Political Breakdown

Scott and Marisa recap KQED's gubernatorial debate and take up the Debate Over Debates: whether California needs a system to regulate debates (00:45). Then San Francisco District Attorney George Gascón shares why he decided not to run for re-election and talks about his childhood in Cuba, the influences of his progressive ideals, deciding whether to prosecute police officers after shootings, and being an outlier among California prosecutors on criminal justice policy (7:50).

Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom says the story of his childhood and career ascent is often misrepresented. So Scott and Marisa talk with the gubernatorial hopeful about his early years (including his teenage wine cellar), business background, and rise in San Francisco politics. They also look back on his mayoral tenure, and discuss how personal scandal, marriage, and fatherhood have added to his personal growth.

TUNE IN to KQED Forum Governor's Debate on Monday 10/08 at 10am.

Palo Alto professor Christine Blasey Ford and Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh grip the nation with their testimony in front of the Senate Judiciary committee, with questions from Californian Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris.

Scott and Marisa get reaction from former California Senator Barbara Boxer, KQED Politics reporter Katie Orr, Loyola Law professor Jessica Levinson, and Slate writer Lili Loofbourow.

Marisa Lagos and Scott Shafer are the hosts of Political Breakdown, a weekly podcast and radio program on California politics. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts.

Political Breakdown is in Orange County, where a handful of closely watched Congressional races could decide the balance of power in the House of Representatives. Scott and Marisa recap their week of talking with candidates and voters with Guy Marzorati, and writer Gustavo Arellano joins to assess the potential of a blue wave and more permanent political change in his home county.

Governor Jerry Brown takes center stage at the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, and State Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins joins Marisa and Scott to talk about her journey from western Virginia to California, national perceptions of the Golden State, San Diego politics, and her leadership style.

California Senators Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris take different tacts in their questioning of Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh (0:12) Then, Scott and Marisa talk  with California Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye about being underestimated throughout her career, confirmation hearings, bail reform, and the vacancy on California's Supreme Court (5:12).

We're in Sacramento this week as lawmakers advance hundreds of bills to the Governor's desk before Friday's deadline. Scott and Marisa run through a major change to the state's bail system, unfinished business on wildfire reform, and end-of-session beef. Then, Dana Williamson, advisor to Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Xavier Becerra, joins to talk about the Brown administration and PG&E, the legacy of Nancy McFadden, life in the Governor's office, and the administration's legacy on criminal justice and environmental reforms.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi talks with Scott and Marisa about this week's indictment of San Diego Republican Congressman Duncan Hunter and the legal troubles of President Trump's allies, learning to have thick skin in politics, her faith, how parenting prepared her for keeping a caucus unified, and her outlook on California's competitive congressional seats.

It's crunch time: The legislative session in Sacramento ends later this month, and lawmakers are deciding the fate of many bills. Marisa and Katie look at what's been squashed and what's staying alive (0:45). Then, longtime democratic strategist Debbie Mesloh joins to discuss bail reform (6:30), growing up in Kansas (7:36), working with Senator Kamala Harris (10:24) and the wave of women running for office this year (18:32).

The state legislature continues to weigh reforms around utilities and wildfires, and Republicans jump on a failed attempt to audit the state DMV (00:40). Then, State Senator Kevin de Leon joins the show to talk about his childhood in San Diego, fatherhood, how he chooses his legislative battles, bringing organized labor into a clean-energy future, and his run for U.S. Senate (8:11).

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