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Which Democrat Will Star in Hollywood’s Democratic Debate? Which Candidate Will Star in Hollywood’s Democratic Debate?
(about 2 hours later)
LOS ANGELES — Welcome, Democrats and debate spinners, to the city with a Mexican-American-Jewish-Italian Rhodes Scholar mayor, who is not running for president, in the state with an Irish Catholic governor who surely is, just not this time.LOS ANGELES — Welcome, Democrats and debate spinners, to the city with a Mexican-American-Jewish-Italian Rhodes Scholar mayor, who is not running for president, in the state with an Irish Catholic governor who surely is, just not this time.
The landmarks are no doubt familiar — the Hollywood sign, the Santa Monica pier, the Griffith Observatory memorialized in “Rebel Without a Cause,” a movie released more than a quarter century before Pete Buttigieg was born.The landmarks are no doubt familiar — the Hollywood sign, the Santa Monica pier, the Griffith Observatory memorialized in “Rebel Without a Cause,” a movie released more than a quarter century before Pete Buttigieg was born.
Young and old can at least agree that, by any measure, California is big — hence its 495 presidential delegates, so coveted, yet so costly to woo. Los Angeles County is more populous than 41 states. Neighboring San Bernardino is the largest county in the contiguous United States, and about the size of West Virginia. California has more of everything: Democrats, immigrants, billionaires, homeless, traffic and natural disasters.Young and old can at least agree that, by any measure, California is big — hence its 495 presidential delegates, so coveted, yet so costly to woo. Los Angeles County is more populous than 41 states. Neighboring San Bernardino is the largest county in the contiguous United States, and about the size of West Virginia. California has more of everything: Democrats, immigrants, billionaires, homeless, traffic and natural disasters.
But there are nuances of political geography that may not have been covered in the prep for the Democratic debate here on Thursday night.But there are nuances of political geography that may not have been covered in the prep for the Democratic debate here on Thursday night.
The outsize clout of labor in Los Angeles, for example, was underscored by the difficulty in finding a place to hold the debate that would not require candidates to cross a picket line. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, an umbrella group of several hundred unions representing more than 800,000 workers, has been central to national organizing campaigns like Justice for Janitors and the Fight for 15. Building power from its largely immigrant membership, the “county fed” has also been a political springboard, particularly for Latino leaders in state government.The outsize clout of labor in Los Angeles, for example, was underscored by the difficulty in finding a place to hold the debate that would not require candidates to cross a picket line. The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, an umbrella group of several hundred unions representing more than 800,000 workers, has been central to national organizing campaigns like Justice for Janitors and the Fight for 15. Building power from its largely immigrant membership, the “county fed” has also been a political springboard, particularly for Latino leaders in state government.
The rise of labor in Los Angeles is relatively recent. Until quite late in the 20th century, Los Angeles was a virulently anti-union town. San Francisco was the heart of the state’s labor movement, ever since the longshoremen’s union led the 1934 general strike that shut down the city for four days.The rise of labor in Los Angeles is relatively recent. Until quite late in the 20th century, Los Angeles was a virulently anti-union town. San Francisco was the heart of the state’s labor movement, ever since the longshoremen’s union led the 1934 general strike that shut down the city for four days.
The Bay Area was long the locus of Democratic influence and money in the decades when California was staunchly Republican. (The state’s deep blue status is also recent: Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose presidential aspirations are a popular topic in Sacramento, is only the fifth Democrat elected to lead the state in modern times.) By the 1960s, rapid growth began to shift power south, hastened by court decisions that forced the allocation of State Senate seats by population rather than by county. But Northern California, the Bay Area in particular, has remained a Democratic power base. The party’s past two governors, four United States senators and four attorneys general — not to mention House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — all have roots there.The Bay Area was long the locus of Democratic influence and money in the decades when California was staunchly Republican. (The state’s deep blue status is also recent: Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose presidential aspirations are a popular topic in Sacramento, is only the fifth Democrat elected to lead the state in modern times.) By the 1960s, rapid growth began to shift power south, hastened by court decisions that forced the allocation of State Senate seats by population rather than by county. But Northern California, the Bay Area in particular, has remained a Democratic power base. The party’s past two governors, four United States senators and four attorneys general — not to mention House Speaker Nancy Pelosi — all have roots there.
