CMC In The News

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece about President Donald Trump courting California GOP voters. He shared, “…a lot of party professionals understand that Trump and Trumpists cannot win statewide elections, but the party base is different.”

Prof. Jack Pitney joined the KCAL 9 News team to discuss the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s accomplishments, character, final days and possible successor. 

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece on the rise of Sen. Alex Padilla to the position of senior senator of California following Sen. Dianne Feinstein’s death. Prof. Pitney was asked about Sen. Feinstein’s successor stating, “…a lot will depend on how experienced that person is.”

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece on the emergence of Gov. Gavin Newsom as a major defender of President Biden’s reelection. Prof. Pitney shared in reference to the alliance, “It works to their mutual benefit. Biden takes a potential party critic and turns him into an ally, and Newsom gets abundant national exposure. So it’s a win-win.”

Prof. Jonathan Petropoulos was quoted in a piece around claims that Carnegie Museum of Art’s $1M drawing by Egon Schiele was plundered by Nazis. He stated, “The Carnegie Institute could have asked Otto Kallir [the art dealer who sold the painting to the Carnegie] where the Artwork came from, collected appropriate documents and interviewed relevant witnesses, but, through its own willful blindness, chose not to do so.”

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece on how California transformed from Reagan’s red state to Newsom’s blue state. Prof. Pitney cited that the Democratic political surge in the state the past half century is due to “a combination of things—economics, demographics, Prop 187. The end of the Cold War meant the defense industry downsized. The defense industry was always a bulwark in California of the Republican Party.”

Prof. Andrew Sinclair was quoted in an article about the U.S.’s ‘primary problem,’ in which advocates call for new election systems. Advocates say that the current system favors polarized candidates. Prof. Sinclair said that the effect of nonpartisan primaries on voter engagement and satisfaction is somewhat mixed so far. He explained, “…the argument for moderation is that possibly the more moderate Democrat would have an advantage in that election, or perhaps the more competent or the more pragmatic [candidate].” However, Prof. Sinclair says concretely identifying that this system “actually has produced a moderating effect is hard.”

In an op-ed, Prof. Manfred Keil examined whether or not the Inland Empire will experience a hard or soft landing in the looming economic downturn. 

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece surrounding the recent layoffs at Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research, run by scholar, activist and author Ibram X. Kendi. Conservatives were hailing this as a culture war victory. Prof. Pitney commented, “…conservatives will celebrate anything that looks like a setback for Kendi.” 

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece about former Los Angeles County Sheriff, Alex Villanueva, who announced his candidacy against two-term L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I think he would start as an underdog. The district has a substantial number of Hispanic voters. He may be hoping that will be a base of support. But in the sheriff race, the district voted for Luna. A lot of the increase in crime in Los Angeles happened on his watch. He doesn’t have a strong rhetorical basis,” said Pitney.

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in an article on the Republican effort to impeach President Biden. He shared in reference to the Republican’s strategy to move forward with the impeachment, “It will hurt the GOP. Voters in swing districts are not enthusiastic about Biden, but they are leery of impeaching him. McCarthy’s deal with the Republican Right left him with no good choices. His plight reminds me of the Kobayashi Maru—the Star Trek training simulation that Starfleet cadets could not possibly win. In his youth, Captain Kirk beat the system by hacking the software. That option is not available to the speaker.”

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece questioning whether or not Gov. Gavin Newsom would make a run for the presidency in 2024. He stated, “…conservatives want to build him [Gov. Newsom] up because they figure that he would be easy to beat in a general election. On that point they are not wrong.”

Prof. Jessamyn Schaller was mentioned in an article as a third co-author on a recent study from University of Texas at Austin on child maltreatment increasing when temperatures are hotter.

Prof. Jack Pitney was quoted in a piece about three ballot initiatives that would add restrictions for transgender children. He said, in reference to the legislation, “…if there is serious financial support for the effort, they will probably get the necessary signatures. In November 2024, there will be a large turnout for the Democratic presidential candidate, probably President Joe Biden. A big Democratic turnout would tend to favor the ‘no’ side. But public opinion on these issues is complicated, and progressives should not assume that such measures are doomed.”

Prof. Ron Riggio was interviewed on the topic of best practices for becoming a better leader. Key points from the interview included that emotional and social intelligence are building blocks of communication and successful leadership; best leaders have a parental relationship with their followers; and it is also important to focus on becoming a better person in general.