General Discussion

Jilly_in_VA

(14,121 posts) Mon Feb 2, 2026, 11:16 AM Feb 2

Out with the old? Young Democrats are trying to convince voters to send a new generation to Congress [View all]

Mai Vang wouldn’t be born for another seven years when Bob Matsui was first elected to Congress from California in 1978. By the time Matsui died in 2005 and was replaced by his widow, Doris Matsui, Vang was still studying biology and sociology in college.

Now a member of the Sacramento City Council, Vang, 40, is mounting the first serious challenge that 81-year-old Matsui has faced since she began representing the area two decades ago. Vang is among a nationwide cadre of young Democrats who are trying to oust some of their party’s most stalwart figures in Washington, channeling angst that an aging generation of lawmakers is unable or unwilling to mount a bare-knuckles opposition to President Donald Trump.

“I’m not waiting for permission,” Vang said. “Because our communities are under attack, and we need leaders in this moment that understand the day-to-day struggles of our working families, and I believe that I could be the leader in this moment.”
(snip)

“No more wash, rinse and repeat,” said Abbie Morrissey, who works at the University of California, Davis, and attended Vang’s event. “We need to find young, engaged, energetic people that understand their young, engaged and energetic populations.”

https://apnews.com/article/young-democrats-incumbents-veterans-election-midterms-9d56be522bea570f586037a6895ff82a

I'm 82 and I tend to agree. What we lose in seniority we make up in vitality. We need more representatives with the vigor of AOC.

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81 replies

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Out with the old? Young Democrats are trying to convince voters to send a new generation to Congress [View all] Jilly_in_VA Feb 2 OP

Age has nothing to do with it, gab13by13 Feb 2 #1

There need to be exceptions, as you say RockCreek Feb 2 #3

Few exceptions, but some. BidenRocks Feb 2 #26

Why? Cirsium Feb 2 #34

I hope you realize that rotary phones were still in use in the 1970s synni Feb 2 #37

Born long before rotary phones were retired, yet I still have many years before I reach retirement age. RockCreek Feb 2 #38

I was born in 1952, and still have years to go before I reach retirement age. DFW Feb 2 #62

So true, DFW! RockCreek Feb 3 #64

Pelosi had generational talent as a legislative leader. mr715 Feb 4 #80

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2 #28

Many of the older folks aren't meeting the moment RetiredParatrooper Feb 2 #29

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2 #30

a few questions and answers quakerboy Feb 2 #39

LOLOLOLOLOLOL Cirsium Feb 2 #36

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2 #50

I cannot agree RetiredParatrooper Feb 3 #66

Oh, I see Cirsium Feb 3 #68

Stick your head in the sand if you must RetiredParatrooper Feb 3 #69

Right Cirsium Feb 3 #71

And again, stick your head in the sand if you must... RetiredParatrooper Feb 4 #72

Indeed Cirsium Feb 4 #74

So you agree that new blood is needed RetiredParatrooper Feb 4 #75

whatever Cirsium Feb 4 #77

I am quite serious RetiredParatrooper Feb 4 #78

I agree Cirsium Feb 4 #79

DURec leftstreet Feb 2 #2

I'll be 82 in March and I agree with John Steinbeck. Ping Tung Feb 2 #4

Yea! Institutional knowledge and experience... what an outdated concept! Who needs it!? Eh? 😂🤣🙄 QueerDuck Feb 2 #5

Have you seen how ineffective the status quo in congress has been? sboatcar Feb 2 #7

Oh no... the minority party that's not in power, has no power. Wow. Go figure. QueerDuck Feb 2 #8

How many times have democrats caved to republicans? sboatcar Feb 2 #11

Because Democrats being in the minority and not having enough votes to defeat the majority is "caving". Ridiculous! QueerDuck Feb 2 #13

So you are happy with the last shutdown ending and democrats caving to remove ACA subsidies? sboatcar Feb 2 #14

