Sen. Dianne Feinstein Should Run for Re-Election

One Californian who is getting heavy press coverage these days is the venerable Democratic U.S. Senator, Dianne Feinstein—and for good reasons. Feinstein came to the national stage in 1992—the so-called “Year of the Woman” when four were elected to the U.S. Senate, more than in any prior election or decade. In doing so California became the […]

California Will Play a Prominent Role In Washington Developments

As President Trump continues his first extensive trip to foreign countries, the news he has been making non-stop back home is not for the moment taking up the entire front page. Still, the headlines have to be unsettling. The center still holds if only barely, and it is starting to implode. If impeachment proceedings become ever […]

Would Trump Actually Consider Resignation?

It is difficult to imagine someone who has reached the pinnacle of world power resigning from the most coveted position our nation offers. But if the conversation begins to go there, you can be sure Californians will be involved in the mix. There has been only one resignation in the 229 years since the creation […]

Will Adoption of the Open Primary Increase Voter Clout?

When Proposition 14 was adopted by California voters in June 2010—the so-called blanket or open primary— it signaled an interest in moving away from strict partisanship —sort of. Under this law, statewide and congressional candidates run against each other on the same ballot regardless of party affiliation. The top two vote-getters move on to the […]

The Decline And Future Of Healthcare Legislation

The Trump Administration has run into its first major policy buzz-saw—and it is the Republican Party. To quote the old Walter Kelly “Pogo” cartoon, “We have met the enemy and he is us! The GOP repeal and replace health plan has been rejected by its own members and could be delayed indefinitely. This was a […]

The Health Care Fiasco

With thousands showing up at California town halls to discuss the unravelling of the Affordable Health Care Act and other issues it’s a sign all is not so well in Trump Land. Nothing trumps (pun intended) the agenda—not even Russian meddling and intelligence compromises — so much as the future of our healthcare and what […]

Is The “I” Word To Be Taken Seriously?

Some decry the fact that presidential campaigns take too long. The most recent one with all its ugliness could not have ended soon enough. Maybe four year stints for those elected are also too long. We might need a probationary period to see how things work out. The Constitution’s authors—all very wise men—did not foresee […]

Trump’s Super Bowl Dilemma

Just when we thought there were no more significant snubs forthcoming after Mexico’s president turned down the invitation to visit the White House over the unresolved issue of who will pay for The Wall, we hear that some of the Super Bowl Champion, New England Patriots, may also be taking a pass. One tantalizing question […]

A Presidency Getting Built On Lies?

Some readers of this column may not like what follows—-and for those who favored Donald Trump enough to vote for him, my conclusions will be disagreeable or worse. I say this in advance not because more justification is needed—the “facts” speak for themselves. However, we are in an over-heated atmosphere of clashing values and viewpoints […]

Concerns Over Trump and the Chance to Prove his Detractors Wrong

Presidential Inaugurals are supposed to be celebrations of a new start, fresh beginnings—-sometimes even historic moments. That was the case in 2008 when the nation chose its first black President. Another historic moment is upon us when the 45th president, Donald T. Trump, will be sworn in amidst controversy over his election that outweighs the event […]