Every week, Take Two dives deep on California politics on State of Affairs.
This week:
- California Republicans try to force a House vote on four immigration bills. Congressman Jeff Denham says it's about "finding solutions," not saving his seat.
The LA Times' Christina Bellantoni says the move isn't out of Denham's character, but it faces long odds.
Here's the thing: it's not as if he's flip-flopping on this issue. This is something he has championed for a long time. He has been an advocate of a Dream Act for people who have served in the military who are undocumented. He has made clear that he is for comprehensive immigration reform. On this issue, he has consistently been on the more moderate side of his party, in part because his district has a huge immigrant population, in large part, because of agriculture.
The issue here is that it's a procedural gambit that is hard to explain and impossible to prove. You're signing something; you're holding press conferences, you're calling on your party; nothing's going to happen. I mean, it just won't. It's not in Democrat's best interests to make sure this happens, and it's not in Speaker Ryan's best interests to make this happen.
Also on State of Affairs...
- The California Secretary of State is out with its voter registration report, and Republicans... aren't doing so hot.
- Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom was the man to beat Tuesday night in San Jose. But will one debate make a difference?
Guests:
- Christina Bellantoni, assistant managing editor of politics at the LA Times.
- Jack Pitney, Roy P Crocker professor of politics at Claremont McKenna College