A piece in the Washington Post last Sunday has kicked off the search for a new House Democratic leader to one day soon replace Speaker Nancy Pelosi. New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries appears to be the consensus early favorite.
But, perhaps, the East Bay/Silicon Valley Rep. Ro Khanna is making a passive-aggressive bid behind the scenes to be the person to lead House Democrats? It’s a strategy that many insiders around here know Khanna often favors—double talk, avoiding confrontation and using acolytes to carry pass along his orders. Sometimes it’s just blatant person-to-person dishonesty.
So it’s not surprising that Khanna, also a master manipulator of individual reporters, got his name and quote in the WaPo article, and in a prominent position. Keep an eye of Khanna because while this quote and its placement suggests he’s talking about Jeffries, he could also be talking about himself.
“I think we want leadership that bridges some of the different ideological wings of the party, that is committed to listening to all of the perspectives, that will be capable of helping move the Senate or things that have stalled in the House, and has a bold vision of what we need to achieve for the American public,” Rep. Ro Khanna (Calif.), a liberal, said in an interview. “But whoever it is, I hope they would adopt progressive positions and also listen to the broad caucus and build consensus.”
Khanna has gained a reputation as someone who reaches across the aisle. Recall his recent quotes calling on Democrats to refrain from piling on Sen. Joe Manchin for derailing President Biden’s Build Back Better legislation. Like all politicians, he claims to have a “bold vision.” Khanna was once a business-minded Democrat who favored Big Tech, but after losing to Rep. Mike Honda, he adopted progressive ideas and cozied up to Sen. Bernie Sanders.
One thing that is certain, there is no lack of ambition among Alameda County’s congressional delegation of Reps. Eric Swalwell, Barbara Lee; and Khanna over the past decade.
Swalwell sought the presidency for four months in 2019. While not as ambitious as Swalwell, Lee has lobbied for a number of promotions, including ambassadorships and cabinet-level posts in years past. Many believe that if Hillary Clinton had become president, Lee would moved on from the 13th Congressional District to greener pastures.
SACRAMENTO DISPATCH
—IMPORTANT FRIENDS—Southern California Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez announced on Monday (the first day of the new legislative year) that she is leaving her seat, effective today. Gonzalez, a favorite among East Bay progressives and organized labor groups, will become the next leader of the powerful California Labor Federation. Her move had been long expected. Having friends in high places is important. As noted in Tuesday’s newsletter, the results of the 10th State Senate and 20th Assembly Districts will hinge on which candidates are favored (or opposed) by labor statewide.
—DOMINO EFFECT—Because Gonzalez chairs the influential Assembly Appropriation Committee, her departure created a domino effect down to East Bay Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan. The 16th District representative will take over as chair of the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee.
—CHAN REMEMBERED—The return of legislative action in Sacramento on Monday included a somber moment. Assemblymember Mia Bonta remembered the late Alameda County Supervisor Wilma Chan on the Assembly floor. Chan was killed by a motorist on Nov. 8 while walking her dog in Alameda. Several other cities in Alameda County have offered proclamations in Chan’s honor over the past month.
—COVID CARE LEGISLATION—East Bay state Sen. Nancy Skinner introduced a bill to offer up savings accounts for children who have lost a parent or primary caregiver to Covid-19. Children up to the age of 9 would receive accounts with up to $3,000. Children between 10- and 17-years-old would receive accounts with up to $5,000. “At a time when California has immense wealth, we can afford to ensure that children who have suffered an inconceivable loss will be comforted knowing they’ll have a little help at a time when they no longer have parents to rely on,” Skinner said.
NEWS BRIEFING
—WHAT IS CRIME IN OAKLAND?—More bad publicity for public safety in Oakland. Amy Schneider, the record-breaking Jeopardy! champion, was robbed in Oakland over the weekend, the Associated Press reports. Schneider has notched 24 consecutive games and has won $897,600.
—RECRUIT SLAIN—A man training to be an Alameda County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed on Tuesday near the Bay Bridge Toll plaza, KTVU reports. The unnamed victim is believed to have been driving home from training in Dublin. The recruit was due to graduate in February.
—COVID TEST SHORTAGE—Those feeling ill and those with potential exposure to Covid-19 are finding it difficult to get tested in the Bay Area amid the rapidly-spreading Omicron variant, SFGate reports. Appointments at Kaiser Permanente in Oakland and San Leandro are going fast and lines for Covid-19 testing are long. In addition, at-home testing kits are harder to find than a PS5.
—COURT IS ADJOURNED—Federal courts in the Bay Area, including in Oakland, will be closed for the next three weeks due to the Omicron variant, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
DATEBOOK
—FIRST LOOKS—Two of the top East Bay races to watch will receive first looks in the next week. Candidate forums for Alameda County Sheriff and the open Alameda County District Attorney races are scheduled in the next week. Here’s more information on the virtual forums:
—Alameda County Sheriff-Coroner virtual candidate forum hosted by Livermore Indivisible, Sunday, Jan. 9, 1:30 p.m. Register for the webinar here.
—Alameda County District Attorney virtual candidate forum hosted by Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), Wednesday, Jan. 12, 6 p.m. Register for the webinar here.
DEPT. OF CORRECTIONS
—A item in Tuesday’s newsletter incorrectly labeled one of the open district seats on the San Leandro City Council. Councilmember Corina Lopez’s termed out seat is District 5, not District 6.