US economic growth may be setting records, but next year's presidential campaign will focus on poverty, stagnant wages and income disparity. That's if some Republican candidates have their way — including Marco Rubio, Rand Paul, Jeb Bush — and even Mitt Romney. Eight Republican governors are asking for increased taxes. Is the GOP really co-opting a core Democratic issue? How does that sound to the Koch Brothers — with plans to spend $900 million on next year's campaigns?
"Middle Class Economics" and Republican Politics
More
- Obama on 'simplier, fairer' tax code to benefit middle class
- Weisman on Obama relenting on proposal to end '529' college savings plan
- Weisman on talk of wealth gap prodding the GOP to refocus
- Center for American Progress report on 'inclusive prosperity'
- Pethokoukis on the 'room to grow' conservative tax plan
- Brookings on whether billionaires can buy elections
Credits
Guests:
- Jonathan Weisman - New York Times - @jonathanweisman
- David Wessel - Brookings Institution - @davidmwessel
- James Pethokoukis - American Enterprise Institute - @jimpethokoukis
- Jared Bernstein - Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - @econjared