Youth activist groups jointly endorse Biden. They say his achievements matter more than his age
Associated PressWASHINGTON — Jack Lobel is a college sophomore who will be voting in his first presidential election this fall, casting a ballot for Joe Biden. “Young voters are critical to President Biden’s winning coalition and together, we will defeat Donald Trump and continue to build a future that works for every single American,” said Biden’s reelection campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, in a statement first shared with The Associated Press. A Super PAC backing the former president released an ad bluntly declaring, “If Biden wins, can he even survive till 2029?” That’s despite Trump making gaffes himself lately, including suggesting he’s running against Barack Obama. But Aalayah Eastmond, a survivor of the 2018 Parkland school shooting in Florida and co-founder of Team ENOUGH, said Biden’s age wasn’t a consideration in the endorsement given that “our only concern is whether we go forward or backward on one of the most pressing issues of our time.” “What’s most important to America’s youth is having a president who listens to our concerns and knows how to deliver on solutions that improve our lives,” Eastmound said. He said that job creation and the economy were top concerns, noting that “young voters are still voters.” Still, Lobel also said that especially important to his age group are Biden administration efforts to cancel student debt for millions of Americans, protect abortion rights and promote green energy and public works projects around the country.