Hugh Hewitt with  Pete Peterson, Dean of the Pepperdine School of Public Policy, on California’s poor forest management, which contributes to blackouts by PG&E and devastating forest fires.

A passing of the torch happened last weekend, when one progressive icon—Bernie Sanders—accepted an endorsement of his campaign from another progressive icon, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Her endorsement came as no surprise to political observers, but heralded an important moment for the ascendancy of far-left wing politics within the Democratic Party. No longer can socialist policy positions be considered the fringes of the American left. Indeed, the movement led by Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez isn’t merely a minor blip in history to be dismissed with the next political cycle. It is the pathway down which the Democrats will take their politics, policymaking, and rhetoric in the years to come.

The ascendancy of the socialist left is a gift to President Trump and Republicans in Congress, who will run as defenders of a free-enterprise system that—while not perfect—has been the linchpin of American prosperity for generations. That’s an electoral fight that will be tough for Democrats to win.

Hugh Hewitt invites Dr. Bill Bennett, former Salem host, former US Secretary of Education, and author of, “America: The Last Best Hope,” to discuss Brexit,  China, the opioid crisis, and Trump impeachment.

Conservatives’ message was individual liberty and limited government, but it’s been narrowed to a defense of capitalism and free markets. This message is a dead-end for younger voters, especially.

Young people view both government and markets with suspicion but they think government is fairer. Having lived through 2008, facing student debt, wage stagnation, lower-paying jobs — they dislike the harshness of markets.

A 2017 Pew poll found that 57 percent of younger Americans want a “bigger government with more services,” which is what liberals offer.

There is a larger point to conservatism than just free markets and capitalism. Young people love their individualism and resent being told they have to wear helmets and pads through life. They can still be reached with a message of individual liberty and limited government, which is where conservatives need to begin.

Critics of President Trump often express bafflement over why his broad support among conservatives is so enduring.

The answer is short and simple: Trump is establishing a record of genuine and possibly lasting conservative reforms.

The latest came on October 9, when he signed two executive orders designed to improve transparency when government agencies issue or enforce “guidance” on how best to comply with a law or regulation.

Don’t be fooled by that word “guidance.” These informal missives from the vast federal bureaucracy carry extraordinary real-world costs and sometimes extremely destructive punishments.

Now: Trump is bringing down the hammer on the guidance-addicted bureaucrats.

“This regulatory overreach gravely undermines our constitutional system of government,” Trump said.

Now that is conservatism.

And it’s conservatism that attracts conservatives.

How blindingly obvious.

Dan Proft and Amy Jacobson talk with Fox’s Bret Baier about more fake news around the Biden/Ukraine call.

Townhall Review – October 19, 2019

Dan Proft and co-anchor Amy Jacobson talk with Seth Frantzman, Middle East analyst at The Jerusalem Post, about President Trump’s decision to pull troops from Syria.

Sam Malone talks with Robert Maginnis for his analysis of the situation with Turkey and Syria.

Hugh Hewitt and Alex Conant of Firehouse Strategies talk about the Democrat Presidential debate and where the candidates rank.

Sebastian Gorka talks with James O’Keefe of Project Veritas about evidence that the elite media has something of a vendetta against President Trump.

Albert Mohler gives his analysis of a speech on religious liberty given by U.S. Attorney General William Barr at Notre Dame Law School.

Dennis Prager and Kimberly Strassel, Wall Street Journal, talk about her book, “Resistance (At All Costs): How Trump Haters Are Breaking America.”

Bob Frantz talks with Dr. Everett Piper, former President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University, about individual responsibility and getting your own act together before criticizing someone else.