In part, that’s because Bay Area voters consistently turn out in higher percentages, which is just another reason they feel smug. On the whole, Northerners look down on Southerners — though not of course to the degree that East Coasters do — while Southerners tend to ignore the rivalry. The different cultures, history and topography divided by the Tehachapi Mountains have confused political outsiders going back to the 1960s, when the Kennedys could never understand why they needed separate campaign operations for north and south California.In part, that’s because Bay Area voters consistently turn out in higher percentages, which is just another reason they feel smug. On the whole, Northerners look down on Southerners — though not of course to the degree that East Coasters do — while Southerners tend to ignore the rivalry. The different cultures, history and topography divided by the Tehachapi Mountains have confused political outsiders going back to the 1960s, when the Kennedys could never understand why they needed separate campaign operations for north and south California.
Another split, exacerbated in recent years, has been between the (reliably blue) coastal areas and the (more red though leaning purple) inland areas, particularly the huge Central Valley, which the former bodybuilder governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently called “the abs of California.” By many measures, it is a core that needs strengthening. The valley is not home to the wealth of the coastal areas, and yet income inequality is most severe there because the poorest are so poor.Another split, exacerbated in recent years, has been between the (reliably blue) coastal areas and the (more red though leaning purple) inland areas, particularly the huge Central Valley, which the former bodybuilder governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently called “the abs of California.” By many measures, it is a core that needs strengthening. The valley is not home to the wealth of the coastal areas, and yet income inequality is most severe there because the poorest are so poor.
California is a state of extremes. Angelenos like to boast that in normal weather, if such a thing ever returns, you can ski in the morning in the mountains east of the city and swim in the ocean in the afternoon. The political equivalent may be the jarring juxtaposition of Representatives Adam Schiff and Devin Nunes. Only two congressional districts separate their respective seats.California is a state of extremes. Angelenos like to boast that in normal weather, if such a thing ever returns, you can ski in the morning in the mountains east of the city and swim in the ocean in the afternoon. The political equivalent may be the jarring juxtaposition of Representatives Adam Schiff and Devin Nunes. Only two congressional districts separate their respective seats.
Mr. Nunes is from Tulare, one of the leading agricultural counties in the country, where his family once owned a dairy farm. Now he is suing a cow on twitter. The popularity of the parody cow account has prompted people to don cow suits outside the congressman’s events, which has cramped his style but not diminished his fund-raising. One of only seven Republicans left in the state’s 53-member delegation, he reported $7 million cash on hand in the most recent cycle, the most of any House member.Mr. Nunes is from Tulare, one of the leading agricultural counties in the country, where his family once owned a dairy farm. Now he is suing a cow on twitter. The popularity of the parody cow account has prompted people to don cow suits outside the congressman’s events, which has cramped his style but not diminished his fund-raising. One of only seven Republicans left in the state’s 53-member delegation, he reported $7 million cash on hand in the most recent cycle, the most of any House member.
Money is a perquisite for running in California, but no guarantee. If Michael Bloomberg had qualified for the debate, he could have spoken to both those points: The last time he campaigned in California was for Republican Meg Whitman, who broke national records by spending $144 million of her personal fortune. She lost the 2010 governor’s race to Jerry Brown.Money is a perquisite for running in California, but no guarantee. If Michael Bloomberg had qualified for the debate, he could have spoken to both those points: The last time he campaigned in California was for Republican Meg Whitman, who broke national records by spending $144 million of her personal fortune. She lost the 2010 governor’s race to Jerry Brown.
