enough" ... his press releases are ridiculed as "strongly worded letters". There will always be, I suppose, a certain segment who believe that if he just closes is eyes tightly enough and claps his hands loudly and furiously enough... then all our wishes will come true. And in the meantime, they blame his age for nothing that's actually age-related. Please.

[Phoenix61]

22. I'm not sure he understands how very different this

administration is from any other. It’s not his age that bothers me. Bernie is 84 years old and he seems to get it so it’s not an age thing. People want a strong leader when they are afraid. They want to know someone has their back. I appreciate him as Senator for his wisdom but not as the minority leader. He seems unwilling to embrace the reality of social media. He’s not present there at all and that is a HUGE mistake. That’s where the majority of young people get their info not MSM.

[MorbidButterflyTat]

46. "He seems unwilling to embrace the reality of social media.

He’s not present there at all..."

Really? Didn't look very hard.

https://x.com/SenSchumer

https://bsky.app/profile/schumer.senate.gov

https://www.instagram.com/senschumer/

Probably that's not enough, or something.

[leftstreet]

23. The minority party HAS been in control

You're overlooking the bulk of the elected Dems have been in their offices for decades! They've shifted from majority to minority since Columbus sailed the seas.

The desire for "younger" "fresher" "new" reps might have something to do with a new understanding of breaking the status quo

[Attilatheblond]

81. Conversely, in the House, the institutional knowledge and mentoring from Pelosi, Hoyer, and other old libs

took the raw talent of 'the squad' that was being written off as too this and too that to be taken seriously, and honed it to the sharp sword those young women are now. They had great ideas, yes Enthusiasm? In abundance! And that intelligence and energy is needed. But like good steel, they needed to be wisely tempered, crafted a bit so they could best wield their strength and skill. And look at them now! They are a force that is being taken seriously, because they are serious, strong, determined, and well taught rather than forced into a mold that no longer serves.

And really look at Jamie Raskin when he stands next to Jasmine Crockett as she speaks with knowledge, passion, conviction and common sense and solid steel in her spine. Really look at his face at such times. He knows he is not young, but still has some time. But he knows with more young people like Crockett going into public service, the country will likely weather many, many storms. He has institutional knowledge few can match and he knows there are good hands coming into their power, yet he is ever the teacher. That matters.

Institutional knowledge matters. Staying current and seeing how things change matters and seeing how to best address change matters. Age? Not so much, so long as those other facets and talents are present.

[dutch777]

10. Bring in the new and the young but let's access the wisdom of Pelosi et. al. on how to get things done.

Sooner or later, there will be generational change, but to the point that experience in the nuances of how the House and Senate and government in general really operate has value, let's not lose that hard earned knowledge. Losing in straight up votes is one thing, losing only because we got out maneuvered in the labyrinth of complex House/Senate and other procedural rules would be tragic. We need to be using those to our advantage and getting things done from the midterms until the 2028 general election to prove Dems can lead AND get things done for the people. Yes, Trump can veto and otherwise delay but if folks see we Dems are working for the greater good, it improves the Dem candidates' chances in 2028.

[hamsterjill]

6. I'm older than dirt and I'm all for younger ones taking over.

It's hard for me to get past the "eyebrows" and the "nails" and even the "colored hair" on some. But that's MY problem as an old geezer.

We need some new blood because the status quo is not cutting it any more.

[Bettie]

15. Every generation has their self-expression

my big (often streaked with pink) hair in the 80's and the clothing/makeup I wore was horrifying to the "elders"....I managed to survive and now, I'm an old lady with sometimes purple hair (mostly because the gray is depressing to me).

I will admit to flinching at some of the piercings, because I imagine they would be painful and they are not my aesthetic, but the kids are generally good humans who want a better world for everyone.

I am amazed at my kids and their friends and how they don't care about skin color or if where people are on the sexuality/gender spectrum....most of them (ok, the non-MAGAt ones) are a lot better than us older folks at just accepting people for who and where they are.

[twodogsbarking]

31. Be yourself but never stop finding yourself either. "Normal" is overrated. Be kind.

[H2O Man]

17. Recommended.

There are obvious exceptions, such as Bernie. But there are also sticks in the mud that connect to the ball & chain that prevents progress.

