US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney speaks in the rain during a rally in Newport News, Virginia, on October 8, 2012. Credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/Getty Images

Mitt Romney’s post-debate surge may have wiped out President Obama’s lead in the polls, especially among women voters, according to the latest voter survey from the Pew Research Center. In September, Pew showed Obama leading by 18 points among women, but the center’s most recent data indicates the Republican nominee has pulled even with his Democrat opponent among that particular demographic.

Another major polling organization, Gallup, released results from its national tracking poll on Monday afternoon that paint a less rosy picture for Romney. Gallup calculated Obama to be leading with support from 50 percent of registered voters, which puts Obama up 5 points over Romney’s reported 45 percent. This also puts Obama ahead beyond Gallup’s margin of error of 2 percentage points.

Is Romney’s post-debate comeback beginning to fade or has it sparked enough momentum to give him a winning edge? What might explain Romney’s possible surge among women voters?

Guests:

Steven Shepard, Polling editor, National Journal

The L.A. Live entertainment complex, which includes the Staples Center and Nokia Theater, in Los Angeles, California. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

As reported by Reuters today, billionaire Phil Anschutz has officially kicked off the bidding for his Anschutz Entertainment Group. AEG owns more than 100 sports and entertainment venues worldwide, including what Angelenos might consider the crown jewel: the Staples Center. Other assets include the L.A. Galaxy soccer team and a good-sized chunk of the Lakers. But don’t go digging in your couch cushions, sports fans. Anschutz won’t entertain any bids below the $6 to $10 billion range. Not many of us could come up with that kind of scratch, even without a recession.

Among the dozens of likely candidates, according to Reuters, are the newly proud owner of the Dodgers, Guggenheim Partners, private equity companies such as Bain Capital and Colony Capital, and billionaire-about-town Patrick Soon-Shiong. Or, a consortium made up of individual and corporate buyers. Of course, transferring ownership of AEG’s sports assets will be subject to approval by the NHL and the NBA – making the sale potentially problematic.

What will new ownership mean to the company’s 25,000 employees? Who has the power to write a check for this big-ticket property? Which buyer is most likely to bring L.A. its long-awaited NFL franchise? Going once…going twice….

Guest:

David Brooks, Managing Editor, Venues Today

US President Barack Obama greets supporters at Toledo Express Airport in Bowling Green, Ohio. Credit: JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images

Nationally Mitt Romney is seeing quite a bump in the polls from the first Presidential debate last week. Both the Rasmussen poll and the Gallup poll show the presidential race in a dead heat. But as we enter the last month of the race, how are the purple states, or the states that are up for grabs looking?

Of all of the swing states, Ohio has the largest pot, 18 electoral votes. President Obama has made five trips to the Ohio State University campus in the past two years. Vice Presidential candidate Paul Ryan’s three trips to Ohio in the last two weeks prove just how important the Buckeye state is in this election.

A CBS News survey suggests that the voter hot button issues include the economy, health care, budget deficit, and taxes. Ohio has traditionally been a bellwether: The last president elected without winning Ohio was Democrat John F. Kennedy in 1960, and no GOP candidate has ever won the White House without winning Ohio.

Guest:

Henry Gomez, politics writer, The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

Proposition 33 could affect millions of drivers in California. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Are you a driver in Los Angeles? (Is that a stupid question?) Well, if you are, then Proposition 33 is one of the upcoming ballot initiatives that could have a huge impact on your finances.

As it stands now, California insurance companies offer a “continuous coverage” discount, so you get a better rate for being a loyal customer and a safe driver. However, the discount only applies to that particular company, and if you transfer to another provider, the discount is lost. Proposition 33 would instead make it possible to get at least some sort of cost reduction when switching agencies, as long as you’ve had coverage for at least five years.

Proponents of the initiative say this will make insurance companies compete more for customers, thus driving the costs down. Opponents stress that this discount only applies to those who already have had insurance for some time, and to offset the reduced costs for loyal customers, prices would rise for everyone else, which could lead to more people being uninsured. That’s a financial burden on those who haven’t had coverage for five straight years, and could make the roads a lot less safe.

Plus, Proposition 33 draws 99.5 percent of its funds from George Joseph, chairman of auto insurer Mercury General, who just dropped another $8 million in the Yes on 33 campaign yesterday. Are there ulterior motives there?

Proposition Breakdown:
Changes current law to allow insurance companies to set prices based on whether the driver previously carried auto insurance with any insurance company.
Allows insurance companies to give proportional discounts to drivers with some history of prior insurance coverage.
Will allow insurance companies to increase cost of insurance to drivers who have not maintained continuous coverage.
Treats drivers with lapse as continuously covered if lapse is due to military service or loss of employment, or if lapse is less than 90 days.

