The latest on storms in SoCal. Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts Senate seat- what does this mean for Obama's agenda? Haiti's turbulent history. And, the ins and outs of the 2008 presidential election detailed in Game Change.
SoCal storms force evacuations
Storms continue moving into the Southland after yesterday’s coastal flooding and tornado in Seal Beach. The heaviest rains are expected mid-day today. Los Angeles County has begun issuing evacuation orders for some hillside homes where debris flows are expected. Who should stay, who should go, and when will the rain ease up? We get the latest from KPCC reporters.
Guests:
Bill Patzert, Research Oceanographer and climatologist, Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Shirley Jahad, KPCC Reporter
Molly Peterson, KPCC’s Environment Reporter
Fallout from Massachusetts
In an upset victory yesterday, Republican Scott Brown claimed the Massachusetts Senate seat formerly held by Edward Kennedy. The win changes the balance in the Senate and puts passage of the health care bill in question, as Senate Democrats no longer have the power to block GOP filibusters. What does Brown’s win say about the political climate one year into President Obama’s term in office, and how will it affect his agenda?
Guests:
Doyle McManus, Washington Columnist, Los Angeles Times
Brad Sherman, Congressman (D-CA), 27th district, San Fernando Valley
Scott Baugh, chairman of the Orange County Republican Party
The quake in context: history of Haiti
In 1804, Haiti became the second colony—after the United States—to break away from European rule. However, Haiti’s revolutionary leader—Jean Jacques Dessalines—was more enamored with Napoleon Bonaparte than George Washington. He declared himself president for life, setting the tone for Haiti’s subsequent military rule, corruption, international isolation and poverty. What role has history played in the destruction caused by last week’s earthquake?
Guests:
Jared Diamond, co-editor of “Natural Experiments of History” (Harvard University press; February 2010) and bestselling author of "Guns, Germs and Steel."
Valarie Kaussen, associate professor of French at the University of Missouri, specializing in Haitian culture and history
Bob Corbett, professor emeritus of philosophy at Webster University in St. Louis; Haitian expert who runs a daily email service on Haiti.
The presidential race of a lifetime
In Game Change, reporters John Heilemann and Mark Halperin reveal the behind-the-scenes dealings of the 2008 presidential election. The book already caused a stir- and prompted an apology from Harry Reid- for the senator’s comment on Barack Obama’s political viability. Elsewhere, the authors detail how Senate Democrats silently supported Obama during the primaries but feared the Clinton machine, and how Hillary Clinton started planning a presidential transition team as early as fall 2007. John Heilemann discusses the historic race with Larry Mantle.
Guest:
John Heilemann, co-author with Mark Halperin of Game Change: Obama and the Clintons, McCain and Palin, and the Race of a Lifetime (Harper). He is the national political correspondent and columnist for New York magazine.