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
Nov 17, 2023 • 31min
David DePape Found Guilty In Paul Pelosi Attack
Scott and Marisa are joined by KQED’s Joe Fitzgerald Rodriguez to talk about the trial and verdict in the case of David DePape, who is accused of attacking Paul Pelosi with the hammer. Then, KQED politics and government correspondent Guy Marzorati joins to talk about protestors shutting down the Bay Bridge, Biden’s successful meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Guy’s weekend plans: covering the state Democratic Convention in Sacramento. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 10, 2023 • 31min
Election Takeaways and Eric Early on His Run for U.S. Senate
Scott and Marisa discuss the role of abortion in Tuesday's elections in Ohio, Kentucky and Virginia. Then, Eric Early, a Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, joins to discuss his background in the entertainment industry, why he joined striking actors on the picket line, why he believes former president Donald Trump's false claims about the 2020 election and how he would vote on abortion in the Senate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 3, 2023 • 31min
Jerry Brown on Newsom's Trip to China
Marisa and Scott talk to San Francisco Chronicle politics reporter Sophia Bollag about covering Governor Gavin Newsom's trip to China. Then, former governor Jerry Brown joins to discuss Newsom's trip, U.S.-China relations, the upcoming APEC conference and his work at the California-China Climate Institute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 27, 2023 • 31min
Tia Orr on Labor's Big Year in California
Scott and Marisa analyze Governor Gavin Newsom's trips to Israel and China and discuss a state review of San Francisco's housing approval process. Then, Tia Orr, executive director of SEIU California, joins to talk about her rise in the labor movement, wins for labor in this year's legislative session and the ballot measure fight she's focused on in 2024. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 20, 2023 • 31min
Laphonza Butler's Decision and Nancy Pelosi on Paul Pelosi, San Francisco and the Grateful Dead
Senator Laphonza Butler announces she won't run for a full term 2024. Scott and Marisa discuss the surprise announcement as well as Governor Gavin Newsom's trip to Israel and what the ongoing dysfunction in the House of Representatives means for vulnerable California Republicans. Then, in the second part of their conversation at KQED Live, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi talks to Marisa and Scott about her husband Paul's recovery, her decision to run for re-election, homelessness in San Francisco and the Grateful Dead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 13, 2023 • 31min
Nancy Pelosi on Israel and the House Speaker Fight
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi joins Scott and Marisa at KQED Live to talk about the Israel-Hamas war and the Republican scramble to find a new speaker of the House of Representatives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 6, 2023 • 31min
Remembering Feinstein and California's Senate Question
Marisa and Scott recap Dianne Feinstein's memorial service and hear Nancy Pelosi's memories of the former mayor and senator. Guy Marzorati joins to discuss Feinstein's legacy, California's new Senator Laphonza Butler and the choice facing Butler over whether to run for a full term. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2023 • 31min
Senator Dianne Feinstein Dies at Age 90
Senator Dianne Feinstein, a champion of gun control who broke glass ceilings for women in local, state and national politics, died Thursday night. Marisa and Scott revisit their 2018 conversation with Feinstein about her life and career. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 29, 2023 • 31min
Matt Mahan on Zuckerberg's Advice and Homeless Housing in San José
Scott and Marisa discuss the Republican presidential primary debate in California and preview this weekend's GOP state party convention. Then, San José Mayor Matt Mahan joins to discuss his childhood in Watsonville, the career advice he got from Mark Zuckerberg and his efforts to build temporary housing for people experiencing homelessness in San José. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 22, 2023 • 31min
Changes Coming to California's Property Insurance Marketplace
Discussion on the challenges facing California's property insurance marketplace due to increasing wildfire risk, including the moves by Governor Newsom and Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara to address the crisis. Analysis of the successes of organized labor in this year's legislative session in California, with a focus on worker discontent and the impact of new labor legislation. Examination of proposed changes to workplace laws for domestic workers and other pending bills in California.
