Podcast: Survey Says…
The chattering class enjoyed this week in California politics: a debate, new polling, and a lot of spin about momentum.
This week's Capital Notes Podcast takes a look at the two races in the news — the contest for governor, with most of the talk about the GOP race — and the race for U.S. Senate. And, lest you think we'd forgotten our favorite topic, Capitol Weekly's Anthony York and I examine a little of the week's state budget news and more veto talk from the governor.
Meg's Big Mo
Photo: Getty Images
Granted, the new Field Poll numbers will be closely scrutinized by some pundits, and rightly so. Polls are, after all, only a snapshot in time and the big news appears to be within the margin of error. Even so, it's hard not to see the results as an extra shot of momentum for the former eBay CEO's campaign.
Read more
"The Difference Is Education"
And with that comment, the leader of the state Senate seemed to make it pretty clear today what's going to be at the center of budget fighting this year: funding for public schools.
Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg told Capitol reporters this afternoon that Democrats won't go along with Governor Schwarzenegger's approaches to funding schools — either in the current fiscal year or the budget year beginning July 1.
Read more
Republicans Rumble In OC
COSTA MESA– Meg Whitman. Steve Poizner. 60 minutes of debate in the race for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. More fun than you can possibly imagine on a Monday night. Wait, strike that last one.
And yet, tonight's debate features a first, and perhaps most important, chance for the candidates to set the narrative upon which most of this race will begin to be seen by California voters.
Read more
GOP Day 2: The Breakup
SANTA CLARA — Leave it to Tom McClintock, long the favorite son of the California Republican Party, to say what only others hinted about all weekend.
Photo: Getty Images
Arnold Schwarzenegger, we're breaking up with you.
Granted, the freshman congressman and former longtime state legislator threw his punch via video from Washington, D.C. and did so at the expense of one of the current gubernatorial wannabes.
But at least he said it; and when he did, the room erupted in applause. It probably helps when the guy isn't there — which he wasn't.
Read more
GOP Day 1: We Love The Press
SANTA CLARA — So what did we learn on this first day of the 2010 winter California Republican Party convention? In a nutshell, that messaging is king… and that part of that message is candidates love reporters.
And press conferences. And questions. Lots of them.
Photo: John Myers, KQED
None of the chit chats were on the schedule, but rather were "impromptu" affairs that featured the former eBay CEO apologizing for the Tuesday campaign miscue heard nationwide, attacking her rival Steve Poizner, and attempting to answer every policy and political question in between. The campaign team insisted the Q&As were always going to be part of the game plan at this point; regardless, it was a day that may have put an end to the characterization of a media shy business executive — a story her rivals have playing to the hilt these last few days.
Read more
Podcast: Budgets & Blunders
This week's Capital Notes Podcast stretches from the halls of the state Capitol to the campaign trail of those who want to be governor, and some political stories that we may be talking about for a long time to come.
First up, the latest back-and-forth on budget solutions approved by the Legislature but rejected by the governor. Then, Capitol Weekly's Anthony York and I check in on the efforts underway on several possible November ballot initiatives, and the much-talked about week of the current frontrunner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination.
NOTE: I'll be heading down to Santa Clara for this weekend's big GOP confab and all the political news that develops. Check back for a few blog postings and, yes, some fun-filled 140 character reports via Twitter.
Legislature, Heal Thyself
Listening to today's news conference from legislative leaders announcing a package of proposals to fix the dysfunction that permeates the state Capitol brought to mind those late night TV commercials for incredible whiz bang products, where after you're offered more items for a low price than you could ever imagine, the announcer always says, "But wait, there's more!"
Government reform? But wait, there's more!
Read more
And Now, Congress. Maybe.
In a fall election that's looking like a monumental case of information overload, it appears voters will be asked to revisit the issue of independent political redistricting — as backers of an initiative to add congressional districts to the list say they've collected more than enough signatures for a spot on the November ballot.
Read more
Podcast: Jerry Brown
This week's Capital Notes Podcast features a one-on-one interview with the newest candidate in the 2010 race for governor… the one who was able to string news coverage of his announcement all the way through til week's end.
That candidate is Jerry Brown, the Democrat whose bio seems to be coming full circle in his quest for another stint in the job that made him one of the most recognizable figures in California politics.
Portions of the interview are appearing on the air on The California Report, but this is the entire discussion from start to finish.
About the Blogger
John Myers is Sacramento Bureau Chief for KQED's The California Report, heard on public radio stations around the state. More about John...
Have a news tip? Email John
-
Sponsored by
More From KQED
-
Daily news and a weekly newsmagazine.
-
KQED Radio News reports on the latest happenings in Northern California.
-
A live call-in program of in-depth discussions and interviews.
Subscribe
