There's a Generational Divide Upending U.S. Politics

After a bruising political week in which President Trump's feud with "The Squad" reached a fever pitch, Amy Walter reflects on how both Republicans and Democrats could be alienating crucial voters ahead of the 2020 elections. Plus, we look at the yawning generation gap, as voters from different eras compete for political relevance. With the U.S. electorate divided along generational lines, there are transformational demographic trends already having clear impacts on the way 2020 presidential candidates are trying to appeal to voters. But while the Baby Boomer bloc is increasingly eclipsed by the combined numbers of Generation X, Millennials, and Generation Z, so far it's an open question whether or not the influence of younger voters will have the final say in determining the results of the Democratic primary, or the general election. This week, we look at the different generations active in U.S. politics, and try to figure out the forces at play in deciding the country's future. Guests: Dave Weigel, national political reporter for The Washington Post Paul Taylor, author of The Next America: Boomers, Millennials, and the Looming Generational Showdown Clare Malone, senior political writer at FiveThirtyEight Manuel Pastor, professor of sociology and American Studies & Ethnicity at the University of Southern California

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Every Friday, Amy Walter brings you the trends in politics long before the national media picks up on them. Known as one of the smartest and most trusted journalists in Washington, D.C., Amy Walter is respected by politicians and pundits on all sides of the aisle. You may know Amy her from her work with Cook Political Report and the PBS NewsHour where she looks beyond the breaking news headlines for a deeper understanding of how Washington works, who's pulling the levers of power, and how it all impacts you. Politics with Amy Walter is a co-production of PRI and WNYC Radio in collaboration WGBH.