So, Does It Matter? - on CA Politics - Podcasts!

Jon Fleischman
  • 3.4 (5)
  • Politics
  • Updated Semiweekly

California is by far the largest state in the country. What happens here affects the country and the world. What happens here, from big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, to the breadbasket of the Central Valley, is consequential. This podcast is a feature of the extensive www.SoDoesItMatter.com Substack Newsletter (sign up for free). This is where longtime California conservative strategist Jon Fleischman features audio commentary, primarily interviews with people of consequence in California politics and policy. We actually have two Podcast feeds. The other is So, Does It Matter? SPOKEN — listen to audio versions of the posts on the Substack page. You can check that out here" https://sodoesitmatterspoken.transistor.fm/ Jon Fleischman is a former Executive Director of the California Republican Party and a veteran of hundreds of political campaigns. He is a frequent voice on cable shows, in California newspapers, and on podcasts, discussing a wide range of topics, but mostly...California politics!

  1. The Worst Week In California Politics - The June 2 Election Edition!

    Jun 8

    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 in California Politics, I break down why Steyer’s campaign failed, what his defeat says about California voters, and why this may be one of the most expensive political faceplants in state history. And Steyer is not alone. We also hand out bronze and silver medals for the other contenders who had especially rough weeks in California politics. Subscribe for straight talk on California politics. Read more at: https://www.SoDoesItMatter.com

    6 min
  2. Straight Talk With HJTA's Susan Shelley: Are California Voters Finally Pushing Back?

    Jun 5

    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 controversial CEO tax proposal. Susan explains why these results could signal growing voter skepticism toward government claims that higher taxes are necessary to maintain essential services. Jon and Susan also dive into one of the biggest looming battles facing California voters: the proposed billionaire tax. They discuss why critics view the measure as more than a one-time wealth grab, how it could permanently authorize wealth taxation in California, and why the debate may have implications far beyond a handful of wealthy residents. The discussion then shifts to California’s major political races. Susan shares her thoughts on Steve Hilton’s strong performance in the Governor’s race, why she believes his message is resonating with voters, and whether California’s political landscape may be more competitive than many observers assume. The two also discuss the Los Angeles mayoral race, Spencer Pratt’s impact on the campaign, Karen Bass’s challenges, homelessness, public safety, and whether voters are becoming more willing to reject the political assumptions that have dominated California government for decades. Finally, Susan offers her thoughts on affordability, energy policy, climate mandates, and why she remains optimistic that California’s biggest problems can still be solved through better public policy. In This Episode Election Day takeawaysTaxpayer resistance to new taxesLos Angeles streetlight assessmentsContra Costa healthcare sales tax defeatSan Diego vacant-home tax proposalSan Francisco CEO tax rejectionCalifornia’s proposed billionaire taxWealth taxes and constitutional concernsProp. 19 and inherited propertySteve Hilton’s gubernatorial campaignKaren Bass and the LA mayoral raceSpencer Pratt’s political impactOlympic taxpayer liabilityAffordability, energy policy, and California’s futureConnect Subscribe to Jon’s Substack: So, Does It Matter? www.sodoesitmatter.com Follow Jon for more California political analysis, interviews, and commentary on the issues shaping the Golden State.

    30 min
  3. If Tom Steyer Doesn't Make The Runoff, This May Be Why...

    May 29

    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 campaign money to elevate Bianco with Republican voters, potentially pulling votes away from Steve Hilton in the race for California governor. I also explain why Xavier Becerra may be benefiting from a very different factor: temperament. Becerra is not moderate ideologically, but next to Steyer’s overheated style, he may look more normal and steady to voters who are not following every ideological detail. The election is just days away. If Steyer falls short, this may be one of the strategic mistakes people look back on. Subscribe for more California politics:SoDoesItMatter.com

    6 min
  4. ICYMI: This Morning's SDIM Live! — California’s June Election Is Here, And The Top-Two Chaos Is Already Underway - And Much More!

    May 28

    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 long vote-counting process makes “Election Day” increasingly meaningless. Jon also digs into the Los Angeles mayor’s race, where Karen Bass is showing serious weakness, Nithya Raman is gaining traction, and Spencer Pratt’s unusual campaign is becoming harder to dismiss. From there, he turns to Republican drama in State Senate District 4, the controversy over a Duarte campaign mailer targeting Marie Alvarado-Gil, the fight over use of the official Republican Party logo on voter guides, and a new Sacramento push to restrict firearm purchases through training and permit requirements. Of course get a lot more at the SDIM website!

