The Issue Is

The Issue Is: The Democratic Debate.    For the first time, all 10 Democratic candidates are on one stage.    Who are the big winners and losers?   Our panel breaks it all down: Bob Shrum, Lisa Bloom & Peter Van Voorhis.    Plus, we assemble a focus group of undecided Democratic voters to share their views.    Our panel also debates President Trump's homelessness plan, the California "gig econ...

Peter Van Voorhis is a conservative political commentator and a contributor to the Washington Examiner, he’s also a frequent guest on FOX News Channel.  In this podcast discussion with Elex Michaelson, Peter talks about starting as a conservative activist at age 4. He defends the 2nd amendment, discusses why he supports President Trump, and offers his road map for the future of the GOP.  ---------...

Joe Walsh is a Republican challenging President Donald Trump for the Republican Party presidential nomination.   "I genuinely believe Donald Trump is a bad guy. I think he's a danger to this country & unfit to be President."   He's fighting back against states that are considering cancelling their Republican primaries.    "Eliminating elections. You can't get more undemocratic than that!"    W...

Carlos Mencia is one of the most successful and influential Latino comedians of all time.    In this podcast discussion with Elex Michaelson, Carlos talks about being an immigrant from Honduras, having 17 siblings, and growing up in East Los Angeles.    Mencia analyzes politics today & discusses why Latinos are often underrepresented.    He talks about finding his comedy voice & why his fa...

This week...the most fiery panel discussion in the history of our show. Plus, a one-on-one sitdown with a top tier presidential candidate.    Mayor Pete Buttigieg shares his views on California's gig economy, automation, climate change, guns, education, and his personal favorites.     Then, an epic showdown between Hasan Piker of The Young Turks & Gianno Caldwell of FOX News.    They address H...

Gianno Caldwell is a FOX political analyst. He gained interest in politics at the age of 14 after seeing how lawmakers can make a change and impact their community. In this podcast he tells us what it’s like growing up on the south side of Chicago, how he got into politics and what it’s like being a conservative African American. He has a new book out titled “Taken for Granted: How Conservatism Ca...

This week...The Issue Is: Guns.  Where does the country move forward after so many mass shootings? We speak with Sen. Cory Booker about his plan to ban assault weapons. How can he actually pass it? Plus, he talks about his strategy for beating President Trump & his support from Trekkies and Star Wars fans.  Then, a conversation with Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan.  We discuss gun control in Congre...

The Issue Is: Gloria Allred, Antonio Villaraigosa, Michael Knowles    The issue is...the life and death of Jeffrey Epstein.    Attorney Gloria Allred represents several of Epstein's accusers.    She wants an independent investigation into his death after the medical examiner ruled it a homicide.    Allred said there will be a series of lawsuits against his estate.    In the past few years, she's f...

Gov. Gavin Newsom, Areva Martin, John Thomas, "Stuttering" John Melendez    The Issue Is...gun safety.    As the nation mourns, we also grapple what do to about mass shootings? And what to do about guns?   Governor Gavin Newsom talks about what gun control measures he's like to see added to California.    He also talks about homelessness, foster care, and the return of "Beverly Hills 90210"!?   Th...

Ever wonder what political consultants really know about you? Republican strategist John Thomas takes us behind the scenes of the political world.  He talks about how much information campaigns can obtain about you--from your shopping records to your online computer use to your voting history. They are now using that to target you in unprecedented ways.  Thomas, the founder of Thomas & Partner...

Two debate nights. 20 candidates. Three interesting panelists.  It's been a busy week in the race for the 2020 nomination.  Our diverse panel breaks down what happens...and what happens next.  With us: Margaret Cho--legendary comedian and host of "The Margaret Cho" podcast Bob Shrum--legendary political strategist & co-director of the USC Center for the Political Future  Ben Lyons--veteran bro...

Rolling Stone Magazine ranks Margaret Cho as one of the 50 greatest stand-up comedians of all time.  After being bullied as a kid, Cho became a stand up as a teenager. She's been working at it ever since.  Cho blazed a trail for Asian American women in comedy. Her 1990's ABC sitcom "All-American Girl" broke new ground.  In this podcast extra with "The Issue Is:," we discuss Margaret's new podcast...

