Well-written piece about the demographics of last night's win in Wisconsin. Another key demographic variable is that of generation, and I'm glad to see that big media players are finally taking a serious look at the question of which generation Obama is a part of. The New York Times ran a piece a couple days ago (on Sunday) in which they pose the question of whether Obama is part of the Boomer Generation, Generation X, or the generation in-between Boomer and Xers--Generation Jones. Last week (in the Feb. 11 issue), Newsweek ran a piece in which the author (Jonathan Alter) made a strong case that Obama is not a Boomer, nor an Xer, but is rather a part of Generation Jones. I feel like this is a relevant and important question, and that the media will increasingly be exploring it, particularly given the huge age/generation difference between McCain and Obama.

This issue of ideology vs. pragmatism can be understood best when viewed under a generational prism. All four of Obama's picks yesterday--Geithner, Summers, Romer, and Barnes--are members of Generation Jones--born '54-'65, between the Baby Boomers and Generation X. Because Obama is a GenJoneser also, numerous influential pundits and publications have recently been writing and talking about the many collective personality traits which distinguish Jonesers from Boomers/Xers, and these traits (e.g. practical idealism) will not only significantly impact the way Obama governs, but also how those keey advisors around him approach their jobs. This 5 minute video is worth watching--it's filled with dozens of top political figures like David Brooks and Clarence Page discussing the existence and importance of Generation Jones vis-a-vis the election of Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ta_Du5K0jk