Senator Feinstein announced this morning that she would be running for re-election, sprouting debate within her party on whether or not she's fit for a fifth term. We examine the arguments for and against, while also discussing the weekend's politics, including latest on DACA, Trump vs. Corker, and the EPA's decision to ease up on coal-fired power plants; we also dive into the history of sexism in Hollywood; and more.
Week in politics: Forecasting the possibility of a DACA deal, plus Trump admin continues to feud with GOP, NFL
After seeming to go back and forth whether or not a deal had been reached between the White House and Democratic Congressional leaders on a deal that would provide protections for so-called Dreamers, the Trump administration on Sunday gave Congress a list of immigration measures it wants in exchange for any deal to protect them.
Minority leaders in the House and Senate have said the demands, which include funding for the president’s border wall, are non-starters.
On Monday morning, Environmental Protection Agency head Scott Pruitt announced that the Trump administration would be ending the Obama-era restrictions on coal-fired power plants, aimed at cutting back on greenhouse gas emissions. The president has been a cheerleader for the coal industry and has spoken in the past of his desire to roll back environmental protection laws that his predecessor signed.
Over the weekend, President Trump commandeered the spotlight once again. He publicly lashed out at Tennessee Republican Senator Bob Corker in a
Senator Bob Corker "begged" me to endorse him for re-election in Tennessee. I said "NO" and he dropped out (said he could not win without...
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
saying that Corker “begged” him to endorse him for re-election and that he said no. Corker
It's a shame the White House has become an adult day care center. Someone obviously missed their shift this morning.
— Senator Bob Corker (@SenBobCorker) October 8, 2017
, referring to the White House as an ‘adult day care center.’ Then, after Vice President Mike Pence walked out of an NFL game between the San Francisco 49ers and Indianapolis Colts because of players taking a knee during the national anthem, the president
I asked @VP Pence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLady Karen.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2017
that he had directed Pence to leave if players knelt.
We’ll also look at the chances and implications of the White House possibly decertifying the Iran deal this week, the president’s cryptic ‘calm before the storm’ comment during a meeting with military leaders, and the reports of discord between the president and Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.
Guests:
Laura Litvan, Congressional reporter for Bloomberg News; she tweets
Matt Rodriguez, Democratic strategist and founder and chief executive officer of Rodriguez Strategies; he is also a former senior Obama advisor in 2008; he tweets
Sean T. Walsh, Republican political analyst and partner at Wilson Walsh Consulting in San Francisco; former adviser to California Governors Pete Wilson and Arnold Schwarzenegger and a former White House staffer for Presidents Reagan and H.W. Bush
How Dianne Feinstein’s re-election bid encapsulates the divide within the Democratic Party
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) has announced today that she will seek a sixth term in the U.S. Senate.
I am running for reelection to the Senate. Lots more to do: ending gun violence, combating climate change, access to healthcare. I’m all in!
She would be running for her fifth full term. She joined the Senate in 1992 after winning a special election. She had a serious challenge in 1994 from wealthy GOP Rep. Michael Huffington but has cruised since.
The 84-year-old’s announcement comes at a moment of soul searching for the Democratic Party, after the GOP swept both chambers of Congress and won the presidential election in November. Both in California and on a national level, progressives have wanted the Democratic Party to align its platform toward the agenda set forth by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders.
Should Feinstein run again and is her age a concern? Is her political experience and bipartisan approach needed more than ever today? Or should younger blood be nurtured for the sustainability of the Democratic Party?
With files from the Associated Press
Guests:
Caroline Heldman, associate professor of politics at Occidental College and author of the book, “Protest Politics in the Marketplace: Consumer Activism in the Corporate Age” (Cornell University Press, 2017)
Larry Gerston, a professor emeritus of political science at San Jose State University and author of many books, including “Not So Golden After All: The Rise and Fall of California” (CRC Press, 2012)
In light of Harvey Weinstein’s firing, how could Hollywood’s exploitative culture change?
Harvey Weinstein was officially fired from his company as of Sunday after a New York Times investigative story broke about allegations of sexual harassment.
Though his behavior has been described as Hollywood’s worst kept secret, it doesn't take much digging to divulge allegations of similar behavior by his peers in the industry. There was a 2014 sex abuse case against “X-Men” director Bryan Singer, and the term “casting couch” is synonymous with the culture between actors hungry for a role, and directors and producers having the power to open that door. While Weinstein is the big story now, we have yet to see if the repercussions for him will change the industry, and sexual harassment is only one way those at the top exercise power.
How do you think the entertainment industry could change exploitative behavior?
Guest:
Peter Bart, editor-at-large at Deadline Hollywood; he was editor-in-chief of Variety for 20 years (1989-2009)