Politics and Elections

GOP launching anti-Obamacare ads at Dems

John Seiler December 20, 2013

I predicted more than a month ago Republicans’ top three strategies for 2014: “1. Attack Obamacare. “2. Attack Obamacare. “3. Attack Obamacare.” Of course, that didn’t exactly take the talents of Nostradamus. But now my prediction is coming true. It’s

Michal Bloomberg’s candor beats Jerry Brown’s candor — by a mile

Jack Dean of the invaluable pensiontsunami.com website sent me a Politicker story about departing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s exit speech that Bloomberg plainly intended to be a historic demarcation of sorts. Bloomberg hammered home the theme that what

Is 2014 the best year for pension reform?

John Seiler December 19, 2013

I politics, timing is everything. In 1973, Gov. Ronald Reagan pushed Proposition 1 to cut state income taxes 7.5 percent. It lost, 54 percent to 46 percent. Even the Great Communicator couldn’t push it over the top. November that year

Actually, Jim Jones cult was Bay Area Democrats

John Seiler December 18, 2013

John Podesta, President Obama’s new guru, just apologized for saying of Republicans, “They need to focus on executive action given that they are facing a second term against a cult worthy of Jonestown in charge of one of the houses

Nothing can change the shape of President Jerry Brown

John Seiler December 17, 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown isn’t ruling out a 2016 presidential run. I well remember his first presidential bid, way back in 1976 when he was a young governor of 38 and I was a younger political writer of 21 on my

Ballot initiatives to watch in 2014

Adam O'Neal December 13, 2013

It’s no secret Republicans have seen their influence wane throughout California. Democrats control both chambers of the state legislature with supermajorities. Every statewide office is held by a Democrat. And fewer and fewer Californians identify as Republicans each year. One

McClintock: Ryan budget plan riddled with dishonesty

Chris Reed December 13, 2013

Tom McClintock, once the shrewdest guy in the Legislature, is now among the shrewder people in Congress. Last night the Northern California lawmaker sent out a column trashing the two-year budget compromise approved by the House at the behest of

Paul Ryan budget deal begs question: Why Republicans?

John Seiler December 12, 2013

January will begin in earnest the California mid-term election cycle. Although Gov. Jerry Brown’s seat likely is secure, assuming he’s running for re-election, Republicans hope to gain seats in the California Legislature and in California’s delegation to the U.S. House

Jerry Brown reelection

John Seiler December 9, 2013

It’s hard to see how Jerry loses

John Seiler December 5, 2013

Chapman University’s usually accurate Economic Forecast expects growth of about 2.2 percent over the next year for the country, somewhat higher for California. That’s not fantastic; previous economic recoveries have been much stronger. But it’s way better than a recession.