Abortion - Moral and Legal Position of Millennials and Baby Boomers

The two largest age groups in America have similar positions on the morality of abortion, but different views on its legality.

The Millennials (18-34) and Baby Boomers (51-69) are similarly divided on the morality of abortion reflecting the 57 percent of the public that believe abortion is morally wrong. Fifty-four percent of Millennials and 60 percent of Baby Boomers and older Americans believe abortion is wrong.

But Millennials are much more likely (70%) to believe abortion should be legal in all or most cases than Baby Boomers (56%).

Some observations:

• A majority of the main age categories believe abortion is immoral, but majority also believe it should be legal in all or most cases.
• At most, only 13% of Americans believe abortion should be illegal in all cases. Nearly twice as many (23%) believe it should be legal in all cases.
• A majority of the public (57%) believes abortion can be limited in some cases (i.e., legal in most – 33% or illegal in most cases – 24%), which is where much of the debate and political conflict has been located. 

See:
CNN/ORC International Jan. 2014 poll
Quinnipiac Nov. 25, 2014 poll

Brian Williams is Off the Air

The marketing division of Omnicom Group claims Brian Williams’ trustworthiness has dropped from 23rd to 835 on its celebrity index. And, he is still receiving huge social media traffic. Lester Holt, his Monday night replacement, drew a smaller audience than ABC, another indicator that Williams’ return is in doubt. The sports and entertainment promotional firm, called Marketing Arm, represents Lindsey Vonn and Tim Tebow.

2015: More Millennials Than Baby Boomers

This is the year that Baby Boomers and Millennials reach parity in their respective shares of the American population (75 million each).

The 2016 election will see the massive Baby Boom Generation eclipsed in size by voters under 35 years old. Since 1968, when the oldest Baby Boomers became of voting age (26th Amendment lowered voter age from 21 to 18 in 1971), they have had a profound impact on the politics of the country, finally reaching the White House with Bill Clinton in 1992 for the Democrats and George W. Bush in 2000 for the Republicans. Barack Obama is a youngish member.

A major political difference in Millennials joining the voter role is they are much more liberal than Baby Boomers (51 to 69 years old) or even Generation X (35 to 50 years old).

Millennials self-report and register more as independent, but they are more liberal, and at least in 2008 and 2012, voted much more Democratic.

Baby Boomers were nearly two-to-one more conservative than liberal, but Millennials, according to Pew Research, are more liberal than conservative by 2 points (30% liberal to 28% conservative).

See:
Pew Research: This year, Millennials will overtake Baby Boomers
Gallup: U.S. Baby Boomers more likely to identify as conservative

Will Brian Williams Survive?

As a fan of NBC News and having been interviewed in 2012 by Tom Brokaw, the Brian Williams controversy is painful to watch. Channel 9, the region’s top news station, is an NBC affiliate and all local news tends to be tied to the credibility of the national brand. The fate of Williams is of local interest and impact.

Anchors tend to have long careers.  Once a brand is created, networks want to protect them. Some of the NBC anchors I remember:

Chet Huntley and David Brinkley, 1956-1970
John Chancellor (David Brinkley), 1971-1982
Tom Brokaw (Roger Mudd), 1982-2004
Brian Williams, 2004-2015?
Ciruli Associates 2015

But today’s anti-establishment values, online opposition research techniques and 24-7 social media makes managing or surviving an attack on credibility very difficult. And, as opposed to entertainers or most politicians, credibility is Brian Williams’ main asset.

Denver Metro Population Triples in 50 Years

The seven-county Denver metro area, which represents more than half the state’s population of 5.3 million, has tripled in population over 50 years, from less than 1 million to 2.7 million in 2010, and it has continued to grow since the last decimal census.

The City and County of Denver, which struggled with a host of issues in the 1970s and 1980s, returned to regular population increases in the 1990s. But the city, which represented half the region’s population in 1960, is now at 21 percent and continues to decline relative to the suburban and exurban growth.

VP – Hick or Mike?

Speculating on the Vice President selection has a picking the final four quality – one is often surprised. Cheney and Palin were recent unexpected Republican picks. But Democrats with Ferraro and Gore more than two decades ago surprised the pundits.

Some argue that the presidential election is all about the presidential choice and the VP is primarily a personal preference of the president. And, it is hard to see a VP making a difference in recent elections. People cite Lyndon B. Johnson for Jack Kennedy, but that was a half-century ago.

Nevertheless, each cycle starts with speculation that the presidential nominee wants to address some perceived weakness and/or balance the ticket to attract some particular states’ voters. Since the Democrats already have a presumptive nominee, the only realistic speculation is for vice president and flights of names are in circulation.

Colorado’s Democratic governor and senior senator are both on lists. Michael Bennet, approaching his first re-election in 2016 (the 2010 squeaker was an election confirming his appointment), entered the rumor mill as a perceived gender, age and geographic balance to Hillary Clinton. Bennet immediately said he wasn’t interested. Governor Hickenlooper has been denying interest since 2010 and his first election. The tough re-election dampened some speculation, but he still has his boosters. Both candidates have similar profiles. Hickenlooper benefits from not being in Washington and more state-level management experience. But Bennet is younger and one of national politics’ master networkers. Both are moderate in their ideology.

It may be a longshot, but it is prestigious in political circles to be mentioned.

Denver Post – Mayor Needs a Challenge

Jeremy Meyer argues Denver would be best served if Mayor Michael Hancock had serious competition to spur a debate on the issues.

It does not appear likely to happen.

Mayor Michael Hancock

“There is generally a good feeling about the city right now,” he said. “And Hancock nicely represents a fulcrum point in the politics of the city. He is not too left or not too right.”

“Ultimately, the final thing is leadership,” Ciruli said. “Is there someone with the name ID and money and grassroots support — not just a gadfly or marginal candidate? I don't see that person.” (Floyd Ciruli, 2-1-15, Denver Post)

Two December 2014 blog posts point out how unlikely a Denver mayor loses an election: Denver Mayor Unopposed? (Dec. 16, 2014) and Denver Holds Election and No One Shows Up (Dec. 11, 2014).