
So, Does It Matter? - on CA Politics - Podcasts!
California politics podcast hosted by longtime conservative strategist Jon Fleischman. It features audio commentary and interviews with influential figures in California politics and policy. The show is part of the SoDoesItMatter.com Substack newsletter. Fleischman is a former Executive Director of the California Republican Party and a veteran of many political campaigns.
Episodes

Official 2016 California Ballot Proposition Voting Guide - Explanations and Recommendations
California voters will decide 14 statewide ballot measures on November 3, 2026.In this Ballot Proposition Special, Jon Fleischman and California Policy Center CEO Will Swaim go measure by measure, explaining what each proposition would do and sharing where they stand on it.The conversation covers bonds, taxes, housing, voter identification, public campaign financing, recall elections, hea

Straight Talk: OCGOP's Will O’Neill On California’s Energy Crisis, A New Assembly Republican Leader, The Governor’s Race, And Political Bias At The Orange County Fair
California gas prices, foreign oil dependence and Gavin Newsom’s energy policies take center stage in this conversation with Will O’Neill, chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County and former two-time mayor of Newport Beach.O’Neill joins Jon Fleischman to argue that California’s taxes, regulations and declining refinery capacity are raising prices while making the state increasing

Winning: HJTA Brings Dems To The Table To And Gets Fix To Prop. 13 Loophole, To Preserve The Two-Thirds Vote Requirement On Local Taxes
Yesterday, with only hours left before the deadline, one of the most consequential taxpayer deals in recent California political history came together in Sacramento.The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association withdrew its qualified Save Prop. 13 initiative after legislative leaders and Governor Newsom agreed to place ACA 22 on the November ballot and remove ACA 13.In this episode, Jon Fleisch

The Newsoms’ Secrets? A Deep Dive with RedState's Jennifer Van Laar
RedState Managing Editor Jenn Van Laar joins Jon Fleischman for a deep dive into the questions surrounding Gavin Newsom, Jennifer Siebel Newsom, their nonprofit organizations, real estate transactions, tax returns, and the federal investigation that Newsom himself has publicly acknowledged.Long before most of the media took notice, Jenn was reporting on the financial and ethical questions

The Worst Week In California Politics - The June 2 Election Edition!
Tom Steyer had the worst week in California politics.After pouring more than $200 million of his own money into the race for governor, Steyer still came up short of advancing to November. California voters delivered a brutal reminder: money can buy ads, consultants, mail, polling, and saturation coverage — but it cannot buy enthusiasm, authenticity, or votes.In this episode of Worst Week

Straight Talk With HJTA's Susan Shelley: Are California Voters Finally Pushing Back?
Susan Shelley joins Jon Fleischman for a wide-ranging post-election discussion on what California’s latest election results may be telling us about the state’s political future.The conversation begins with a look at several high-profile tax and revenue measures that appear to have been rejected by voters, including healthcare-related sales taxes, vacant-home taxes, and San Francisco’s con

If Tom Steyer Doesn't Make The Runoff, This May Be Why...
California’s top-two primary system has created a strange campaign tactic: sometimes candidates don’t just run against their opponents — they try to choose which opponent they want.Adam Schiff did it with Steve Garvey. Gavin Newsom did it with Brian Dahle.So why didn’t Tom Steyer do the same thing with Sheriff Chad Bianco?In this video, I break down how Steyer could have used his own camp

ICYMI: This Morning's SDIM Live! — California’s June Election Is Here, And The Top-Two Chaos Is Already Underway - And Much More!
In this solo So, Does It Matter? Live, Jon Fleischman breaks down the final stretch of California’s June election season, starting with the governor’s race and the growing pressure on Republicans to consolidate behind one candidate in the top-two primary. He discusses the latest PPIC poll, Steve Hilton’s position, Chad Bianco’s challenge, Democratic turnout concerns, and why California’s

