The Game

Mark Simon and Bob Marks
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Politics

Mark Simon and Bob Marks revive their long-running cable TV show The Game, where they interview local leaders and talk widely about politics, business and sports. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com

  1. 2d ago

    Juslyn Manalo and Mark Nagales Debate for San Mateo County Supervisor

    In their last episode before the November 3, 2026 election, Mark Simon and Bob Marks open with the outlook for the House and Senate, Paul Mitchell's forecast of 60% or higher turnout in California, the statewide propositions from 40 to 45, and the regional transit measure.Then they host a debate between the two candidates in the special election for San Mateo County Supervisor in District 5: Daly City Council Member Juslyn Manalo and South San Francisco Council Member Mark Nagales. The seat opens when Supervisor David Canepa takes office in January as the county's Assessor-Clerk-Recorder, with two years left on the term. District 5 covers Daly City, Colma and Brisbane and parts of South San Francisco and San Bruno.The candidates explain why they are running, then are asked about a county sales tax that, with the regional transit measure, would bring the rate in Daly City and South San Francisco to just under 11%. Mark Nagales says he would not support it and would look at a gross receipts or business license tax instead; Juslyn Manalo points to rising costs for residents and asks where the money would go. Both support the county's policy of no cooperation with ICE and are asked about an exception for people convicted of violent felonies, which Supervisor Jackie Speier has raised again. They also discuss how they would spend each supervisor's $500,000 in Measure K funds, Speier's idea of pooling that money for child care, Proposition 40, which both support, and the vehicle license fee money the state has withheld from San Mateo County.Juslyn Manalo has audio trouble during the show, so Mark Nagales first answers alone on BART, his employer, and how he would scrutinize its share of the transit measure money; Manalo answers when she rejoins, and each candidate gives a closing pitch. Mark and Bob close with the many local tax and bond measures on the ballot, and a reminder that they will be live on Election Night, November 3, starting at 8 p.m. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (01:33) - The House and Senate outlook (05:33) - California turnout and the statewide propositions (08:59) - The regional transit measure (11:14) - Juslyn Manalo and Mark Nagales on why they're running (18:00) - A county sales tax on top of the transit measure (25:28) - The county's policy of no cooperation with ICE (33:49) - How they would spend Measure K district funds (40:58) - Should Measure K funds be pooled for child care? (45:58) - Proposition 40, the billionaire tax (49:50) - The vehicle license fee and the county's clout (55:58) - Mark Nagales on BART and the transit measure (58:17) - Mark Nagales: why vote for him (59:48) - Juslyn Manalo on BART and why vote for her (01:06:03) - Bullpen: Mark and Bob on local tax measures, Election Night The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  2. Oct 23

    Midterm Preview: House, Senate and California's November Ballot

    With the November 3, 2026 election less than two weeks away, Mark Simon and Bob Marks use this episode of The Game to sum up what they have seen in the midterms, from Congress down to San Mateo County. Bob puts the House races in perspective against five past midterms, from 1974 to 2018, and points to polls from CNN and Fox showing 77% disapproval on inflation and affordability. They discuss what a Democratic majority should do with the House, the likelihood of lawsuits and delays over the results, and why Bob says the Senate matters more, including for any Supreme Court vacancy. Bob goes through the Senate races from North Carolina and Ohio to Iowa, Maine, Alaska, Texas and Michigan, and both hosts react to Vivek Ramaswamy's ad in the Ohio governor's race. In California, they look at why the attacks on the state's elections target California, Xavier Becerra's path to the governor's office and the issues no candidate saw coming, the insurance commissioner race between Jane Kim and Ben Allen, Fiona Ma and Eleni Kounalakis, and the Board of Equalization race between Sally Lieber and John Pimentel. On the ballot measures, they discuss Props 40, 41 and 42, the money spent by Building a Better California, Prop 3 and the other statewide measures, and whether it is time to reform the initiative process. Closer to home, they cover the regional transit measure for BART and Caltrain, local sales taxes, parcel taxes and bonds, city council races in Daly City and San Mateo, how district elections have changed who runs for local office, and the Board of Supervisors race between Juslyn Manalo and Mark Nagales, who join the show next week. Mark and Bob will also be live on Election Night, November 3, starting at 8 p.m. Chapters (00:00) - Intro (01:57) - The House: past midterms and expected Democratic gains (08:05) - A Democratic House, Trump and challenges to the results (12:33) - The Senate races and the Supreme Court (17:39) - Vivek Ramaswamy's ad in the Ohio governor's race (22:08) - Why California is targeted, and the governor's race (27:32) - Other statewide races: the insurance commissioner (29:44) - Fiona Ma, Eleni Kounalakis and the Board of Equalization (32:34) - Props 40, 41 and 42: the billionaire tax (35:47) - Prop 3 and the other statewide measures (39:58) - Is it time to reform the initiative process? (42:07) - The regional transit measure (47:22) - Local tax and bond measures (51:31) - City council races in Daly City and San Mateo (53:36) - District elections and why fewer people run (57:02) - The supervisors race: Juslyn Manalo and Mark Nagales The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  3. Oct 16

    California's 2026 Election: Taxes, Schools, Housing and Transit

    What are the biggest issues shaping California's November 3, 2026 election? On this episode of The Game, Mark Simon and Bob Marks welcome Julie Lind of the Central Labor Council, former Belmont Mayor Charles Stone, and incoming county superintendent of schools Héctor Camacho for a wide-ranging discussion of statewide ballot measures, local races, and the issues affecting voters across San Mateo County and beyond. The conversation tackles California's proposed billionaire tax and the debate over wealth inequality, school parcel taxes and teacher salaries, Proposition 3 and education funding, Proposition 37 and housing affordability, Proposition 45 and CEQA reform, and the regional transit funding measure affecting BART, Caltrain, and SamTrans. The guests also examine campaign finance, California's proposition system, the challenges facing local school districts, and the competitive races for the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and city councils. The discussion concludes with a look at national Senate races, campaign spending, voter turnout, and the stakes of the 2026 midterms. Plus, Mark and Bob preview their upcoming live election-night coverage, featuring guests and analysis as results come in. Chapters (00:00) - Introduction: The November 2026 Election (01:43) - Voter Mood and Election Outreach (04:59) - Affordability, Gas Prices, and Local Issues (06:45) - Will Voters Support Local Tax Measures? (09:25) - School Parcel Taxes and the Two-Thirds Threshold (12:19) - Teacher Salaries and School Funding (13:07) - Proposition 43 and Tax Measure Restrictions (14:57) - Proposition 3 and Education Funding (16:21) - Proposition 40: California's Billionaires Tax (20:35) - Billionaires, Wealth Inequality, and Taxpayer Messaging (22:22) - Who Should Pay More in Taxes? (23:17) - Education Funding and the Billionaires Tax (24:21) - Is California's Proposition System Broken? (29:48) - Should Wealth Taxes Be National Rather Than Statewide? (32:42) - Public Campaign Financing and Proposition 4 (34:53) - Proposition 37 and Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance (37:50) - Proposition 45, CEQA Reform, and Development (42:11) - Regional Transit Funding and Proposition Debate (42:37) - BART Accountability and Bay Area Transit Finances (47:07) - The Stakes for Public Transportation (51:55) - The San Mateo County Supervisors Race (56:07) - School Board Elections, AP Classes, and STEM Education (58:16) - Local City Council Races to Watch (59:52) - Daly City Elections and School Board Candidates (01:00:30) - Why Local Elections Matter (01:01:26) - Final Thoughts on the Billionaires Tax (01:03:31) - National Politics and the Wealth Tax Debate (01:03:56) - U.S. Senate Races and the 2026 Midterms (01:05:05) - Campaign Spending and the Power of Advertising (01:06:20) - Turnout, New Voters, and the Midterm Outlook (01:07:37) - Join Us for Live Election Night Coverage (01:08:14) - Closing Remarks The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  4. Oct 3

    David Canepa on Elections, AI and His New Role in San Mateo County

    San Mateo County Supervisor and Assessor-Clerk-Recorder-elect David Canepa joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about his upcoming transition to a new countywide office. Canepa explains why he wanted the job, what he hopes to change in the assessor, elections and clerk-recorder offices, and how he plans to communicate more directly with voters. He discusses election security, cybersecurity, ballot counting, voter education and the challenges of maintaining public confidence in elections. The conversation also covers Canepa's long political career, his early concerns about artificial intelligence, AI's potential impact on jobs, divisions within the Democratic Party, regional transit funding, local tax and bond measures, and the lessons he learned from running for Congress. Mark and Bob also examine the San Mateo County District 5 supervisor's race, the lengthy vote-counting process and the national political landscape heading into the 2026 election. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome to The Game & David Canepa (01:17) - From Supervisor to Assessor-Clerk-Recorder (03:20) - Can an elected elections official remain nonpartisan? (05:35) - The District 5 supervisor race and the power of geography (08:08) - Why Canepa wanted the assessor's office (10:19) - His plans for the assessor, elections and clerk-recorder offices (13:19) - Canepa's early concerns about AI (14:36) - AI, jobs and the need for guardrails (16:05) - Protecting elections and restoring public confidence (16:44) - Educating voters about how ballots are counted (18:52) - Why does San Mateo County take so long to count votes? (21:19) - What happens if elections face outside threats? (22:33) - Using media and social media to engage voters (24:11) - Voting machines and election cybersecurity (26:26) - How Canepa has changed over 18 years in public life (28:20) - Running for Congress and lessons from the campaign (30:43) - Is the Democratic Party changing? (33:29) - Will local tax and bond measures pass? (33:54) - Canepa makes his case for regional transit funding (38:07) - Inflation, gas prices and voter attitudes (40:36) - Canepa reflects on The Game and political journalism (43:20) - Looking ahead to the 2026 election (43:58) - Mark and Bob discuss the interview (45:47) - The national political landscape (48:40) - Back to San Mateo County's District 5 race (50:20) - Why vote counting takes weeks (51:09) - Looking ahead to Election Night on The Game The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  5. Sep 19

    Rosanne Foust on San Mateo County Taxes, Small Business and Transit

    Rosanne Foust, President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association (SAMCEDA), joins Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the economy, housing, taxes, transportation, AI and politics across San Mateo County and the Peninsula. Foust discusses the diversity of the county's economy, the continued growth of life sciences and biotech, and the workforce challenges facing employers. She also talks about the region's housing shortage, workforce housing, affordability and the debate over building more high-density housing. The conversation turns to several ballot measures, including Menlo Park's Measure P, Redwood City's rent-control measure, regional transportation funding and Proposition 45 and its implications for CEQA and development. Foust also discusses rising taxes and their effect on small businesses, the future of public transit, the potential for a new Redwood City ferry terminal, and how the rapid development of artificial intelligence is changing the economic landscape. The interview concludes with a discussion about the political environment in San Mateo County and the importance of compromise and finding practical solutions. Mark and Bob then continue the conversation with a look at local tax measures, Proposition 43 and the national political landscape heading into the November election. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome & Introducing Rosanne Foust (00:56) - The State of San Mateo County's Economy (02:16) - Life Sciences, Biotech & Economic Diversification (04:50) - The Workforce Challenge: Finding Skilled Employees (07:03) - Housing Affordability & Workforce Housing (09:18) - Employer-Supported Housing & Farm Worker Housing (10:22) - Building More Housing on the Peninsula (12:00) - Menlo Park Measure P & Downtown Development (14:58) - Redwood City Rent Control & Measure E (17:53) - Finding Relief for Renters & Small Businesses (19:41) - Local Taxes, Bonds & the $2 Billion Question (21:05) - The Potential Benefits of Transportation & Education Spending (22:18) - Public Transit, Traffic & Regional Transportation Funding (23:13) - California's Tax Structure & High-Income Earners (24:20) - Sales Taxes & the Impact on Small Businesses (27:03) - Is There a Sales Tax Breaking Point? (28:07) - Changing Attitudes Toward Taxes (30:00) - Proposition 45 & CEQA Reform (32:29) - Data Centers & the Proposition 45 Debate (34:46) - AI: Opportunity, Risks & the Need for Guardrails (36:20) - The Future of Ferry Service on the Peninsula (37:09) - Plans for a Redwood City Ferry Terminal (39:32) - Regional Transportation Measure & Public Transit (42:39) - The Political Environment in San Mateo County (45:23) - Mark & Bob Discuss Local Taxes and the November Election (48:16) - National Politics & the Midterm Election (50:01) - Congressional Races & the National Political Climate (52:14) - Wrapping Up The Game The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  6. Sep 12

    2026 Midterms: Voters, Taxes, AI and California Politics

    With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, Mark Simon and Bob Marks take a deep look at the political landscape both nationally and here in California. The conversation begins with a remembrance of September 11, 2001, on the 25th anniversary of the attacks, before turning to the November elections. Mark and Bob examine the fight for control of the House and Senate, the races Republicans need to win, the role Donald Trump may play in the midterms, and whether a broader wave of voter dissatisfaction could reshape the political landscape. In California, they discuss the governor's race, the insurance commissioner contest and several major statewide ballot measures, including the proposed billionaire tax, voter ID, CEQA reform and a measure involving taxes on higher-income Californians. They also explore the rapidly growing political controversy surrounding AI and data centers. As California becomes an increasingly important center for artificial intelligence, Mark and Bob consider the concerns about water, electricity, technology companies and the potential risks of increasingly powerful AI systems. The discussion moves to local politics in San Mateo County, where they examine uncontested city council and school board races, development and growth in San Mateo, and the unusually large number of local tax and revenue measures on the November ballot. Finally, Mark and Bob consider the larger question facing politicians of both parties: What do voters actually want? After years of dramatic political swings, the answer may be surprisingly simple — would somebody please get something done? Chapters (00:00) - Welcome and the 2026 Election (00:46) - Remembering September 11 (05:28) - The 2026 Midterm Landscape (06:21) - Ballots and Redistricting (07:12) - Trump's Political Numbers (08:09) - The House of Representatives (09:50) - The Senate (10:22) - Republican Strategy (11:23) - Texas and Michigan (13:43) - Reading the Polls (14:36) - The Texas Democratic Mirage (15:27) - Trump's Role in the Midterms (16:49) - California's Congressional Races (17:52) - The California Governor's Race (20:34) - California Statewide Races (20:59) - Proposition 40 and the Billionaire Tax (23:31) - Voter ID and Proposition 39 (24:25) - Proposition 45 and CEQA (25:37) - Proposition 3 and Taxes (26:18) - AI, Data Centers and Politics (27:41) - The Threat of Superintelligence (30:20) - AI and the Future of Work (31:51) - Local Elections (32:23) - Uncontested Local Races (33:48) - Growth in San Mateo (34:15) - Local Taxes and Revenue Measures (36:06) - Voter Skepticism About Taxes (37:10) - Lessons from Proposition 13 (38:22) - The Growing Tax Debate (40:22) - The Mood of the Voters (41:16) - Results vs. Political Warfare (42:24) - Affordability and Inflation (43:30) - Trump's $5,000 Promise (44:30) - Iran and the Election (46:29) - Looking Ahead to November The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  7. Aug 23

