| | | | | |  | | By Carla Marinucci, Jeremy B. White, Graph Massara and Mackenzie Hawkins | Presented by The Great Courses Plus | THE BUZZ — IT'S COMING: Don't be surprised if Gov. Gavin Newsom decides to deliver California's Hanukkah/Christmas gift this week — and roll out his choice for the Senate seat held by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris. If the much-anticipated appointment comes, as some insiders expect, during the holiday period, when news is typically slow, it could provide Newsom with a buffer, turning the page on the narrative from the last few weeks (see: the French Laundry debacle) and giving the many who doubtless won't agree with his choice time to vent and get over it. And then he can put the "annus horribilis" 2020 in the rearview mirror and get on with 2021. THE BATTLE RAGES: Newsom has been fiercely lobbied by Latinos — a demographic that represents 40 percent of California's population but which hasn't been reflected by one of its U.S. senators in 170 years of state history — and groups like the Congressional Latino Caucus are strongly behind the candidate widely viewed as the front-runner, Secretary of State Alex Padilla. The LGBTQ community and advocates like Equality California say it's time for their activism and history to be recognized, with the appointment of a candidate like Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia. Now, groups representing Black women and the Asian and Pacific Islander community are having their say. POLITICO spoke this week to Assemblymember Shirley Weber, a leader in Black Women United, which is pushing Newsom to name an African American woman. She said there's no contest: Black women delivered the 2020 election for Democrats. "It's like we can save the Senate but we can't sit in the Senate. … We can clean the House — but we have to come through the back door,'' she said. "We won the seat — and others want to say, 'it's our turn.'" Weber added that there are already "a number of Latino Democrats in the Senate," and Black women "expended a lot of money and resources and time getting Kamala elected. And we find it ridiculous we're fighting for the seat we won." But Weber firmly rejected the idea that Black women would be mollified if Newsom picks a Black woman to fill the seat of Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who has been tapped by President-elect Joe Biden as his nominee to be Health and Human Services secretary. "Our position is you can appoint Padilla to AG and a Black woman to the Senate … or we'll take 'em both. But we don't want to give up the Senate seat for the AG seat,'' which is subject to term limits, she said. "The Senate has much broader appeal — and can impact women across the nation. It's a bigger landscape. … There is no bigger game to play, basically.'' FIRST IN PLAYBOOK: California's Asian and Pacific Islander Caucus, chaired by state Sen. Richard Pan and Assemblymember Evan Low, announced its endorsement of Padilla, Reps. Karen Bass and Barbara Lee and Garcia for the Harris seat. On that fourth endorsement: Garcia checks three key boxes — he's Latino, LGBTQ and Asian. From the caucus letter to Newsom, released today: "His great-grandfather was Chinese and a laborer in Peru. Mayor Garcia's family name is actually Chen. The name was changed to Garcia, a Peruvian name, to integrate and gain employment in a new country." | 
Robert Garcia, mayor of Long Beach, speaks to demonstrators outside Long Beach City Hall on Thursday, June 4, 2020, in Long Beach, Calif. | AP Photo/Ashley Landis | THE BOTTOM LINE: Newsom gets some room to maneuver should he pick Padilla, as he then can appoint a new secretary of state as well as an AG. He's also been aided by the increasing buzz among insiders that Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), in the wake of the devastating New Yorker profile last week, may bow out before the end of her term in 2024, potentially giving him a total of four appointments to make. BUENOS DÍAS, good Monday morning. Today, the 55 members of the Electoral College in California are set to meet in person at 2 p.m. in the California State Assembly chambers to formally select Biden as the 46th president of the United States. Here's what to expect, via ABC's Kendall Karson. How does California select its electors? Here's the Secretary of State's primer. Watch the livestream via the state Assembly website. Biden will address the nation afterwards, at approximately 5 p.m. PT. WHERE'S GAVIN? Nothing official announced. QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Well if it changes, I'll let you know. … I work hard." — Feinstein to CNN's Manu Raju on whether she will serve out her term in the wake of stories suggesting she is suffering from cognitive decline. BONUS QOTD : "I don't have proof that men landed on the moon, in 1969, because I wasn't there. … Until Jan. 20th, it may not be over with." — Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.)