Which Way, L.A.?
Off-year Election Results and Water for California
Anthony Villaraigosa talks about his choice for a new chief of the LAPD and the rest of his own term as mayor. Plus, the State Legislature finally passes a water program, including $11 billion in bonds that will have to get voter approval. On our rebroadcast of To the Point, Republicans took governorships from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey. A Democrat took a congressional seat from the GOP in upstate New York. Maine voters said "no" to same-sex marriage. What messages do "off-year elections" carry for national politics?
By Warren Olney • • 54m ListenGovernor Schwarzenegger calls it "historic and comprehensive." One critic says it’s "a drop in the bucket." Well hear about the water package passed in the wee hours of this morning. Also, Mayor Villaraigosa says naming a new chief of police was his most important appointment. What’s next? We talk with him about Charlie Beck, city policies and politics. On our rebroadcast of today's To the Point, Republicans took governorships from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey. A Democrat took a congressional seat from Republicans in upstate New York. Maine voters said "no" to same-sex marriage. What messages, if any, do "off-year elections" carry for national politics?
In this episode
3 storiesIs GOP Victory in Governors' Races a Warning to Democrats?
The New York Times and even the Times of London have warned about over-interpreting America's off-year elections. Then they've gone right on to do it themselves. That's according to the Columbia Journalism Review , which says, "it just makes politics more fun…[and makes] elections more meaningful by threading them into a broader narrative."
Read the story29 minHizzoner and His Chief Choice
Mayor Antonio Villagraigosa said he struggled long and hard before choosing Charlie Beck to succeed Bill Bratton as Chief of the LAPD. Today's Los Angeles Times, and sources we've talked to at Which Way, L.A.? , say Beck was not the first choice of the Mayor's own Police Commission.
Read the story9 minA Historic Water Plan for California?
For once, Governor Schwarzenegger has high praise for the state legislature, which finally passed a package of water bills as dawn was breaking today in Sacramento.
Read the story16 min
