| | | | This isn't your father's Democratic Party | | The face of the Democratic Party has changed radically in the last two decades, becoming far more female, non-white, young, college-educated and liberal, according to data from the Pew Research Center out Tuesday.
A few numbers to consider: - In 1997, 75% of Democrats and Democratic-leaning voters were white. In 2017? 59%.
- Almost half (46%) of all Democrats describe themselves as "liberal" now. Twenty years ago, that number was just 28%.
- Almost 6 in 10 (58%) of college graduates identify as Democrats or lean toward the party. Just 36% of college grads favor or lean to the GOP.
- 56% of women now call themselves Democrats or lean that way, the highest that number has been since 1992.
- 59% of millennials -- including 70% of millennial women -- are self-described Democrats.
That change is dramatic -- and remains largely unacknowledged by the Democratic political class. Ron Brownstein, who writes more eloquently and insightfully than anyone else in the country about the evolution of the two political parties, recently noted that disconnect in terms of the Democraric Party's silence on President Trump's tariffs:
"This silence speaks volumes about the Democrats' inability, or unwillingness, to recognize the evolving nature of the party's demographic and geographic base. While many Democrats still think of the party as the home of blue-collar industrial regions hostile to trade, in fact, the party is now centered in the major metropolitan areas that are integrated into global markets and at the forefront of the transition into the information-age, digital economy."
The Point: The fight over what the Democratic Party is -- and is becoming -- will be at the center of the fight for the presidential nomination in 2020. Is the Democratic Party still the party of unions and white working-class voters? Or is it an urban, liberal party dominated by women and young people? Can it be both? Or not?
-- Chris | | "I had a call with President Putin and congratulated him on the victory, his electoral victory. The call had to do also with the fact that we will probably get together in the not too distant future so that we can discuss arms, we can discuss the arms race."
-President Donald Trump | | | CNN's Adam Levy wrote a guide to what to know and how to watch tonight's Illinois primary. Here are some highlights: - Illinois is the second state to hold a primary this year for the 2018 midterms.
- Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET.
- Seven-term Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski, a conservative Democrat who ran for the seat when his father retired in 2004, could meet his match by a political newcomer, Marie Newman. Read this story by CNN's Sophie Tatum for more.
- With over $150 million raised so far, the gubernatorial race here could end up as one of the most expensive governor races in history.
- There are no mandatory recount laws in Illinois. A candidate who is within 5 points of the top vote leader may request a nonbinding recount in up to 25% of precincts.
| | | Didn't make South by Southwest this year? The NPR posse did -- and has a summary of all the good music there. | | First lady Melania Trump discussed cyberbullying at a forum with tech industry officials on Tuesday. Per CNN's Kate Bennett:
"Trump offered an unusual acknowledgement, 'I am well aware that people are skeptical of me discussing this topic.'
"As she opened the event at the White House, she said, 'I receive many letters from children who have been bullied or feel threatened on social media. I know that each of your companies and groups have been working on these issues for many years and I look forward to hearing what you have learned, what has been accomplished, and what progress still needs to be made.'"
Read more in CNN's story here. | | CNN's Betsy Klein reported Tuesday: "The distinctive Amy Sherald painting of the former first lady, unveiled at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery last month, has relocated to a different part of the museum due to demand.
" 'We're always changing things up here. Due to the high volume of visitors, we've relocated Michelle Obama's portrait to the third floor in our 20th-Century Americans galleries for a more spacious viewing experience,' the National Portrait Gallery tweeted."
Read more about Obama's very popular portrait here. | | CNN's Jake Tapper and MJ Lee reported Tuesday that Stormy Daniels was "truthful about having unprotected vaginal intercourse with Donald Trump in July 2006," according to a polygraph test report from 2011. From their story:
"The report states that the 'probability of deception was measured to be less than 1%.' It was given to CNN by Michael Avenatti, Daniels' attorney and contains three pertinent questions: 'Around July 2006, did you have vaginal intercourse with Donald Trump?,' 'Around July 2006, did you have unprotected sex with Donald Trump?' and 'Did Trump say you would get on "The Apprentice"?'
"Daniels replied yes to all three questions. The first two were analyzed to be truthful, the third question was 'inconclusive,' according to the polygraph examiner, Ronald Slay. Polygraphs are generally inadmissible in court." | | James Comey goes to Hollywood? Maybe.
The former FBI director is considering selling the option to his upcoming memoir "A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership," The Hollywood Reporter said Tuesday.
Comey's agents -- Matt Latimer and Keith Urbahn -- fielded pitches in Los Angeles last week, according to the publication, which cited a source with knowledge of the visit.
The book comes out April 17, and bookstores in D.C. are already preparing for "Harry Potter" and "Fire and Fury"-level excitement. | |  | | H/T Brenna | | | It's only Tuesday? Welp. Well, spend the rest of your day spreading the word: Tell everyone you know to subscribe to The Point. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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