Fox and Hounds Daily Says Goodbye
With this article, we end publication of Fox and Hounds Daily. It has been a satisfying 12½ year run. When we opened in May 2008, our site was designed to offer an opportunity to those who wished to engage in public debate on many issues, especially in politics and business, but found it difficult to get placed in newspaper op-ed pages.
Co-publishers Tom Ross, Bryan Merica and I have kept F&H going over this time investing our own time, funding, and staff help. Last year at this time we considered closing the site, however with an election on the horizon we decided to keep F&H going through the election year. With the election come and gone, and with no sense of additional resources, we have decided to close the site down.
Fox and Hounds will live on, at least, with my articles collected in the California State Library.
On a personal note, I have spent over 40 years in California policy and politics. There have been some incredible high moments and some difficult low points. It pains me that politics too often is a blood sport, frequently demonizing the motives of opponents and using the legal system as a weapon in public discourse. At Fox & Hounds, we tried to adhere to the practice of giving all a voice in the debate, yet keep the commentaries civil and avoided personal attacks.
F&H offered the opportunity to publish different perspectives (even ones that criticized my writings!). We had success as indicated by the Washington Post twice citing Fox and Hounds Daily one of the best California political websites and many other positive affirmations and comments received over the years.
Tom, Bryan and I want to thank our many readers and writers for being part of our journey. The publishers of Fox and Hounds Daily believe that we added value to California and its people. We hope you agree.
Remember that California is a Democracy, and the U.S. Is Not
Californians shouldn’t apologize for challenging the new administration or its democratic legitimacy.
Because California is a democracy – albeit a very flawed one – and the United States is not.
California elects the people who win the most votes (albeit in a problematic top two system). The United States, as we’re learning again, doesn’t elect the people who wins the most votes, and that’s not just a slam at the Electoral College. Our Congress also does not reflect the popular will, given the exigencies of single-member districts and the U.S. Senate. Democrats won the popular vote for the U.S. Senate—but lost the U.S. Senate. (California has a version of the same problem, since we also use single-member districts, but the mismatch between democratic preference isn’t quite as severe). (more…)
What I Saw at the Inauguration
The Trump era has begun! That’s what the news media are telling us. The Trump era actually began over a year and a half ago when Donald J. Trump, a not so ordinary American citizen, rode down an escalator and announced his candidacy for President of the United States of America from his Trump Tower. His victory is extraordinary, but if you ask people like me, people like those in the mid west, people from the Deep South, people from every state in the union that volunteered and voted for him – we all knew that he would win. We knew that he had to win, otherwise the America we love would be lost. So many of us are women, people of color, people who own small businesses, people who work for a living, people with children and grand children who were in DC for the very first time just to witness this historic moment. (more…)
Six Things About Donald Trump’s Inauguration
I awoke Friday with butterflies. As a scion of DC politics and a long-time practitioner of it, Inauguration Day, regardless of president or party, always leaves me excited and appreciative of the country in which I live. As the live feeds scrolled from Blair House, where I spent endless days in 2001 eating finger sandwiches, to the North Portico of the White House, the gauzy sweetness of fond memories had me believing that we were all going to be okay. President Donald Trump took the oath of office and the ruffles and flourishes rang out. “Hail to the Chief” blasted from the military band. The thunder of the 21 gun salute from Army howitzers put me a peak patriotism. Then President Donald Trump started talking. (more…)
Brown Should Follow Cuomo’s Lead on State of the State Speech
Finally, a big-state governor has figured out how to do a state of the state presentation properly.
Unfortunately, that governor is not California’s governor.
A few years ago, I advised Gov. Brown to ditch the traditional State of the State speech, since it has lost all punch, and instead go around the state, listening to citizens in different regions. Such sessions would give a true state of the state.
Brown didn’t take my advice. Instead he took a shot at me at the beginning of his speech that year, accusing me (falsely, I must add) of being a “declinist” with “nothing to say in the face of California’s comeback.” (more…)
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 itself.
No time in memory have at least 50 members of Congress decided to boycott this ritual ceremony which typically symbolizes the peaceful passing of the torch regardless of which party takes control. (more…)
A View from the Inauguration: Kellyanne Conway Speaks to Women Leaders
“Dreams come true! Women can do anything!” That was Kellyanne Conway’s message yesterday morning in front of a group of 250 women leaders, the day before her 50th birthday … and the much discussed inauguration of Donald J. Trump. Kellyanne said she is having a huge birthday party and there is a small swearing in on the side! Her message was supportive, encouraging, gave insight and reminded you that she is a woman with all the same thoughts and issues that that we have.
Kellyanne told us how important the grassroots voters were and that that is gratifying to have a victory for the future that is shared by all.
She stressed to the group that the Trump family is making unbelievable sacrifices, that the Trumps are doing this for all Americans. (more…)