— who signed on to the Texas lawsuit to overturn votes in key swing states — to CNN's Chris Cuomo, on whether there is any proof of fraud in the presidential election. TWEET OF THE DAY: Bass @RepKarenBass, now lobbying publicly for the Harris seat, Axios' Kadia Goba reports: "Especially in this time of crisis, it would be an honor to be appointed to serve my state in the United States Senate." PODCAST OF THE DAY: On " It's All Political," Black Lives Matter co-founder Alicia Garza tells the SF Chronicle's Joe Garofoli that Newsom should appoint a Black woman to the Senate. | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Don't be stagnant, keep your mind active with The Great Courses Plus . Learn at your own pace with the ability to stream lectures like the Art of Investing anytime, anywhere. Tap into an expansive selection of over 13,000 video streaming lectures from some of the world's greatest minds. Learning should be enjoyable, so start learning today with The Great Courses Plus! | | | |  | TOP TALKERS | | SEASON OF SORROW — "More than 1,000 San Francisco families asked Salvation Army for toys this year. It received 10% of normal donations," by the SF Chronicle's Sarah Feldberg: "Donations are largely closed at this point and volunteers have already begun sorting the gifts, which will be distributed next week, but anyone who still wants to give can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the Salvation Army's SoMa location (360 4th St.) no later than Monday." BARGAIN AT TWICE THE PRICE — "Million-dollar views, cheap rent and allegations of favoritism at California state parks," by the LA Times' Melody Gutierrez: "The department's nearly 500 occupied state-owned houses, mobile homes, dorms and trailers rent — on average — for $215 a month, according to a Times analysis of state housing data." NATIONAL ANGLE? — Gingrich and Huckabee back Newsom recall effort, by POLITICO's Carla Marinucci: The California activist movement to recall Gov. Gavin Newsom just got a national shot in the arm from former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, two former Republican leaders who still have large conservative followings. THE BIG REVEAL — "51 Years Later, Coded Message Attributed to Zodiac Killer Has Been Solved, F.B.I. Says," by NYT's Michael Levenson: "The mysterious 340-character cipher, which was mailed to The San Francisco Chronicle in November 1969, does not reveal the killer's identity" It read: "I hope you are having lots of fun in trying to catch me that wasn't me on the TV show which brings up a point about me I am not afraid of the gas chamber because it will send me to paradice all the sooner because I now have enough slaves to work for me where everyone else has nothing when they reach paradice so they are afraid of death I am not afraid because I know that my new life is life will be an easy one in paradice death."" BIKINIS AND CORONA — "Unwelcome in other countries, Americans are fleeing lockdowns and flocking to Mexico,'' by the AP's Kate Linthicum. Mexico's official death toll last week surpassed 113,000 — the fourth highest in the world — although officials say that many cases have gone undetected and that the true tally is likely double that. | | CORONAVIRUS UPDATES | | HERE IT COMES — "California vaccinations could start Monday, but it won't slow COVID-19 crisis imperiling hospitals," by the LA Times' Alex Wigglesworth, Soumya Karlamangla and Tracy Wilkinson: "Medical workers were expected to get the first doses of vaccine through a limited number of hospitals in California that include Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, UCLA Health and Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. Officials expect to get more doses of the vaccine later this month and again in early January." PHONE PLAY — "Some 4 million Californians sign up for smartphone COVID-19 alerts in first few days," by the San Diego Union Tribune's Charles T. Clark: "CA Notify serves as a digital tool to tell people whether they've been exposed to someone who later tests positive for the disease." HOSPITAL HELP — "California wants hospitals to test every worker for coronavirus starting Monday. But is that even feasible?,'' by SFChronicle's Nanette Asimov: "Many nurses who come in contact with COVID-19 patients each day think that's a superb idea. Yet it's unlikely to happen in hospitals overwhelmed with patients, all needing to be tested. VALLEY FEVER — "'I've seen people die.' COVID-19 slams Central Valley hospitals, as many resist lockdowns," by the LA Times' Diana Marcum, Anita Chabria and Susanne Rust: "It's an agricultural valley with high rates of poverty and a staggering shortage of doctors. Yet during the pandemic, many local leaders have been openly defiant of public health directives." — "Health vs. wealth: How does California score on coronavirus lockdowns?" by the OC Register's Jonathan Lansner. STATE OF RESISTANCE — "Bay Area diners are still eating outside restaurants, whether businesses want it or not,'' by the SF Chronicle's Justin Phllips: "The Danville restaurant owner who has been offering outdoor dining despite Contra Costa County's ban said he has been visited by both the police department and the county health department since news came out about his protest. But he's planning to ignore the warnings — and to keep serving guests." — "'The virus is moving in': why California is losing the fight against