So, because I understanding math and reality that means that I'm "happy" with how politics work? Again, ridiculous. QueerDuck Feb 2 #16

Okay, you're right sboatcar Feb 2 #18

IKR? Ridiculous to blame Qualified, Cha Feb 2 #53

That institutional knowledge seems incapable of Phoenix61 Feb 2 #9

Oh dear... the minority party is not in control and the majority party is. QueerDuck Feb 2 #12

I'm not sure he understands how very different this Phoenix61 Feb 2 #22

"He seems unwilling to embrace the reality of social media. MorbidButterflyTat Feb 2 #46

The minority party HAS been in control leftstreet Feb 2 #23

Conversely, in the House, the institutional knowledge and mentoring from Pelosi, Hoyer, and other old libs Attilatheblond Feb 4 #81

Bring in the new and the young but let's access the wisdom of Pelosi et. al. on how to get things done. dutch777 Feb 2 #10

I'm older than dirt and I'm all for younger ones taking over. hamsterjill Feb 2 #6

Every generation has their self-expression Bettie Feb 2 #15

Be yourself but never stop finding yourself either. "Normal" is overrated. Be kind. twodogsbarking Feb 2 #31

Recommended. H2O Man Feb 2 #17

May the best candidate secure victory in each race is my hope Torchlight Feb 2 #19

Thank You, Torchlight.. Well Said! Cha Feb 2 #54

Post removed Post removed Feb 2 #20

more-or-less agree, but... mike_c Feb 2 #21

70 oldinmtdem92 Feb 2 #24

I'm an old fart myself. I believe the US Constitution is dying of old age... NNadir Feb 2 #25

how about we just concentrate on getting a majority bigtree Feb 2 #27

Yep. The media drummed the incumbent president out of the race. llmart Feb 2 #32

This is simply ageism Pris Feb 2 #33

Nancy Pelosi Pris Feb 2 #40

I think the older members should see the potential and mentor them MagickMuffin Feb 2 #35

While Kamala Harris was VP she had a Stars Program to mentor young politicians like Jasmine Crockett. betsuni Feb 2 #45

And Jasmine Crockett is actually running for Senate JI7 Feb 2 #47

I thought it was my imagination that Crockett seemed to get a lot of attention before running but not after. betsuni Feb 2 #49

Well, she's in Texass, so... Jilly_in_VA Feb 2 #52

Eddie Bernice Johnson encouraged Jasmine Crocket to run for Johnson's seat MagickMuffin Feb 2 #60

Good, it's about time. Gerontocracy is not a good idea, old fossils refusing to let go of power Warpy Feb 2 #41

should have been done LONG ago. Conjuay Feb 2 #42

"leaders ... that understand .. working families." Ah, old Democrats are wealthy upper class elite status quo betsuni Feb 2 #43

Exactly DFW Feb 2 #63

"We need to find young, engaged, energetic people MorbidButterflyTat Feb 2 #44

But sometimes a strongly worded letter/statement or fighting spirit press conference not covered by media betsuni Feb 2 #48

Where are you on the age curve? multigraincracker Feb 2 #51

I can definitely understand the angst Samael13 Feb 2 #55

Run the young candidate in the Primary MineralMan Feb 2 #56

This message was self-deleted by its author PeaceWave Feb 2 #57

Never seems to work that way... MineralMan Feb 2 #59

It would be nice if our elected representatives reflected all the various demographics. surrealAmerican Feb 2 #58

The old ,ineffective leadership needs to go! bob4460 Feb 2 #61

I AGREE WITH THEM Skittles Feb 3 #65

But, we won't even think about trying to discuss the concept of term limits. OldBaldy1701E Feb 3 #67

I'm willing to negotiate. We keep Sanders and Warren, the rest are more expendable. Intractable Feb 3 #70

I agree. We need new blood and young people have more skin in the game. Older politicians not as much. Autumn Feb 4 #73

Gen X wouldn't mind some time behind the wheel either OC375 Feb 4 #76