[Torchlight]

19. May the best candidate secure victory in each race is my hope

regardless of age-bait, bumper stickers, and other stage-props.

[Cha]

54. Thank You, Torchlight.. Well Said!

[mike_c]

21. more-or-less agree, but...

...I just want representation that energetically and enthusiastically reflects my liberal ideals and values. I don't care how young or old leadership is as long as it's vigorous and progressive. I'd also like a vigorous LOYAL OPPOSITION that represents other Americans' values whether I agree with them or not. A country as diverse as the U.S. needs policies born from negotiation and consensus, not partisan stonewalling.

[oldinmtdem92]

24. 70

and couldn't agree more may be old but i can still vote ,we need all the young voters and candidates, most repukes around here run unopposed

[NNadir]

25. I'm an old fart myself. I believe the US Constitution is dying of old age...

...an that after the current disaster reaches its rapidly approaching tragic apotheosis our country will collapse. If from the ashes a 2nd Republic rises, I would recommend that its Constitution preclude service over the age of seventy in high office, much as the current Constitution precludes people under certain ages.

[bigtree]

27. how about we just concentrate on getting a majority

...and getting these folks to commit to voting for the Democrats that primary voters nominate?

Othewise they're not only wasting my time, but still playing Trump enabling games like the 'too old' and 'Gaza' disruptors did the last time around.

Not ONE goddamn word in this article, or any of the other ones that claim to have the Democrat party's interests at heart' nothing about a Democratic majority in these articles, and I'm long past the point where I beleve this isn't a deliberate distration from that necessary goal by many of these people writing this drivel - Just to keep us divided and arguing in the minority.

looking at you, SUSAN HAIGH Statehouse reporter for the Associated Press.

What did these same people do to elect Kamala Harris after they stood by and watched (and cheered or helped?) as the media drummed the incumbent president out of the race?

[llmart]

32. Yep. The media drummed the incumbent president out of the race.

He had done a damned good job fixing the mess that was left him and the media's ageism drummed him out of office. However, 77 million voters voted for a guy who is just as old and more demented than Biden ever was. So, age apparently wasn't the issue at all.

I think we need both - older more experienced people acting as mentors to the younger ones.

[Pris]

33. This is simply ageism

Ageism is prejudice.
It adversely affects people's health and hurts our independence. It hurts our economy.

Turn the words around:
From this: "We need to find young, engaged, energetic people that understand their young, engaged and energetic populations.”

To this: "We need to find engaged, energetic men that understand their engaged and energetic male populations.”

Or this: "We need to find engaged, energetic Christian people that understand their engaged and energetic Christian populations.”

Bias is bias. It destroys.

Title of this post:
Out With The Old

Why not:
Out with the Women

[Pris]

40. Nancy Pelosi

If we applied this prior to 2016 Nancy Pelosi would not have been in Congress to lead us through those four years.

If we applied this to Bernie Sanders he would have been removed ages ago.

Both of these people have a right to run.

[MagickMuffin]

35. I think the older members should see the potential and mentor them

I think this would work on so many levels. But holding on to power without engaging the up and engaged younger members of the party, they better pay attention and welcome their enthusiasm before they get disinterested.

I embrace the younger generation wanting to be engaged in the process. Ignoring them is not the best strategy.

[betsuni]

45. While Kamala Harris was VP she had a Stars Program to mentor young politicians like Jasmine Crockett.

Why would anyone assume Democrats don't mentor or encourage young people? Who is "ignoring"?

[JI7]

47. And Jasmine Crockett is actually running for Senate

but then doesn't get much support for it . She is a fighter and we were told the problem was lack of fight but there is no question she is one of the top ones so now where is the support.

I am not one of those that have been claiming the above . And I know why she doesn't have a good chance at winning in Texas but I don't claim it's because Democrats don't fight . I know the real reason and why Newsom can get support but not Jasmine Crockett .

[betsuni]

49. I thought it was my imagination that Crockett seemed to get a lot of attention before running but not after.

Guess not.

