- 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
What happens when America retreats from the world? Is President Trump taking his "America First" agenda to extremes, withdrawing the country from the international stage on trade and climate change, distancing America from its traditional allies across the Atlantic and even threatening to physically isolate the country through the building of a wall along its southern border? León Krauze guest hosts.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.
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.