MSNBC's Stephanie Ruhle recently engaged with students at Rutgers University, including Freyja Quinn from the Bloustein School of Public Policy, to discuss the upcoming 2024 presidential election. The discussion focused on what issues are influencing young voters and what questions they have for the candidates.
A recent poll indicates a close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, with Harris slightly leading among younger voters. Many of these young individuals are first-time voters who express both excitement and nervousness due to the current political climate. Key issues driving their votes include LGBTQ rights, healthcare, immigration, and economic concerns. However, students feel that there is a lack of direct engagement from the campaigns regarding policy positions.
Political discussions on campuses like Rutgers can be challenging due to fears of social backlash, particularly for Trump supporters in a largely progressive setting. Social media significantly influences political views but also raises concerns about creating ideological echo chambers. While acknowledging Harris's strong social media presence, students believe both campaigns could improve communication about policy goals directly to young voters, especially in non-battleground states. They feel that personality politics often overshadow substantive policy discussions.
Freyja Quinn commented on the election atmosphere by stating, “There’s just something about the aura of the presidential election that is heightened in ways we do not fully get to understand until we are able to cast our ballot.”
