- Social:
author and demographer
Author of The Next America: Boomers, Millennials and the Looming Generational Showdown; former Executive Vice President of the Pew Research Center and Director of its Social and Demographic Trends project
PROFILE
Paul Taylor
Guest
FROM Paul Taylor
To the Point
Still feeling the Bern: Hillary's troubles with millennial voters Hillary Clinton still leads Donald Trump in most polls, but she's having trouble exciting a key demographic group: The younger voters who flocked to Bernie Sanders. Why is that? Why doesn't the idea of the first female president generate more enthusiasm? Sanders' campaign forced Clinton to adopt what even he describes as the most progressive Democratic Party platform in history. But that's not good enough for some Sanders supporters, who now look to third party candidates. And in a close election, millennials could tip the balance. Guest host Todd Purdum examines whether there's anything Clinton can do to change that dynamic in the weeks ahead.
To the Point
Donald Trump and a Divided America Negative ratings for Donald Trump are off the chart, but he beat 16 other Republicans to become the Party's presumptive presidential nominee. Reporters and fact checkers say much of what he says isn't true, but do his supporters really care what he's saying? Theories of what constitutes Trump Nation include anxiety about the global economy, demographic change, a sense of political betrayal and racism. We hear what it's like at Trump rallies across the country and get different theories about how he's struck a chord with millions of Americans. Whether he wins or loses, what does it mean for the nation…now and in the future? NOTE: Today's interview with Trump supporters were gathered by our public radio partners, KERA in Texas and KQED in San Francisco.
Which Way, L.A.?
The Mythology of the Middle Class The convention halls in both Tampa and Charlotte echoed with outreach to the Middle Class, starting with the wives of both candidates for the White House. Both Democrats and Republicans are campaigning with traditional appeals to "the Middle Class." Is that a phrase that's losing its meaning? Do the party platforms offer credible promises about helping Americans fulfill "the American Dream?" Graphis: EN2008/flickr
To the Point
Republicans, Democrats and 'the Middle Class' In both Tampa and Charlotte, speaker after speaker tried to identify with "the Middle Class" and echoed the theme of upward mobility and fulfillment of "the American Dream." That's been a staple of presidential campaigns since the end of World War II. But in recent decades, "the Middle Class" has been shrinking. Do Democrats and Republicans even agree any more on what "Middle Class" really means? Do potential voters still share "the American Dream?" We hear about traditional slogans, contemporary realities and this year's promises from both political parties.
To the Point
Woodstock: The Myths and the Realities It's been 40 years since a half-million young people turned up at a muddy farm in New York State for an event that's still celebrated as a major cultural moment. The concert, lost money, but a year later, a documentary film more than recouped the promoters' losses. "Sex, drugs and rock 'n roll" didn't begin at Woodstock, but the film brought the counter-culture into America's mainstream. It was “3 days of peace and music” that dramatized opposition to the Vietnam War and raised questions about politics and commercial values. At the same time, it popularized illegal drugs, helped create a conservative backlash and showed promoters new ways to make piles of money. We look at the Woodstock paradox 40 years later.
Recommended
To the Point
Trump's new look at civil rights and global warming President Trump is reportedly ready to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. We look at the possible consequences. On the second half of the program, we hear about cuts in Obama-Era civil rights programs called for by the Trump Administration's first budget plan.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.