Does an off-year gubernatorial race in the Old Dominion constitute a preview of next year’s midterm election? David Brady and Douglas Rivers, Hoover Institution senior fellows and Stanford University political scientists, discuss whether Virginia is a bellwether, President Biden’s declining poll numbers, and why some progressive columnists are forecasting a Democratic congressional wipeout next year.

Area 45

Yes, Virginia, There Is . . . An Election

California’s bill-signing session concludes with hundreds of new state laws – many long on woke symbolism. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, discuss what this year’s legislative batch says about the Golden State, its war on fossil fuels, a new ethnic-studies mandate, Elon Musk’s decision to relocate Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, plus the Giants’-Dodgers baseball rivalry as a window into California’s north-south divide.

The Little Dutch Boy

As public and private-sector employees struggle with COVID vaccine mandates, the Supreme Court returns to in-person arguments, and Donald Trump seeks an end to his Twitter suspension. John Yoo, a Hoover Institution visiting fellow and UC-Berkeley law professor, discusses the legality of vaccine mandates, the High Court’s likely moves on abortion, gun restriction, and religious education in what might be a landmark session, plus the chances of Trump tweeting anytime soon.

Matters Of Policy & Politics: Will The Conservative Majority Hold?

California Governor Gavin Newsom signs legislation meant to ease California’s housing crisis, but is it sensible – will it make homes in the Golden State more affordable? Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, talk with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis about the Golden State’s housing conundrum, a new report on California’s economic health, and what to expect in the way of congressional redistricting later this year.

Home Depot?

A new school year is underway, but what has the past year taught us about the political and policy clout of America’s teachers’ unions? Michael Hartney, a Hoover Institution national fellow, Boston College political scientist and author of a forthcoming book on the ascent of teachers’ unions, discusses the role that unions played during the past year’s school-reopening drama and what their agenda may resemble moving forward.

School Re-Openings – Following The Political Science

The election results are in and California’s governor has survived an attempt to recall him from office. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian (the co-author of "Why Company Headquarters Are Leaving California in Unprecedented Numbers") and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s California on Your Mind web channel, sit down with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss how Gavin Newsom managed to keep his job – and the policy implications for the Golden State and the nation moving forward.

Matters Of Policy & Politics: A Recall Recap

A new study shows companies are leaving California at double the rate of the past three years due to taxes, over-regulation, and a high cost of living. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian (the co-author of that report) and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, sit down with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the plight of California’s business climate and the Golden State’s gubernatorial recall election. 

Business (Hostility) As Usual?

An admission at a recent press conference that his staff pre-determines the order of reporters’ questions points to an odd facet of the Biden presidency: behind-the-scenes choreography on public display. Debra Saunders, a Washington-based columnist, past Trump White House correspondent, and Hoover media fellow, discusses the current presidency’s media relationship – and, harkening back to her days covering California policy and politics, Gavin Newsom’s recall prospects and why San Francisco-style justice may enable Sirhan Sirhan’s release.

Who Calls Whom The President Calls Upon?

Donald Trump’s gone (from office) but not forgotten as many of the elements that contributed to his political ascent – immigration, overseas entanglements, cultural divide – are as potent as ever. Victor Davis Hanson, the Hoover Institution’s Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow, discusses Trump’s presence in the political landscape and the prospects of “Trumpism” beliefs moving forward.

America After The Trump Presidency

Taliban forces take control of Kabul and the visuals coming out of Afghanistan – Americans hastily evacuated, US-friendly Afghans desperate to join the exodus – evoke memories of Saigon in 1975. Joe Felter, a Hoover research fellow and counterinsurgency advisor in Afghanistan during his Army service, explains what went wrong in that nation and the impact on US foreign policy.  

“The Slow Drift Back”

As California’s gubernatorial recall election approaches, will Democrats rally behind their embattled governor or will Republicans continue to enjoy an advantage in voter enthusiasm, as polling suggests? Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, sit down with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss how California Gov. Gavin Newsom might try to rouse the Democratic faithful.  

Curb Your Enthusiasm

A new COVID variant raises complicated health-policy questions: should masking be mandated and proof of vaccination required to enter indoor spaces? What about the pace and imagination of research? Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor of medicine and epidemiological researcher, separates fact from fiction related to the COVID “Delta” variant.  

Delta (Variant) For Dummies

With polls showing Californians almost evenly divided on whether to recall Gavin Newsom, just how concerned should California’s governor be? Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, sit down with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the upcoming recall candidates’ debate, plus the role of special-interest money in the special election. 

A Recall Horse Race?

The U.S. Navy’s latest budget request, coupled with Chinese naval expansion, raises questions concerning America’s ability to project strength and respond to crises across the Pacific Rim. Admiral Gary Roughead, former Chief of Naval Operations and the Hoover Institution’s Robert and Marion Oster Distinguished Military Fellow, discusses America’s naval readiness, including doubts about a “fighting culture,” plus whether the military’s upper echelon has become too politicized.  

Naval Gazing

With only a week remaining for candidates to enter the race, California’s Sept. 14 recall election continues to take shape. Hoover senior fellow Lee Ohanian and distinguished policy fellow Bill Whalen, both contributors to Hoover’s “California on Your Mind” web channel, sit down with Hoover senior writer Jonathan Movroydis to discuss the latest in the Golden State, including the gubernatorial challengers’ struggles in earning media attention. 

Garbage Time In California?

Area 45 is a Hoover Institution podcast devoted to the Trump administration and the policy avenues available to America’s forty-fifth president. It is hosted by Hoover fellow, Bill Whalen

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Area 45

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