Joe Klein's Road Trip: What Americans Really Believe

From 30,000 feet or the cable TV news, America looks hopelessly divided by political polarization. And everyone knows that in Washington the dynamic of divide is deep and very real. But my guest this hour Joe Klein of Time magazine has been out in the country - driving, traveling, talking – and what he’s found is a lot more readiness to work in the middle than our national debate often suggests.

Americans in small towns and cities who want to cut the political warfare and get to work. Urgently. Joe’s back off the road and with us.

This hour On Point: Joe Klein, beyond the shouting match.
-Tom Ashbrook

Joe Klein, political columnist for Time magazine, and author of six books, most recently, Politics Lost

Time: The most important conclusion seems obvious, but it isn’t much appreciated by our political class or by those of us in the media: Most Americans are sane moderates, even in the most conservative areas through which I wandered. They are fascinated by the Tea Party’s success in grabbing the national megaphone, but also very much opposed to Tea Policy–and they are extremely frustrated that their views are not acknowledged by either the politicians or the media.

Joe Klein's Road Trip Blog: Check out his route, road trip playlists and conclusions about American politics

From Joe Klein's road trip playlist:

“Bellarosa” by Eliza Gilkyson
“Radio King” by Golden Smog
"Savin’ Up” by Clarence Clemons