Tomorrow's Elections: Big Money but Not Much Interest
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Candidates and interest groups have spent a record $225 million on tomorrow's California primary campaigns. But less than a third of the voters are expected to bother to go to the polls. We hear why it was worth all that money, to whom, and why some contests really do matter. Also, a remembrance of John Wooden from the man who co-authored A Game Plan for Life. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, using Predator drones, the US now leads the world in "targeted killings." Do they work? Are they legal? Will they set a dangerous precedent when other nations get the same technology?
Banner image: Coach John Wooden with star player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who played for UCLA as Lew Alcindor. Photo courtesy of UCLA
Main Topic
What's at Stake in Tomorrow's Election? ()
Despite record spending by candidates, their supporters and special interest groups, experts predict a low turnout tomorrow — less than a third of registered voters. But, in case you're fed up with politics, one initiative measure could mean it won't be conducted the same way any more. We hear more about Proposition 14, which would establish what's called an "open primary," and several other issues on tomorrow's ballot.
Guests:
- Kim Alexander: President, California Voter Foundation
- Peter Schrag: longtime writer on California politics
- Allan Hoffenblum: Republican political consultant
Reporter's Notebook
John Wooden Remembered ()
Since John Wooden died last week at the age of 99, a lot has been written about the most successful coach in college basketball history -- his coaching, the love of his players, his love for his wife, his character and his philosophy. Don Yaeger co-authored one of Wooden's nine books, A Game Plan for Life: the Power of Mentoring.
Guests:
- Don Yeager: co-author, 'A Game Plan for Life'
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Main Topic
The Obama Administration and Predator Drones ()
CIA operators use unmanned drones to kill suspected terrorists thousands of miles away, a practice that has stirred heated debate about international law and human rights. Their use in Afghanistan, Pakistan and other places is not officially acknowledged by the Pentagon. A UN report says President Obama is expanding the practice in possible violation of international laws that protect human rights, especially when innocent civilians become "collateral damage."
Guests:
- Jane Mayer: Investigative Reporter, New Yorker
- Hina Shamsi: Senior Advisor, NYU School of Law's Project on Extrajudicial Executions
- Christine Fair: Assistant Professor, Georgetown University's Center for Peace and Security Studies
- Greg Miller: National Security Correspondent, Washington Post
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Underwriters
Which Way L.A.? is made possible in part by the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the John Randolph Haynes and Dora Haynes Foundation, which supports study and research into policy issues of the Los Angeles region.
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