Podcast Title: The Victor Davis Hanson Show
Host(s): Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Episode: Youth Vote Crisis: Are Democrats Losing the Next Generation?
Release Date: April 3, 2025

Introduction to the Youth Vote Crisis

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Jack Fowler delve into the pressing issue of whether the Democratic Party is losing its grip on younger voters. Drawing from recent polls and historical contexts, they explore the factors contributing to this potential shift and its implications for future elections.

Current State of the Youth Vote

Jack Fowler initiates the discussion by referencing a headline from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Institute of Politics: “Top Youth Pollster Fears Dems Losing a Grip on Key Generation of Voters.” Jonathan Della Volpe, the polling director, expressed concerns on the podcast "Fast Politics with Molly Young," highlighting that Democrats may have missed opportunities to solidify their base among young Americans.

Jack Fowler:
"The concern I have for Democrats is just a handful of years ago... every day for every thousand young people who turn 18, 700 of them have values aligned with the Democrat Party... They didn't communicate that very well."
[03:23]

Statistical Evidence and Trends

Victor responds by examining statistical data, noting that while Kamala Harris might have a slight edge in the youth vote nationally, key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin indicate a different trend.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"When you look at the individual states that matter, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, he won. Donald Trump from post polls won the youth vote in Michigan and he came close to winning in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania."
[07:59]

Factors Leading to Democratic Challenges Among Youth

Several reasons are discussed for why Democrats might be losing favor with young voters:

1. Economic Realities:
   Victor emphasizes the economic hardships faced by the younger generation, particularly in housing affordability. He shares a personal anecdote about his family's experience with housing in the 1970s to illustrate how accessible homeownership has become unattainable for many young people today.

   Victor Davis Hanson:
   "If you were a working-class kid making seven or eight dollars an hour as a union welder, you could afford a house. If that house is over a million dollars now, nobody on a middle-class wage can buy one."
   [11:21]

2. Pragmatic Voting Over Ideological Alignment:
   Younger voters are purportedly voting more pragmatically based on economic concerns rather than strict ideological lines, leading to a potential drift away from traditional Democratic values.

   Jack Fowler:
   "They didn't communicate that very well. And now we're living, you know, in what I think is the beginning of a post-ideological era with young people."
   [03:23]

3. Rebellion Against Liberal Establishment:
   Victor points out that the younger generation reacts against what they perceive as liberal indoctrination in universities and other institutions, fostering resentment towards established liberal figures and policies.

   Victor Davis Hanson:
   "Nobody wants to listen to that when you're young. And so you react against that, and they're reacting against that liberal establishment they come in contact with."
   [07:59]

Impact of Economic Disparities and Social Policies

The hosts discuss how economic disparities and stringent social policies have contributed to the disillusionment among young voters. Victor criticizes California's housing and education policies, attributing them to a decline in the state's affordability and attractiveness for young families.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"If you can't buy a house, then you're not going to get married at 23. And the age of first marriage has gone from 23 up to 28."
[14:46]

Relationship Between the Democratic Party and Billionaires

A significant portion of the conversation centers on the evolving relationship between the Democratic Party and wealthy individuals. Victor argues that while Democrats previously collaborated with billionaires, recent dissent has led to a strained relationship, affecting party support among affluent donors.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"They love billionaires as long as they are submissive. They love billionaires as long as that money goes to these crazy issues like ESG, New Green Deal."
[18:56]

Youth Activism and Anti-Capitalist Sentiments

The episode touches on instances of youth activism that verge into anti-capitalist actions, such as shoplifting from Whole Foods as a form of protest against Jeff Bezos. Victor criticizes these acts as manifestations of anarchistic tendencies fostered by liberal ideologies.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"This is anarchy. When you rationalize theft and selfishness and narcissism... they're dealing with anarchists."
[24:05]

Antifa and Left-Wing Violence

The hosts briefly discuss the longevity and impact of antifa in the United States, suggesting that left-wing groups have been allowed to incite violence for decades without significant repercussions.

Jack Fowler:
"Now how long has antifa been allowed to run amok in America? Decades now."
[26:18]

Legislation and Its Impact on Society

Victor critiques California's proposed legislation, particularly the Mangione bill, arguing that it imposes unrealistic mandates on medical procedures without providing adequate revenue channels, thereby destabilizing the insurance industry.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"The private insurance companies just think, well what if we had a public insurance where nobody was profiting... That's your socialist alternative."
[27:11]

Trump’s Executive Orders and Cultural Reversal

Towards the end, the discussion shifts to Donald Trump's recent executive orders aimed at reversing liberal policies in cultural institutions like the Smithsonian and election integrity measures. Victor defends these actions as necessary corrections to what he views as leftist overreach in historical interpretation and cultural preservation.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"He's not trying to say I'm making them right-wing conservative. He's just saying that we're going to look at classical beauty and architecture."
[61:35]

Concluding Thoughts on the Youth Vote and Future Implications

The episode wraps up with reflections on the broader implications of the youth vote crisis for American politics. Victor emphasizes the need for practical solutions to economic issues to regain the trust and support of younger voters.

Victor Davis Hanson:
"They think that if you get up every morning and you're working very hard and you're married and you have family... they hate people who just press on and don't just stop and get paralyzed."
[65:16]

Notable Quotes

• Jack Fowler at [03:23]:
  "The concern I have for Democrats is just a handful of years ago... every day for every thousand young people who turn 18, 700 of them have values aligned with the Democrat Party..."

• Victor Davis Hanson at [07:59]:
  "Nobody wants to listen to that when you're young. And so you react against that, and they're reacting against that liberal establishment they come in contact with."

• Victor Davis Hanson at [61:35]:
  "He's not trying to say I'm making them right-wing conservative. He's just saying that we're going to look at classical beauty and architecture."

Conclusion

Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler present a critical examination of the Democratic Party's waning support among young voters, attributing it to economic challenges, perceived ideological stagnation, and strategic missteps. They argue that addressing these issues is crucial for Democrats to reclaim their influence and ensure political viability in future elections.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, focusing on the core discussions and insights shared by the hosts while omitting advertisements and non-content segments.