7 chapters across the catalog
NPR reporter Stephen Fowler provides a report on the death of Charlie Kirk, which the hosts criticize for its framing and "anti-gun" tidbits. The hosts compare Kirk's early success with Turning Point USA to the early career of Bill Gates. They define Kirk as a "polemicist" and debate whether his organization was primarily religious or a political organ essential to the Republican youth vote.
David Hogg, a gun control activist from the Parkland shooting, campaigned for a Vice Chair position at the Democratic National Committee. Hogg emphasized the need for the party to invest in voters under 30 to counter a rightward shift in youth demographics. Despite his high-energy "walk the walk" pitch, the hosts mock his performance and professional political patter.
A new Canadian advocacy campaign titled 18-to-8 seeks to lower the federal voting age to eight years old. Proponents argue that children should have a say in elections because climate change poses a direct threat to their future, citing a 12-year window to avoid catastrophic damage.
Iran Presidential Election, Hassan Rouhani Victory
Hassan Rouhani won re-election as President of Iran, promising further engagement with the international community. The hosts note the "hip and urban" appearance of the Iranian youth in media reports, contrasting it with traditional Western stereotypes. Despite the lifting of some nuclear-related sanctions, many U.S. sanctions remain in place, impacting the local economy.
Media Influence on Youth and the John Oliver Effect
The hosts investigate where millennials are getting their political information, concluding that late-night host John Oliver has an outsized influence. They identify "The John Oliver Effect" as a primary source of disinformation for young people who rely on YouTube clips rather than traditional news sources.
Bernie Sanders Movement and Paul McCartney Comparison
An MSNBC commentator compared the emotional intensity of Bernie Sanders' supporters to Paul McCartney in 1964. The hosts mock the dated cultural reference and the suggestion that young women are reacting to Sanders with the same fervor as fans during the British Invasion.
Author Jason Matera appears on C-SPAN to discuss his book "Obama Zombies," criticizing the Republican Party's failure to engage young voters. He contrasts the Obama campaign's sophisticated use of social media and Facebook co-founders with John McCain's "Pork Invaders" internet outreach. Matera argues that the GOP's digital incompetence has allowed the Democratic Party to dominate the youth demographic.
