Political Breakdown

Explore lessons from a lifetime in politics in KQED’s new podcast "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown." Scott Shafer spent more than 40 hours interviewing the former governor at his ranch in Colusa County, covering a life and career unmatched in California politics. In the series' final episode, Brown uses ballot initiatives to create a forward-moving agenda: leading California off a fiscal cliff and enacting reforms on criminal justice and water. And when Donald Trump wins the presidency, Brown rejects the label of the California “resistance” in favor of pushing ahead with progressive policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Scott and Marisa check-in with South Carolina Public Radio's Gavin Jackson ahead of Saturday's primary in the Palmetto State (0:30). Then, political consultant Ace Smith joins to talk about his work on his father's campaigns, the challenge of field organizing in California, what went wrong in Kamala Harris' run for president, why top California politicians are holding off on endorsing presidential candidates, and his book on baseball pitcher Satchel Paige (8:05). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore lessons from a lifetime in politics in KQED’s new podcast "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown." Scott spent more than 40 hours interviewing the former governor at his ranch in Colusa County, covering a life and career unmatched in California politics. In the series' seventh episode, Brown ignores the conventional wisdom of political consultants in his runs for attorney general and governor. Back in the governor's office, Brown blocks out criticism from his own party and carries out painful budget cuts in the face of a massive deficit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Marisa and Scott hit the road — first to Sacramento, where Gov. Gavin Newsom breaks format and focuses on homelessness in his State of the State address (0:21). Then, it's off to Las Vegas, where Democratic presidential candidates have gathered in advance of Saturday's caucus. Culinary Workers Union Local 226 Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Argüello-Kline joins to talk about her journey to the U.S., her concerns with single-payer health care, attacks from Bernie Sanders' supporters and organizing in a right-to-work state (06:03). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore lessons from a lifetime in politics in KQED’s new podcast "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown." Scott Shafer spent more than 40 hours interviewing the former governor at his ranch in Colusa County, covering a life and career unmatched in California politics. In the series' sixth episode, Brown takes office as mayor of Oakland in 1999, with the goals of improving development, public safety and schools. He learns that solving the city’s issues will take direct action: negotiating with neighbors, riding along with cops and walking the hallways of the city’s schools. But critics say getting closer to the problems didn’t remove Brown’s blind spots. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pod Save America host and former Obama adviser Dan Pfeiffer joins Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos to talk about the state of the race for the Democratic nomination, and his new book "Un-Trumping America." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore lessons from a lifetime in politics in KQED’s new podcast "The Political Mind of Jerry Brown." Scott Shafer spent more than 40 hours interviewing the former governor at his ranch in Colusa County, covering a life and career unmatched in California politics. In the series' fifth episode, Jerry Brown returns to politics in the early 1990s after six years in the political wilderness. In 1992, he runs for president, fighting against the influence of money and swearing off big contributions. But by the end of his career, he questions demands for more transparency and the rejection of certain donations, returning to an old saying of his father’s: “You can’t sprinkle holy water on campaign money." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days before the New Hampshire primary, Scott and Marisa check in on the latest from the Granite State with Dan Barrick from New Hampshire Public Radio (0:40). Then, data guru Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc., joins to discuss how he works with the California voter file, how campaigns are targeting early voters and the process of determining results from California's March 3 primary (11:29). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Explore lessons from a lifetime in politics in KQED’s new podcast The Political Mind of Jerry Brown. Scott spent more than 40 hours interviewing the former governor at his ranch in Colusa County, covering a life and career unmatched in California politics. In the show's fourth episode, California Democrats are shell-shocked by Proposition 13, but Jerry Brown sees a political opening. But in his second term as governor, Brown’s political eye begins to fail him; in a disastrous run for president, a bungled response to an agricultural crisis, and a losing Senate campaign that leaves him out of politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Days before the Iowa caucuses, Scott and Marisa get an update from the Hawkeye State from Iowa Public Radio reporter Kate Payne (0:30). Then, attorney Robin Johansen joins to talk about her work on the House Judiciary Committee during the Nixon impeachment, representing Willie Brown and the state Legislature, battling changes to term limits and redistricting, and the future of the state's initiative system (6:49). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices