News
Discussions and reflections on the present moment.
“I was a little disappointed that Katie Porter chose to run,” Karl Rubin, an emeritus professor of math, told me on the patio of a community center on the campus of the University of California, Irvine, on Monday morning.
He said that Porter, currently a Democratic congresswoman from a suburban swing district south of Los Angeles, would be great as a senator and he would be thrilled to have either her or Adam Schiff represent California in the Senate, but he believed her choice to run left her House seat vulnerable to being taken by a Republican.
Rubin was one of 13 people I spoke to who work at the university, where Porter is a tenured law professor. They are all Democrats, except for one who registered Republican to vote against Donald Trump; they live in the same faculty and staff housing that Porter has lived in; they know her better than most.
And so it was particularly striking to hear so many of them say they are unhappy about her decision to give up her House seat to run for the Senate, even though the consensus was that they respected and admired her. In fact, only four of those 13 neighbors said that they were voting for her.
Caroll Seron, an emeritus professor of criminology, pointed out that some people were “quite disappointed” that Porter announced her run for Senate so soon after being re-elected to her congressional seat; another colleague said Porter’s ambition got in the way of her service to the district.
There was a clear sense in this group of resignation rather than enthusiasm about Schiff, the front-runner in Tuesday’s primary, even from those supporting him. As Mark Fisher, a neurology professor who is voting for Porter, put it, Schiff “is not emotionally engaged” and “he’s too intellectual, too cerebral.”
Kev Abazajian, a physics professor, had a more policy-driven opposition to Schiff, calling him “almost a conservative” because “he’s never seen a war he doesn’t like, he wasn’t part of the progressive caucus, he was part of the Blue Dog coalition.” He added: “His record, other than defending democracy, which I appreciate, has not been great in terms of progressive values.”
But in the end, most of these voters seemed to believe that Porter’s blind ambition was going to lose out to Schiff’s bland ambition.
News
Facing Criticism for Shooting Dog, South Dakota Governor Noem Discusses ‘Difficult Choices’
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem found herself in hot water recently after admitting to shooting her “untrainable” hunting dog. The controversial incident sparked public outrage, but it did not stop her from attending a gathering of California Republicans, where she received a warm reception on Saturday.
Noem, known for her stance on gun rights and conservative leadership, addressed more than 200 people at the California Republican Party convention in Burlingame. She emphasized the importance of patriotism and preserving American values amidst challenging times.
Although she did not directly reference the dog-shooting incident in her speech, she alluded to the controversy surrounding her decision to euthanize her dog named Cricket due to its poor hunting skills and an unfortunate incident involving farm chickens.
Attendees at the luncheon received a copy of Noem’s book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong With Politics and How We Move America Forward,” which she promoted during her remarks. Despite the backlash, she remained firm in her convictions.
Noem’s focus shifted to her leadership in South Dakota, particularly her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and her decision to deploy the state’s National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border. She raised concerns about drug cartels exploiting Native American tribal lands in her state and criticized the federal government for its inaction.
Despite the controversy surrounding her, Noem commended former President Trump for his authenticity and unwavering commitment to his beliefs. She highlighted Trump’s unconventional approach to politics as a sign of his genuine character.
State Republican Party delegate Anna Bryson expressed admiration for Noem’s financial policies and tax reduction efforts. She acknowledged the dog-shooting incident but credited Noem for her commitment to sound fiscal management.
The convention, attended by over 800 delegates and guests, marked a significant gathering for California Republicans. Despite past protests during Trump’s appearance in Burlingame in 2016, the event with Noem proceeded smoothly with no major disruptions.
Noem’s resilience amidst adversity and her unwavering commitment to her principles garnered both admiration and scrutiny at the California Republican Party convention.
Times staff writer Anabel Sosa contributed to this report.
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