>there have been young upstarts in the past
>who were just as idealistic/emphatic (but didnt have social
>media, etc).

She really is good at social media. Not just good for a politician (which is a low bar.) And it irritates some people, but let's be honest. John McCain and Lindsay Graham and the like have built entire careers out of being good on the Sunday Morning political talk shows. They knew how to answer questions in a way that satisfied the hosts, reached the (mostly political media types and older boomers) who watch those shows and were able to keep getting invited on again and again.

She's just doing the same for how people of her generation actually communicate and take in information. It's an increasingly useful skill and party leadership should take notes.