Which Way, L.A.?
Electric Cars and Political Scandal
In the age of the Gulf oil spill and global warming, is the electric car a game-changer or an old technology not much improved for 100 years? We look at Tesla Motors, which got a warm welcome from investors when it went public. Also, Mayor Villaraigosa's free-ticket scandal. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, does the recovering economy require more federal stimulus or greater austerity?
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenIn the age of the Gulf oil spill and global warming, is the electric car a game-changer or an old technology not much improved for 100 years? We look at Tesla Motors of California, which got a warm welcome from investors when it went public yesterday. Also, Mayor Villaraigosa's free-ticket scandal. How did it get to be such a big deal? On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, federal stimulus spending has fueled economic recovery. Is it now time for action against the deficit? Should President Obama break his pledge not to raise taxes for 98% of Americans? We hear a debate.
Banner image: The Tesla Model S electric car during the the second press preview day at the 2010 North American International Auto Show January 12, 2010 at Cobo Center in Detroit, Michigan. Photo: Stan Honda/AFP/Getty Images
In this episode
4 storiesFiorina Tries to Liken Herself to Feinstein
First, Republican candidate Carly Fiorina was raising money in Washington yesterday for her campaign against Democratic US Senator Barbara Boxer . Fiorina told reporters how different Boxer is from California's other Democratic Senator, Dianne Feinstein , even though Feinstein is chair of Boxer's re-election campaign.
Read the story8 minTesla Takes Investors on Another Joy Ride
Tesla Motors of Palo Alto makes electric cars, and it's the first American automobile company to go public since the Ford Motor Company started selling shares in 1956. After yesterday's Initial Public Offering, Tesla stock surged from $17 to a peak of $30, and closed today around $24.
Read the story14 minVillaraigosa's Ticketpalooza
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is under investigation by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission , the District Attorney and now the state's Fair Political Practices Commission . It's all about free tickets to concerts, baseball and basketball games and award ceremonies where he's not a contestant. Jon Regardie, executive editor of the Downtown…
Read the story7 minMore Federal Stimulus Spending or a Switch to Austerity?
White House OMB Director Peter Orszag has announced his resignation and insiders say it's due to frustration with the lack of aggressive action against the growing fiscal deficit.
Read the story24 min
