influencers and politics

One example is Kamala Harris’s campaign. Harris went on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast to speak directly to young women.

During the episode, she talked about issues that matter to this group, like:

  • Sexual abuse
  • Student debt
  • Reproductive rights
  • Family expenses

Harris tried to come across as honest and caring in her approach. This was different from the usual political messages people hear.

The campaign has also been active on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), the Kamala HQ account changed its look to match a popular album cover. They’ve used memes and references that young people understand.

On TikTok, the campaign posts videos that follow current trends. They even make memes about their opponents’ speeches and rallies. This casual style aims to connect with Gen Z viewers.

These new tactics have both good and bad points:

Pros:

  • Reach more young people
  • Make politics seem more relatable
  • Discuss issues that matter to younger voters

Cons:

  • Turn politicians into social media stars
  • Make voting feel like a trend
  • Possibly lower the seriousness of political issues

Some worry that these methods make politics too much like entertainment. They fear young people might vote based on which politician is the most fun or trendy, rather than looking at real issues.

There’s also concern that young people shouldn’t need celebrities or free stuff to care about politics. Ideally, they would be interested in what’s happening in the world without these extras.

At the same time, politicians face a challenge. They need to find ways to connect with young voters who might not pay attention to traditional political messages. The question is whether becoming more like influencers is the right way to do this.

As campaigns continue to try new methods, it’s important for voters to look past the trendy posts and fun videos. They should focus on the real issues and policies that will affect their lives.

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