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    Back to To the Point

    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 .

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    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?

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Values Voters, the Economy and the Presidential Campaign
    1. 1:37The US Economy Contracts
    2. 7:10Will 'Values Voters' Turn to the Economy?You’re reading this
    3. 41:44Obama Takes Over America's TV's
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

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      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

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      Karen Radziner

      Managing Producer, To the Point & Which Way LA?

    • KCRW placeholder

      Joe Bageant

      journalist

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      William Frey

      Brookings Institution

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      Anna Greenberg

      Vice President, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research

      NewsNationalPolitics

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Values Voters, the Economy and the Presidential Campaign
    1. 1:37The US Economy Contracts
    2. 7:10Will 'Values Voters' Turn to the Economy?You’re reading this
    3. 41:44Obama Takes Over America's TV's
    Back to To the Point