A newsletter about role of higher education in society — plus Open Campus developments. The education divide remains one of the most powerful forces in American politics. This understanding — mentioned on so many podcasts and cable news shows — has become so entrenched this fact may sound unfathomable: Back in 2000, Al Gore and George Bush split the 100 most educated counties in the country right down the middle. Now, of course, the Democrats win four out of five of them.