    Kevin Mullin on the Midterms, Democratic Divisions and AI

    U.S. Representative Kevin Mullin returns to The Game with Mark Simon and Bob Marks for a wide-ranging conversation about the 2026 midterm elections and the future of the Democratic Party. Mullin discusses Democrats' chances of taking back the House, the party's focus on affordability, health care and the economy, and the growing influence of national issues in congressional races. He also addresses the rise of progressive and Democratic Socialist candidates, the tension between progressives and moderates, the role of grassroots organizing and the enormous sums being spent by super PACs. The conversation moves into the larger generational shift taking place in American politics, whether Democrats could be experiencing their own version of the Tea Party revolt, the possibility of a fundamental restructuring of the two-party system, and whether impeachment would actually be an effective response to the Trump administration. Mullin also talks about artificial intelligence and its potential impact on jobs and wealth inequality, Social Security reform, the national debt and California's proposed billionaire tax. Finally, the conversation turns to Bay Area sports, including the Giants, Warriors, 49ers and Valkyries, before exploring how money, NIL and conference realignment are transforming college athletics. Chapters (00:00) - The 2026 Midterms and Democratic Prospects (03:48) - The Democratic Message: Affordability and the Economy (10:16) - Socialism, DSA Candidates and Swing Districts (15:05) - Campaigns, Super PACs and Big Money (21:20) - The Democratic Generational Revolt (28:41) - Could Democrats Follow the Tea Party Path? (31:36) - Is the Two-Party System Breaking Apart? (36:05) - Impeachment, Oversight and the Trump Administration (38:20) - AI, Jobs and the Future of the Economy (47:01) - Social Security Reform (49:08) - The National Debt and Fiscal Reform (52:45) - California's Billionaire Tax (56:10) - Bay Area Sports (01:00:15) - Money and the Changing Business of Sports (01:03:01) - The Giants, Pride Night and Bay Area Identity (01:06:31) - NIL, College Sports and Conference Chaos (01:09:12) - Closing The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

  8. Jul 31

    California's November Ballot: Billionaire Taxes and Democratic Socialists

    California's November election is shaping up to be one of the most consequential in years. Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by political scientist Dr. Melissa Michelson of Menlo College and veteran political consultant Don Cecil for an in-depth discussion of the issues, ballot measures, and political dynamics that could reshape California—and influence national politics. The conversation explores voter dissatisfaction, the rise of Democratic Socialists, the future of the Democratic Party, the controversial billionaire tax, voter ID proposals, local tax measures, California's gubernatorial race, San Mateo County politics, artificial intelligence, data centers, public transit funding, and the broader political uncertainty facing the nation. Whether you're following California politics closely or simply want to understand the forces shaping the next election, this episode provides valuable insight from two experienced political observers. Chapters (00:00) - Welcome back to The Game (00:26) - Setting the stage for California's November election (01:31) - The mood of California voters (03:53) - Is democratic socialism becoming mainstream? (06:16) - Can Democratic Socialists energize new voters? (07:36) - Is the Democratic establishment changing? (09:14) - Proposition 40: California's billionaire tax (13:59) - Labor unions divided over ballot measures (16:03) - Why California still loves ballot propositions (18:01) - The Founding Fathers and direct democracy (20:09) - Proposition 39 and voter ID requirements (22:15) - Election integrity and voter confidence (26:18) - Proposition 43 and local tax measures (30:52) - Is there really a governor's race? (34:45) - San Mateo County Board of Supervisors race (43:15) - AI, higher education, and data centers (48:20) - Regional transit tax and the future of public transportation (52:06) - National politics, international uncertainty, and what to watch before November (54:28) - Closing thoughts The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. Watch or listen to every episode at TheGamePeninsula.com.

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About

Mark Simon and Bob Marks revive their long-running cable TV show The Game, where they interview local leaders and talk widely about politics, business and sports. Produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com

Information

  • Creator
    Mark Simon and Bob Marks
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Mark Simon and Bob Marks
  • Show Website
    The Game

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