Straight Talk with Michael Gates, Candidate for California Attorney General
Jon Fleischman interviews Michael Gates, the Republican candidate for California Attorney General, about his campaign against Rob Bonta, his Huntington Beach legal record, crime, Prop. 36, constitutional rights, ballot titles, corruption, and what he would do on day one as California’s top law enforcement officer.Watch specific segments:00:00 — Welcome, Introducing Michael Gates 02:02 — G

An Analysis of the final Gubernatorial Debate Heading Into June Election
California’s final major gubernatorial debate before the primary is in the books — and Jon Fleischman breaks down who helped themselves, who hurt themselves, and what the debate revealed about the state of the race.In this rapid-fire analysis, Jon examines: • Why Xavier Becerra spent the night under siege over scandal questions • How Steve Hilton emerged once again as the strongest commun

ICYMI: Yesterday’s SDIM Live! — Los Angeles Politics Goes Completely Off The Rails — And Spencer Pratt Is Somehow In The Middle Of It
Jon Fleischman is joined by longtime Los Angeles political consultant Matt Klink for a wide-ranging discussion about the chaos unfolding in Los Angeles and California politics.They break down the Los Angeles mayor’s race, Karen Bass’s political problems, Spencer Pratt’s viral campaign ads, Democratic Socialist influence at LA City Hall, controversial new tax proposals, and the latest deve

Straight Talk with HJTA's Jon Coupal On The Billionaire Tax, Tom Steyer, And California’s War On Taxpayers
Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, joins Jon Fleischman for a wide-ranging conversation about California taxes, Proposition 13, Tom Steyer’s split-roll proposal, and the controversial billionaire tax measure likely headed for the ballot.We discuss why HJTA believes California progressives are making a renewed push to weaken Prop 13, how higher commercial pro

We Went Live With Will Swaim - The Gov's Race, Illegal Immigration, Energy Policy, And... La Bamba!
Yesterday afternoon, Jon hosted Will Swaim, President of the California Policy Center and co-host of Radio Free California, for this week’s So, Does It Matter? Live!What started as a discussion about the California governor’s race quickly turned into a broader conversation about the fiscal crisis facing California, government unions, homelessness, illegal immigration, public-sector dysfun

Could Last Night's NBC/Telemundo Gubernatorial Debate Been Any Worse?!?
Jon Fleischman watched the latest California governor’s debate and came away with one clear conclusion: the status quo won.The debate was chaotic, crowded, and largely unhelpful for voters trying to figure out who should lead California. The moderators raised serious issues, but the format allowed candidates to talk over each other, interrupt, chase soundbites, and turn the evening into a

California Gov's CNN Debate - Entertaining? YES! Informative? No! -- Post-Debate Analysis
Jon Fleischman breaks down Tuesday night’s California gubernatorial debate from East L.A. College, hosted by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins and Elex Michaelson.Who helped themselves? Who hurt themselves? And did voters actually learn anything useful from the debate format?Jon gives his take on Antonio Villaraigosa, Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco, Xavier Becerra, and Matt Mahan

Straight Talk with Hoover Institution's Josh Rauh: California’s Billionaire Wealth Tax Could Backfire Badly
Jon Fleischman interviews Hoover Institution economist Josh Rauh about California’s proposed billionaire wealth tax. They break down what the measure actually does, why it may not raise anywhere near what supporters claim, how it could drive wealthy taxpayers and future investment out of California, and why the measure may create a framework for broader asset taxation.Episode Description:

CA Politics Live! Jon brings on Katy Grimes to talk Gov's Race, Newsom, HSR, and the Billionaire Tax!
Episode Summary:Jon Fleischman is joined by Katy Grimes, Editor-in-Chief of the California Globe, for a fast-moving conversation on the state of California politics.They break down the still-unsettled 2026 governor’s race, the danger of Republicans being shut out of November, Xavier Becerra’s sudden rise, Tom Steyer’s spending, Matt Mahan’s political problem, and why the recent debate for

Straight Talk One-On-One With Rep. Jay Obernolte: AI, Congress, And California’s Political Map
This week on Straight Talk One-On-One, Jon Fleischman talks with U.S. Representative Jay Obernolte about Congress, artificial intelligence, House Republican policy, and California’s changing political map.Obernolte discusses the differences between serving in the California State Assembly and serving in Congress, including the realities of House floor debate and the travel burden of repre

Who Won The California Governor's Debate & More!

What To Watch For In Tonight’s Governor Debate
Tonight’s California governor debate could be the first moment this race actually shows signs of life.In this episode, Jon Fleischman breaks down what each major candidate needs to accomplish on stage, who faces the most pressure, and what viewers should really be watching for as the night unfolds. This is not just about debate lines or viral moments. It is about who can leave the stage s

Worst Week In California Politics: The Massive Political Implosion of Eric Swalwell
Eric Swalwell just had the worst week in California politics.In this episode, Jon Fleischman breaks down the stunning collapse of Swalwell’s political standing, from the implosion of his gubernatorial hopes to the growing fallout surrounding allegations, investigations, and the rapid abandonment by allies, former staff, and major political supporters.This was not a normal bad news cycle.

Straight Talk with John Park, Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party
In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? One-On-One Podcast, Jon sits down with John Park, Vice Chairman of the California Republican Party, for a wide-ranging conversation about the current political landscape in California.They discuss the upcoming California Republican Party convention and the high-stakes endorsement battle between Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco, including how the endo

Straight Talk With Rick Travis of the California Rifle & Pistol Association
What’s really happening with gun control in California?In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? One-On-One Podcast, Jon Fleischman sits down with Rick Travis, Legislative Director for the California Rifle and Pistol Association, for a detailed, behind-the-scenes look at how gun legislation actually moves through Sacramento.This conversation goes beyond headlines. Travis explains how bil

So, Does It Matter? LIVE! Inside California Politics: Governor’s Race, BART Crisis, LAUSD & More
In this episode of So, Does It Matter? Live, we take a comprehensive look at the current state of California politics — and why so much of it feels stuck, unstable, or headed in the wrong direction.We cover the underwhelming governor’s race, the growing influence of public employee unions, and the financial and operational challenges facing major institutions across the state.This is a wi

First Dems Blow Up "Non-DEI" Debate, New CADEM Survey Shows Moribund Democratic Field and Reps Still On Top
My “hot take” on the latest in the California Governor’s race.I reference two “sources” in my commentary, which are linked here:Dan Walters’ latest column in CalMatters…California governor’s race gets weirder with debate cancellation, new pollAnd a new survey on the California Governor’s Race was released by the California Democratic Party (as promised, there will be more)…Survey Results

USC Cancels Their Governor's Debate - I Have Thoughts
SDIM author Jon Fleischman issued this quick commentary after USC cancelled their planned Governor's debate. It's worth listening - it's not too long!

Straight Talk with Judge Maryanne Gilliard on California’s Justice System
Retired Superior Court Judge Maryanne Gilliard joins Jon Fleischman for a candid conversation about how California’s criminal justice system has changed — and why she believes those changes are putting public safety at risk.Drawing on decades of experience as a prosecutor, senior state official, and judge, Gilliard explains how she approached the bench as an “umpire,” applying the law as

USC Debate Disaster + Kamala Poll Collapse | Worst Week in CA Politics
This week in California politics was a mess — and not in a subtle way.In this episode of “Worst Week in California Politics,” we break down three major stories that show exactly why voters are frustrated, disengaged, and losing trust in institutions:• A Madera County candidate tied to January 6 raises serious questions about judgment and fitness for office• A new Berkeley IGS poll shows K

Who Had The Worst Week In California Politics? - Week Ending March 20
Democratic Governor candidate Matt Mahan just had the worst week in California politics.The latest Berkeley IGS poll has the San Jose mayor at just 3.5% — a brutal showing for a candidate who entered the race with money, media attention, and a narrative as a “moderate Democrat” who could shake up the field.So what’s going wrong?In this episode, Jon Fleischman breaks down why Mahan’s campa

The Sacramento Swamp, Republican Weakness, and the Fight for Reform — A Candid Conversation With Assemblyman Carl DeMaio
California Assemblyman Carl DeMaio joins Jon Fleischman for a candid conversation about the state of California politics, the dysfunction inside Sacramento, and the strategy behind his reform efforts.In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? One-On-One Podcast, DeMaio explains why he believes California’s political system is dominated by insiders and special interests, and why conservati

Are “Candidates of Color” Being Excluded From Upcoming USC/ABC7/Univision Governor’s Debate?
A controversy is erupting over an upcoming California gubernatorial debate hosted by USC and broadcast by ABC7 Los Angeles and Univision.Debate organizers limited the stage to six candidates using a formula based on polling and fundraising. But the outcome immediately triggered accusations of bias after several candidates of color were excluded from the debate lineup.In this episode, Jon

Why Gas Prices in California Are the Highest in America (By A Lot!)
Gas prices are rising across the United States, but California drivers consistently pay far more than the rest of the country.As of the time this video was recorded, AAA reports that the average price of regular gasoline in California is $5.41 per gallon, compared to a national average of $3.63. That’s nearly $1.80 more per gallon — meaning a typical fill-up costs Californians about $25 t

What the Latest Polls Really Tell Us About California’s Governor’s Race
Here is a tight, professional description for Transistor (shorter than Substack, optimized for podcast apps):Today, Jon takes a closer look at the latest public opinion polling shaping the California governor’s race — including two newly released surveys from UC Berkeley’s Citrin Center (in partnership with Politico) and Emerson College.Jon breaks down what the numbers show, what changed

Artificial Intelligence, Silicon Valley Incentives, and the Need for Guardrails — A Conversation with Tim Estes
Artificial intelligence is advancing at an extraordinary pace. But are the incentives driving its development aligned with the public interest?In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? Podcast, Jon Fleischman sits down with AI entrepreneur Tim Estes for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of artificial intelligence, the race among technology companies to build the most powerful

Analysis: Why did CA Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley Switch To Independent?
Congressman Kevin Kiley, who represents a "red" district east of Sacramento, was totally screwed when Prop. 50 passed, and blew up his seat into six other seats. He decided to run in the new 6th District, which has a 10-point Democratic advantage. There is a big food fight on the Democratic side, and while there is a Republican running, it's not him! At the last minute, Kiley filed as a "

The Biggest Loser in California Politics For The Week Ending 3/6/26
Each week, Jon Fleischman, a longtime California political strategist and analyst, pens a column at www.SoDoesItMatter.com highlighting the biggest winners and losers of the week. At the bottom of that, below a paywall, is a video featuring the biggest loser of the week. We typically do not feature paywalled content here - but we're trying to drive more traffic to this podcast channel. So

SDIM Live! Pollster George Nassar: Is California on the Wrong Track? Going Over The Latest PPIC Survey.
In this special edition of So, Does It Matter? Live!, Jon Fleischman is joined by George Nassar, partner at Public Opinion Strategies, one of the leading Republican polling firms in the country.George walks through fresh polling data on California’s political environment and explains what the numbers really mean beneath the headlines. Using a series of detailed charts, he breaks down vote

Straight Talk with Los Angeles based Political Strategist Matt Klink... He walks us through the maze of LA City Politics...
This week on So, Does It Matter? The Podcast, Jon Fleischman sits down with veteran political strategist Matthew Klink, president of Klink Campaigns, for a candid and detailed discussion about the current state of Los Angeles city politics.They break down how power actually operates inside LA’s weak-mayor system, the influence of public-sector unions, and the growing role of Democratic So

SDIM Live! #2: On CA Politics - Gov's Race, Bad GOP Votes in Sac? - PPIC Polling - AI And Our Kids, The CA Post, More!
In this episode of So, Does It Matter? Live!, Jon breaks down what the mainstream headlines missed in the latest PPIC poll, including voter resistance to a $10 billion housing bond and majority support for lower taxes over expanded government services. He explains why early governor’s race polling is less important than union spending power, and why a Republican-on-Republican general elec

Full Time Benefits For Part-Time Politicians?
In this episode, Jon Fleischman takes on an issue he’s been talking about for three decades: whether part-time elected officials should receive full-time taxpayer-funded health care benefits.Jon argues that public service on a city council, school board, or special district is meant to be part-time — and that part-time roles should not come with full-time perks. While he supports reasonab

California Democrats Meet And Talk Affordability... Yeah, Right...
In this episode, Jon Fleischman discusses the current state of California politics, focusing on the Democratic Party Convention and the upcoming governor's race. He critiques Democratic policies that have driven up living costs in California and expresses skepticism about the candidates' credibility. Fleischman emphasizes the need for change in governance and reflects on the implications

Hot Takes On CA Politics Live #1: Hot Takes on Bianco, CA-5, Governor Polling, and the GOP Convention
In this first-ever Substack Live session, I experimented with a new real-time format to discuss the latest developments in California politics and engage directly with subscribers through live questions and chat.We covered several major topics shaping the political conversation right now, starting with the controversy surrounding Sheriff Chad Bianco’s comments on immigration and the poten

An Interview with the GOP "Golden Ticket" - Steve Hilton, Gloria Romero, Herb Morgan and Michael Gates
In this special episode of the So, Does It Matter? Podcast, I try something new — four guests at once. I sit down with the “Golden Ticket” slate: Steve Hilton for Governor, Gloria Romero for Lieutenant Governor, Michael Gates for Attorney General*, and Herb Morgan for Controller.Together, they lay out how a coordinated team in statewide office would approach California’s biggest problems

Digital Democracy: An Interview with CalMatters' Ryan Sabadow
What really happens inside California’s state Capitol — and how can regular people actually follow it?In this episode of So, Does It Matter?, Jon Fleischman talks with investigative reporter Ryan Sabalow of CalMatters about a powerful new transparency tool called Digital Democracy. The platform uses AI to transcribe legislative hearings, track votes in real time, and connect campaign cont

An Interview with California Assembly Candidate Gracey Van Der Mark: A Homeless Welfare Mom's Journey Into Politics
Gracey Van Der Mark’s life story is anything but typical.In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? Podcast, Jon Fleischman sits down with the Huntington Beach Councilmember and California State Assembly candidate for a candid, deeply personal conversation about her journey from poverty and homelessness to public office.Gracey shares what it was like growing up in a low-income Los Angeles

Who Had The Worst Week In California Politics? Week ending 1/23/25.
This week’s Biggest Loser of the Week in California Politics is Gavin Newsom — and it’s not even close.While California faces a massive budget deficit, the highest homelessness numbers in the nation, and a cost-of-living crisis driving families out of the state, Governor Gavin Newsom chose to fly to Switzerland to audition for higher office at the World Economic Forum in Davos.It did not

An Interview With Conservative CA Assemblywoman Ali Macedo on Sacramento, Redistricting & One-Party Rule
In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? podcast, Jon Fleischman sits down for a wide-ranging, one-on-one conversation with California Assemblywoman Alexandra “Ali” Macedo, a first-term Republican representing the Central Valley.Ali shares her personal background — growing up on a farm, working in agricultural compliance, and attending law school while managing a business — and explains

Interview with Assemblyman James Gallagher: Remember U.S. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, Filling Out His Term
In this special episode of So, Does It Matter?, Jon Fleischman is joined by California Assemblyman James Gallagher following the sudden passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa — a mentor, close friend, and defining figure in Northern California politics.Gallagher reflects on LaMalfa’s life, faith, and legacy, including his first job in politics working for him and the values that shaped their

