Political Breakdown
KQED
Join hosts Scott Shafer and Marisa Lagos as they unpack the day in politics with a California perspective. Featuring interviews with reporters and other insiders involved in the craft of politics—including elected officials, candidates, pollsters, campaign managers, fundraisers, and other political players—Political Breakdown pulls back the curtain to offer an insider’s glimpse at how politics works today.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 17, 2019 • 31min
Kimberly Ellis on ‘Losing with Grace,’ Her Brother’s Death, and Her Run for Party Chair
Scott and Marisa discuss how Governor Gavin Newsom is spending his political capital, as the legislature stalls a clean water tax and legislation to increase housing density. Then, Kimberly Ellis joins to discuss her 2017 loss in the Democratic party chair race, her childhood in a military family, the death of her brother from cancer, and her current bid to lead the state party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 10, 2019 • 31min
Pollster David Binder on Focus Groups, the Myth of Voters in the Middle, and the 2020 Primary
Gavin Newsom lays out a revised state budget, and Marisa and Scott discuss the governor's break with Attorney General Xavier Becerra over the release of police misconduct records. Then, pollster David Binder joins to talk about polling vs. focus groups, early indications of Trump's electoral success, the myth of voters in the 'middle,' and the 2020 Democratic primary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 3, 2019 • 31min
Jay Inslee on Hooping with Obama and His Climate Change Campaign for President
California Senator Kamala Harris grabs the spotlight in her questioning of Attorney General William Barr. Then, Washington Governor Jay Inslee joins Scott and Guy Marzorati to talk about his Jimi Hendrix connection, hooping with Obama, the vote that cost him his House seat in 1994, climate change politics, and his campaign for President. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 26, 2019 • 31min
David Chiu on Rent Control, San Francisco Politics, and Electric Violining
Joe Biden enters the 2020 fray, more Democratic nominees head west, and Scott and Marisa are joined by Guy Marzorati to talk about the latest in housing politics at the state Capitol (0:30). Then, San Francisco Assemblyman David Chiu joins to talk about renter protections, his relationship with Governor Gavin Newsom, growing up with a "tiger mom," San Francisco vs. state politics, and jamming out on the electric violin (8:35). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 18, 2019 • 32min
Rusty Hicks on His Campaign for Democratic Party Chair
The race for California Democratic Party chair is heating up, and Scott and Marisa discuss what's at stake. Then, they're joined by Rusty Hicks, candidate for chair, who discusses his vision for the state party, meeting his father at age 11, his decision to join the Navy Reserves, and the political work of the LA County Federation of Labor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 12, 2019 • 31min
Laphonza Butler on Her Move from Labor Leadership to the Harris Campaign
A lukewarm poll and an ongoing utility crisis greet Governor Gavin Newsom upon his return from El Salvador. Then, Scott and Marisa are joined by Laphonza Butler, campaign advisor to Kamala Harris, who discusses her role on the campaign, her childhood in Mississippi and time at Jackson State, advocating for home care workers at SEIU and high-stakes negotiations with Governor Jerry Brown's office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Apr 5, 2019 • 31min
Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert on the Death Penalty, Stephon Clark and Forensic DNA
The debate over a proposed navigation center in San Francisco exposes the challenge local electeds face in addressing homelessness in California. Then, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert joins Marisa and Scott to talk about opposing her brother at the ballot box, Governor Newsom's death penalty moratorium, leading a breakthrough in the use of forensic DNA, her public announcement in the Stephon Clark case, and leaving the Republican party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 29, 2019 • 31min
TJ Cox on His Nail-Biting House Victory, the Green New Deal and High-Speed Rail
Freshman Congressman TJ Cox tells Scott and Marisa about waiting three weeks before emerging victorious in his Central Valley House district, the moment he knew the Democratic Party was abandoning his race, his childhood and the early death of his father, the Green New Deal, high-speed rail, and his bi-coastal family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 22, 2019 • 31min
Amy Klobuchar on Early Moments of Leadership, Adding ‘The Voice of a Midwesterner’ on Climate Change, and Prom Night Trauma
Minnesota Senator and 2020 presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar joins Scott and Marisa to talk about embracing leadership at an early age, prom night trauma, why it's important to have "the voice of a Midwesterner" on climate change, her treatment of Senate staff, and using Dr. Seuss to convince colleagues to allow babies on the Senate floor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 15, 2019 • 31min
Inside the Horseshoe With Newsom Chief of Staff Ann O’Leary
Gavin Newsom places a moratorium on executions in California, and Scott and Marisa delve into the factors that weighed into the governor's decision. Then, Newsom's chief of staff Ann O'Leary joins to discuss life inside the governor's office, her childhood in Maine, clipping newspapers in the Clinton White House, running the Clinton-Kaine transition, and the days leading up to Newsom's death penalty decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
