Los Angeles Festival of Books: Power and Politics

This was probably the least interesting of the panels I attended on Saturday, probably because it wasn't anything new.

Biographies stolen from the program guide.

Robert Scheer. Scheer covered presidential politics for the Los Angeles Times for 30 years. He is a regular commentator on KCRW's "Left, Right & Center" and is editor-in-chief of the online magazine Truthdig.

T.R. Reid. Ried is one of the nation's best known correspondents for his coverage of global affairs for the Washington Post and his ommentaries on NPR.

Barry Glassner. Glassner is the author of seven books on contemporary social issues, including the recently revised "The Culture of Fear."

Ronald Brownstein. Brownstein is the political director for the Atlantic Media Co. and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times.

Here are some notes from the panel discussion:

Brownstein

We've had more division in the past, '60s.
But it is hard to find a time when Washington DC has been more rigid.
We're moving to a quasi-parliamentary system where the two parties pressure members to not break rank.
This leads to bad decisions such as healthcare where all 60 Democrats were king and can get concessions.
Democrats are more diverse than Republicans. Only 50% of Democrats are liberal.
Republican base is activated. Thinks Obama is taking us on a sled ride to Sweden.
A significant part of middle America just wants to be left alone.
Feels this is similar to the Clinton era and that there is more than just racial backlash.
In 2009, Goldman Sachs is the welfare queen.
Democrats are in for a tough November.
It is impossible to get 60 votes on immigration and climate change.
Immigration reform maybe at 50 votes.
Senator Lindsey Graham is only Republican willing to negotiate.

Reid.

Doesn't see government tied in knots.
Example, saving the financial system was done quickly.
He's lived over-seas and politics are mild in the U.S. In South Korea, presidential candidates sue each other for slander.
In Britain, the media is far worse.

Glassner.

Fear dominates in politics.
No one will talk about guns due to fear-mongering.
Mentioned that whites did not vote for Obama.
Clinton years were about race: teenage mothers, welfare queens.

Scheer.

Corporate capitalism.
Disagrees with Reid. The Wall Street bailout wasn't about cooperation.
Tea Party can't stand a progressive, sensible guy, who is black.
Is Obama the community organizer or the Harvard elite?
Republicans fight for their beliefs. Democrats are not weak when they criticize their leadership. Criticism means Democrats are getting stronger.
Finance reform is only thing on agenda. We need to return to Glass-Steagall, reverse the achievements of Bill Clinton.