Brookings Institution
Senior fellow in the Metropolitan Policy Program at the Brookings Institution; Research Professor in Population Studies at the University of Michigan and author of America by the Numbers: A Field Guide to the US Population
PROFILE
William Frey
Guest
FROM William Frey
To the Point
Minorities Become the Majority For the first time in history, the Census Bureau reports that white births are no longer a majority in the United States. In a nation founded by white Europeans, Latinos, blacks, Asians, other minorities and children of mixed race made up 50.4 percent of all births over a 12-month period. William Frey is a demographer, professor at the University of Michigan and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
Which Way, L.A.?
America Looks in the Mirror with 2010 Census Data The official Census of the United States happens every ten years. Results from the 2010 Census are now coming in, and they reveal a great deal about America's population and how it's changing. Will the growth of so-called "minorities" produce a "white identity crisis" or will future generations construct a “post-racial" America? How will demographics affect politics?
To the Point
2010 Census: How Do We Look Now and in the Future? The official Census of the United States happens every ten years and, even though annual estimates keep demographers updated, it's a chance for the rest of us to check the mirror and see what we look like. Results from the 2010 Census indicate that the white population has grown in the US, but not as fast as Latinos and Asians. In less than 40 years, whites won't be the majority any more. The Latino growth is a function of birthrate, not immigration. Blacks are still about 12 percent, and they're moving back to the South and out to the suburbs. What will these revelations mean politically? How will they impact the makeup of Congress and President Obama's chances for re-election?
To the Point
Census Data Will Change the Political Landscape America's population is on the move and that could mean a continuing shift in Congressional power from Rust Belt Democrats to Sun Belt Republicans. According to figures released by the US Census Bureau today, the big winners are Texas and Florida and the losers are New York and Ohio. William Frey is visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution. His books include By the Numbers : A Field Guide to the US Population. IFRAMES not supported
To the Point
Will 'Values Voters' Turn to the Economy? To upset Barack Obama next Tuesday, John McCain is counting on a conservative base in small towns, energized by running-mate Sarah Palin . It's the so-called "values vote," focused on social issues -- abortion, gay marriage and gun rights -- as well as cutting the size of government. Four years ago, Thomas Frank published What's the Matter with Kansas? , raising a question about the so-called "values voters" who were crucial to the election and re-election of George W. Bush. This year, big parts of America's "Heartland" have become battlegrounds between McCain and Obama. Is that a temporary phenomenon or will there be lasting political consequences? Is the economy trumping the culture wars? Has the population changed in the past eight years?
To the Point
The Immigration Bill Massachusetts Democrat Ted Kennedy and Arizona Republican John Kyl are as far apart as it gets on the US Senate’s political spectrum, but they’ve both signed off on what President Bush calls “comprehensive immigration reform.” Can immigration reform succeed in the midst of the presidential primary campaigns? We’ll hear support and opposition from both ends of the political spectrum.
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To the Point
What is Trump's plan for Middle East peace? On his first foreign tour, President Trump has promised "peace" between Israel and the Palestinians. Are there any details for re-starting talks that have been stalled for the past three years?
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
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.