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Los Angeles Times
State and national politics writer for the Los Angeles Times
PROFILE
Mark Barabak
Guest
FROM Mark Barabak
To the Point
Clinton and Sanders Are Running Neck and Neck in California There's new evidence for what had been considered an unlikely prediction by Bernie Sanders, that “on Tuesday we are going to win the primary here in California” Today, the authoritative Field Poll became the latest to show that Sanders' claim might come true. It shows him just two points behind — with 43 to her 45 percent of those polled. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal survey shows the same two-point difference with Clinton ahead 49 to 47. Mark Barabak is a political writer for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
Clinton Has Momentum Heading into Super Tuesday It's Super Tuesday tomorrow for the Democrats as well as the Republicans. What's at stake for Bernie Sanders after a crushing defeat this weekend in South Carolina? Saturday in South Carolina's Democratic primary, Hillary Rodham Clinton got three times more votes than Bernie Sanders. Among black voters, she out-polled him six to one. Tomorrow they'll be competing in 11 states — including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia and Texas with 865 convention delegates at stake. Mark Barabak reports on politics for the Los Angeles Times .
Which Way, L.A.?
A Major Shakeup for California Politics US Senator Barbara Boxer says she will never really retire, but she won't run for re-election next year after more than three decades in Washington. It's not age or Republican power on Capitol Hill. She says she wants to perform political work back home in California. She insists it's not because of the Republican takeover of the upper house. Are there armies of Democrats and Republicans ready to run ?
To the Point
Election Preview around the Country The Gallup Poll says the Republicans' 15-point lead among likely voters nationwide is "unprecedented." But the GOP lead among registered voters is only four points, so the big question across the country is how many of those likely voters will turn out and where. We hear reports on important races in regions across the country.
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What Voters Had To Say on ‘Tumultuous Tuesday” Yesterday’s primaries in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania were billed as bellwethers for the November elections—with the establishments of both parties on the defensive. In Pennsylvania, five-term Senator--and former Republican--Arlen Specter switched parties last year with the endorsement of President Obama. But in yesterday’s Democratic primary, Specter lost.
To the Point
What Voters Had To Say on ‘Tumultuous Tuesday” Yesterday’s primaries in Arkansas, Kentucky and Pennsylvania were billed as bellwethers for the November elections—with the establishments of both parties on the defensive. In Pennsylvania, five-term Senator--and former Republican--Arlen Specter switched parties last year with the endorsement of President Obama. But in yesterday’s Democratic primary, Specter lost.
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Anthem Blue Cross Rate Hikes Galvanize Healthcare Reform Anthem Blue Cross of Woodland Hills provides health insurance for 800,000 Californians who aren’t covered by their employers. In early November, the company notified regulators in Sacramento that it was raising rates. The average increase was 25%--with some policy holders hit for 39%, but Anthem didn’t expect a big reaction. Then, the Obama White House got the news.
To the Point
Western Lawmakers Push for State Sovereignty The Montana Firearms Freedom Act is scheduled to go into effect in October, just one example of a new states' rights movement that includes the West as well as the South. Montana's Governor Brian Schweitzer is a Democrat who supported Barack Obama, but has signed into law the bill designed to challenge the President's authority. Mark Barabak reports for the Los Angeles Times .
To the Point
The Rescue Plan and Its Possible Consequences After a weekend of political drama and late-night negotiations, Congress took up the latest version of the Wall Street rescue plan . With a price tag of $700 billion, nobody said they liked it, but supporters insisted the American people would be worse off without it. Opponents said it would never work. We hear the latest about what's in the plan and why is has just filed to pass a vote in the House. After their first debate , with no knockouts and no big mistakes, John McCain and Barack Obama are both claiming they made the bailout better. We hear from them.
To the Point
The Curtin Rises on the Democratic National Convention Barack Obama 's campaign began with the promise of change from business as usual in Washington. Then came the primaries; now comes the selection of veteran Delaware Senator Joseph Biden . Today, Obama has four days to reverse the slide, which now has him virtually tied with John McCain in what's supposed to be a Democratic year. This week's convention could be a lot more important than anybody expected. The delegates are still getting used to Obama's vice presidential choice, and it's not certain how many Hillary Clinton supporters are on board. Why Denver? What's the "western states strategy?" How about the pressure on tonight's main speaker, Michelle Obama ?
To the Point
Clinton Soldiers On as Options Dwindle It was barely a split decision, with Barack Obama winning by 14 points in North Carolina and Hillary Clinton by less than two points in Indiana . Today, her campaign conceded that even Florida and Michigan might not provide the delegates she needs. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton started their political careers in the presidential campaign of former Senator George McGovern in 1972. Today McGovern switched his support to Obama and urged Clinton to drop out of this year's contest. McGovern said Obama has won "by any practical test." Clinton cancelled morning appearances on network television, but she's been loaning her campaign more money, and today she made an appearance in West Virginia. Is race the remaining argument for Clinton's "electability?" Would Obama need a new kind of coalition to win in November?
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Kerry Accused of Troop-Bashing in Comments on Education, Iraq Phil Angelides was upstaged yesterday in a way that Democrats may come to regret. Senator John Kerry (D-MA) was in Pasadena for Angelides, and urged college students to "study and make an effort to be smart" to avoid getting stuck in Iraq." Republicans pounced on the comment as an insult to US troops, but an unapologetic Kerry called them "assorted right-wing nut jobs" who twisted a "botched joke." Today, President Bush called the insinuation that soldiers were uneducated "insulting" and "shameful."
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National Policy, the Presidency and State Governors Virginia's former Governor Mark Warner won't be challenging Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. Now other governors will be running harder than ever. Despite all the attention given to US senators, governors' mansions have become the "training grounds of future presidents." Four of the last five presidents started out as governors of their states, and even when they aren't planning to run nationwide, governors can have a major impact on national policy. Democrats are poised to take a majority of governorships this year for the first time since 1994. We look at some key states and find out why governors matter even if they're not running for president. (An extended version of this discussion was originally broadcast earlier today on To the Point.)
To the Point
National Policy, the Presidency and State Governors Virginia's former Governor Mark Warner won't be challenging Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. Now other governors will be running harder than ever. Despite all the attention given to US senators, governors' mansions have become the "training grounds of future presidents." Four of the last five presidents started out as governors of their states, and even when they aren't planning to run nationwide, governors can have a major impact on national policy. Democrats are poised to take a majority of governorships this year for the first time since 1994. We look at some key states and find out why governors matter even if they're not running for president.
Recommended
To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
To the Point
Ex-FBI Director Comey tells his side of the story Today, former FBI Director James Comey came close to calling the President who fired him a liar. The White House denied the claim and called it insulting, but Republican Senators did not challenge Comey’s truthfulness. Many questions remain: did the President try to obstruct a federal investigation? Later, we’ll go behind the “velvet rope” for a look at 5-Star health care for the richest Americans.