Mayor Garcetti's 'back to basics' approach is working
There was a little snickering when Mayor Eric Garcetti framed his ambition as getting Los Angeles government “back to basics.” It seemed to some — including me — that this approach, while important,...
View ArticleCan the California GOP craft a winning campaign strategy?
As California's Republican Party contemplates its way out of the political wilderness, most of the public debate has focused on questions of ideology: Can social conservatives stomach moderation on...
View ArticleNo winners in this MTA train wreck
It's hard to find winners in the meltdown that occurred last week at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. A Japanese rail car manufacturing company trying to build a plant in Palmdale announced...
View ArticleA mighty big spender illustrates campaign finance problems
Anyone who closely follows American politics runs the risk of becoming inured to the role that money plays in the process. Even before the Supreme Court's infamous —and somewhat misunderstood — ruling...
View ArticleDeasy's impatience threatens to overshadow LAUSD achievements
There's a storm cloud gathering over Los Angeles politics these days, and the man at its center is schools Supt. John Deasy.
View ArticleGridlock in Congress? Act locally
The voters casting ballots in Tuesday's election will disagree on many things. But on one thing, at least, Americans are in agreement: They're frustrated with gridlock.
View ArticleThanks to the election, big opportunities arise for L.A.
In the aftermath of last week's elections, most commentary naturally focused on the changing balance in the U.S. Senate. But the effect of that shift on the lives of most people is likely to be...
View ArticleDrones and the LAPD
A narrow debate over the LAPD's proposed, limited use of a pair of unmanned aircraft — popularly known as drones — is prompting a broader community conversation about the tension between technology and...
View ArticleA journalist's recipe for fixing L.A.
Efforts to improve local government and the services it provides have come and gone over the 22 years I have covered Los Angeles for this newspaper. Some have been successful: The Christopher...
View ArticlePolitical consultant David Axelrod delivers in revealing 'Believer'
As President Obama's political consultant, David Axelrod was guarded and disciplined when he appeared on the weekend talk shows. He stayed on message, with little hint of humor or personality. But the...
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