In real life politics, as opposed to the textbook variety, hard fact is much less important than image or, as political pros put it, “optics.” We had a stark lesson in that axiom this year when Donald Trump talked himself out of a second term as president. For months he...
As Political Whirlwind Swirls, Fresno State Brings Top Washington Reporter Back for Event
It was one of the most dramatic weeks in presidential history and Robert Costa was there to cover it. Between a raucous debate, a COVID-19 diagnosis, a trip to Walter Reed and back, Costa — Washington Post reporter and host of PBS's "Washington Week" — will have a lot to...
Democrats Don’t Want You to See This Black Republican’s Campaign Video
A video viewed more than 11 million times on Twitter in a single week is making Republican congressional candidate Kim Klacik a household name. “Democrats think black people are stupid. They think they can control us forever, that we won’t demand better and that we’ll keep voting for them forever,...
Super Bowl Ads Serve up Politics – And an Escape From It
NEW YORK — Americans weary of a seemingly endless barrage of political news may be looking for a respite as they settle in to watch the Super Bowl on Sunday. They won't get it, although the real-world interruption should at least be brief. For what may be the first time, national politics...
Voters Beware of Our Populist Threat From Right and Left
We stand at the precipice of a significant tectonic shift in our political system. Similar to the profound disruptions the newspaper, music and transportation industries underwent some years ago, our democratic system, which is designed to be a lagging social indicator, is struggling to find a working model for a...
Video: Dyer vs. Janz in GV Wire Mayoral Forum
Fresno mayoral candidates Jerry Dyer and Andrew Janz face off in a one-hour forum moderated by GV Wire news director Bill McEwen. Click on the video above to see where they stand on addressing homelessness, recreational marijuana sales, housing, business growth and leadership in this exclusive GV Wire video forum....
Video: Alonzo vs. Maxwell in GV Wire City Council Forum
Fresno city council candidates Nathan Alonzo and Tyler Maxwell meet face to face in a one-hour forum moderated by GV Wire reporter David Taub. Alonzo and Maxwell are vying to represent central Fresno (District 4). Current councilmember Paul Caprioligio will be termed out of office in December. Click on the...
Walters: Where Political Action Is — and Isn’t — in 2020
It’s a presidential election year, so what can California voters anticipate between now and Nov. 3? For one thing, not much presidential politicking, even though we’ve advanced our presidential primary from June to March in hopes of making California more than an ATM machine to finance campaigns in other states....
Israel Heads Toward Unprecedented 3rd Election Within a Year
JERUSALEM — Israeli kingmaker politician Avigdor Lieberman on Wednesday refused to endorse a candidate for prime minister, blaming both the contenders engaged in a tense standoff that has paralyzed Israeli politics and pushing the country toward a likely third election in less than a year. Lieberman’s comments came ahead of...
Katie Hill Blames Scandal, Resignation on 'Double Standard'
WASHINGTON — California freshman congresswoman Katie Hill bid a defiant farewell to the House on Thursday, suggesting a double standard forced her resignation amid a messy divorce, "gutter" politics and nude photos made public. Leaving her apartment, she said, for the first time since the photos were published in a conservative publication, the scarlet-suited...