Young people, particularly college students in Wisconsin, are expressing strong criticism of the Biden administration’s handling of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. However, while many are participating in pro-Palestinian protests on campuses, there is a key distinction evident in public polling: Few believe that this issue could change their vote for president in the upcoming election, though some are questioning whether it might push them not to vote at all. The interviews with 16 politically independent college students at the University of Wisconsin system revealed a sense of relative apathy towards politics overall, as many are considering supporting third-party or independent candidates due to their disappointment in both Biden and Trump.
The focus group participants highlighted the war between Israel and Hamas as the most concerning issue in the news for them. They expressed varying degrees of support for the protests, with some even actively participating in them. These young voters see the protests as a necessary tool to bring attention to their perspective on the conflict and to put pressure on their schools and the White House. Some participants compared the protests to student dissent during the Vietnam War era, emphasizing that they do not believe the protests are antisemitic. However, opinions on supporting protesters occupying buildings were divided among the group.
While the majority of the students do not support how Biden is handling the conflict, they expressed even less faith in Trump’s ability to do better. Despite their dissatisfaction with both major party candidates, many are reluctant to participate in the protests, with some feeling that various aspects like living in encampments or occupying buildings may not be productive. However, their disdain for Biden and Trump has opened the door for third-party or independent candidates, with significant interest and support for individuals like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Jill Stein, and Cornel West among the focus group participants.
There is a sense of fear and concern among the students about the potential implications of a second term for Trump, with many expressing apprehension about his divisive rhetoric and policies. While some participants indicate that their support for Biden is more of a vote against Trump rather than a show of support for the Democratic candidate, there is a general sentiment of preferring Biden over Trump due to the latter’s perceived radicalism and negative impact on the country. The dislike for both major party candidates has led many of the young voters to consider alternatives such as third-party candidates.
The issue of a potential ban on TikTok also emerged as a significant concern among the group, with many students opposing the law that could lead to the social media platform being banned if its Chinese-based parent company does not sell it. Those who use TikTok regularly expressed their frustration and dismay at the thought of losing access to the app, highlighting its role in their daily lives and as a platform for small businesses and content creators. Furthermore, the students expressed skepticism about the privacy concerns related to user data and did not view TikTok’s ties to China as a national security threat, equating data collection by any tech company, whether American or Chinese, as primarily driven by profit motives.
