All over ⁦Karen Bass⁩ in Paris, and getting to cover it with my old friend and colleague, the great ⁦⁦Michael Finnegan⁩ calmatters.org/commentary/202…

My latest for ⁦CalMatters⁩ on this week’s elections and what they say about the GOP in California. Hint: It’s not good. calmatters.org/commentary/202…

Steve Garvey is affecting the race for Senator in California — just not the way he imagines. calmatters.org/commentary/202…

Aren’t this guy’s 15 minutes up yet?

Periodic reminder that political insights from a cartoonist tend to be, well,
cartoonish.

Commentary:

California’s referendum process was designed to be a check on big business. More than a century later, it’s used much differently. The latest clash pits oil companies against a familiar yet unsurprising foe: Jane Fonda. cal.news/48dmRiI

📝 Jim Newton

Norman Lear was a talented screenwriter, philanthropist, WWII veteran, and culture warrior. In memory of Lear and his powerful influence on American life: blueprint.ucla.edu/feature/norman…

Re-posting this, in memory of an old friend: Norman Lear: Culture Warrior | UCLA Blueprint blueprint.ucla.edu/feature/norman…

UCLA Blueprint | Designs For A New California — Our fall issue, which looks at generative AI and the challenges it poses, is out today. Here’s a link: blueprint.ucla.edu

Strong candidate for dumbest Speaker in history, Kevin McCarthy

This appearance by Kevin T. McCarthy reminds me of why I avoided speaking with him when he was a member of the California Legislature. He’s self-absorbed and pretty darn stupid.

Some thoughts on the passing of a great California figure, Senator Dianne Feinstein. ⁦Senator Dianne Feinstein⁩ latimes.com/opinion/story/…

Crime and confusion in Los Angeles, the never-ending story. My latest for @calmatters calmatters.org/commentary/202…

Commentary:

But the most unifying principle of the city’s liberal base may be its support for abortion rights. Not a single elected official in Los Angeles would be caught dead at an anti-abortion rally. cal.news/3YKnGvr

📝 Jim Newton

My latest for CalMatters on the efforts of Mayor Karen Bass to reduce homelessness and the frustrating facts that complicate that work.

Happy 101st birthday to the great ⁦Norman Lear⁩

This seems bad. nytimes.com/2023/07/06/cli…

My latest for ⁦CalMatters⁩, on the LA City Council and the larger problem of political arrogance. calmatters.org/commentary/202…

Not everyday that you get to listen to anyone, much less a former president, violate the Espionage Act, but here it is:

Smart piece by the always-insightful ⁦Mark Z. Barabak⁩ latimes.com/politics/story…