Pete Wilson

He has prided himself on thinking big, and used his larger-than-life persona to advocate grand visions for California's future. But as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger begins his fifth year at the helm of the state, he is hemmed in by the past, staring at a...

One of the keys to finally closing a state budget deal may be a controversial package of economic stimulus measures, either in the form recommended by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in the unsuccessful special session of the Legislature that came to a close...

Today's topic: How are the changed demographics of the electorate making this presidential race different from past ones? Has either Barack Obama or John McCain capitalized effectively on the new demographics? And have they shifted the race away from...

Today's question: Propositions 98 and 99 both claim to offer protection from eminent domain. Which one (if either) would be better for Californians? All week, California Republican Assembly President Mike Spence and Los Angeles County Democratic Party...

Hello, this is Gore Vidal," the East Egg baritone announced. "Is Richard there?" I stammered a return greeting as the voice continued, "I read your story . . ." and then halted. On a Sunday in the spring of 1982, my article about Vidal's campaign for...

As he stood before the cameras in Santa Barbara last week, the freewheeling showman that Arnold Schwarzenegger used to be was evident only in his attire. He was clad in a shirt that was blindingly white, as if daring the ruinous soot from the Jesusita...

In the end, the numbers were almost identical, give or take a billion. Last week's election decided measures meant to diminish California's $24-billion deficit. And just about 24% of voters turned out to do the deciding. Woeful turnout, woeful state. For...

Today's topic: What do Tuesday's results mean for the California GOP? Does the voters' rejection of the budget deal empower Republicans to be even less compromising, or does it encourage Democrats in Sacramento to marginalize and ignore the GOP by any...

The California Supreme Court struck down the state's ban on same-sex marriage Thursday in a broadly worded decision that would invalidate virtually any law that discriminates on the basis of sexual orientation. The 4-3 ruling declared that the state...

With the vote on his reelection just over 12 weeks away, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger faces a wave of conservative unrest that threatens the steady political recovery he has made this year by widening his appeal beyond his base of Republican supporters. To...

Never mind that nine of 10 Californians have not heard of him. Never mind that his opponent enjoys blanket name recognition throughout the Golden State, more campaign cash and a double-digit lead in the polls. Chuck Poochigian -- state senator from...

The 2006 political season may be creating some California history: a governor and lieutenant governor candidate running for election as a team. Not just a team in name -- the Republican ticket -- but in actual operation: coordinated messages, ads and...