Book about the mental health care system coming in March ‘27. Author of "Kamala's Way." Ex-Sac Bee editorial page editor, ex-LA Times. @danmorain.bsky.social
Sacramento
Joined February 2010
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Dan Morain retweeted
In a campaign no national pundit focused on, @RepThompson is in danger of losing his seat to fellow Democrat, @ericjones_us, a San Francisco venture capitalist, in one of the most costly House races in the nation. - @DanielMorain
capitolweekly.net/the-congre…
And it was great reporting by the New York Times reporter. But if you’re part of the stunt, how stupid was it to talk to the New York Times reporter. Again, great reporting.
How to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
This won’t be popular among my most partisan Democratic friends. But it needs to be said.
The folks who did this stupid stunt in Alaska, if they did it at the behest of the actual campaign, and sought to obfuscate it and lie about it…
They shouldn’t work in politics again.
If the Dan Sullivan guy did it of his own accord, even if he did it to just fuck with the Republican, that’s not unethical. It’s a little nasty, but whatever.
But when someone is running a campaign they need to have strong ethics and put the integrity of the election system first. And seeking to confuse voters is an attack on the integrity of the elections. It’s the equivalent of Dems mailing Republicans to say “don’t forget to vote on Thursday!”
Has this happened before? Yeah, obviously. The funniest was when Hector De La Torre ran for Assembly as a reformer in the southeast cities of LA and those corrupt idiots found another Hector De La Torre to put on the ballot. And, of course, a bunch of staffers plead guilty to campaign finance violations around a move to put a candidate on the ballot to impact the Doris Allen recall in the 90s.
But that shit was unethical and stupid and the folks who did that should never work in politics again either.
Also, while the Trump lawsuit is also stupid, don’t be surprised if there are campaign finance violations around this AK thing. You will have people getting seriously pressured from the DOJ to prove that they didn’t miss-report trips paid for during these Dan Sullivan fishing expeditions or if they were keeping stuff off the books why there weren’t in-kind contribution reports for every beer bought for every Dan Sullivan they courted. This could be a total shitshow.
So, in the future let’s run our campaigns straight-up and when someone says “let’s go steal lawn signs” or “let’s recruit a candidate to dilute the vote of our opponent” tell that person to F-off or if it’s the campaign, quit on the spot. Go work for someone else.
Dan Morain retweeted
Jim Brulte is the Republican who came within a vote of becoming Assembly Speaker in 1994. Willie Brown is the Democratic Speaker who blocked his ascent. On Friday, they co-hosted an extraordinary reunion of former legislators and current and past lobbyists
capitolweekly.net/old-warrio…
Dan Morain retweeted
I want to be clear: I would have preferred not to make this video. I am sharing it to explain my upcoming coverage of the race for California state controller, including my efforts to interview incumbent Malia Cohen (D-CA) and why my candidate interview coverage of this office will feature only her challenger, Herb Morgan (R-CA).
I would have preferred to produce a piece giving both candidates equal time. Those are journalistic values that guide me every day. After weeks of outreach and back-and-forth with Cohen’s team, a Zoom interview was scheduled, then abruptly canceled by her team. I was told she had no availability to reschedule before the election.
Her team said I could submit written questions for Cohen to answer in writing. I respectfully declined because I wanted voters to hear directly from her on camera, with the opportunity for follow-up questions.
I told her team multiple times I wanted to ensure voters heard her side, her priorities, and answer why she deserves a second term in office. I made every effort to make that happen.
Fairness is always my priority. My goal was to give both candidates the same opportunity to discuss their records, answer meaningful and tough questions, and speak directly to voters. I regret that I could not make that happen, but voters deserve transparency about the process.
That is an extremely smart hire by Abridged. Congratulations, Joe. Families across the Sacramento Valley will sign up for Abridged. Chatham Asset Management would regret letting you leave—if it properly managed its asset.
Life update: My final stretch at The Sacramento Bee is here, and what a thrill it has been.
I am also thrilled to say that later this month I will be joining Sacramento-based Abridged to add a regional sports voice for an already fantastic news source.
abridged.org/news/joe-davids…
Can’t wait to read what you find.
Dan Morain retweeted
Gov. Newsom invited the CA Capitol press corps into his office for his bill signing of AB 2222, which will provide state tax credits for local newsrooms to hire and keep journalists.
The governor also took almost an hour worth of questions. Here are several takeaways 🧵
Gov. Newsom signed AB 2222 to provide money to help journalism. That’s great and much appreciated. Some of those reporters will write critical pieces about Newsom’s policies. Journalism works like that. He gets annoyed by some coverage, but understands it. I wish all pols did.
Dan Morain retweeted
An 11-year lawsuit that helped transform how California cares for people who have committed crimes and struggle with mental illness has come to a quiet conclusion. @DanielMorain in CW
capitolweekly.net/lawsuit-th…
Dan Morain retweeted
Now more than ever, @CAGov @GavinNewsom should put CA in the forefront of protecting and preserving the free press. 👇👇
Breaking: State and national news media appeal for a @CAgovernor signature on AB 2222. A great counterpoint to Trump’s action today to selectively ban news outlets from the White House. newsmediaalliance.org/journa…
Dan Morain retweeted
Attention @CaGovernor @GavinNewsom: Leading national journalism groups — including in SCarolina & NV — are uniting behind CA’s first-of-its-kind California journalism tax credit bill. It’s important!! newsmediaalliance.org/journa…
Dan Morain retweeted
On the south side of Capitol Park, a small plaque names a huge redwood for Byron Sher, appropriate given that as a state senator, he led the fight to protect the last large privately owned redwood forest in the world. Sher died Sat. at 98. @DanielMorain
capitolweekly.net/byron-sher…
Cerebral and soft-spoken, Bryon Sher was the antithesis of politicians nowadays. latimes.com/california/story…
I remember your wisdom well about the Bee’s endorsements of Republicans when I had a hand in such matters. We weren’t particularly helpful. Still makes me smile.
Dan Morain retweeted
I’m just a Senator, not a marketing manager, but this seems like a pretty good indication that the recent @sacbee_news cuts are in fact NOT driven by “subscriber interest”.
That’s over 400k engagement in less than 24 hours from just one of Sacramento’s favorite journalists let go yesterday.
*sigh*
I didn’t always agree with the Bee’s opinion journalists’ takes but that’s not the point. Their opinion pieces and endorsements were informed, reported and honest, and they were a vital part of the civic discourse. The layoffs will weaken democracy in Sacramento and California.
Dan Morain retweeted
PODCAST: We’re joined by @marielgarzaGS, executive editor of the Golden State Report. Garza spoke with us about why she and her colleagues have launched a new independent media venture, and what she’s watching in the LA mayors race.
capitolweekly.net/mariel-gar…
