Robert F. Kennedy in 1968 at a platform committee meeting of the Democratic National Committee.On the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy, Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster are joined by Steve Swatt, a veteran political analyst and former news reporter who at the age of 24 covered RFK’s murder and the trial of the assassin, Sirhan Sirhan, for United Press International.
Image: California Secretary of StateThere’s a lot going on here: A fifth of the electorate has already voted by mail, and more mailed ballots are coming in all the time. A lot of millennials got signed up through the registration program at the DMV, but what impact will that have on the contests? It looks like the SF Bay Area will outperform — again — L.A., and it’s still not clear whether a gaggle of GOP congressional incumbents are really vulnerable.
Anthony Wright, executive director of Health Access California. (Photo: Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly)The high-stakes political battle over health care has gripped the Capitol and, ultimately, it is all but certain to play out in the state budget and in this year’s elections. A major figure in the debate is Anthony Wright, the executive director of Health Access California, which advocates for the expansion of reasonably priced, quality health care.
Conor Lamb, a Democrat, campaigns in Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. (Photo: Conor Lamb's Facebook page)Political Data’s Paul Mitchell joins the podcast to chat with John Howard and Tim Foster about Democrat Conor Lamb’s surprise victory in the special election in Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District — a district that the GOP has carried for years and Trump won in 2016 by 20 points. The big question: What does this win mean — if anything — for California?
Political consultant Wayne Johnson. (Photo: Tim Foster, Capitol Weekly)Veteran political consultant Wayne Johnson, who has handled well over 200 campaigns in California, the U.S. and across the world, joins the Podcast this week to chat about politics and technology with Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster. Johnson, who handles mostly GOP candidates, is busy this year: He is working on Republican businessman John Cox’s gubernatorial campaign, which got a boost moments before we recorded the show when former Congressman Doug Ose abruptly exited the race.
Alexei Koseff, photo by Tim Foster, Capitol WeeklySacramento Bee reporter Alexei Koseff covers California politics and higher education for the Bee’s capitol bureau — and handles the state Assembly, too. Alexei joined Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster to chat about the challenges facing UC — Alexei is a Stanford alumnus, by the way — and the unique, constitutionally protected position the institution occupies in California’s educational structure.
Bill Magavern of the Coalition for Clean Air. (Photo: Tim Foster)Welcome to 2018, which the Coalition for Clean Air’s Bill Magavern has dubbed “The Year of the Truck.” Magavern, a veteran environmental advocate, joins us for our first Capitol Weekly Podcast of 2018. There’s new legislation out there (SB 210 from state Sen. Connie Leyva) introducing clean air rules for big trucks, which — surprise! — do not have to undergo the same types of smog checks that have been required for passenger vehicles for many years.
A sea of Trump campaign signs.Political Data’s Paul Mitchell has put together an after-action report of the California voters who backed Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Are they happy with Trump’s performance? Would they support him again? What do they think about the Republican majority in Congress? What can we expect in 2018, not only in Congress but in our state elections, as well?
Rob Lapsley, president and CEO of the California Business Roundtable. (Photo: Tim Foster)Rob Lapsley, the president and CEO of the California Business Roundtable, joins Capitol Weekly’s John Howard and Tim Foster to discuss one of the biggest policy issues of the year — the extension of California’s cap-and-trade auction program.
Illustration by CBProject, via ShutterstockThe 2020 count by the U.S. Census could have a big impact on California’s political districts. The numbers mean everything.
For example, will California lose a Congressional seat if the count comes in lower than expected? Some political observers say yes. If we lose a seat, will it be at the expense of an African American incumbent? Will California gain a congressional seat, giving the state 54th seat in the House?
If so, where will it be? In the Inland Empire? Let’s find out. Let’s ask Paul Mitchell.