Why are 65+ whites less republican than 45-64 whites

[dw93]

Late Boomers (born mid 50's-early 60's) and Early Gen X (born from mid 60's-early to mid '70's) are pretty Republican. They came of age in the late 1970's and the '80s. That I think is what drives it.

[dw93]

Gen X worshiped Reagan as a hero. Back in the 1980s the young actually leaned Republican, take a look at Michael J Fox's character on Family Ties, he was a young conservative Reaganite. The olds all were New Deal Greatest Generation who were terrified of Reagan slashing SS and Medicare. In the 1980s Gen X Yuppies were Republican-leaning as well.

Speaking of Family Ties, I always loved the political takes of the show, but weren't the parents both baby boomers?

They were, but they were hippies.