Better to Win: The wit and wisdom of Bill Wong

CAPITOL WEEKLY PODCAST: Friend of the Pod Bill Wong joins us to chat about his new book, Better to Win. Wong, a renowned strategist to a bevy of major California Democrats, provides candid and occasionally Machiavellian advice to those who aspire not only to fight for justice, but to win those fights.

Wong’s story is filled with names familiar to followers of California politics, and gives the fascinating backstory to public fights, like the clandestine – and ultimately successful – effort to derail the appointment of Dan Lungren as State Treasurer.

Better to Win examines the mindset and machinery involved in the use of power and the sacrifices necessary to affect meaningful change for those who don’t (yet) have a voice in the halls of power. This book shares skills and strategies for change agents and powerful stories of Asian Americans who played and continue to play an important role at the table where decisions are made.

1:43 What was the inspiration for the book?

3:17 The art of communication

6:03 The era of Term Limits

8:27 Relationships and trust

10:06 How to upend a gubernatorial appointment: Dan Lungren edition

14:17 The AAPI Caucus

17:29 The Covid backlash against AAPI

19:40 “The worst thing right now is the deafening silence from the Republican Party”

21:19 Racist ads in CD45

21:57 Democrats’ “sub-optimal messaging”

29:42 Advice for Tennessee Democrats?

36:55 #WWCA