Democrats, we have a problem.
Our Millenial voters are too independent minded, too smart regarding some issues, too inexperienced regarding others, possibly a bit too purist (as young people often are), and too cynical towards the Democratic establishment. There are good healthy reasons for those realities.
This isn't going to change, and it's damaging to our prospects at such a devastating degree that an unelectable neofascist clown like Donald Trump could win an American election.
We need a new vision and a radically new way of thinking about how we elect Democrats in our primaries. Millennials want more political parties, in the style of European politics. As someone familiar with Europe and European politics, I can safely say that if we did have a multi-party system, it would fracture our big tent and hand Republicans unprecedented victories. Unfortunately, Republican voters would unify behind Republican candidates where our voters would vote our conscience. If you doubt that, look at how Republicans are unifying behind even someone like Trump.
We need to evolve.
As a lifelong Democrat, I propose that the DNC immediately begin creating micro parties within our own Democratic Party. There should at minimum be three groups within our party, each flying their own banner during our primary: the Democratic-Greens (most liberal), the Democratic-Independents (conservative/libertarian leaning), and the Democratic-Progressives (technocrats). We could also consider creating other groups, like Democratic-Equality, for people who identify as or support oppressed minorities of all kinds. Inevitably this group might be largely comprised of the types of people who are active with Black Lives Matter or LGBT issues.
Millenials aren't necessarily single issue voters, quite the opposite, but I believe they can be extremely brand-loyal once they find the niche they feel most comfortable with. I think a wide array of options makes the most sense. Obviously these groups would have a lot of overlap. Some may be on the same page to such a degree that being a member of one or the other is just a way to express one’s core spirit, like wearing a black Old Navy tshirt or a light blue one. More and more, modern American identities are highly tailored and personalized. Ask any retail or marketing company.
To cement the real world impact of this new way of thinking about Democrats, the DNC should establish a rule within our party that any Democrat who wins our presidential primary must choose a Vice President from one of the other groups. This would immediately position us as a far more adaptable party and it would immediately give hope to Millenials and independents that no matter the outcome of our primary, Democrats are committed to diversity and respecting the voices of those who came up short in the primary votes going forward into the general election.
This is the 21st Century and cynicism wrt money in politics has irretrievably tarnished our two party system and left our citizens without hope. We must find a way to ensure that people feel comfortable being big D Democrats. The DNC needs to provide hope to the 60% of America who should be voting sensibly. A proposal like the one above would ensure people understand Democrats can be responsive to justified frustrations among voters, and it could ensure that we never again risk losing the Obama coalition, no matter who our presidential nominee is.
There will always be opposition to such evolution by some who identify with the current winners of our primaries. What we need more of though is an openness to committing to the true inclusion of Democratic politicians who didn't, but who still engender so much love and grassroots’ support. We can't win elections without Bernie voters and we can't win them without Hillary voters. And I personally think that Internet lifestyles have brought us a culture where people believe they need not settle for things they don't love. I don't think we can rely on our people getting on board like we used to, if the candidate isn't as widely appealing to all Democrats as someone like Obama… who I almost guarantee is a once in a lifetime candidate.
Democrats, we proceed down the same old primary path at our peril.