20 talks to understand the 2020 political landscape

President Trump is all but assured the Republican nomination, but the Democratic nominee is still a question mark. The field of candidates still numbers in the double digits. Is the large field a reflection of a disunited party without a central message, or does it signify a party more motivated than ever to win the White House?

A fundamental tension within the Democratic party revolves around centrist Democrats. Traditionally a vital voting block, centrists are starting to be seen as a political liability rather than an asset. If Democrats think they have a better chance of winning by moving to the left, it might mean alienating centrists who aren't as eager to come along.

President Trump is now the de facto head of the Republican Party, and dozens of senators and local officials who will run for election in 2020 must decide whether to hitch their bandwagon to his party. It's a Republican Party that's increasingly extreme in its views around issues like immigration and reproductive rights.

Though former President Ronald Reagan has an almost mythical status among some Republicans, his brand of ideological conservatism is being transformed by his successors in the Republican Party. Will there be a return to 20th century conservatism, or are Republicans charting a new ideological course under President Trump?

Regardless of party, though, concerns about election security loom large as voters confront disinformation campaigns and hacking scandals. Have government agencies and private companies like Facebook done enough to inoculate the US election process against interference?

Over the last century, the number of Americans living in rural America has shrunk by more than half. That stark transition is leaving many rural citizens disgruntled. This group is maligned and vilified for their lifestyles and political choices. How can political candidates and journalists help bust stereotypes about rural Americans in order to bridge the rural-urban divide?

White evangelicals represented one of most staunchly pro-Trump demographics in the 2016 election, and the trend seems likely to continue in 2020. Why do such deeply faith-driven citizens rally around a president whose behaviors and values don’t exactly match up to traditional Christian mores?

The 2018 midterms ushered in some of the youngest House members in US history, and more black, brown, and queer candidates were elected than ever before. These changes were thanks, in part, to young voters. From how they consume news to who they vote for, younger generations are changing the face of politics. Understanding the desires and passions of millennials and younger generations will be vital for any successful political campaign in 2020.

Bernie Sanders and President Trump have at least one thing in common: they're both at the crest of a populist wave that's sweeping US politics. Starting with the Tea Party in 2010, populist talking points and campaign strategies are on the rise. But is “Medicare For All” a pipe dream? Can populist leaders actually deliver on their promises, and what's the danger if they can't?

At the end of the day, is there hope that the 2020 election will bring liberals and conservatives together to talk about ways to improve the lives of Americans? Beyond hyperbole and political affiliation, where can we find commonalities? Differences of opinion will always exist, but understanding how Americans think and feel could go a long way in healing deep divides.

One of the biggest news stories of the 2016 election turned out to be the news media itself — we're officially in the fake news era. Fake news is everywhere, and unfavorable news can be easily dismissed as fake and biased. A robust and trusted news industry is vital to the health of our democracy, so how can politicians, citizens, and journalists work together to restore the institution of news in the US?

Part of the fake news era is a vacuum of leadership addressing the issue of disinformation. Tech companies don't want to take responsibility and governments are loathe to tell tech companies what to do. As the 2020 elections gear up, how will our country face the threat from Twitter bots and Facebook trolls? What responsibility should the government have to police the truth — and what role can the tech platforms play?

More people are getting their news online, and that trend will undoubtedly continue. News travels faster, too — a breaking story can reach millions in minutes. Traditional journalists adapt to these changes, or risk obsolescence. But can they play a role in promoting healthy news consumption online and help temper some of the worst aspects of hyperconnectivity?

A clean energy revolution is now underway, but US leadership on clean energy took a u-turn after President Trump was elected. Instead of capitulating, many Democrats are doubling down on unprecedented environmental legislation like the Green New Deal. Are the Democrats wasting time and political capital on the Green New Deal, or does the legislation have enough populist appeal to bridge the partisan divide?

There's a reason why Ruth Bader Ginsburg's health makes headlines: the balance of power on the Supreme Court, and lower courts, is a political volcano waiting to erupt. The John Roberts court has already been fundamentally changed by President Trump, and the Supreme Court could end up defining the issues important in the 2020 political election landscape.

There's perhaps no better microcosm for the divide between Republicans and Democrats than the debate on immigration. How will a middle ground be found around the two sides: immigration amnesty  or a dramatic reduction in the number of legal immigrants entering the US? Most Americans and politicians realistically want something in between, but immigration is a deeply emotional issue that's easily exploited.

State legislatures have passed a record number of anti-abortion bills in recent years, yet the populace is still bitterly divided over reproductive issues. Should insurers cover birth control? Should the federal government fund Planned Parenthood? The debate about these issues is only getting started.

A groundswell of Americans fed up with a business-as-usual US political system means serious attempts to reform it could be on the horizon. Whether through ranked choice voting, campaign finance reform, or abolishment of the primary process, advocates want to make the US political system work for everyone.

President Trump's trade war with China added fuel to growing international turmoil around China's ascendent global influence. China has dismissed the wishes of Western powers for it to be a bastion of liberalism and international cooperation. So, will President Trump's isolationism leave a power vacuum for China to fill? And can the US economy withstand the crippling trade war?

The year 2020 will be historic, no matter which way the political winds blow. If Trump becomes a two-term president, he will have a chance to cement his legacy. But if a Democrat wins (whomever that turns out to be), they will have an uphill fight to enact an agenda in a politically charged atmosphere. Either way, everyday Americans will still likely be fighting for the issues they hold closest to their hearts.