Weigh In:
Which side is more effectively pitching to the public? Is it fair for auto insurance to be raised on the uninsured? Do you wish you could switch insurance agencies and maintain your discount?

Guests:

Rachel Hooper, campaign consultant for Yes on Prop 33

Carmen Balber, director of the Washington office for Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group that has been highly critical of the insurance industry

US President Barack Obama (L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Credit: SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images

As we enter the last few weeks of one of the closest presidential races in recent history, people of all political persuasions are finding it hard to keep opinions to themselves.

But how much political discourse is allowable in the workplace? Whether it’s a casual water cooler dissection of last night’s debate, following a candidate’s Facebook page or the actual solicitation of signatures or donations, the range of political engagement can be a sore spot for many employers, and in some cases, may even leave them open to legal action.

Some businesses draw the line at displaying buttons, flyers or t-shirts, the sending of political e-mails or using company facilities for political activities. Others may enforce a “no political discussions” policy.

Are employees exercising First Amendment rights when they expound on their favorite candidates and causes? Is shushing them a form of discrimination? What if co-workers feel harassed, intimidated or uncomfortable with others’ opinions?

Do you find political arguments at work annoying and distracting, or do you love a stimulating debate? Would you rather not be forced to share your political views? Do you wish your workplace was a “pundit-free” zone?

Guest:

Steve Kaplan, Labor Employment Lawyer in practice in Los Angeles; former chair of LA County Bar’s labor and employment section

"Marvel Comics: The Untold Story" by Sean Howe Credit: HarperCollins Publishers

“POW!” That is the aural adjective typically used to describe the sound produced by superheroes when they pummel their competition, but when The Walt Disney Company purchased Marvel Entertainment to the tune of $4.24 billion in 2009, the sound that manifested in the minds of Marvel executives was probably more like “cha-ching!”

Having established itself as a multi-billion dollar giant, Marvel Comics had come a long way from its origin in a tiny office on Madison Avenue in the early 1960s. Thanks to popular characters like the X-Men, Spider-Man, Captain America and their creators, the struggling company attracted millions of readers and fans and grew to become an entertainment industry powerhouse.

Former “Entertainment Weekly” editor Sean Howe reveals a behind-the-scenes account of one of the most influential pop culture forces in America in his new book “Marvel Comics: The Untold Story.”

Excerpt From 'Marvel Comics the Untold Story'

Guest:

Sean Howe, author, “Marvel Comics: The Untold Story” (Harper); former editor and critic at “Entertainment Weekly”

Customers gas up their car at a Costco Wholesale Corp,. which is still open ,after several Costco gas station in the Southland ran out of gas on October 5, 2012 in Burbank, California. Rationing supplies by state's oil refineries and sharp rise in gas prices forced some gas stations to temporarily close. Credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

With California gas prices soaring to painful new highs this week, you might be wishing you could trade in that gas-guzzler for a hybrid. Unfortunately, that’s not an option for everyone. So what’s a driver to do?

Well, it turns out there are some useful tips out there for saving real dollars without having to buy a new car. Chances are, you’ve heard a few of them and wondered if they were true.

Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor of Edmunds.com shares with us some of the tests that they have done to see if the different ways of saving gas mileage really pay off or not.

Myth number one: Low tire inflation wastes fuel
“Tire pressure, I have to say, it’s extremely important for safety, but the problem is if you have uninflated tires and you fill them up you wont be able to tell the difference in fuel efficiency. It’s in the area of one-to-three percent, which is hard to tell for consumers, but you will be able to drive more efficiently and more safely,” Reed said.

So while your wallet might not be able to tell the difference in having a good tire pressure, it is a good idea to make sure you are safe on the road.

Myth number two: Does turning off the air conditioner save gas?
Reed says, “It depends on the aerodynamics of your vehicle, it’s a fine line. The myth comes from the old days when they had really old parts of the older cars… there isn’t absolutely no difference but it is really, really small. You wont see a big jump in your fuel economy.”

Meaning don’t worry too much about running that A/C.

Myth number three: Does excessive idling waste fuel?
In the Edmunds experiment, Reed finds that, “We drove a certain route stopping ten times and idling for two minutes each time. Then we did the same route but with just stopping and turning the car off and we found a 10-percent difference, which is very significant.”

So next time you have to run into the house to grab something, turn the car off and you will save more cents per gallon.

Myth number four: Aggressive driving goes through fuel more quickly
“We accelerated hard 10 times and cruised through the high speed, then used the breaks very aggressively, and we are talking about a three-quarters throttle…if we went from the three quarters to a one quarter throttle, some of the savings were up to 37 percent and the average was 31 percent, so my advice would be stop driving like a maniac,” Reed and the Edmunds team reports.

