California’s Fiscal Future

Lanhee Chen is running for state controller in California, but what does a state controller ...

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Lanhee Chen is running for state controller in California, but what does a state controller do? Steve gets that answer, plus Chen’s thoughts on California’s fiscal state and his plan if he wins the election. Chen also discusses his experience running Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign’s policy shop.

Show Notes:

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  1. Avatar photo
    Ben Connelly

    Good interview. I wish Mr. Chen luck in his campaign.

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    Peter A

    Lanhee Chen has my vote!

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    BrettH

    Well, the guy's got my vote. The self-dealing in this state is unreal.

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  4. Chris L

    Quite a campaign ad. How many of his opponents will get similar free advertising here?

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      Narwhal

      The Fairness Doctrine doesn’t apply to podcasts. And it isn’t like the Dispatch attempts to hide its bias. I think something like 60% of Jonah’s Remnant guests are affiliated with AEI in some way.

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      1. Chris L

        And it's not any question of fairness that made this particular episode suck, it was the lack of any apparent effort to ask any interesting or probing or differentiating questions at all (beyond, wow, are you a Republican?).

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          Narwhal

          Can you give some examples of what you’d have like him to have been asked?

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          1. Chris L

            “Now that you’ve shared platitudes and comparisons that don’t take into account scale, can you provide some concrete, specific examples of what you will do and how you will accomplish them given the limitations of the position vis a vis the Governor?” “Do you not understand the difference between saying ‘there’s an app for that’ and the process and timeline of creating usable applications to share this kind if data in a meaningful way?” “Why do you think the parts of the system you scoff at are there in the first place and how do you plan to address the needs and forces that brought them about (other than characterizing it as the venality and/or stupidity of Dems?”

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      2. Chris L

        I didn't invoke the fairness doctrine. I just asked a question as to whether any of the opponents in this race were going to similarly get free advertising (and, without mentioning, hoping any of them might be more interesting than the pablum we heard from this one).

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          Narwhal

          Do you expect the Dispatch to interview Chen’s opponent? If so, why? If so, do you think it would be more or less interesting than this interview?

          Would you agree that Chen being endorsed by the LA Times is noteworthy?

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          1. Chris L

            I doubt it would be more interesting, but did expectations of the interviews are so low, why not? *Particularly* if you think the endorsement by the LAT is meaningful.

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    David Chen

    If the website transparentcalifornia has not stirred Californians to vote for change, I fear nothing will.

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      Narwhal

      This is the first time I’ve ever heard of that website. I just opened it. Can you direct me to what you think are two or three examples of what it documents which prove your point?

      Also, how many people have you directed to the website in your offline life? For example, how many times have you pulled out your phone and used the site with others?

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    Mudskipper

    Thanks, Steve, for having Lanhee on. I might be one of those California Democrats who vote for him.

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    Narwhal

    Good interview. If I lived in California I’d vote for Mr. Chen. Since I can’t vote for him I might donate to his campaign. Thanks for including a link to his campaign website in the show notes.

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  8. Steve

    Those who are long-time listeners to Armstrong and Getty know Lanhee very well. He's awesome! Dispatch folks, I am wondering if you have plans to give one Mr. Michael Shellenberger a similar boost?

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      Mudskipper

      Yeesh. I wish you hadn't said that. I was feeling positive toward Lanhee.

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    CynthiaW

    As a fan of the Radio Free California podcast, I am looking forward to hearing this. I also think Mr. Hayes is a good radio journalist who should get more exposure. Why has he not guest-hosted or emergency-guested on The Remnant? I like Mr. Kitchen and Mr. Stirewalt, but variety is nice.

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      Ben Connelly

      Or were you making a joke?

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        CynthiaW

        No, I'm serious. I think Mr. Hayes is personable and has a pleasant "radio" voice, and I wish he was heard from more often.

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          Ben Connelly

          I agree

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      Ben Connelly

      Steve Hayes is busy enough running the rest of the Dispatch, seeing as he and Jonah are cofounders. I think that’s why he never emergency guest-hosts the Remnant.

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  10. William H.

    Mr. Chen is a very impressive candidate. I wish him the best and hope we hear more from him down the road.

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