Kirsten Powers

Bad news for Democrats: It seems Millennials are special little snowflakes after all.

A new report by the centrist Democratic think tank Third Way highlights the political complexity of a generation raised to believe they were utterly unique. When it comes to politics, they do it their way. Which could make the cohort that turned out en masse for President Obama unpredictable as voters.

Third Way focused on how Millennials' experience as the first generation raised in an information-on-demand culture has shaped them. They are not "adaptors." They have only known a world full of endless choices, not a life where you make do with what is available.

Third Way reported, "Living in an à la carte world with unlimited options, Millennials don't feel they have to choose between two limited choices." For their elders, it was Coke or Pepsi. But Millennials create their perfectly flavored soft drink with a Soda Stream. They design their own shoes on the Internet. They buy just the songs they like.

This creates expectations for politics. Millennials are "less likely to be satisfied with two static choices, and more apt to be swayed to change their tune," says the report. They "are much more likely to switch the party they support from election to election — even amongst those who claim to 'lean' towards one party or another."

Consider this: In a 2013 Harvard survey, 52% of 18- to 24-year-olds said they'd recall and replace President Obama.

But aren't we always hearing about how liberal Millennials are? Third Way's Michelle Diggles told me that while it's true they are more liberal than previous generations, "a plurality of Millennials are moderates." She added, "They are more pro-gay marriage, but also slightly less likely to support legalized abortion." This mix-and-match approach on divisive social issues is unique, reflecting Millennials' non-ideological views.

Diggles pointed out that what drew Millennials to Obama was his post-racial, post-partisan message. They were not checking the Democratic box. The report found that "Millennials are pragmatic — they want to know what works and are willing to take ideas from each side. They eschew ideological purity tests."

Though Millennials are often mocked for being self-involved, the report paints a picture of a complicated generational mindset that won't be receptive to the usual tribal overtures of the political parties. Millennials appear to put a lot of thought into their choices, with little concern for what the parties tell them.

Most of them don't even claim a political party. Half of all Millennials identified as Independent in a recent Pew report. Older generations are more likely to claim a political affiliation.

The report explains that "the Independent label isn't just a hipster, counter-cultural 'whatever' signal from apathetic youth." Millennials are dissatisfied with their options. That, says Third Way, "translates into less reliable partisan voting and more opportunities for individual candidates to win over their support." Including Republican candidates.

Not exactly the kind of change Democrats were hoping for.

Kirsten Powers writes weeklyfor USA TODAY.

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