At a time of broken politics and polarization, the impulse to seek out reforms to the political process is understandable. California, which will hold important primary elections on Tuesday, offers a cautionary tale about how good intentions alone are not enough. Eight years ago, California voters approved a ballot initiative […] Read more »
California’s top two primary could be a disaster for Democrats. It could be for Republicans as well.
You’re going to hear a lot about something called the “top-two” primary in the lead up to California primary. Tuesday’s contest in the Golden State has been described as a potential “disaster” for Democrats in their march to pick up a net gain of 23 House seats and the majority […] Read more »
She’s Running! Women in Politics, Tipping Back the Balance of Power
1992 was hailed as the “Year of the Woman” for the record number of female candidates elected to national office. Today, a wave of women candidates, many inspired by the results of the 2016 election and emboldened by the #MeToo movement, may help Democrats tip the balance of power in […] Read more »
The Party *Doesn’t* Decide
Next week the all-important California primary takes place. Most of the media attention, however, has not been on issues or candidates, but instead on the possible repercussions of the still relatively new top-two primary system. The worry among Democrats is that multiple Democratic candidates in some congressional districts will split […] Read more »
California survey: Gender dividend could swing the election
With California’s June 5 primary only a few days away, a new poll by Stanford scholars shows that the gender and ideological profile of chosen candidates will be critical in determining which party will hold the majority of the U.S. House of Representatives in November. The poll, administered by the […] Read more »
California Democrats Don’t Have a Reliable Farm Team
Preemptive finger-pointing is already starting among Democrats as they grow increasingly concerned that Tuesday’s California primary could deal a painful blow to their hopes of recapturing the House of Representatives. But the rising laments may all be missing the root cause of the gathering threat: a long-term failure by California […] Read more »