Covid," by the Guardian's Sam Levin, Maanvi Singh, Vivian Ho and Gabrielle Canon: "The state has tallied more than 1.3m cases, and broke a record last week with more than 25,000 infections recorded in a single day." — " Judge orders OC sheriff to cut jail population in half to combat coronavirus outbreak," by the OC Register's Tony Saavedra and Quinn Wilson. | | | | BIG SCOOPS IN TRANSITION PLAYBOOK: In the runup to Inauguration Day, president-elect Joe Biden's staffing decisions are sending clear-cut signals about his priorities. What do these signals foretell? Transition Playbook is the definitive guide to one of the most consequential transfers of power in American history. Written for political insiders, this scoop-filled newsletter is breaking big news and analyzing the appointments, people and emerging power centers of the new administration. Track the transition and the first 100 days of the incoming administration. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | THE TRUMP ERA | | NOT HAVING IT — "Trump unleashes an army of sore losers,'' by POLITICO's David Siders: "Buzz Patterson, a Republican who lost to Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.) by more than 13 percentage points, has refused to concede and is complaining about voting machines. He, too, is " definitely running again." — "Supreme Court rejects bid to overturn presidential results, backed by key California GOP figures," by the SF Chronicle's Tal Kopan: :[Kevin] McCarthy, R-Bakersfield, and three other Californians — Reps. Ken Calvert of Corona (Riverside County), Doug LaMalfa of Richvale (Butte County) and Tom McClintock of Elk Grove (Sacramento County) — were among 126 House Republicans who signed a brief to thecourt supporting Texas' lawsuit." SPEAKER STRUGGLE? — Pelosi faces tight margins for speaker's vote,' by POLITICO's Sarah Ferris, John Bresnahan and Heather Caygle. TIME'S UP — 'We're already too late': Unemployment lifeline to lapse even with an aid deal,' by POLITICO's Rebecca Rainey and Eleanor Mueller. SCHIFF ON SWALWELL — " House Intelligence Chair Adam Schiff on Chinese spy story: 'Mr. Swalwell did everything right,'" by Fox 11's Elex Michaelson and Nichols Greitzer. 'NEW CALIFORNIA'? — "Imaginary States 'New Nevada,' 'New California' File Brief Supporting Texas Lawsuit To Overturn Election,'' by Forbes' Andrew Solender: " New California's website – which includes a map of California without Los Angeles, San Francisco and other cities – laments California's taxes, regulations and gun control laws (common complaints of conservatives living in blue states) and echoes Trump's baseless voter fraud claims." | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus:   | | | | | TRANSITION TIME | | FIRST IN PLAYBOOK — The Biden administration's transition team has tapped powerhouse Bay Area attorney Joe Cotchett to chair a key committee to recommend federal judges to Biden. "You saw what Trump did, in appointing 200-plus federal judges,'' he told POLITICO in an interview. Cotchett's friendship with Biden goes back 45 years — so, he said, he has agreed to help the new administration work quickly to identify qualified federal judges who will apply for senior status, so those seats can be filled quickly and efficiently. — " How Kamala Harris could resurrect aspects of her 'Momnibus' plan," by the 19th's Shefali Luthra. | | CAMPAIGN MODE | | HE'LL BE BACK — "Outgoing congressman T.J. Cox says he 'absolutely' will run again for CA-21 seat,'' via YourCentralValley.com's Alexan Balekian. KEVIN'S NEXT CHAPTER? — " Faulconer eyes next chapter as mayoral term ends,'' by the San Diego Union Tribune's John Wilkens: "The Republican's likely run for governor would be a test of state's political temperature, analysts say. DIANNE DILEMMA — "Dianne Feinstein isn't going anywhere as long as California's political establishment is with her,'' by the SF Chronicle's Joe Garofoli: "Feinstein has shown no intention of leaving the Senate before her term ends in 2024, when she will be 91. Until then, the only person who can take Feinstein out of office is Feinstein." | | GAVINLAND | | AG BATTLE — "California needs a new top cop. Here's what Gov. Gavin Newsom will consider,'' by the LA Times' Patrick McGreevy and Phil Willon: "Groups that have the governor's ear are already talking about what they would like to see in the next attorney general, including someone who will take aggressive action on criminal justice reform, police accountability, gun control and the environment." PAID LOBBYISTS OUT — "CA Gov Gavin Newsom bars his paid consultants from lobbying,'' by the Sac Bee's Lara Korte: "Chief of Staff Ann O'Leary said Newsom is barring any paid campaign or political consultant from directly communicating on behalf of a client with the governor, members of his staff, or the agencies under his control for the purpose of influencing legislative or administrative action." | | CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR | | DEFUND FOR REAL? — "Amid a 'defund' debate, Sacramento's police force is larger than it's been in years,'' by the Sac Bee's Theresa Clift: "Activists argue the city's decision to increase police staffing is troubling, especially