Staff Reports
The Democratic National Convention is set to embrace the trendiness of vertical video, proving once again that they are more keen on chasing TikTok stars than tackling real issues. The party has announced plans to stream their event in both the classic widescreen format and a vertical orientation, evidently aiming to capture the attention of the youth glued to their phones. Who would have thought that politics in America could be reduced to hashtags and dance-offs?
Confirmed by the Democratic National Committee, this streaming strategy is rolling out just in time for the convention in Chicago, which will run from August 19 to 22. It’s a curious decision, especially considering that the political discussions of yesteryear now seem to have been replaced by viral challenges and lip-sync battles. It’s almost as if the Democratic Party believes they can solve economic woes with a playlist of TikTok sounds and pithy captions.
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Research from the Pew Center indicates that a sizable one-third of adults aged 18 to 29 rely on TikTok as their primary news source. Thus, it’s no surprise that the Democrats, in their ever-so-predictable style, have put their eggs in this digital basket. They seem oblivious to the fact that political discourse requires more than a catchy soundbite or trendy dance move. Apparently, election issues are now best conveyed through the lens of a smartphone camera, because nothing says “serious governance” like scrolling through short clips of politicians doing the latest viral dance.
Vice President Kamala Harris, in particular, has been busy leveraging social media quirks to boost her online presence. The Harris campaign is riding high on trends, often using popular sounds and formats to reach those elusive young voters. Whether this strategy will translate to real votes remains to be seen, but one can’t help but wonder if voters want a commander-in-chief who can bust a move or someone who can actually lead a country.
Further complicating matters is the latest merchandise rollout featuring a camouflage hat, cleverly designed to mimic the popular gear of a rising pop star. The hat, emblazoned with vibrant orange text on a camo background, is a classic case of politicians pandering to the youth. It quickly sold out, indicating that maybe, just maybe, there’s a demographic out there more interested in fashion than policy. Whether such merchandise will convince young Americans to vote blue is a gamble, but it’s safe to say it won’t join the ranks of their beloved Converse sneakers anytime soon.
The current Democratic strategy of attracting younger voters through social media antics raises more questions than it answers. Are these engagement tactics effective, or is the party merely distracting themselves—and the youth—from the critical and complex issues that deserve far more attention than a couple of viral video clips? Ultimately, one has to wonder whether they are committed to serving the country or simply playing catch-up in a fast-paced digital culture.
