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Mark Barabak, the veteran political reporter and columnist for the L.A. Times, has just helmed a six-part series analyzing the political evolutions across the New West - Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon.  In this conversation, Mark talks his recent series, touches on the politics in all six of these states, and breaks down what it says about the trajectory of the region and the impact on the national landscape. He also mines his reporter's notebook to talk some of his favorite stories and personalities from 35+ years covering politics.

IN THIS EPISODE

Mark talks how he was drawn to working in political journalism...

The one state Mark hasn't covered yet...

What led Mark to helm his recent series on the New West...

The biggest surprise in the recent political evolution of the West...

How much remains of the historical, libertarian political character of the West...

How Cindy McCain has recently played an important symbolic role in Arizona politics...

Mark on Governor Jared Polis and political trajectory of Colorado...

Why emigration from California is not helping Republicans in the rest of the region...

Mark talks the importance of Latino voters in the West...

Mark's take on what it would take for Republicans to finally break through in Oregon...

What Bend, OR reveals about politics in the state...

How resilient is Democratic strength in the West if the party moves more to the left...

How Bill Clinton muscled California into becoming a safe Democratic state...

The anecdote Mark has waited 30 years to use...

Mark recalls the importance of the Berman/Waxman So Cal "machine" and Northern CA's Burton "machine"...

Mark's memories covering Nancy Pelosi's political career from her very first race in the 80s...

Mark weighs in on the '24 California open Senate seat...

The most charismatic politicians Mark has seen over the years...

AND 801 Chophouse, accelerants, Joe Biden, Barbara Boxer, Harry Britt, broad libertarian streaks, Pat Brown, Ron Brown, Willie Brown, bundling, Sala Burton, George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush, California tattoos, criminal malpractice, Gray Davis, Michael Dukakis, election deniers, John Emerson, extractive industries, fingertip sensitivity, Diane Feinstein, Greek Lit, Kamala Harris, Peter Hart, John Hickenlooper, the hoi polloi, Mark Kelly, Ted Kennedy, John Kerry, Kari Lake, Adam Laxalt, Barbara Lee, Mel Levine, Bill Lunch, Maricopa County, Blake Masters, Leo McCarthy, Narragansett, Grover Norquist, Tip O'Neill, Mike Ovitz, Leon Panetta, Pablo Picasso, Katie Porter, RINOs, Ronald Reagan, Dick Riordan, Brian Sanderoff, Adam Schiff, John Seymour, Derek Shearer, Bob Shrum, sourdough bread, unhelpful quotes, Pete Wilson...& more!