    1h 3m
  5. Straight Talk with Michael Gates, Candidate for California Attorney General

    May 20

    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 — Gates’ Background, Huntington Beach, And His Legal Record 04:33 — Campaign Update: Clearing The GOP Field 05:54 — Fundraising, Endorsements, And The Million-Dollar Mark 08:05 — What Can A Republican Attorney General Actually Do? 09:01 — The Independent Power Of California’s Attorney General 10:20 — Crime, Prop. 36, And A “Zero Crime” Agenda 12:06 — California Crime Rates Vs. Huntington Beach’s Record 13:32 — Rob Bonta’s Priorities And Suing Trump 14:27 — Day One: Constitutional Rights, CCWs, And Federal Law 15:42 — Schools, Gender Issues, Title IX, And Girls’ Sports 16:34 — Corruption, Waste, Fraud, And Clawing Back Taxpayer Money 18:47 — Ballot Titles, Summaries, And Direct Democracy 22:37 — Rob Bonta, Bontagate, And Campaign Legal Spending 25:40 — Bonta’s Political Allies And Federal Indictments 28:24 — Why Gates Says Californians Should Help His Campaign 29:00 — Gates4AG.com, Social Media, And Final Appeal Subscribe for more California political analysis: SoDoesItMatter.com

    31 min
  6. An Analysis of the final Gubernatorial Debate Heading Into June Election

    May 17

    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 communicator on stage • Why Katie Porter may have had her best debate — possibly too late • The continuing strengths and limitations of Chad Bianco • Why Matt Mahan still hasn’t broken through • Tom Steyer’s growing authenticity problem • Antonio Villaraigosa’s struggle to escape the past Jon also explains why, after five debates, the field remains remarkably unsettled heading into the final stretch of voting — with one notable exception: Eric Swalwell, whose campaign imploded before the race ever fully took shape. A blunt, substantive, and unapologetically opinionated breakdown of the final debate in California’s race to replace Gavin Newsom.

    8 min
  7. ICYMI: Yesterday’s SDIM Live! — Los Angeles Politics Goes Completely Off The Rails — And Spencer Pratt Is Somehow In The Middle Of It

    May 15

    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 developments in the California governor’s race. The conversation also covers homelessness, public unions, Prop 13 loopholes, copper theft, low-turnout elections, ballot manipulation strategies, and the growing frustration many Californians feel toward government dysfunction. Topics Include: • Karen Bass and the LA mayor’s race • Spencer Pratt’s surprising political rise • Democratic Socialists on the LA City Council • LA streetlight tax proposal • County sales tax increases • Public employee unions • Prop 13 loopholes • Xavier Becerra vs Steve Hilton • Tom Steyer strategy • California’s top-two primary system • Low voter turnout and election math Subscribe to Jon’s Substack: SoDoesItMatter.com Follow Jon Fleischman: X: @FlashReport Timestamps: 00:00 — Introduction, Matt Klink Joins So, Does It Matter? Live! 04:02 — Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, And The LA Mayor’s Race 06:12 — Runoff Math, Special Interests, And The Top-Two Dynamics 10:31 — Democratic Socialists, Vote Splitting, And LA Political Strategy 16:38 — Spencer Pratt’s Viral AI Ads And Why They’re Working 21:21 — Low Turnout, Homeowners, And Who Actually Votes In LA 23:01 — Los Angeles City Council Races And Democratic Socialist Expansion 27:55 — Traffic Enforcement, Public Safety, And City Hall Priorities 30:30 — The Streetlight Tax Measure And Prop 218 Ballot Politics 35:05 — Cannabis Taxes, Hotel Taxes, And More LA Ballot Measures 36:30 — LA County’s Proposed Sales Tax Increase And Prop 13 Loopholes 39:38 — The California Governor’s Race, Polling, And Republican Math 42:20 — Tom Steyer, Strategic Advertising, And Top-Two Manipulation

    49 min
  8. Straight Talk with HJTA's Jon Coupal On The Billionaire Tax, Tom Steyer, And California’s War On Taxpayers

    May 13

    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 property taxes ultimately get passed on to consumers and renters, and why the billionaire tax may be far broader than voters realize. Jon also breaks down the constitutional concerns surrounding the wealth-tax proposal, the growing backlash against California’s tax-and-spend culture, and HJTA’s “Save Prop 13” initiative aimed at tightening voter approval rules for local taxes and rolling back massive real estate transfer taxes like Los Angeles’ ULA tax. Topics include: Tom Steyer and split rollThe billionaire tax and wealth taxesWhy businesses pass taxes to consumersConstitutional concerns with the proposalLos Angeles transfer taxesSave Prop 13 and the Local Taxpayer Protection ActCalifornia’s growing taxpayer frustrationLINKS HJTA.org SaveProp13.com SoDoesItMatter.com

    30 min
See All (69)

Ratings & Reviews

3.4
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

California is by far the largest state in the country. What happens here affects the country and the world. What happens here, from big cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, to the breadbasket of the Central Valley, is consequential. This podcast is a feature of the extensive www.SoDoesItMatter.com Substack Newsletter (sign up for free). This is where longtime California conservative strategist Jon Fleischman features audio commentary, primarily interviews with people of consequence in California politics and policy. We actually have two Podcast feeds. The other is So, Does It Matter? SPOKEN — listen to audio versions of the posts on the Substack page. You can check that out here" https://sodoesitmatterspoken.transistor.fm/ Jon Fleischman is a former Executive Director of the California Republican Party and a veteran of hundreds of political campaigns. He is a frequent voice on cable shows, in California newspapers, and on podcasts, discussing a wide range of topics, but mostly...California politics!

Information

You Might Also Like