Matters of Policy & Politics

Make a Run for the Border | Lee Ohanian, Bill Whalen, Jonathan Movroydis | Hoover Institution

Why did California governor Gavin Newsom slip across the US-Mexico border and how can anyone explain the Golden State’s exorbitant gasoline prices? Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, join Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the politics of California-style “pain at the pump;” why Newsom’s newfound interest in America’s immigration crisis plays into his national aspirations; and what the future might hold for two California-based entities (Twitter and Disney).

UC Campus Strikes – And Striking a Blow Against Big Oil? | Lee Ohanian, Bill Whalen, and Jonathan Movroydis | Hoover Institution

What’s the story behind the student-workers’ strike at UC campuses across California, and what changes in homeless policy will a pair of mayors-elect bring to Los Angeles and San Jose? Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, join Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the latest in the Golden State, including the feasibility of a state windfall tax on oil companies’ profits currently making the rounds in Sacramento.

Saints, Sinners, and Salvageables: Turduckens and How to Discuss Politics This Holiday Season | Ben Ginsberg and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

November provides two political hurdles for many an American: a contentious election, followed by a heated conversation around the Thanksgiving table. Ben Ginsberg, the Hoover Institution’s Volker Distinguished Visiting Fellow and a preeminent authority on election law, is joined by political strategist Sarah Longwell and Hoover distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen to discuss how best to blend in election integrity alongside the rest of the Thanksgiving trimmings on the table.

Saints, Sinners, and Salvageables: Grading Election Integrity | Ben Ginsberg and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

After 2020’s contentious election, how well did America’s latest experiment in democracy fare? Ben Ginsberg, the Hoover Institution’s Volker Distinguished Visiting Fellow and a preeminent authority on election law, discusses why election deniers were rejected by voters in high-stakes races nationwide and offers a few thoughts on how to reform the voting process to improve the public’s trust in election outcomes. 

The “Wave” That Wasn’t: What Data Says About Midterm Results | David Brady, Douglas Rivers, and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

Why didn’t the anticipated “red wave” appear and what do last week’s results suggest about political polarization and the path moving forward for America’s two political parties? David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists who regularly survey America’s electorate, offer a data dive into what led to GOP underachievement in this year’s midterm vote.

Should California Hire Tom & Gisele’s Attorneys? | Lee Ohanian and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

California’s election returns slowly trickle in (no surprise there), with the Golden State being the wildcard in terms of control of the U.S. House of Representatives. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, join Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the latest in the Golden State, including election winners and losers, plus a whimsical look at what would be “a very expensive divorce” should California seriously explore secession from the union.

Matters of Policy & Politics: A Midterm Preview | David Brady, Douglas Rivers, and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

A potentially good night for Republicans, whom to blame on the Democratic side should the party lose control of half, if not all, of Congress, plus what are voters signaling? David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, preview what may be in store for America come Election Day, including the nuances of “wave” forecasts, voters’ concerns, and effective messaging.

Saints, Sinners, and Salvageables: Your Election Night Roadmap | Ben Ginsberg and Bill Whalen | Hoover Institution

What to watch for in the midterm election returns—and the chances that the battle for Congress goes into overtime thanks to runoffs, slow vote counts, and legal challenges. Hoover Institution visiting fellow Ben Ginsberg, a veteran campaign attorney and preeminent authority on election law, highlights key competitive races nationwide and how states differ in their approaches to voting and vote tallying. 

Saints, Sinners, and Salvageables: The State of the Election, the Saliency of Election Denial

As polls show the economy and crime toping the charts of voter concerns (with abortion as a wild card), what about the hangover from the 2020 election and the January 6 assault on democracy? Hoover Institution visiting fellow Ben Ginsberg, a veteran campaign attorney and preeminent authority on election law, interviews Washington Post national reporter Amy Gardner and political strategist Matt Rhoades on the current campaign landscape, plus how the Left and the Right are ginning up their respective bases in America’s battleground states. 

Matters Of Policy & Politics: No Bullet Train, No Test Scores, No Debates . . . But Plenty of Jane Fonda | Hoover Institution

California’s high-speed rail project grows ever more quizzical, the Golden State’s housing market slumps, and Sacramento’s Educrats seem in no rush to release K-12 test scores. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, join Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the latest in the Golden State, including a lack of candidates’ debates this fall and the emergence of actress/activist Jane Fonda as a voice for more taxes on California’s wealthy.