College students hear it over and over again — that is, if they ever turn down that hip-hop music on their Beats By Dre headphones.
During election years, pundits in the 40- to 60-year-old range tend to utter the phrase “youth vote” with a combination of fear and bewilderment. But where pundits can seem concerned by the impact of young voters, candidates, almost without failing, attack them with a hunger seen only in the dining halls’ dinner rush.
Especially in 2016, it seems like candidates in both parties will stop at nothing to get to those pesky youth voters — even if it means facing the ridicule of the Internet.
Here are five of the most absurd youth vote grabs from 2016 presidential candidates:
5. Ted Cruz hits the bars on St. Patrick’s Day
Before the Texas senator famously quipped on the debate stage, “If you want someone to grab a beer with, I may not be that guy,” he, indeed, tried to be that guy. Just before he officially entered the race last March, Cruz talked to young Republican voters in an Arlington, Virginia dive bar on St. Patrick’s Day, where the beer was plenty and green.
“What I want to do is talk to the young people and tonight, St. Patrick’s Day, we’re all young people at heart,” he told his newfound friends, before launching into policy discussion about the perils of President Barack Obama’s economic plan.
4. Bernie Sanders rocks the vote with Vampire Weekend
While polls say the Vermont senator’s draw might be limited to white, young liberals, his choice of music at a University of Iowa rally proved otherwise … oh wait, no it didn’t. Hipster darlings Vampire Weekend performed Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land,” blending young (Vampire Weekend) and old (Sanders and his song choice) in an attempt to win over college voters. And hey, when Ezra Koenig has “extra respect to the 84% of young ppl in Iowa who voted for Bernie,” do you need another reason to vote?
3. Donald Trump dances to “Hotline Bling” on Saturday Night Live
If frequent Twitter attacks and general rudeness aren’t enough to capture the youth’s attention, what is? Drake’s “Hotline Bling” dance of course! The real estate mogul turned politician stole the show, for better or for worse (definitely worse), on the Nov. 7 episode of the famed sketch comedy show.
“You used to call me on the cell phone,” the Donald crooned while his body moved in ways previously unseen — and reminded viewers that if a politician is dancing, that can only mean one thing: He or she wants the youth vote.
2. Marco Rubio becomes bae
Looking for a shirt that says “I know all the hip phrases and memes” and “I have a soft spot for conservative politics and large ears”? Don’t worry, Marco Rubio has you covered. For just $30, you can get a fun T-shirt with the Florida senator’s face and the hilariously punny name “Ru(BAE)o” in unmissable, large letters. And of course, if you don’t want him that close to you at all times, you can buy a sticker to slap on your skateboard for all to see while you’re grabbing nasty air.
1. Hillary Clinton hits the dab
Despite all the flak Hillary Clinton gets for being “boring” and “a robot,” she does try hard to be cool. Really, really hard. No one in the history of mankind has ever tried harder to be cool than Clinton while dabbing on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. It’s tough to know what’s worse: her actual dab, which looks like a clock at one point, or the wild grin on her face that insists she may actually be enjoying herself.
“We got it, we got it!” she insisted. But, sadly, as the Internet made sure she knew, she did not.