President Obama courts millennials in interview with Samantha Bee: "Young people have a bigger stake in this election than anybody"

"They've got to make sure that their voices are heard," Obama said of young people

Published November 1, 2016 12:40PM (EDT)

"Full Frontal" host Samantha Bee on Monday aired her mildly Halloween-themed interview with President Barack Obama.

"Look Sam, the reason I'm here is not just to celebrate Halloween with you, but is actually because I want to let first-time voters know why it is so important to vote," Obama said. "This is probably the most important election of our lifetimes. The choices could not be clearer, and if we want to build on progress -- on issues like climate change and gender equality and making sure that everybody has healthcare and making sure that young people have a good education and afford college -- they've got to make sure that their voices are heard."

"It turns out that young people actually are more interested and engaged than I think we give them credit for," he continued. "Sometimes they get cynical . . . but Malia, my oldest, she actually voted for the first time. The pride that she took, I think, in casting her ballot is a pride that I think I lot of young people feel. But you've got to talk to them about the things that they care about."

Obama argued that Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton provides ironclad proposals to reduce college debt and stop climate change — two  issues  that resonate with millennial voters.

"Young people have a bigger stake in this election than anybody," he added. "I would hope that you'd be willing to take about the same amount of time you spend just looking through cat videos on your phone to make sure that the democracy's working,"


By Brendan Gauthier

Brendan Gauthier is a freelance writer.

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Barack Obama Donald Trump Elections 2016 Full Frontal Hillary Clinton Millennials Samantha Bee Young Voters