Politics and Elections

Nathan Fletcher channels Nixon press secretary in disowning his own bogus claim

If you’re a candidate whose authenticity is open to question because of extreme, always self-serving shifts in your views, you really, really, really don’t want to be caught in an, er, obvious fib. So one would think that union-bashing Republican

In reform showdown, who does Obama administration target? Disabled CA students

Chris Reed October 31, 2013

During the budget theater of recent months, the Obama administration’s ruthless determination to make cuts hurt the public was on display over and over again. Cancel a beloved air show that actually makes money? Sure. Deny death benefits to famiiles

Some CA Republicans move Left on immigration

Adam O'Neal October 30, 2013

While several California Republican congressmen have reiterated previous support for comprehensive immigration reform in recent days, it is still unlikely that the House will take up a bill on the matter anytime this year. A few days ago, Rep. Jeff

Video: Arnold explains his philosophy of governance

John Seiler October 30, 2013

Former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger explains his philosophy of governance during his seven years in office, 2003-2010.

The Brown Dog Affair

John Hrabe October 28, 2013

In the dog-eat-dog world of Sacramento politics, no one is off limits. Not even man’s best friend. Last Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle featured a front-page story by newshound Carla Marinucci about an arrangement between the governor and an

FPPC on ‘dark money’ witch hunt

Katy Grimes October 28, 2013

Just in time for Halloween, the Fair Political Practices Commission completed a modern-day witch-hunt last week, looking for “dark money.” Ann Ravel, the outgoing chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission, had accused libertarian philanthropists Charles and David Koch

Non-profit accused of 'money laundering,' exonerated, but fined

Katy Grimes October 24, 2013

The California Fair Political Practices Commission is announcing today at noon they have reached a settlement in the investigation into the mysterious $11-million donation from an Arizona nonprofit, during the 2012 California general election. One of the groups accused of the

Is Jerry Brown eyeing the White House again?

Katy Grimes October 24, 2013

Gov. Jerry Brown’s crack public relations team has been hard at work convincing the rest of the country that he has sparked a California turnaround. The New Republic even recommended to President Obama that, in his second term, he should

FPPC to announce settlement in Arizona donor case

Katy Grimes October 24, 2013

The California Fair Political Practices Commission will announce today at noon they have reached a settlement in the investigation into the mysterious $11-million donation from an Arizona nonprofit, during the 2012 California general election. FPPC Chairwoman Ann Ravel, a Democrat, is

Could 12,000 lawmakers fix what ails California?

Katy Grimes October 22, 2013

The one thing m how to get your ex back ost Democrats and Republicans seem to agree on is that special interests have too much influence in politics. The little guy is feeling less and less relevant — especially at