Political Breakdown

For our last episodes of 2024, we’re looking back at some of our favorite shows of the year. From President Biden dropping out as the Democratic nominee, to Vice President Kamala Harris running a hundred-day presidential campaign, to the two assassination attempts on Donald Trump, this was a historic and monumental election year. As we wrap up this whirlwind year, knowing now that we’re heading into a second Trump administration, we're revisiting one of this year’s most pivotal moments when history was being made at the Democratic National Convention.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.Jessica Bartholow has worked behind the scenes at the state Capitol for years. She’s known for her fierce anti-poverty advocacy and budget expertise, as a lobbyist and more recently as chief of staff to East Bay State Senator Nancy Skinner. Bartholow now works for SEIU, the state’s largest and most powerful union. She joins Scott and Guy to talk about the revolving roles she’s played inside and outside of state government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.President-elect 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

For the final days of the year, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite shows from 2024.Governor Gavin Newsom calls Jason Elliott his “Swiss Army knife.” Elliott is Newsom’s longest serving aide, and he’s had his fingers in just about every major issue, from homelessness and housing to COVID, mental health care and regulating AI. As Elliott prepared to leave the administration, he joined Scott and Marisa to reflect on those many years of service in government. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lateefah Simon, a MacArthur genius and former BART board member, and Sam Liccardo, ex-mayor of San Jose, discuss their new roles as U.S. House representatives. They share insights on balancing personal relationships in a bipartisan Congress and their commitment to tackle housing and childcare issues. Both stress the importance of reconnecting the Democratic Party with voters and advocating for marginalized communities. They also explore innovative solutions in the Bay Area's tech and biotech sectors while aiming for unity in addressing societal challenges.

The 118th Congress is in its final days, and it’s not going quietly. With a government shutdown looming, Republicans killed a bipartisan budget deal then resurrected another plan that Democrats rejected.The chaos in Washington could be a preview of what’s coming in the second Trump administration, with a closely divided House and a bitter partisan climate.Scott and Marisa talk with two Democratic members of Congress: Sydney Kamlager-Dove from Los Angeles and Jared Huffman from Marin. They discuss the prospect for a budget deal, Elon Musk’s influence and why Republicans defied President-elect Donald Trump last night.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the year comes to an end, Marisa and Scott are joined by Politico California Bureau Chief Christopher Cadelago to look ahead to 2025, mulling over questions like: What's next for Vice President Kamala Harris? How is the California governor's race shaping up? Will Speaker Mike Johnson be able to keep his job as a government shutdown looms? Are Democrats learning any lessons from their losses and looking to turn the page to a new generation of leadership? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather Knight, New York Times San Francisco Bureau Chief, and State Senator Scott Wiener dive deep into the escalating concerns around a potential constitutional convention as Republicans gear up for power. They discuss the risks it poses to fundamental issues like abortion and immigration. Scott shares his efforts to rescind California's dormant calls for a convention, while Heather provides insights on the historical context and the implications of rewriting the Constitution in today's polarized climate. It's a thought-provoking conversation about democracy's future.

One of the House races that Democrats flipped from red to blue this election was California’s 45th congressional district in Orange County. Democratic newcomer Derek Tran narrowly defeated the incumbent Michelle Steel by about 650 votes in the nation’s most expensive House race. Melanie Mason, senior political reporter at Politico, covered that race and says Tran’s victory “blew up the Democratic Playbook.” She joins Scott to discuss how Tran managed to beat Steel in what was a very challenging political climate for Democrats.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Educated liberals have won the culture war, but that hasn't necessarily translated into winning elections. The Republican party is attracting larger numbers of working class voters without college degrees while Democrats are now the party preferred by educated Americans. This shift, referred to as the "diploma divide" reveals a new political alignment that is shaking up our politics. It's the subject of the book "Polarized by Degrees: How the Diploma Divide and the Culture War Transformed American Politics." Co-author Matt Grossman is director of the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research and a professor of political science at Michigan State University and he joins Scott. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices