Column: RIP Stu Spencer, California political consultant, advisor to presidents
SACRAMENTO — Stu Spencer had a certain guidepost he followed for decades as California’s top political consultant. These signposts helped actor Ronald Reagan to be elected Governor of California, later President, and also to be used by Governor Nelson Rockefeller of New York, President Ford, Governor Pete Wilson, and numerous others in California and around […]
Column: Compassion and decency lost amid wildfires as California foes play politics
The California fires and their political opponents seem to be dancing in the flames and having fun in the ashes. From the mountains to the sea, the wreckage and ruins are Biblical in size, scope, and wall-to-wall destruction. At least five people died. Thousands of structures were destroyed. More than 130,000 people have fled for […]
Column: An Oscar-winning L.A. council member? Gov. Danny Trejo? Gustavo’s 2025 predictions
Good news: None of the predictions I made in last year’s Gustradamus annual column came true. If so, it would have been a sign that the apocalypse was near. Bad news: the apocalypse is here. Donald Trump, about to become president, is licking his ketchup-stained lips wondering if he’ll punish California for not rolling over […]
Column: Kamala Harris should run for governor — if she wants to solve California’s problems
SACRAMENTO — Kamala Harris may make history as the first woman and person of color elected governor of california. But she must really want the job. She didn’t think it was just a consolation prize. lose the presidential election To Donald Trump. Nor could she see it as a stepping stone back to the White […]
Column: Amid Trump Latino gains, is it time to let Republicans into California Latino Legislative Caucus?
Lena Gonzalez’s voice over the phone had the patient yet proud tone of a lawyer charged with defending abominable people. Her metaphorical client is the California Latino Legislative Caucus, led by a state senator from the Long Beach area. With 38 members, it is one of the largest groups of its kind in the United […]
Column: How Ronald Reagan’s words live on in Donald Trump’s rhetoric
SACRAMENTO — run for president, ronald reagan He repeatedly promised to “make America great again.” Thirty-six years later, Donald Trump caught the line and became the great plagiarist. “Reagan was the original MAGA. No questions asked. Trump ignored what Reagan said.” Ken Khachigian, political consultant, speechwriter, and author he said to me. President Reagan used […]
Column: Voters sent clear message to Newsom, Democrats: We’re fed up
SACRAMENTO — The state Legislature is scheduled to convene for a new two-year session on Dec. 2, but we hope they’re reading the message California voters sent on Election Day. The message was simple and concise, but many elected officials living in a political cocoon in Sacramento are tone-deaf to voices that don’t come from […]
Column: Gascón, ousted as L.A. County top prosecutor, was his own worst enemy
Los Angeles Township Atty. Georges Gascón’s election defeat is yet another reminder that despite what we in progressive states want (criminal justice reform), our policies don’t matter. emotions Crime and safety influence our decisions at the polls. It was unfortunate that Gascón lost to former federal prosecutor Nathan Hockman, who ran for California attorney general […]
Column: Lots to blame for Harris’ dismal finish, including blunders by Obama and Biden
SACRAMENTO — How did a convicted felon, serial liar, sexual abuser, and wannabe dictator allow himself to be elected president of this country? Three words: Democrats have failed. I shouldn’t have been able to compete against a disqualified man. And in fact, it wasn’t. Republican Donald Trump won easily. This is my post-mortem on the […]
Column: Harris’ defeat opens a bumpy path to the White House for Newsom
SACRAMENTO — Gov. Gavin Newsom received a major political boost after Donald Trump defeated Kamala Harris in Tuesday’s presidential election. Newsom now has a direct path to the White House in 2028. Since Harris, a fellow Californian and longtime Democratic ally, will not be running for re-election in 2028, Newsom will not feel politically or […]
