Which Way, L.A.?
The Increasing Strength of the GOP
Since the days of the Whigs and the Federalists, the US has been a two-party nation, each party flexing its biceps in respective areas, but today-s 109th Congress is enjoying an historic single-party dominance. Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. With controversial judicial nominations before the Senate, and expected dissent from the minority Democrats, Majority Leader Bill Frist will push for "the nuclear option," a rules change that would end the centuries-old ability for the minority party to filibuster majority proposals. Is this an isolated moment for the GOP or the temporary ebb and flow of political power? Guest host Diana Nyad explores the political power of the right with political reporters for the Los Angeles Times and the Economist. (An extended version of this program aired earlier today on To the Point.) Making News: LA's Bitter Mayoral Campaign Nears Its End After a bitter campaign, LA's mayoral election is almost over. As polls opened this morning Antonio Villaraigosa led Jim Hahn by ten points. Will the Councilman become LA's first Latino mayor since the 19th Century? Will the Mayor win a second term? We hear more about the candidates' last-minute push from Richard Fausset and Daniel Hernandez who are covering the mayoral race for the Los Angeles Times.
By Warren Olney • • 30m ListenSince the days of the Whigs and the Federalists, the US has been a two-party nation, each party flexing its biceps in respective areas, but today-s 109th Congress is enjoying an historic single-party dominance. Republicans control the White House, Senate and House of Representatives. With controversial judicial nominations before the Senate, and expected dissent from the minority Democrats, Majority Leader Bill Frist will push for "the nuclear option," a rules change that would end the centuries-old ability for the minority party to filibuster majority proposals. Is this an isolated moment for the GOP or the temporary ebb and flow of political power? Guest host Diana Nyad explores the political power of the right with political reporters for the Los Angeles Times and the Economist. (An extended version of this program aired earlier today on To the Point.)
LA's Bitter Mayoral Campaign Nears Its End
After a bitter campaign, LA's mayoral election is almost over. As polls opened this morning Antonio Villaraigosa led Jim Hahn by ten points. Will the Councilman become LA's first Latino mayor since the 19th Century? Will the Mayor win a second term? We hear more about the candidates' last-minute push from Richard Fausset and Daniel Hernandez who are covering the mayoral race for the Los Angeles Times.
