With Democrats outnumbering Republicans in California's 36th congressional district, left-of-center candidates will have the first chance at adjusting to the new top-two open primary system.  In all likelihood, today's special election will pit Democrat against Democrat in July. 

In another example of the paralysis that is the apparent natural state of California politics, the Supreme Court will probably rule in June that the state must release at least 35,000 prison inmates due to severe prison overcrowding, which results in substandard health care.

Last week, The Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) issued a highly critical report on current High Speed Rail (HSR) plans. The LAO said HSR is threatened by erratic (if not completely non-existent) financing compounded by management problems.

Despite the momentous 60% approval rating President Obama received after the Navy SEAL operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the AP poll sampling public opinion appears to have largely overlooked Independent voters.

It turns out Ross Perot had not fallen off his rocker when he, as a 1992 3rd party presidential candidate, predicted that signing NAFTA would lead to the loss of American jobs to trade partners amid a “giant sucking sound.”