Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Adam Schiff Explains How Prosecuting a Russian Spy Prepared Him for Trump Jan 04, 2025

Show notes

Today we’re revisiting an interview with California's newest U.S. senator.

Senator Adam Schiff built his reputation in Washington as President-elect Donald Trump’s chief nemesis, playing a leading role in prosecuting the first impeachment of Trump. Schiff joined Scott and Marisa back in February to talk about his support for Israel, his evolution from a tough-on-crime Democrat to now embracing reform and what he wants to do if elected.

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How Daniel Lurie Will Balance the Need for Insider Knowledge With Outsider Perspective Jan 03, 2025

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Today we’re revisiting an interview with San Francisco's next mayor.

Daniel Lurie will be the city’s first leader in over a century with no previous elected government experience. Lurie made a lot of promises on his way to an impressive victory over the incumbent, Mayor London Breed. From homelessness to public safety, housing and the economy, Lurie will have his hands full when he takes office in January. Scott and Marisa are joined in studio by Lurie to discuss his agenda, his mandate and how he’ll keep those promises even as the city faces a budget deficit.

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The Emotional Highlights of the DNC Jan 01, 2025

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For our last episodes of 2024, we’re looking back at some of our favorite shows of the year.

From President Biden dropping out as the Democratic nominee, to Vice President Kamala Harris running a hundred-day presidential campaign, to the two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, this was a historic and monumental election year. As we wrap up this whirlwind year, knowing now that we’re heading into a second Trump administration, we're revisiting one of this year’s most pivotal moments when history was being made at the Democratic National Convention.

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Inside or Out of Government, Jessica Bartholow Is an Advocate for Economic Equity Dec 31, 2024

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For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.

Jessica Bartholow has worked behind the scenes at the state Capitol for years. She’s known for her fierce anti-poverty advocacy and budget expertise, as a lobbyist and more recently as chief of staff to East Bay State Senator Nancy Skinner. Bartholow now works for SEIU, the state’s largest and most powerful union. She joins Scott and Guy to talk about the revolving roles she’s played inside and outside of state government.

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The Political Messaging Behind 2024 Election Fashion Dec 28, 2024

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For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.

President-elect Donald Trump rarely strays from his red tie, white shirt and blue suit, while Vice President Kamala Harris’ uniform consists of tailored suits in a variety of colors. But what does it all mean? What are they saying to voters? And why do fashion choices in politics even matter? Marisa talks about the politics of fashion with Vanessa Friedman, the fashion director and chief fashion critic at The New York Times.

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Newsom’s “Swiss Army Knife” Advisor Reflects Upon Leaving the Administration Dec 27, 2024

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For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.

Governor Gavin Newsom calls Jason Elliott his “Swiss Army knife.” Elliott is Newsom’s longest serving aide, and he’s had his fingers in just about every major issue, from homelessness and housing to COVID, mental health care and regulating AI. As Elliott prepared to leave the administration, he joined Scott and Marisa to reflect on those many years of service in government.

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Sam Liccardo and Lateefah Simon: The Bay Area’s Two Freshmen Members of Congress Dec 24, 2024

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Today we're revisiting an interview with the Bay Area's newly elected U.S. House representatives.

Democrats Lateefah Simon and Sam Liccardo will be among the 119th Congress when they’re sworn in next month. The two have very different life stories, but they share a commitment to getting things done, even though Democrats will be in the minority. Simon and Liccardo join Scott in studio to discuss their agenda.

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A Preview For 2025? Musk and Trump Send Congress Scrambling Dec 20, 2024

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The 118th Congress is in its final days, and it’s not going quietly. With a government shutdown looming, Republicans killed a bipartisan budget deal then resurrected another plan that Democrats rejected.

The chaos in Washington could be a preview of what’s coming in the second Trump administration, with a closely divided House and a bitter partisan climate.

Scott and Marisa talk with two Democratic members of Congress: Sydney Kamlager-Dove from Los Angeles and Jared Huffman from Marin. They discuss the prospect for a budget deal, Elon Musk’s influence and why Republicans defied President-elect Donald Trump last night.

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Will She Or Won’t She? Kamala Harris Mulls A Race For Governor Of California Dec 20, 2024

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As the year comes to an end, Marisa and Scott are joined by Politico California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago to look ahead to 2025, mulling over questions like: What's next for Vice President Kamala Harris? How is the California governor's race shaping up? Will Speaker Mike Johnson be able to keep his job as a government shutdown looms? Are Democrats learning any lessons from their losses and looking to turn the page to a new generation of leadership?

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The Politics of a Constitutional Convention Has Democrats in a Panic Dec 19, 2024

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Republicans will soon have control of Congress and the White House, leaving Democrats concerned that they might call for a constitutional convention to rewrite our country’s constitution and fundamentally change anything from abortion access to immigration.

California has several dormant calls for a constitutional convention on the books, and now, State Senator Scott Wiener wants to rescind those calls. Scott talks with Wiener and New York Times San Francisco Bureau Chief Heather Knight about the politics of a constitutional convention.

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