The Issue Is: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Rep. Katie Porter, John Cox, Stephanie Miller    This week...Are You Feeling the Bern?   Sen. Bernie Sanders sits down for a one on one interview with us.    He explains how Medicare for All would work under his plan & why he thinks private insurance doesn't work.    Plus, he reacts to the Mueller Report, racism in America, and the fight for the soul of the D...

The Issue Is...the Presidency & racism. We break down a week where the President told Congresswomen of color to "go back where they came from" & his supporters yelled "send her back." Harvey Levin of TMZ says the President "knows exactly what he's doing." He believes the President is trying to make the four congresswomen the "face of the Democratic party." Plus, why Harvey believes Mayor P...

Tomi Lahren is one of the most controversial figures in American politics. She's written a new book that's all about her surprising life story. In this extended podcast interview with Elex Michaelson, Tomi talks about growing up in South Dakota and why she first became a conservative. She discusses attending UNLV & her first controversial story...about strippers. Lahren shares the story of get...

Congresswoman Jackie Speier (D-San Mateo) is concerned about a "potential police state" after President Trump announces an executive order concerning immigration. She's worried about government agencies compiling a national database.    Speier will be asking Robert Mueller questions during his upcoming testimony. We talk about what she wants to know from his most.    We also discuss possible Impea...

The Issue Is...President Trump vs. California   Democratic Congresswoman Katie Hill is one of the rising stars in Congress. Her fellow freshmen voted her their representative to leadership.    We talk with her about:    -Earthquake preparedness  -President Trump's comments about California homelessness  -Border detention facilities  -Census  -LGTBQ rights    Plus, she plays our "personal issues" g...

Dean Sheremet is a TV host, chef, dancer, fitness expert, father, and politically active citizen.    In this "Issue Is:" podcast extra, he tells Elex Michaelson about how he first became interested in politics.    Sheremet grew up in Michigan. When faced with pursuing a career in dance or sports, he chose dance.    That dancing took him to Hollywood where he'd meet his eventual wife, LeAnn Rimes....

The Issue Is...the Democratic debate. It's the first presidential debate of 2020...and it gets nasty. Kamala Harris' attack on Joe Biden is the most talked about moment. We talk about that and more with our panel: Bob Shrum, Areva Martin, and Caroline Heldman. Plus, we speak with a focus group of undecided voters for their perspective. And, a one on one interview with Ann Coulter. Ann told us she'...

Bob Shrum is one of the most well known & most respected strategists in Democratic politics. He's currently co-chair of the USC Center for the Political Future. In this podcast extra, he tells Elex Michaelson about: -Writing speeches for George McGovern in his 20's -Writing Ted Kennedy's legendary speech at the 1980 Democratic convention -Working with Bill Clinton on his State of the Union dur...

On today's episode of The Issue Is podcast: Elex Michaelson speaks with Rep. Ted Lieu featuring panelists Tim Conway, Elisha Krauss, and Brian Tyler Cohen. ----------  The Issue Is: with Elex Michaelson is California's only statewide political show, broadcast from FOX 11 Studios in Los Angeles. For airtimes and more information, go to TheIssueIsShow.com .

On the show today... Hasan Piker is the youngest of the Young Turks.  He's one of the most influential progressive commentators in all of social media. His commentaries are shared and seen by millions. Piker started his popular commentaries in a supply closet & grew them into a viral sensation.  Conservative talk show host Larry Elder grew up hating his father. He was beaten by him, and never...

Hasan Piker is the youngest of the Young Turks.    He's one of the most influential progressive commentators in all of social media. His commentaries are shared and seen by millions.    In this podcast extra, Hasan tells Elex Michaelson about growing up in Turkey..    He felt repressed by the Turkish government but then was surprised by the racial realities in America when he moved here for colleg...

Conservative talk show host Larry Elder grew up hating his father. He was beaten by him, and never given much affection.    After a verbal argument, they stopped talking. That lasted for ten years.    At 25 years old, Larry sat down to have a quick conversation with his dad for the first time in a decade. It lasted for 8 hours.    That conversation is at the heart of his book, "A Lot Like Me: A Fa...

Cory Booker had a break out moment with his address regarding gun control at the California Democratic Convention.    Moments later, he spoke with "The Issue Is:" about his presidential campaign.    How does he break out from the pack and what's his strategy to win California?    We discuss his plans for actually passing gun control, immigration reform bills...and how he'd regulate Silicon Valley....