An Interview with HJTA's Jon Coupal: Saving Prop 13, a Billionaire Wealth Tax & Remembering Joel Fox
California taxpayers may finally have a chance to go on offense.In this episode of the So, Does It Matter? podcast, Jon Fleischman is joined by Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, for a wide-ranging discussion about taxes, ballot measures, and the future of taxpayer protections in California.The conversation begins with a deep dive into the Save Proposition 1

RIP Doug LaMalfa & Crazy California Politics - An Interview With the California Globe's Katy Grimes
Episode NotesFor our first podcast interview of the year, Jon Fleischman is joined by Katy Grimes, Editor-in-Chief of the California Globe, for a timely and substantive discussion of California politics at a moment of real upheaval.The conversation opens with an extended discussion of the sudden passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, reflecting on his life, legacy, and the shock his death s

AI's Influence Without Guardrails: You Should Be Worried
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool — it is being built to persuade, influence, and shape behavior. And it’s happening faster than our laws, institutions, and public debate can keep up.Full Description:Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than our laws, faster than our institutions, and faster than our ability to fully understand what it is becoming. This is not an arg

Gavin Newsom’s Lump of Coal: Nine Ways He’s Made California Unaffordable
California is not a theory. It’s a test case.As Gavin Newsom enters his eighth year as governor, California has become the most unaffordable state in the lower 48—and it didn’t happen by accident.In this episode of So, Does It Matter?, Jon Fleischman walks through nine specific policy decisions made or expanded under Newsom that have driven up the cost of living for Californians. From gas

Democratic Long Knives Are Out For Gavin Newsom
An Axios report quietly confirms what many political observers have suspected: Democrats are already discussing how to take down Gavin Newsom before the 2028 presidential primary even begins.In this rant, I break down a striking Axios piece based on conversations with more than 20 Democratic operatives — including people working for potential 2028 candidates who are not Newsom. Their conc

SDIM One-On-One Interview with businessman Jon Slavet, Candidate for Governor
California’s next governor may come from the business world instead of the political class.In this full-length interview on the So, Does It Matter? Podcast, publisher Jon Fleischman sits down with Jon Slavet, a Republican candidate for governor whose background is rooted in private-sector leadership, entrepreneurship, and large-scale business operations — not career politics.Slavet discus

California Corruption Special Eposide - One on One with Jen Van Laar from RedState
🎙️ This Week on the So, Does It Matter? Podcast — Jennifer Van Laar, Managing Editor of RedStateOn this episode of So, Does It Matter?, Jon Fleischman sits down with Jennifer Van Laar, Managing Editor of RedState and one of California’s most unflinching political journalists.Before entering political media, Van Laar spent nearly two decades as a court reporter, covering criminal and civil

SDIM One-On-One Interview with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, Candidate for Governor
🎙️ This Week on So, Does It Matter? — Sheriff Chad Bianco, Candidate for Governor of CaliforniaWelcome back to So, Does It Matter? — the podcast where Jon Fleischman sits down one-on-one with the leaders who want to change California’s direction.In this episode, Jon talks with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, now a candidate for governor. One of the most outspoken law-and-order voice

SDMI One-On-One Interview With Chuck Michel, President of the CA Rifle & Pistol Association
This Week on the So, Does It Matter? Podcast — Chuck Michel, President of the California Rifle & Pistol AssociationWelcome back to So, Does It Matter? The Podcast — where we sit down each week with the people who shape, fight for, and sometimes frustrate the future of California politics. I’m Jon Fleischman, publisher of So Does It Matter, and this week we’re taking on one of the most

SDIM One-On-One Interview with Steve Hilton, CA Gubernatorial Candidate and Former Fox News Host
🎙️ This Week on So, Does It Matter? — Steve Hilton, Candidate for Governor of CaliforniaWelcome back to So, Does It Matter? The Podcast — where Jon Fleischman sits down one-on-one with the people shaping California’s political future.In this episode, Jon talks with Steve Hilton, candidate for governor of California. Born in the U.K. and known to many as the former host of Fox News’ The Ne

SDIM Quick Hit - Developer Rick Caruso Embraces Hard-Left Agenda
This "quick hit" five minute podcast focuses on Rick Caruso, a billionaire developer in California, who is apparently so focused on his political ambitions that he not only left the GOP but has embraced the progressive agenda of the left.There is a whole lot more content at www.SoDoesItMatter.com.

SDIM's Jon Fleischman Riffs on the Top Ten Winners & Losers in California's Prop. 50 Battle
This week on the So, Does It Matter? Podcast on California Politics — Jon Fleischman goes through this week’s top ten Winners & Losers here in the Golden State. Below is a link to the written column on this, but of course, Jon is a lot more “colorful” as he goes through all ten of these folks who did it right or did it wrong. You will not want to miss Jon’s candor as he calls balls an

California Post Launching Soon - One-One-Interview With New Opinion Page Editor Joel Pollak
Welcome to So, Does It Matter? A Podcast on California Politics. This week we have a one-on-one interview with Joel Pollak, formerly of Breitbart News Network, who has just started as the new opinion page editor of the soon-to-launch California Post!Visit our Substack for lots of great California political content: www.SoDoesItMatter.com. We recorded this conversation on Joel’s very first

Explainer: The Government Shutdown
LONGTIME CONSERVATIVE STRATEGEST JON FLEISCHMAN WALKS LISTENERS THROUGH THE WHY OF THE GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNReporting from the Dodger Stadium parking lot before Game 5 of the World Series (which, as it turns out, did not go so well), Jon Fleischman takes a short break from California politics to talk about what’s unfolding in Washington. The federal budget mess may seem distant, but it has

Prop. 50, Conservatism & More - A Podcast Interview With Will O'Neill of the Orange County GOP
In this conversation, longtime California conservative strategist Jon Fleischman interviews Will O'Neill, the Chairman of the Republican Party of Orange County. The conversation delves into the implications of redistricting on competitive districts, highlighting the reduction of such districts in Orange County and the resulting lack of political accountability. It emphasizes the importanc

Prop. 50 - Big Warning Signs for Republicans - A Deep Dive
Typically, each week, site publisher Jon Fleischman, a veteran of California politics for over three decades, brings on a guest for a one-on-one interview focused on some aspect of California politics or policy. This week, Jon takes a break from his usual routine to bring you a special 25-minute solo podcast, where he provides a detailed analysis of the current state of the Proposition 50

An Interview With Lance Christiansen of the California Policy Center
A talk with Lance Christiansen of the California Policy Center, talking about the end of the legislative session and bills on the Governor's desk.

Critiquing Awful CA Teachers Assoc. - A Podcast Interview With Will Swaim of the CA Policy Center
Every week on So, Does It Matter? I sit down with a leader, strategist, or thinker shaping the future of California politics for a one-on-one conversation you won’t hear anywhere else. These aren’t lectures or soundbites—they’re candid exchanges that dig into the battles defining our state.What happens when a teachers’ union stops caring about teaching?This week, I sit down with Will Swai

An Interview with Republican Congressman Tom McClintock
A wide-ranging interview with Republican Congressman Tom McClintock.

An Interview With Republican State Senator Tony Strickland
A wide-ranging interview with Republican California State Senator Tony Strickland.

An Interview With Jon Coupal of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assoc.
A wide-ranging interview on California policy and politics with Jon Coupal, President of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association.

An Interview with KABC Talk Radio Host John Phillips
A wide-ranging interview on California politics with popular KABC radio talk show host John Phillips.

An Interview with Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson
A wide-ranging interview with Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson

An Interview with Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley
An engaging interview with Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley focused on Proposition 50.

An Interview With Katy Grimes, Editor-In-Chief of the California Globe
A wide-ranging interview with longtime California conservative journalist Katy Grimes, the Editor-in-Chief of the California Globe.











