Inside Golden State Politics

 Los Angeles Times columnist Mark Barabak walks us through the shifting political landscape of the western United  States

With the Republican far right ready to abandon Ukraine, we look at the domestic political implications of the war , including its possible impact on the California Senate race.   We also dig into the latest developments in California state and local politics.

We check out Gov. Gavin Newsom's summer travels to preach the blue gospel in red states.   We analyze the  U.S. Supreme Court's gutting of affirmative action and of President Biden's student loan forgiveness  program..

Along with our special guest, NPR international  correspondent Philip Reeves, we examine the similarities and differences between Donald Trump and Boris Johnson (aka “Britain Trump” ) and between their countries’ politics.

Political analyst Bill Schneider hones in on the issues swirling around the nation's capital.  He says the right wing House Republicans are "steaming mad" at Speaker Kevin McCarthy. And he says abortion could destroy the Republican Party.

We  talk to a leading Capitol budget guy, H.D. Palmer, a top deputy  in the California state Department of Finance.   He puts a good face on a story that could have a gloomy ending.

We examine how the debate over reparations, like that about the debt limit, is influenced by politics, economics and race.

Our guest, Laurel Rosenhall, the Los Angeles Times Sacramento bureau chief,  takes us on a tour of a Capitol faced with big decisions.

We discuss President Biden's reelection  announcement and its impact on major California politicians and policies.   We also remember Harry Belafonte and Richard Riordan.

We debate     whether California Sen.  Dianne Feinstein should quit.  And we examine Los Angeles  Mayor Karen Bass' first budget and the obstacles  she faces in funding  it.

We step back from the political tumult on the national level to review what's been happening--and not happening--in California.

We dissect Trump's post-arrest performance.  For progressives, it's "On Wisconsin"  and victory in Chicago.

Bill says Biden ought to fight for gun control one step at a time. Sherry questions whether even that can be accomplished in today's political environment.

We look at how former President Donald Trump continues to dominate the news media and  Republican politics.  We examine Mayor Karen Bass' first 100 days.  And we take a look at the Los Angeles school strike and the mayor's possible efforts to end it. 

With our guest, longtime Gridiron Club member and political journalist Cragg Hines, we go behind the scenes of Mike's Pence's rebellion at the fabled organization's recent dinner.  We also discuss the impact on freedom of speech of the Fox News-Dominion lawsuit.

We discuss whether California will finally play a real role in anointing the Republican presidential nominee.  And we both recoil in disgust at the antics of Fox News anchor Tucker  Carlson. 

We examine whether free speech should be limited in this era of unrestrained, often violent, political debate.  Should the Dilbert comic strip be axed?  And what about the xenophobic  attacks on Democratic  Congresswoman Judy Chu  of California by her Texas Republican colleague?

With our guest,  broadcast journalist Dave Bryan, we  discuss how two major political leaders are confronting big problems.    New Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces  homelessness and police reform.  President Biden sees the peace of Europe on his shoulders.

We say farewell to Sen.  Dianne Feinstein, who is not running for another term .  And we welcome Nikki Haley into the race for the Republican presidential nomination.

That' s what  some called  Bill Clinton's interminable  State Of The Union speeches.  Biden spoke a long time, too, but he had comic relief from the Republicans.

We agree with Mayor Karen Bass' support of   another term for Los  Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore.  We discuss the  silly federal government  classification system for so-called "secret"  documents.  And we wonder whatever happened to Donald Trump.

Our guest, newly elected Monterey Park City Councilmember Thomas Wong ,  shares his thoughts on the recent  mass shooting in his city  and its impact on the fierce debate over gun control.

We try to untangle the controversy over President Biden's classified documents.   We attempt to make sense of the debt limit.   Then we speculate on the California Senate race with or without Senator Dianne Feinstein. The episode was produced and directed by Nancy Boyarsky.

With our guest,  political analyst Dave Bryan,  we take a look at the crises facing California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor  Karen Bass.  We also discuss the Republican- controlled House  and its plans to shred the safety  net.

Like most people, we can only watch the House speakership fight on television.   Here's our report from the virtual battlefield.