Young Democrats Wonder Whether Party Is Prioritizing Nostalgia Over The Future

The second night of the Democratic National Convention began with a montage of young elected leaders — 17 of the party’s “rising stars” delivering a joint keynote from across the country.

But the convention’s first two nights also prominently featured speakers more reminiscent of bygone political eras than the current one, like Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter, John Kerry, Colin Powell, Cindy McCain and Caroline Kennedy. That lineup has made some young people wonder whether the party is emphasizing nostalgia over the kind of forward-focused vision for the country most likely to entice younger voters.