The Millenials have spoken. Are Democrats listening?

The Millenials have spoken. Are Democrats listening?

Obama rode a wave of youth support to the Democratic nomination and the White House in 2008, connecting with them and motivating them to show up in November.

In 2014, however, Democrats saw their Senate majority slip away as candidates across America ran to the center to appeal to the oft-cited-and-fawned-over "swing voters," and Millenials stayed home as a result.

Millenials (ie the 18-34 demographic) are the most fickle of all voter groups, and it's tough to get them to turn out. Older, mostly retired voters can be counted on to turn out regardless, but the trick to success is getting the Millenials excited.

So then, who gets the Millenials excited?

Overwhelmingly, the answer is Bernie Sanders.

The latest national Quinnipiac Poll breaks down favorability by age:

http://www.quinnipiac.edu/...

17. Is your opinion of Hillary Clinton favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about her? ....................... AGE IN YRS..............

....................... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

Favorable.......... 48% 45% 40% 36%

Unfavorable....... 49 53 56 59

Hvn't hrd enough 4 1 2 3 22. Is your opinion of Bernie Sanders favorable, unfavorable or haven't you heard enough about him?

....................... AGE IN YRS..............

....................... 18-34 35-49 50-64 65+

Favorable.......... 47% 35% 35% 27%

Unfavorable....... 15 24 36 32

Hvn't hrd enough 37 40 28 39

So while Hillary is underwater with Millenials at (-1%), Bernie sports a stunning +32% favorability rating, with -- and this is important to note -- 37% still yet to make up their mind. If the undecided voters break for Bernie at the same rate as the decideds, that will come out to a 75-24 spread for a 51% favorable rating for Bernie,

The age gap here is stark. Boomers may not be "feeling the Bern", but Millenials love Bernie, and it's the latter that Democrats are going to be counting on next November to put down their smartphones and show up at their nearest polling place to pull the lever.

Democrats need to choose wisely this primary season. Catering to the voters they already can count on to turn out at the polls may not be the smartest move.