[Jilly_in_VA]

52. Well, she's in Texass, so...

[MagickMuffin]

60. Eddie Bernice Johnson encouraged Jasmine Crocket to run for Johnson's seat

And ran she did, and it has made a very big difference.

[Warpy]

41. Good, it's about time. Gerontocracy is not a good idea, old fossils refusing to let go of power

although I know some of them will turn out to be turncoat Blue Dogs under a different name.

Nobody is indispensable and every generation has to pass the torch to the next, whether or not they like it. What we old fossils are good for are our memories of somewhat better times and how they were achieved and what needs to be done to bring the best parts back while dumping the worst parts.

We also realize the myth of Utopia is just as pernicious as the myth of race, both poisonous although the flavors are different. There will be cold water thrown on some of the more grandiose schemes, but that's all part of growing up/growing old. We certainly hadto cope with it when we were young and thought all things were possible.

So best of luck, Zoomers, you'll need it for a whiile, you're the most fucked over generation to arrive in nearly 200 years. Most of them ended up doing well, but they had to go through a Great Depression and world war to get there. I hope your road is a lot easier than theirs was.

Posted with hope for a better future.

[Conjuay]

42. should have been done LONG ago.

Too old, too complacent.

We need FIRE, not raked over embers. And don't start the "What about Bernie?"
shit...

[betsuni]

43. "leaders ... that understand .. working families." Ah, old Democrats are wealthy upper class elite status quo

establishment with no idea about economic inequality who won't punch Trump in the face or something (both sides, nudge nudge wink wink) because all they think about is money and caviar. And they're ugly too.



That positive progressive message should really inspire!

[DFW]

63. Exactly

(I claim a partial pass, since I can't stand the taste of caviar)

[MorbidButterflyTat]

44. "We need to find young, engaged, energetic people

that understand their young, engaged and energetic populations.”

Means nothing without experience and knowledge of how government works, and how to work it.

"Democrats caving," proves some people do NOT know even the basic workings of government.

"Strongly worded letter," proves some people have no imagination or originality.

I prefer Democrats who know what they're doing.

[betsuni]

48. But sometimes a strongly worded letter/statement or fighting spirit press conference not covered by media

or failed amendment because minority, duh, and not enough votes, or not understanding that "identity politics" are economic issues -- well my goodness, THAT'S DIFFERENT.

[multigraincracker]

51. Where are you on the age curve?

Of course it is all gray and not black and white. May be fewer your age or more your age on the graph, but still there are smart folks at every age. Look at a graph, just because more criminals are at one age, not all are

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=age+of+criminal+on+a+graph.+image&t=osx&ia=images&iax=images&iai=https%3A%2F%2F

[Samael13]

55. I can definitely understand the angst

These people have been in office for decades and in that time under their governance things have gotten worse for younger people and it does beg the question why continue what has failed the people. This has been building long before trump its why theres a massive amount of support for term limiting congress.

[MineralMan]

56. Run the young candidate in the Primary

If he or she wins, Democrats will vote for the Democrat. If the incumbent wins the primary, all Democrats will and should vote for the Democrat.

If some Democrats don't do that, the Republican will win.

Simple, isn't it?

That's how it works.

[MineralMan]

59. Never seems to work that way...

[surrealAmerican]

58. It would be nice if our elected representatives reflected all the various demographics.

Right now older generations are overrepresented, so, yes, this is needed.

[bob4460]

61. The old ,ineffective leadership needs to go!

WE NEED NEW LEADERSHIP!!!!!

[Skittles]

65. I AGREE WITH THEM

I am SICK of the same faces for decades - PASS THE FUCKING BATON ALREADY

[OldBaldy1701E]

67. But, we won't even think about trying to discuss the concept of term limits.

Yet, we will sit here and complain about the 'stalwart' old guard all day long.

Maybe it is time to think about discussing it??

Maybe?

Too soon, I guess.

[Intractable]

70. I'm willing to negotiate. We keep Sanders and Warren, the rest are more expendable.

Start with Schumer.

[Autumn]

73. I agree. We need new blood and young people have more skin in the game. Older politicians not as much.

[OC375]

76. Gen X wouldn't mind some time behind the wheel either

46-61