And on premium fuel use?
Reed notes, “They are going more towards turbo-charged engines, and it is worth trying the higher grade with the turbo-charged engine because you may have a net gain with your fuel costs, but for all others only use premium fuel if it is required. Not recommended, required, that’s the key word.”

For more tips visit the Edmunds website.

Weigh In:
Can the Edmund’s tests be matched by anyone? What’s your favorite gas-saving tip?

Guest:

Phil Reed, senior consumer advice editor, Edmunds.com

WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 10: Protesters hold signs in front of the U.S. Supreme Court on October 10, 2012 in Washington, DC. The high court is scheduled to hear arguments on Fisher V. University of Texas at Austin and are tasked with ruling on whether the university's consideration of race in admissions is constitutional. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this morning on whether colleges and universities can continue to favor minority candidates in admissions policies. The case was brought before the court by Abigail Fisher, a white woman who claims the University of Texas violated the U.S. Constitution’s equal protection guarantee by denying her admission based on her race.

However, the university argues it must consider race in admissions or minorities will be underrepresented on its campuses. The case could have big implications for affirmative action plans in higher education throughout the country. We’ll talk with a SCOTUS scholar who was in the courtroom for today’s oral arguments.

Guest:

Lisa McElroy, Professor of Law, Drexel University's Earle Mack School of Law & Supreme Court scholar and writes the Plain English column on SCOTUSblog.com

Protestors hold signs against fracking during a demonstration outside of the California Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) headquarters on July 25, 2012 in Sacramento, California. Credit: Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

The controversial oil extraction method known as hydraulic fracturing or fracking would not damage the environment if implemented at the Inglewood Oil Field near Baldwin Hills, according to a highly-anticipated study released today.

The yearlong study was conducted by Cardno Entrix, an environmental research firm, and commissioned by Plains Exploration & Production Co. as part of a settlement agreement with Culver City. The study examined potential risks for groundwater contamination, air pollution and increased seismic activity. The Inglewood Oil Field is the largest urban oil field in the country.

Protesters have called on lawmakers to ban the technique and some local residents are concerned that fracking in the area may cause land shifts and damage their property. Does this new study prove that fracking is safe enough to be used in our backyards? What else can be done to ensure that the technique is not harmful? What other major concerns should authorities should take into consideration before allowing fracking in urban areas?

Guests:

Dave Quast, California Field Director, Energy in Depth - an industry advocacy group created by the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA)

Gary Gless, long-time resident in Windsor Hills; President, Citizens Coalition for a Safe Community

Philippe the Original, 1001 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles 90012. Credit: Photo by Thomas Hawk via Flickr Creative Commons

KPCC's political reporter Frank Stoltze has been at Philippe’s restaurant in downtown Los Angeles all morning talking with a variety of voters about the upcoming election. We’ll check in with Frank to find out just what he discovered in the process, beyond the pickled eggs and copious quantities of coffee.

Frank’s café stop is part of a new online project called That’s My Issue, in which KPCC and WNYC are gathering stories about how voters came to care about the issues that matter to them. How engaged are you in this year’s big election? What issues are most important to you? Do you know your props and representatives?

Guest:

Frank Stoltze, KPCC Reporter

A couple stands near the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station at San Onofre State Beach on March 15, 2012 south of San Clemente, California. Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Last night, hundreds of people gathered at a U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) forum regarding the future of the San Onofre plant. The plant, which has been shut down since January due to tube leaks, once supplied power to 1.4 million homes in the Southland.

After the leaks were discovered, Southern California Edison, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the NRC all began an investigation of the plant which has gone on for months. The leaks were caused by the tubes rubbing against each other and support structures when the reactors were operating at high power. The forum event was held to debate the pros and cons of using the less damaged reactor at 70% for five months. Experts believe that such a level will prevent the rubbing, and thus the leaks, from happening again.

The event was often chaotic, with warring sides between environmental protestors, plant workers and others cheering and yelling over each other. However, no decision was meant to be made last night, and this will most likely be the first in a series of such public hearings.

What’s next in the battle over the San Onofre nuclear power plant? How early could power be restored? Is it time for that area to start looking for another source of permanent power?

Guests:

Ben Bergman, KPCC’s Orange County reporter

Daniel Dominguez, business manager, Utility Workers Union of America Local 246

Rochelle Becker, Executive Director, Alliance for Nuclear Responsiblity

A sign for Moody's rating agency is displayed at the company headquarters in New York, September 18, 2012. Credit: EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

Moody’s credit agency has been on a worldwide tear – downgrading banks, global investment firms and even entire countries. Their next targets? Fresno, Huntington Beach and Santa Monica, to name three.

Moody’s announced Tuesday that it will be reviewing 30 of the 95 California cities it monitors for falling tax revenue, increased spending and other factors that could lead to bankruptcies and bond defaults. A number of cities in California have already filed for bankruptcy or are considering it, including Stockton, San Bernardino and Atwater.