as the pandemic wreaks havoc on the city budget." CASELOAD CRISIS — "With L.A. courts paralyzed by COVID-19, public defenders say caseloads are 'unconscionable,''' by LA Times' James Queally: "In a message that reached roughly 1,200 lawyers and staff members, veteran public defender Ernesto Diaz pleaded for help with what he and some of his colleagues described as 'unconscionable caseloads.' Felony attorneys were representing as many as 70 clients, more than double their normal workload, and some were so stressed out that they were becoming physically ill, he wrote." ICED OUT — "Chula Vista reverses course, hits pause on sharing license-plate reader data with ICE, Border Patrol," by the San Diego Union Tribune's Teri Figueroa. NO BARGAIN — "LA using pricey 'tiny homes' to house the homeless ,'' by LA Times' Doug Smith: "Plans to employ the minimalist structures … have blossomed into expensive development projects with access roads, underground utilities and concrete foundations — and commensurate planning delays." FURLOUGHED — "Southwest to furlough up to 1,182 employees at Oakland, SFO and San Jose airports,'' by the SF Chronicle's Roland Li. ANOTHER ICON CLOSES FOR GOOD: The Cliff House, a beloved San Francisco landmark, will close permanently on Dec. 31, after a mandate from the National Parks Service, management announced Sunday; 180 employees will lose their jobs. From the website: "We have been the proprietors of the Cliff House for 47-1/2 years and are probably the longest tenured in the 157- year history. ...This is certainly not the way to thank us, a local small business owned and operated by native San Franciscans, for taking care of this San Francisco treasure this past year at a significant financial loss." | | | | HAPPENING TUESDAY - CONFRONTING INEQUALITY IN AMERICA TOWN HALL : The pandemic-induced recession has put over 40 million Americans at risk of foreclosure and eviction and caused a steady decline in Black homeownership. What solutions need to happen to make housing more inclusive and fair? Join POLITICO for its fourth town hall in the series "Confronting Inequality in America." Our latest town hall explores "The Housing Gap" and will convene policymakers, lawmakers, advocates and mortgage industry leaders to discuss various approaches for eliminating housing inequality as we begin to recover from the Covid-19 recession. REGISTER HERE. | | | | | | | SILICON VALLEYLAND | | — "California is the first Democratic state to ask to join DOJ lawsuit against Google," by CNBC's Lauren Feiner. ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST — " Oracle moving from California to Texas, joins Tesla, Hewlett Packard,'' by Fox News' Suzanne O'Halloran. | | HOLLYWOODLAND | | HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH — "Disney Stock Hits All-Time High as Analysts Boost Price Targets, Laud Streaming Content,'' by the Hollywood Reporter's Georg Szalai. | | CANNABIS COUNTRY | | HE'S A PLAYER — "Jay-Z's Cannabis Brand, Monogram, Launches With $50 Hand-Rolled Joints," by Forbes' Will Yakowicz. | | MIXTAPE | | CAR THEFT BOOMING — "In S.F., stealing a car is only the beginning of the crime,'' by the SF Chronicle's Phil Matier. HUGE HAUL — " San Francisco Police Buyback Campaign Collects More Than 225 Guns,'' via KPIX. — "Crab for Christmas: California approves start date for Dungeness season,'' by the Mercury News' Linda Zavoral. CAR SCAM— " Man bought Maserati with unemployment money scammed from state EDD, prosecutors say,'' by the LA Times' Richard Winton. | | BIRTHDAYS | | Former Cabinet secretary George Shultz was 100 on Sunday (h/t Bill Whalen) … Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) is 78 … Todd S. Purdum … Google's Riva Sciuto and Conor Chrisom | | | | A message from The Great Courses Plus: Are you an inquisitively curious individual that loves learning? Join a community of life-long learners, and learn more about any topic with The Great Courses Plus. Stream thousands of videos by some of this world's brightest minds. From the Art of Investing to the Theory of Everything, quench your thirst for knowledge with courses designed for the endlessly curious cat. With The Great Courses Plus, you'll enjoy being able to learn anytime, anywhere at your own pace. Now there's nothing keeping you from starting your educational journey. Learn now with The Great Courses Plus! | | | CALIFORNIA POLICY IS ALWAYS CHANGING: Know your next move. From Sacramento to Silicon Valley, POLITICO California Pro provides policy professionals with the in-depth reporting and tools they need to get ahead of policy trends and political developments shaping the Golden State. To learn more about the exclusive insight and analysis this subscriber-only service offers, click here. Want to make an impact? POLITICO California has a variety of solutions available for partners looking to reach and activate the most influential people in the Golden State. Have a petition you want signed? A cause you're promoting? Seeking to increase brand awareness amongst this key audience? Share your message with our influential readers to foster engagement and drive action. 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