Political Breakdown

Former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg gains some California endorsements in his presidential bid (1:00), and polls still have Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren at the top of the pack in the Golden State (2:40). Then, former California Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald George discusses the state of the judicial branch (6:55) and what it was like issuing his landmark ruling in favor of same-sex...

Politico national political reporter Christopher Cadelago joins Scott and Marisa to analyze Kamala Harris' exit from the presidential race and her political future (0:25). Then, Angela Glover Blackwell discusses her career in shaping public policy, and her new podcast examining 'radical' policy ideas (13:25). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa revisit two of their favorite interviews from the past year: conversations with Sacramento County district attorney Anne Marie Schubert (0:15) and Orange County congresswoman Katie Porter (14:10). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott recap a hectic week of impeachment hearings and the most recent Democratic debate, and analyze the State Supreme Court ruling against the law to force disclosure of presidential candidates' tax returns (0:30). Then, Republican activist Corrin Rankin joins to discuss her childhood experience with redlining, her family bail bonds business, leaving the Democratic party, and her effor...

Chesa Boudin pulls off an upset victory and wins the San Francisco district attorney's race (0:28). Marisa and Scott discuss what the result means for San Francisco and the criminal justice reform movement, and talk with Boudin about the moment the race was decided, his parents' incarceration, his early struggles in school, traveling in South America, cash bail reform, and his plans for the office...

San Francisco's closely watched District Attorney's race remains too close to call. Scott and Marisa discuss how the contest fits into the growing attention paid to local prosecutor elections and analyze the rest of the SF election results (0:39). Then, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund President Thomas Saenz joins to discuss the lead-up to the passage of Proposition 187 in 1994,...

Representative Katie Hill's promising House career comes to an end with her resignation from Congress, after the release of explicit photos and accusations of an improper relationship with an aide. Marisa and Scott discuss the political fallout and generational divide in the reaction to Hill's resignation (0:40) . Then, Stanford researcher Michael Wara joins to discuss the ongoing wildfire and uti...

As the Kincade Fire threatens homes in Sonoma County, Scott and Marisa discuss a new KQED/Change Research poll on PG&E's decision to shut off power in hopes of avoiding future blazes (0:20). Then, Napa State Senator Bill Dodd joins to talk about his childhood in Napa, switching to the Democratic party, and the future of California law governing utilities (5:53). Learn more about your ad choices. V...

Scott and Marisa check in with NPR's Scott Detrow for an update on the presidential campaigns of Californians Kamala Harris and Tom Steyer. Then, Orange County Rep. Katie Porter joins the show to talk about her first year in Congress, her Iowa roots, learning from then-professor Elizabeth Warren (her daughter's namesake), grilling witnesses in the House Financial Services Committee and learning to...

Californians take center stage in the House Democrats' ongoing impeachment inquiry. Scott and Marisa head to Washington, D.C., to talk with House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff, and fellow committee members Jackie Speier and Eric Swalwell. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa discuss the "power politics" of PG&E's blackouts with state Sen. Nancy Skinner, D-Berkeley. Skinner also shares stories of her college activism, working on criminal justice reform with former Gov. Jerry Brown and whether she got snubbed during the signing of her bill to allow NCAA athletes in California to receive endorsements. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/...

Scott and Marisa are joined by Airbnb policy and communications head Chris Lehane to discuss his days dealing with impeachment in the Clinton White House, the differences with the current impeachment inquiry, his early career in Maine politics, the 'dark arts' of opposition research, and Elizabeth Warren's rise. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf joins Scott and Marisa to discuss Nancy Pelosi's decision on impeachment, Schaaf's own clashes with President Donald Trump, her childhood in Oakland, lessons from her predecessor Jean Quan, and her involvement on Governor Gavin Newsom's Council on Homelessness. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new KQED poll finds Senator Kamala Harris slipping in California. Scott and Marisa talk about the survey results on California's presidential primary and the recently-signed AB 5, and discuss KQED's new partnership with Change Research. Then, California Republican Party chair Jessica Patterson talks about her family background and early involvement in the party, how she'll measure success in her...

