How will the Democrat supermajority in the California legislature impact the state? And, political strategists and pundits agree that the Hispanic vote represents a lost opportunity for the Romney campaign. Romney’s continued hedging and dodging on the issue of immigration did nothing to endear him to Spanish-speaking voters. Can Obama and the GOP mend fences on immigration reform? Also, Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Andy Klein and Wade Major to review the week’s new film releases including Skyfall, Lincoln, and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
Causes and consequences of California's election results
California voters have given Democrats supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature. This will enable them to pass a state budget over Republican objections. It’s the state’s first simultaneous supermajority since 1933. It also clears the way for them to pass tax hikes without the need for Republican votes.
After the vote on Tuesday, Governor Jerry Brown was quick to say that he pledges not to raise any taxes without voters approval. California's redrawn political map also opened the door this year to the most expensive and hardest-fought House races in decades, forcing incumbents to fight for their jobs. Voters also reaffirmed their support for unions in defeating Proposition 32 which would have banned the way labor traditionally raises money to fund political activity in the state.
What is the future of the Republican party in California? Is California truly becoming a one-party state?
Guests:
Dan Walters, Political Columnist, The Sacramento Bee
Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, Political analyst and senior fellow at USC Price School of Public Policy
Can Obama and the GOP mend fences on immigration reform?
Political strategists and pundits agree that the Hispanic vote represents a lost opportunity for the Romney campaign. Romney’s continued hedging and dodging on the issue of immigration did nothing to endear him to Spanish-speaking voters. But Obama has also been criticized for not doing more; in fact, at a forum sponsored by Univision in September, the president admitted that he saw not passing immigration reform as the biggest failure of his first term. Come Obama 2.0, the immigration question is sure to be front and center. Republican legislators have historically held a hard line against immigration, but are things changing on the Hill?
Several conservatives have said publicly that the GOP needs to revise its approach in order to stay relevant to America’s fastest-growing voter demographic, and if it has any hope of courting that vote in 2016. Prominent Republicans such as Florida’s Senator Marco Rubio, have stepped closer to the center, advocating some sort of path to legal status, if not full citizenship. But most remain staunchly on one side of that fence – and in favor of building even more. Those who have leaned towards the progressive view in the past, such as Senators John McCain of Arizona and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, have largely backed off on the issue for fear of losing the support of their more conservative colleagues.
Is it time for the GOP to change its tune on immigration? What will it take to earn the support of Latino and other minority voters? How can Obama bridge the immigration gap in a deeply divided congress? Has this nation of immigrants reached capacity, or can we still welcome new citizens to our shores?
Guests:
Tim Donnelly, Republican State Assemblyman for California’s 59th District, which includes San Bernardino and San Dimas
Ana Navarro, Republican strategist and CNN contributor, formerly national co-chair of John McCain’s Hispanic Advisory Council and Director of Immigration Policy for Florida Governor Jeb Bush
FilmWeek: Skyfall, Lincoln, and more
Larry is joined by KPCC film critics Andy Klein and Wade Major to review the week’s new film releases including Skyfall, Lincoln, and more. TGI-FilmWeek!
Skyfall:
Lincoln:
A Royal Affair:
Dangerous Liaisons (Chinese version)
Festival of Lights
Starlet
28 Hotel Rooms
Ingenious
The Comedy
Bones Brigade: An Autobiography
Guests:
Andy Klein, film critic for KPCC and the L.A. Times Community Papers chain
Wade Major, film critic for KPCC and boxoffice.com