Political Breakdown

California legislative leaders are in a rare public standoff in Sacramento after Governor Gavin Newsom on Saturday called for a special session of the legislature to address gas prices. Why is Newsom pushing this now, two months out from the election? And why is the Democratic leader of the Senate unwilling to go along? Scott and Marisa talk about the political drama unfolding with The Sacramento Bee’s Nicole Nixon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Soon after President Joe Biden announced he would not seek another term, identity groups began forming to support Vice President Kamala Harris. Everything from “Swifties for Harris” to “White Dudes for Harris.” Thousands of people have joined Zoom calls to talk her up, raise money and figure out what they can do to elect the nation’s first Black and South Asian woman as president. Scott talks with KQED reporter Nisa Khan about the rise of pop culture fan groups getting involved in politics.Read more of KQED's Fandom Vote series, digging into the oft-overlooked voting bloc of fan armies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's crunch time in the California Capitol. Lawmakers have until midnight tomorrow to pass legislation out of both houses and send it to the governor for his signature or veto. Marisa and Guy talk about the end-of-session controversies and Sacramento drama with KCRA capitol correspondent Ashley Zavala.This conversation was recorded on Friday morning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shoplifting and retail theft are hot button issues in California, and Rachel Michelin has been at the center of the debate over solutions. Michelin is the head of the California Retailers Association and she joins Marisa and Guy to talk about new legislation to crack down on thefts and a controversial ballot measure going before voters in November. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former President 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.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After Sam Bankman-Fried’s fall from grace, it seemed like the crypto industry was on the ropes. But this election season, it's becoming a potent political player — and both parties seem to want its support. Marisa talks about the state of play with Zeke Faux, an investigative reporter for Bloomberg Businessweek and author of "Number Go Up: Inside Crypto's Wild Rise and Staggering Fall." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Strength. Patriotism. Freedom. Ever since Vice President Kamala Harris jumped into the presidential race, Democrats have been all in on language and messaging historically more associated with Republicans. Marisa talks with Democratic communications researcher and campaign adviser Anat Shenker-Osorio to get her take on messaging strategies at last week's convention and what Harris needs to do in the weeks ahead to win this dead heat of a presidential race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the fourth and final day of the Democratic National Convention, Vice President Kamala Harris officially accepted her party's nomination for president, capping a whirlwind 32 days since she entered the race.It was Harris’ opportunity to introduce herself to the nation, and although her speech included attacks on her Republican opponent Donald Trump, it was centered on lessons from her mother, their middle-class life and her own realization of the American dream. Scott, Marisa and Guy share their highlights and takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s the final day of the Democratic National Convention, where Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept her party’s nomination. The Political Breakdown team has been in Chicago for the DNC all week, talking with delegates, party leaders and elected officials. Today, Marisa, Scott and Guy share some of their conversations with the movers and shakers they’ve run into this week in Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Political Breakdown team is in Chicago all this week for the Democratic National Convention. Today, Scott, Marisa and Guy bring you an inside look at the first two days of the DNC. They recap the speeches and performances and talk to delegates about their excitement for Vice President Kamala Harris on the democratic ticket.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices