It’s All Political
250 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★ - 94 ratingsIt’s All Political is now a part of the Fifth & Mission podcast. You can hear It's All Political on Fifth & Mission by subscribing to Fifth & Mission, the San Francisco Chronicle's flagship daily newscast. Joe Garofoli is the Chronicle’s senior political writer, covering national and state politics. He has worked at the Chronicle since 2000 and in Bay Area journalism since 1992, when he left the Milwaukee Journal. He has previously written about the intersection of tech and politics and about the politics of the cannabis industry.
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Episodes
The real legacy of George H.W. Bush
December 04, 2018 12:00 - 32 minutesRita Beamish covered the first President Bush for the Associated Press from the 1988 campaign through his years in the White House and his unsuccessful run for re-election in 1992. As the media paints a glowing picture of the 41st president, Beamish talks to Joe Garofoli about the real George Bush. And she has something surprising to say about Vice President Dan Quayle! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Stacey Abrams on fighting voter suppression
December 01, 2018 23:22 - 24 minutesStacey Abrams may have lost her historic run to be the first African-American female governor in the U.S., but she did not concede her race to be Georgia’s governor. That is because she is starting a new effort: To fight voter suppression that plagues Georgia and many other states. We talk with her about Fair Fight Action, a new organization that wants to modernize Georgia’s voter rights laws — an effort that could have national implications. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
What Nancy Pelosi must do to be Speaker of the House again
November 29, 2018 01:09 - 23 minutesNancy Pelosi is on her way to becoming Speaker of the House — but she’s not quite there yet. Thirty-two Democrats voted against her and three handed in blank ballots during Wednesday’s closed-door, secret-ballot vote. San Francisco Chronicle Washington correspondent Tal Kopan explains it to us — and whether ageism and sexism was behind Rep. Barbara Lee losing out on a leadership position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Election 2018: Analysis from The Chronicle's political team
November 07, 2018 09:46 - 44 minutesAn all-star cast of Chronicle political experts breaks down the biggest races and issues on election night 2018. San Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli hosts this episode with editor in chief Audrey Cooper, editorial page editor John Diaz, political writer John Wildermuth, Sacramento bureau chief Melody Gutierrez and columnist Heather Knight. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On the midterms: Live from the Grand Theater
November 01, 2018 19:01 - 1 hourSan Francisco Chronicle editor in chief Audrey Cooper moderates a panel at the Grand Theater in San Francisco on the midterm elections with columnist Heather Knight, columnist Phil Matier and senior political writer Joe Garofoli. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Will Michael Avenatti run for President?
November 01, 2018 18:52 - 8 minutesMichael Avenatti says he will decide “in the next 60 days” whether he will run for president. It’s a remarkable rise for the Los Angeles lawyer who zoomed into the national consciousness for his bare-knuckled representation of adult film star Stormy Daniels, who allegedly had an affair with President Trump. He’s been touring the country to gauge popular opinion on his candidacy. We caught up with Avenatti when he was in San Francisco recently for a mini-episode of “It’s All Political.” He has...
The Dems will flip two GOP House seats in California
October 26, 2018 20:04 - 27 minutesThe Democrats need to flip 23 Republican-held seats to retake the House. To reach that goal, they’re targeting seven GOP seats in California that Hillary Clinton won in 2016. But after visiting several of those districts in the final days of the 2018 midterms, San Francisco Chronicle political writer John “The Big Man” Wildermuth is dubious that the Democrats win more than two. After visiting the Central Valley recently, I’m feeling the same. Find out why as we’re talking California midterms ...
ANALYSIS: Sen. Dianne Feinstein and state Sen. Kevin de León debate
October 18, 2018 17:30 - 20 minutesThe U.S. Senate debate in the nation’s largest state wasn't broadcast on statewide TV but it was livestreamed. San Francisco Chronicle Senior Political Writer Joe Garofoli and Editorial Page Editor John Diaz break down the first - and likely only - showdown between the two candidates. The event, billed as a “conversation” at the Public Policy Institute of California in San Francisco, with the nonprofit’s president doling out questions, was a historic occasion: Not since 2000 had Feinstein eng...
Julian Castro on Running for President
October 15, 2018 22:45 - 46 minutesIt sure looks like Julian Castro is running for president in 2020. He’s got a new memoir out and he’s spending a lot of time in Iowa. We talk about his life growing up in a working class neighborhood of San Antonio - and how he made it to Stanford and Harvard Law School. He also responds to criticism he receives for not being a fluent Spanish speaker - and whether he is tough enough to stand up to President Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Washington: "Epically Dysfunctional"
October 12, 2018 12:00 - 32 minutesMeet Tal Kopan, The San Francisco Chronicle’s new Washington, D.C., correspondent. Tal and Joe Garofoli preview what will happen if Democrats win the House. Would Nancy Pelosi become speaker? Would she get the “pound of flesh” from Republicans that left-wing Dems are demanding? If the GOP holds, would Kevin McCarthy be leader? Tal forecasts what’s next in D.C. — including an “epically dysfunctional” scenario. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Breaking down the California gubernatorial debate
October 08, 2018 22:22 - 22 minutesJoe Garofoli and San Francisco Chronicle Editorial Page Editor John Diaz break down the KQED California gubernatorial debate between Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and Republican John Cox. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom
October 06, 2018 01:49 - 49 minutesSan Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli interviews California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom about his childhood and time as San Francisco mayor. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Rock the Vote? Is that still something?
October 03, 2018 16:35 - 28 minutesWe talk with Carolyn DeWitt, the President and Executive Director of Rock the Vote. Rock the Vote? Is that still something? We find out and ask the question on everybody’s mind: Are young people going to vote in a midterm election for a change? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
John Cox, Republican candidate for CA governor
October 03, 2018 16:17 - 52 minutesWe sit down with John Cox, the Republican businessman running for governor. Cox is running for office for the fifth time and he’s never won anything. Why does the wealthy businessman keep running -- and losing? What drives him? Who is this guy? A profile of the Republican candidate for governor in California -- a state he just moved to less than a decade ago Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Do you believe Kavanaugh or Ford?
September 28, 2018 00:41 - 33 minutesSan Francisco Chronicle Senior Political writer Joe Garofoli sits down with lifestyle writer Tara Duggan, political writer John Wildermuth and The Chronicle's Editor in Chief Audrey Cooper to assess the political, cultural and social impact of Thursday's historic hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee where Christine Blasey Ford, who accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of sexually assaulting her while they were in high school, and Kavanaugh testified. The group assesses what ...
UC Berkeley Professor John Yoo
August 30, 2018 14:45 - 56 minutesLiberals loathe John Yoo. Some still want him tried as a war criminal for co-authoring the legal memo that the George W. Bush Administration used to justify authorizing “enhanced interrogation” after 9/11. But Yoo is a sharp legal mind, Never Trumper and Constitutional expert who knows Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh well. In advance of next week’s SCOTUS confirmation hearings, we talk to him about what kind of legal trouble Trump is in and how Kavanaugh might rule. Learn more about y...
Gina Ortiz Jones, Stephanie Schriock
August 23, 2018 21:32 - 48 minutesGina Ortiz Jones is a first-time candidate running for Congress in what may be the most expensive House race ever in Texas. She’s 37, a Filipina American daughter of a single mother immigrant, and a former Air Force officer who would be the first out lesbian ever elected in Texas. And she actually has a shot at beating the incumbent Republican. Plus: Stephanie Schriock, the head of Emily’s List, which has given millions to pro-choice women running for Congress. Learn more about your ad choice...
Can Democrats win back statehouses?
August 03, 2018 18:36 - 26 minutesDemocrats blew off organizing in many states during the Obama presidency and lost more than 1,000 legislative seats over the past decade. That’s led to GOP control in two-thirds of statehouses — and more restrictions on abortions and fewer on guns in some states. But that is starting to change, and we talk with one of the people leading the Democrats’ comeback: Jessica Post, executive director of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Dan Pfeiffer on how to win the media war
July 31, 2018 01:06 - 1 hour“Pod Save America” co-host Dan Pfeiffer talks about how the next presidential campaign will be fought on Facebook, and right now Democrats are losing that battle. In conversation with Joe at the San Francisco headquarters of Scribd, Dan explains how Democrats can change their strategy — and offers more from his best-selling new book, “Yes, We (Still) Can: Politics in the Age of Obama, Twitter and Trump.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
When techies and scientists run for office
July 26, 2018 22:12 - 24 minutesJoe talks with Shaughnessy Naughton, founder of 314 Action, an organization that recruits and funds scientists, technologists and doctors to run for office. Tons have expressed interest, but so far only about half have won their races. Naughton talks about why that is. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee
June 21, 2018 20:45 - 37 minutesJoe talks with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee about Trump, wine, weed, homelessness — and whether Inslee plans to run for president in 2020. Theme music: "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chelsea Handler
June 15, 2018 22:00 - 15 minutesJoe talks with talk show host turned activist Chelsea Handler at the Swedish American Hall in San Francisco. Handler, who has put her entertainment career on hold to concentrate on activism, appeared at an event to promote IGNITE, a nonprofit that trains women who want to run for office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
San Francisco has a new mayor: London Breed
June 13, 2018 20:32 - 16 minutesThe S.F. mayor's race has finally come to an end, and London Breed will be the first African American woman to be elected to the city's highest office. Former state Sen. Mark Leno conceded defeat after more than a week of suspense. Listen in as The Chronicle politics team breaks down the election results. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2018 California Primary Election recap
June 06, 2018 13:37 - 30 minutesIn a special election night podcast, the San Francisco Chronicle politics team breaks down the 2018 California primary. Listen in as John Diaz, Heather Knight, Joe Garofoli, Dominic Fracassa and John Wildermuth analyze results from San Francisco, Bay Area and California races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Virginia Delegate Danica Roem
June 01, 2018 03:22 - 59 minutesSan Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli talks with Danica Roem, who made history as the first transgender person to be elected to a U.S. state legislature (in Virginia). But that isn't the only reason she is unique. She may be the only office-holder to say that Metallica taught her some valuable political lessons. Danica expounds on that and how every political leader should "find their Route 28" on this edition of "It's All Political." Learn more about your ad choices. ...
Congressional candidate Shahid Buttar
May 30, 2018 08:17 - 32 minutesSan Francisco Chronicle Senior Political Reporter Joe Garofoli talks with Congressional candidate Shahid Buttar, a Nancy Pelosi challenger who is a Muslim immigrant, a Stanford lawyer, a street activist, a privacy advocate ... and a rapper. Yes, this episode features the FIRST freestyle rapping on "It's All Political." Well, aside from Sen. Dianne Feinstein. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chuck Todd from Meet the Press
May 01, 2018 16:51 - 35 minutesChuck Todd, moderator of “Meet the Press” – and of the May 8 California gubernatorial debate in San Jose – chats with us. He explains East Coast media bias, dishes on the White House Correspondents Association dinner, offers his take on the Tom Brokaw allegations and explains the diversity of guests on MTP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What can we learn from James Comey?
April 20, 2018 21:43 - 23 minutesJohn Diaz, John McMurtrie and Joe Garofoli discuss the political ramifications of “A Higher Loyalty,” the book by former FBI Director James Comey, that takes aim at President Trump. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Leon Panetta offers clarity on Washington chaos
April 13, 2018 07:37 - 35 minutesEven for unusually chaotic times, there’s been an unusual amount of chaos lately in the Trump administration. In this episode, Joe Garofoli speaks with White House veteran Leon Panetta, who has dealt with plenty of crises in one form or another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sen. Dianne Feinstein offers a rare look at how tragedy, death and illness shaped her
April 03, 2018 23:06 - 39 minutesSen. Dianne Feinstein makes her debut appearance on "It's All Political" - for a slightly different kind of chat. We sit in The San Francisco Chronicle archive for a look back at several photos that tell the story of her political career in California. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
God and politics with Rep. Jared Huffman
March 19, 2018 08:00 - 39 minutesWe talk God and politics in a very personal, very revealing chat with Rep. Jared Huffman, the only member of Congress to say that he does not believe in God. The Marin County Democrats explains why -- and who else in Congress is in the “nonbeliever closet.” Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ro Khanna on legal marijuana and SOTU
February 26, 2018 12:00 - 35 minutesJoe talks with “Silicon Valley’s Congressman” Ro Khanna. First he dishes on how star-struck his fellow House members get during the State of the Union. Then he discusses all the issues in which he’s way out in front of even his fellow Democrats -- like wanting to legalize marijuana nationally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
California state Sen. Kevin de Leon and the #MeToo movement
February 24, 2018 06:35 - 28 minutesLongtime politicos thought California state Sen. Kevin de Leon was crazy to take on incumbent Sen. Dianne Feinstein. He's got a fraction of her money, most voters don't know who he is -- and 96 percent know who she is. But his chances could get a huge boost if delegates to this weekend's California Democratic Party convention endorse him. DeLeon discusses his campaign --and the #MeToo movement -- on this episode of "It's All Political." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adc...
'Liddle' Adam Schiff standing tall against Trump
February 22, 2018 01:02 - 13 minutesRep. Adam Schiff -- the thorn in the Trump Administration's heel for his dogged pursuit of the Russian meddling investigation -- joins the pod to talk about the probe, why talking about impeachment isn't helpful and why Trump has it all wrong on his nickname. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
George Lakoff on the art of political rhetoric
February 20, 2018 12:18 - 46 minutesWe get super wonky with George Lakoff, the message-framing guru who Democrats and progressive nonprofits turn to how to shape their ideas. He talks about the immigration battle, breaks down how progressives should respond to Trump’s tweets and throws rose petals -- much to Joe’s chagrin -- at new Democratic superstar Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Governor debates breakdown and Doug Ose interview
February 07, 2018 20:40 - 50 minutesIt's a two-part "It's All Political." First, host Joe Garofoli and Chronicle editorial page editor John Diaz break down the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidate debates. Then, Joe interviews the latest Republican candidate, Sacramento-area Rep. Doug Ose. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Retired Sen. Barbara Boxer discusses the women's march, sexual harassment in D.C and California politics
January 21, 2018 22:17 - 31 minutesThough she’s only been out of office for about a year, retired California Senator Barbara Boxer says she’s more active than ever. It's All Political host and San Francisco Chronicle senior political writer Joe Garofoli gets her thoughts on the women’s march, sexual harassment in Washington and California politics. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Candidate for California governor Delaine Eastin
January 19, 2018 15:05 - 39 minutesIn this episode of It’s All Political, we host former state superintendent of public instruction Delaine Eastin, the only woman running for California governor against six men. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heather Knight on the S.F. mayoral race
January 12, 2018 09:00 - 19 minutesChronicle columnist Heather Knight joins It's All Political to talk about the 2018 S.F. mayoral race, between London Breed, Angela Alioto, Mark Leno and Jane Kim. Hosted by Joe Garofoli and produced by Peter Hartlaub. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Heather Knight on the death of S.F. Mayor Ed Lee
December 13, 2017 01:33 - 21 minutesIn episode 10 of It's All Political, (recorded Dec. 12, 2017), San Francisco Chronicle columnist Heather Knight talks about Ed Lee's life and legacy after the mayor's sudden death. Podcast host Joe Garofoli also asks Peter Hartlaub, who writes the Chronicle's Our San Francisco column, about the mayor's beginning as a tenant rights lawyer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Political activist, TV host and author Van Jones
December 01, 2017 01:19 - 50 minutesIn episode 9 of It’s All Political (recorded in October 2017), CNN star Van Jones comes to the Chronicle archive podcast studio to talk about his new book “Beyond the Messy Truth,” his early years as an activist in the Bay Area and his friendship with Prince. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark’s Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Assemblyman Travis Allen
November 30, 2017 18:50 - 25 minutesIn episode 10 of It's All Political (recorded in October 2017), we host California gubernatorial candidate, Orange County Assemblyman Travis Allen, to discuss his gas tax repeal proposal and where the Republican differs—if anywhere—from President Trump. He also explains how one of the main ideas of his GOP opponent is "Communist." Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Assembly Candidate Buffy Wicks
November 30, 2017 18:44 - 14 minutesIn episode 8 of It's All Political (recorded in July 2017), we host political organizer Buffy Wicks to discuss her candidacy for Assembly for District 15, why she originally got involved in politics and why her name is Buffy. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock
November 30, 2017 18:39 - 28 minutesIn episode 7 of It's All Political (recorded in May 2017), we host EMILY's List President Stephanie Schriock to talk about how more than 13,000 women have considered running for office since Donald Trump became president. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Crowdpac CEO Steve Hilton
November 30, 2017 18:35 - 36 minutesIn episode 6 of It's All Political (recorded in May 2017), we host Crowdpac CEO Steve Hilton to discuss the current state of American politics, his new Fox News show, The Next Revolution with Steve Hilton, and what it's like being a Fox News host in the Bay Area. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
November 30, 2017 18:28 - 36 minutesIn episode 5 of It's All Political (recorded in May 2017), we host former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa at the Democratic Convention to talk L.A. versus San Francisco, his rivalry with Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom and his race for California governor. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
State Treasurer John Chiang
November 30, 2017 18:22 - 27 minutesIn episode 4 of It's All Political (recorded in May 2017), we host State Treasurer John Chiang to chat about Joe's vest, Chiang's childhood in suburban Chicago and his race for California governor. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams
November 30, 2017 18:18 - 47 minutesIn episode 3 of It's All Political (recorded in September 2017), we host Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to discuss her potential to be the first African-American female governor in U.S. history, ways to better unite the Democratic Party and her hobby of writing romantic suspense novels. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Congressman Adam Schiff
November 30, 2017 18:12 - 32 minutesIn episode 2 of It's All Political (recorded in May 2017), we host Congressman Adam Schiff to cover navigating the Trump presidency, John Burton's creative vocabulary and whether or not he will run for Senate. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
November 17, 2017 22:23 - 21 minutesIn episode 1 of It's All Political (recorded in July 2017), we host Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti to discuss the 2028 Summer Olympics, his potential candidacy for president and his loyalty to the Lakers. Theme music is "Cattle Call" by Randy Clark's Crowsong. Opening signature by Leah Garchik. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices