Quick Hit:

A recent Harvard IOP poll indicates a significant narrowing of President Biden's lead among young voters, with only an 8-point lead over Trump, down from 23 points in 2020, amidst controversial policies aimed at courting this demographic.

Key Details:

• Biden’s lead over Trump among 18-29-year-olds has plummeted from 23 points in spring 2020 to just 8 points in spring 2024.
• In an apparent bid to regain favor, Biden proposes canceling student loan debt in contrast to his unpopular stance on banning TikTok, a platform beloved by the youth.
• These moves suggest a strategy to buy youth support as the November election approaches, raising questions about the sincerity and effectiveness of such policies.

Diving Deeper:

As the 2024 presidential election approaches, President Joe Biden faces dwindling support from a key demographic: young voters. A recent poll from Harvard's Institute of Politics shows a dramatic decrease in Biden’s popularity among Americans aged 18-29, with his lead over former President Donald Trump narrowing significantly since the last election cycle. In spring 2020, Biden held a commanding 23-point lead over Trump in this group; now, that margin has shrunk to just 8 points.

This decline comes amid Biden's mixed policy signals that seem designed to appeal to young voters but may also alienate them. On one hand, Biden has pushed for the cancellation of student loan debt, a popular proposal among younger demographics who are disproportionately burdened by student loans. This move is an attempt to shore up support among young adults disillusioned with the economic status quo and worried about their financial futures. Congressman Kevin Hern stated, "Biden's debt transfer scheme puts the burden on taxpayers, forcing the 87% without loans to foot the bill for the 13% who do. Saddling the hardworking taxpayers of America with such a debt transfer will only make life more unaffordable. He’s buying votes during an election year." 

On the other hand, Biden's stance on banning TikTok strikes a discordant note with many in this tech-savvy, digitally connected age group. TikTok, a platform at the center of the social lives of many young Americans, is viewed favorably by the youth, making Biden's aggressive stance against it particularly contentious. Critics argue that this could be seen as out of touch with the values and daily habits of younger voters, potentially costing him support where he most seeks to gain it.

Biden's tactics appear to be a last-ditch effort to buy back the support of young voters with policy swings that range from debt cancellation to social media bans. As the November election approaches, this desperate strategy to recapture the youth vote will be critically tested, potentially influencing the outcome in a highly competitive race. This maneuver, aimed at securing a faltering demographic, highlights a calculated attempt to leverage policy for electoral gain in the face of dwindling support.