Some Trump administration officials take a trip to California's biggest city for "fact-finding" on homelessness. Scott and Marisa sit down with LA Mayor Eric Garcetti in his office to talk about the Trump team's visit (0:35), what he thinks the President could do to help LA's homeless crisis (2:20), his "Jew-tino" heritage (7:50), what it was like watching the O.J. Simpson trial while his dad was...

Governor Gavin Newsom's request to amend a vaccination bill causes confusion in the legislature. Scott and Marisa analyze Newsom's move, and how he has dealt with other controversial bills as the legislative year draws to a close (0:37). Then, Congressman Ted Lieu joins to talk about his families emigration from Taiwan, selling jewelry in his parent's store, serving in the Air Force, taking on Pre...

Negotiations over gig worker regulations heat up and lawmakers and the governor reach a deal on charter schools. Katie Orr joins Scott and Marisa for an update as the legislative year nears the finish line (0:40). Then, Republican Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham joins to discuss the charter school deal, his law enforcement pedigree, Central Coast politics, nuclear energy, and regulating vaping (7:51...

Governor Gavin Newsom signs landmark legislation changing California's police use-of-force law, and Scott and Marisa recap a big win for the Newsom administration on auto emissions. (0:45) Then, Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang joins the show to talk about his UC connections, academic lineage, support from tech workers, universal basic income, and the 'bizarre' Democratic primary deba...

Author and presidential candidate Marianne Williamson joins Marisa and Guy Marzorati to discuss her childhood travels, discovering A Course in Miracles, her charity work with AIDS patients in Los Angeles, her stance on changes to vaccine exemption law, her proposal on reparations for slavery, and the past and future of the religious left. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi...

Governor Gavin Newsom warns of white nationalism's threat to California, and faces a legal challenge over his decision to sign a presidential tax return bill, plus Scott asks Marisa about her trip to prison with the governor (0:50). Then, political messaging expert Anat Shenker-Osorio joins to discuss the "messaging quadrant," the difference in how Republican and Democratic campaigns search for me...

A new California law could keep President Trump off of the state's 2020 primary ballot, and Marisa and Guy Marzorati discuss how Senator Kamala Harris performed in this week's Democratic debates (0:42). Then, Congressman Ro Khanna joins to discuss his grandfather's freedom fighting, early anti-war activism, the best advice he got from Nancy Pelosi, representing Silicon Valley while pushing for tec...

Marisa and Guy Marzorati preview next week's Democratic presidential debates, and discuss why criminal justice policy could take center stage on Wednesday night (0:36). Then, Amanda Renteria, interim president of Emerge, joins to talk about her childhood in the Central Valley, playing third base on the Stanford softball team, working for Senator Dianne Feinstein, running for congress and governor,...

House Democrats are united against President Trump's racist attack on four Congresswomen, but divided over how to respond. Marisa and Guy Marzorati also discuss the latest in California presidential fundraising and polling (0:55) Then, San Francisco State Senator Scott Wiener joins to discuss the anti-semitism he faced growing up, coming out to his fraternity brothers, fashion advice from Kamala H...

Eric Swalwell is out and Tom Steyer is in. Scott Shafer and Katie Orr discuss changes in the presidential race, the wildfire bill on its way to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk and the winning U.S. women's soccer team. Then Assemblymember Chad Mayes, a Republican from the Inland Empire, discusses his Christian upbringing, working with Democrats and the future of the GOP. Learn more about your ad choices....

Gov. Gavin Newsom takes an extended victory lap after signing his first state budget, and Sen. Kamala Harris tries to make the most of her standout performance at the first Democratic presidential debate. Plus, we revisit our conversation with fellow presidential contender Sen. Cory Booker from New Jersey. He talks about race, his California roots, living in public housing in Newark and why he tal...