Podcast Summary
California Senate Primary: Top Contenders and Key Issues: The California Senate primary on Super Tuesday 2022 features Adam Schiff, Barbara Lee, Kalia Shaw and Christy Smith, each with distinct backgrounds. Schiff's opposition to Trump has gained him national attention. Israel-Gaza conflict is a significant issue. Winner will gain prominence in the Democratic party.
The California Senate primary on Super Tuesday 2022 is a significant race, as the winner will gain prominence in the Democratic party. Among the top contenders are Representative Adam Schiff, known for his role in the first Trump impeachment and his stance against Trump, and Democrats Barbara Lee, Kalia Shaw and Christy Smith, each bringing unique perspectives to the table. Israel's conflict with Gaza is a major talking point in the race. Adam Schiff, in particular, has gained national attention for his opposition to Trump. Regardless of the outcome, this primary will catapult the winner to a new level of notoriety.
Three Democratic Candidates in California Gubernatorial Primary: Schiff, Porter, and Lee: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee are the top Democratic contenders in California's gubernatorial primary. Schiff is known for his national following and financial resources. Porter gained fame for her ability to grill CEOs and administration members. Lee is respected for her anti-war stance despite facing threats.
The California gubernatorial primary race features three compelling Democratic candidates: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, and Barbara Lee. Each brings a unique story to the table. Adam Schiff, known as "Gobs of Money Schiff," has a national following and significant financial resources due to his role in investigating a corrupt president. Katie Porter, the "whiteboard warrior," gained fame for her ability to take down CEOs and Trump administration members during congressional hearings. Barbara Lee, a long-serving congresswoman, is admired for her vote against the Authorized Use of Military Force Act after September 11th, despite facing numerous death threats. However, her lack of funds limits her ability to effectively communicate her message to voters. On the Republican side, former baseball player Steve Garvey, known for his iconic status in California, is running for office for the first time and lacks clear positions on key issues.
California Senate Primary: A Free-For-All Contest: The California Senate primary between Adam Schiff and Steve Garvey is a significant contest with both candidates vying for the top spot. Schiff, known for his opposition to Trump, is heavily favored but Garvey is making a strong push. The top 2 primary system means both parties' top vote-getters will advance, making it a free-for-all competition.
The California Senate primary race between Adam Schiff, a Democratic incumbent, and Steve Garvey, the leading Republican, is shaping up to be a significant contest. Schiff, known for his opposition to Trump, has consistently polled among the top Democrats, but Garvey, who has been gaining support from Republican voters, is making a strong push for the second spot. The top 2 primary system in California means that both parties' top vote-getters will advance to the November general, making it a free-for-all competition. While there are policy differences between the candidates, particularly on earmarks and the Israel-Hamas conflict, the primary seems to be more about vibes and voters' perceptions of the candidates. Schiff, with his significant financial resources, is running two campaigns - one promoting his own vision and the other attacking Garvey. The outcome of the primary could have significant implications for the Senate, with Schiff being the heavy favorite to win in a deeply blue state.
Democratic Politicians Divided Over Israel-Hamas Conflict: Some Democrats called for an immediate ceasefire, others didn't, and most voters aren't basing their votes on it, but interest groups are influencing primaries.
During the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2021, some Democratic politicians, like Congresswoman Barbara Lee, advocated for an immediate ceasefire, while others, like Congressman Adam Schiff, did not. Lee's call for a ceasefire early on symbolized growing concerns among some Democrats about Israel's military operation. Katie Porter took a middle ground position, calling for the release of hostages, resources to rebuild Gaza, and a secure Israel for Palestinians. Despite this, most voters are not deciding their votes based on the Israel-Palm issue, but interest groups are still pouring money into competitive primaries related to it. Melanie Mason reported on this for Politico.com. Mint Mobile offers wireless plans for as low as $15 a month with no hidden fees, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious consumers. FX's The Veil, starring Elizabeth Moss, is a spy thriller worth checking out for fans of the genre.
Shifting Political Landscape between Israel and Palestine within Democratic Party: New younger left in Democratic Party criticizes Israeli government, leading to increased involvement of pro-Israel groups in primaries, aiming to unseat progressive, Israel-skeptical Democrats, highlighting growing divide within the party
The political landscape regarding Israel and Palestine within the Democratic Party has significantly shifted in recent years. The rise of a new, younger left has led to a more vocal criticism of the Israeli government among Democrats, particularly those in "The Squad." In response, organizations like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and Democratic Majority for Israel have increased their involvement in Democratic primaries, planning to spend approximately $100,000,000 combined to unseat progressive members who speak out against Israeli actions in Gaza. This represents a new level of involvement from these groups in Democratic primaries. While APEC and Democratic Majority for Israel have different approaches, they share the goal of defeating progressive, Israel-skeptical Democrats. This dynamic highlights the growing divide within the Democratic Party on this issue. Moving on from politics, the discussion also touched upon the comfort and quality of Quince's springtime clothing offerings, including organic cotton gauze tiered maxi dresses and European linen blazers. Quince provides affordable luxury with free shipping and 365-day returns at quince.com/explain.
DMFI and AIPAC target progressive candidates critical of Israel: Since 2022, DMFI and AIPAC have increased spending against progressive Democrats who challenge Israel's policies, particularly those advocating for conditioning military aid.
The Democratic Majority for Israel (DMFI) and American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) have significantly increased their spending in Democratic primaries since around 2022, targeting progressive candidates who are critical or skeptical of Israel. These groups have shifted their focus from maintaining a bipartisan consensus to actively opposing politicians who challenge Israel's policies. Some of the policies they particularly oppose include conditioning military aid to Israel. In the 2022 elections, they spent heavily against candidates like Nina Turner and Andy Levin, who advocated for conditioning military aid. These groups often run attack ads that have nothing to do with Israel, instead targeting vulnerable issues to sway voters. While there are groups more critical of Israel also getting involved, such as J Street and Jewish Voice for Peace, they have significantly less resources to make an impact in primary campaigns.
The DSA's Impact on U.S. Politics and Israel Relations: The DSA, a growing anti-Zionist organization, is making an impact on U.S. politics, leading to potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. This could mark the end of unconditional support for Israeli government from the Democratic Party.
The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a growing and professionalized anti-Zionist organization, is making an impact on U.S. politics. They have been behind high-profile protests and have a political action arm that endorses candidates. The DSA's influence could shrink if spending against them is successful, or it could grow as more young people engage with the Israel skeptical faction. Regardless, the old consensus of unconditional support for the Israeli government from the Democratic Party may be crumbling. This could lead to a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Israel. Joe Biden may be the last Democratic president to offer mostly unconditional support for the Israeli government, as the politics of the two countries diverge. The DSA's influence, while currently focused on domestic politics, could also have far-reaching implications for U.S.-Israel relations.
