Ask the Expert: David Madland on Media Coverage of Economic Issues

How do young people think about the economy?

Young people are facing an economy shaped by conservative economic policies that have led them to be the group most likely to go without healthcare, to face high debt from college, to face jobs that don't pay very well. So they want change. The millennial generation is the most likely generation to support universal health care coverage, to call for increases in education spending, and to support unions.

What separates young people's views from those of older generations?

Today's generation of young people is a lot more progressive than older people are today and than previous generations were when they were younger. Millenials are more progressive than baby boomers and especially than Generation X. Generation X came of age during Ronald Reagan and were most conservative politically. Millenials, on the other hand, are by far the most progressive generation we've ever seen in more than 40 years of polling.

What role will young people's economic views play in the elections?

This election is going to be about the economy, and that's especially true with young generation. Young people have been making their decision on who to vote for in previous elections on the economy, and now that the economy is the top issue, it's going to be fundamental to how young people vote. And young people are demanding change from conservative economic policies and instead are supporting a progressive economic agenda. Young people, also, are more likely to vote and be politically active than previous generations, so the views of Millenials are likely to have a significant impact in 2008.