Now Mr. Bloomberg is spending his personal fortune to compete for Democratic votes. And there are more of them than ever. Registration has peaked at 80 percent of eligible voters, the highest it has been at a comparable point this century. Democrats have maintained a steady 44 percent of the total, while the number of voters choosing not to register in any party has for the first time surpassed the number of Republicans. Those independents can vote in the Democratic primary, too.Now Mr. Bloomberg is spending his personal fortune to compete for Democratic votes. And there are more of them than ever. Registration has peaked at 80 percent of eligible voters, the highest it has been at a comparable point this century. Democrats have maintained a steady 44 percent of the total, while the number of voters choosing not to register in any party has for the first time surpassed the number of Republicans. Those independents can vote in the Democratic primary, too.
Anti-Trump sentiment is credited for the surge in voter registration, especially among the young. But the president did bring one silver lining for Los Angeles — an end to the frequent “Obama jams” that snarled traffic.Anti-Trump sentiment is credited for the surge in voter registration, especially among the young. But the president did bring one silver lining for Los Angeles — an end to the frequent “Obama jams” that snarled traffic.
How to get people out of cars, particularly in Los Angeles, has become an increasingly important focus. The city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, recently started a competition to redesign streetlights, partly as an aesthetic exercise, partly in an effort to redirect light to illuminate sidewalks. The project also aims to redress inequities in the city between rich and poor neighborhoods. Before you make jokes about the weather, consider that climate and the natural world underlie almost every facet of life in California, shaping not only lifestyles but also the economy.How to get people out of cars, particularly in Los Angeles, has become an increasingly important focus. The city’s mayor, Eric Garcetti, recently started a competition to redesign streetlights, partly as an aesthetic exercise, partly in an effort to redirect light to illuminate sidewalks. The project also aims to redress inequities in the city between rich and poor neighborhoods. Before you make jokes about the weather, consider that climate and the natural world underlie almost every facet of life in California, shaping not only lifestyles but also the economy.
That formidable economy, the world’s fifth largest, has thrived, despite the state’s penchant for regulations. As of January, solar panels will be required on new homes. California has banned foie gras, the sale of fur coats, small shampoo bottles in hotels and smoking at state parks and beaches. (“If people can’t smoke even on a deserted beach, where can they? There must be some limit to the coercive power of government,” Mr. Brown wrote in a 2017 veto message. Mr. Newsom signed the bill this year.) In January, the sale of alligator skin boots will become illegal — a move Louisiana officials charge will decimate the multimillion dollar industry that relies on the Golden State for 30 percent of its business.That formidable economy, the world’s fifth largest, has thrived, despite the state’s penchant for regulations. As of January, solar panels will be required on new homes. California has banned foie gras, the sale of fur coats, small shampoo bottles in hotels and smoking at state parks and beaches. (“If people can’t smoke even on a deserted beach, where can they? There must be some limit to the coercive power of government,” Mr. Brown wrote in a 2017 veto message. Mr. Newsom signed the bill this year.) In January, the sale of alligator skin boots will become illegal — a move Louisiana officials charge will decimate the multimillion dollar industry that relies on the Golden State for 30 percent of its business.
California does, however, make some things easier. While other states are purging voter rolls, California has gone the other direction. More than 65 percent of ballots cast in November 2018 were mailed in. This year, for the first time, ballots came with postage prepaid envelopes. Ballots postmarked Election Day are accepted up to three days later. Next year, the state will expand same-day registration, so voters can more easily cast provisional ballots at the polls.California does, however, make some things easier. While other states are purging voter rolls, California has gone the other direction. More than 65 percent of ballots cast in November 2018 were mailed in. This year, for the first time, ballots came with postage prepaid envelopes. Ballots postmarked Election Day are accepted up to three days later. Next year, the state will expand same-day registration, so voters can more easily cast provisional ballots at the polls.
All that means, don’t count on knowing the results of the primary on election night. The general election, though, is probably a safer bet.All that means, don’t count on knowing the results of the primary on election night. The general election, though, is probably a safer bet.
Miriam Pawel (@miriampawel) is the author of “The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty That Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation” and a contributing opinion writer.Miriam Pawel (@miriampawel) is the author of “The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty That Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation” and a contributing opinion writer.
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