National Review's Radio Free California Podcast

David has to take on the show by himself this week as his far superior colleague deals with a personal matter. But an election update, a massive strike, a football rivalry, and a social-justice-oriented union give him plenty of fodder even before getting to maybe the dumbest proposition ballot that passed this election cycle.

Ron DeSantis embodies the spirit of conservatism, Dems sweep California statewide races, California voters reveal a measure of reasonableness on propositions, and the laughably bad performance of the state’s political-consulting class. Music by Metalachi.

In their race to declare Pelosi’s attacker a Republican extremist, major media and Democratic leaders missed the obvious: the attacker is a psychotic drug addict. Bonus: We read (some of) your letters! Music by Metalachi.

Gavin Newsom used Sunday’s gubernatorial debate to cock-a-doodle his victory on a range of issues, including public education and the economy. But reality stepped in immediately with two new rankings that show California students failing and the state economy tied up in punishing taxes. David and Will also discuss Britain’s new PM (a Stanford grad) and the Dems’ screw-up on Ukraine. Bonus! Will talks with Richard Weikart about Newsom’s use of Christian scripture to advance his national pro-abortion campaign.

Guest host and Pulitzer Prize-winning business reporter Rick Reiff returns to discuss Jennifer Siebel-Newsom’s credibility problem, the curious absence of Gavin Newsom during Joe Biden’s California tour, the coming government finance crisis, and why even the rodents are fleeing San Francisco. Music by Metalachi.

The LA City Council kicks off its anti-racist holiday celebration with release of a secretly recorded convo that disparages African Americans, Armenians, Oaxcans, and white people who adopt black children. Gavin Newsom sets gas prices alight -- and then accuses refiners of greed. Music by Metalachi.

Gavin Newsom signs some 40 bills to save the planet. Leo DiCaprio’s climate-saving initiatives depend upon slavery. San Francisco befouls itself, blames climate change. The truth of high gas prices. A word each about Elon Musk, HBO’s “The Anarchists,” and punk-rock theology. Music by Metalachi.

Gavin Newsom sounds alternately like James Madison and the staff of Mother Jones magazine. David and Will factcheck the factcheckers on teacher pay. David reviews HBO’s “The Anarchists.” Will recalls Joan Didion and San Francisco punk quartet The Dead Kennedys. What Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard means when he says he’s giving up everything to save the planet. Music by Metalachi.

Days before telling CNBC that Ron DeSantis is wrong to doubt California’s path toward an all-electric future, Gavin Newsom was panicking that a September heat wave would crush the state’s grid. Californians love the idea of supporting Ukraine but won’t provide much-need energy. With just weeks before Election Day, California’s Department of Education refuses to release student test scores. LAUSD says all food is good food — a world in which soda pop and broccoli are neutral choices – and anyone who disagrees is a racist. Music by Metalachi.

David and Will provide this honorable public service: a complete rundown of November ballot measures, including the darkly comic fight between Indian casinos over the future of gambling. Music by Metalachi.