Political Breakdown

Latest Episodes:

Diane Goldstein on the Role of State Legislatures in Police Violence Apr 15, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss the crucial decision facing Governor Gavin Newsom and the state legislature on whether to mandate classroom instruction in the fall. Then, retired police lieutenant Diane Goldstein, executive director of the Law Enforcement Action Partnership, joins to talk about the role of decisions made by state legislatures in police killings like the shooting of Daunte Wright, the lobbying power of law enforcement groups, Senate Bill 2 to decertify officers engaged in misconduct and how her brother's death from an overdose inspired her reform work.

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Dr. Jian Zhang on Combatting COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Hate in San Francisco's Chinatown Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Marisa and Scott discuss Vice President Kamala Harris' return to the Bay Area and Governor Gavin Newsom's announcement on the full reopening of California businesses, plus what a potential Caitlyn Jenner candidacy would mean for the likely gubernatorial recall election. Then, Chinese Hospital CEO Jian Zhang joins to discuss her journey to San Francisco, how Chinatown avoided a COVID-19 outbreak, the affects of anti-Asian violence on her staff, the challenges facing community hospitals and whether she ever tried to convince the late Rose Pak to quit smoking.

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Rose Kapolczynski on Newsom's Rising Fortunes and Her Love of the Underdog Apr 02, 2021

Show notes

A new survey from the Public Policy Institute of California finds just 40% of likely voters in favor of recalling Governor Gavin Newsom from office. Scott and Katie Orr discuss the governor's political prospects and Thursday vaccination against COVID-19. Then, Democratic consultant Rose Kapolczynski joins to discuss why Democrats should not recruit a 'plan B' candidate to run in the recall, managing Barbara Boxer's 1992 campaign for Senate and why she enjoys working with underdog candidates. Plus, an April Fools Joke that Rose doesn't fall for.

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Randy Economy on the Campaign to Recall Governor Gavin Newsom Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

Oakland Assemblyman Rob Bonta is Governor Gavin Newsom's pick to be California's next Attorney General. Scott and Marisa discuss the nomination and Vice President Kamala Harris' assignment to lead the Biden administration's handling of border issues. Then, Randy Economy, senior advisor on the campaign to recall Newsom shares the story behind his name, how he got into politics, and the path forward for the recall effort.

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María Elena Durazo on Building Los Angeles' Labor Movement Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

The campaign to recall Governor Gavin Newsom is heating up as proponents hand in the signatures they hope will force an election, while the governor lays out his strategy to defeat the recall. Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss the political path ahead for Newsom and how the rise in anti-Asian violence could affect his choice for Attorney General. Then, State Senator María Elena Durazo, D-Los Angeles, joins to discuss growing up in a farmworker family, how she built political power for organized labor in Los Angeles, and why she decided to run for elected office.

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Alicia Garza on the Biden Rescue Plan and Turning Protest Into Power Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa discuss Governor Gavin Newsom's unique State of the State address, the potential recall election and Newsom's upcoming pick for attorney general. Then, Alicia Garza, Principal at Black to the Future Action Fund and co-creator of #BlackLivesMatter, joins to discuss the passage of the American Rescue Plan, the trial of Derek Chauvin and growing up in Marin County.

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A School Reopening Update and Wendy Weiser on Voting Rights Debate Mar 05, 2021

Show notes

The state legislature approves a $6.6 billion plan to incentivize a return to in-person instruction, but will it move the needle on reopenings? Marisa and Scott discuss the plan with KQED's Katie Orr and Guy Marzorati. Then, Wendy Weiser, Vice President for Democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice, joins to discuss the voting restrictions moving through state legislatures around the country, as well as potential changes to voting rights from Congress and the Supreme Court.

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Diana Becton on California's Prosecutor Battles and Potential Attorney General Vacancy Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Scott and Marisa analyze California Attorney General Xavier Becerra's confirmation hearing for Health and Human Services Secretary and the heightened political tensions in the school reopening debate. Then, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton joins to discuss her transition from a judge to prosecutor, the divide between progressive district attorneys and unelected line prosecutors and her reaction to speculation that she's on Governor Gavin Newsom's shortlist to replace Becerra as Attorney General.

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Mark Takano on His Family's Internment History and His Agenda for Military Veterans Feb 19, 2021

Show notes

On the eve of the 79th anniversary of the executive order that authorized the internment of Japanese-Americans, Congressman Mark Takano shares the story of his family's internment with Marisa and Scott. They also discuss how Takano was outed as gay during an early run for Congress, his legislative agenda to assist U.S. military veterans as chair of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs and his thoughts on the recent attacks on Asian-Americans in California.

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Zoe Lofgren on Impeachment, Immigration Reform and Running as a 'Mother' Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

New polling shows California Senator Dianne Feinstein's approval rating underwater for the first time. Scott and Marisa discuss the survey and their takeaways from former President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial. Then, San Jose Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren joins to share stories from her participation in all four impeachment proceedings in modern history, why she was drawn to working on immigration and what happened when she tried to list "Mother" as her ballot designation during her first run for Congress.

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