In Biden and Buttigieg, Dems confront generational divide

LACONIA, N.H. (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden and South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg (BOO’-tuh-juhj) represent the generational poles of the crowded Democratic presidential primary.

The 76-year-old Biden is hoping Democratic voters see his decades of experience as the remedy for Trump’s presidency. Buttigieg argues that the moment calls for the energy of a new generation.

The call for generational change, and how Democrats resolve it, could prove to be even more consequential. It’s a fight not just over which candidate gives Democrats the best chance of defeating Trump in 2020, but the direction of the party for years to come.

So far, Biden’s and Buttigieg’s strategies have yielded early success. Biden has led primary polls for much of the year, while Buttigieg tops the most recent fundraising race.