What does it mean for a city to be placed on the “downgrade” list? Does it affect credit ratings and borrowing costs? How can a struggling city improve its financial outlook?

Guest:

Matt DeBord, KPCC Reporter; writes the DeBord Report KPCC.org

A coyote in Griffith Park, the nation's largest urban park, May 9, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. Credit: David McNew/Getty Images

Mark Twain once described the coyote as, "a long, slim, sick and sorry-looking skeleton," that is, "a living, breathing allegory of Want. He is always hungry." It appears that Southern California coyotes are very, very hungry.

Sightings have been reported in Glendale, Tustin, Fountain Valley, and an Irvine man said he was confronted by one at his front door. As sightings become increasingly frequent, animal-control officials are trying to help educate the public about what to do if they see a coyote.

Urban wildlife specialist Lynsey White Dasher said the increase in coyote sightings doesn't indicate a population increase.

"Coyotes have been in Southern California for quite some time, but we might be seeing them more often because some of them have lost their fear of people and are becoming [braver]. Seeing a coyote during the daytime doesn't necessarily mean that that coyote is aggressive or sick, but if they don't run away from you right away, that is a habituated coyote," she said.

These primarily nocturnal animals are just looking for the three essentials: food, water, and shelter. According to Dasher, animals usually lose their shyness because someone has been feeding them – whether or not they're aware of it.

"A lot of sources of food are items that we don't purposefully leave out for wildlife. If we leave our pet food outside, that's a big attractant to coyotes. Fruit that has fallen on the ground," she listed. "Coyotes actually are omnivores, and a lot of their diet, especially in urban areas, is made up of fruit."

Dasher's three tips on how to deal with trespassing coyotes:

1. Make sure you don't have food.
Look around your yard and your neighborhood for possible coyote attractants, like pet food or fallen fruit littering the ground. Gardens, compost piles and garbage can also lure coyotes looking to fill their stomachs – use preventative measures like locked enclosures or fences (at least six feet tall) to keep the animals out.

2. Make sure you're always supervising your pets when they're outside.
Big or small, pet cats and dogs can be targets for attack. Coyotes may see smaller pets as prey, and larger ones as territorial threats.

3. Whenever you see a coyote, act big and scary.
Blow an air horn, take a whistle when you're walking your dog. Squirt a squirt gun, use a water hose, bang pots and pans. These are all ways to make noise and scare off a coyote.

Listen to the rest of the interview for more tips and facts about coyotes.

Have you noticed an increase in coyote sightings in your area?

Weigh In:

Have you seen a coyote recently? Do you think they coyote population needs to be controlled? Have you ever fed a coyote?

Guest:

Lynsey White Dasher, urban wildlife specialist, Humane Society of The United States

Lance Armstrong, speaks during a press conference by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images

The saga surrounding Lance Armstrong and doping allegations continues.

Today the United States Anti-Doping agency released details of two reports, which they claim have evidence showing, "Beyond any doubt that the US Postal Service Pro Cycling Team ran the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen." They claim Lance Armstrong played a key role in not only consuming performance-enhancing drugs, but also supplying it to his teammates.

According to a report in the New York Times, the agency's investigation includes sworn testimony from 26 people, including several of Armstrong's teammates. The reports also include emails, lab results, payments, and other data which prove their claims against Armstrong.

Teammates that gave sworn testimony include: Levi Leipheimer, Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie, Frankie Andreu, Michael Barry, Tom Danielson, Floyd Landis, Stephen Swart, Christian Vande Velde, Jonathan Vaughters and David Zabriskie.

This past summer, the famous cyclist gave up his fight against USADA's charges. That decision stripped him of seven Tour de France titles, an Olympic bronze medal, and countless other winnings from August 1998 forward.

According to the World Anti-Doping Code, the agency is required to submit evidence of their investigation to the International Cycling Union. The union then has 21 days to appeal the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Once the court makes its decision, the anti-doping agency will then have 21 days to appeal the decision.

Daniel M. Rosen, author of Dope: A History of Performance Enhancement in Sports from the Nineteenth Century to Today (Praeger)

The Predator drones flying over Afghanistan and Pakistan are variants of this MQ-9 Reaper. Credit: Lt. Col.. Leslie Pratt/U.S. Air Force via AP

Mary Ellen O’Connell is a fierce critic of America’s drone program, which she says is illegal outside war zones. Among legal scholars, O’Connell is in the minority, but her views are gaining momentum.

Researchers at New York University and Stanford University issued a report last month that claimed many U.S. drone strikes appear to be unlawful because they don’t meet the strict legal standard for killing outside of a war zone, which must be to stop an imminent threat to life when no other means is available.

While some drone strikes may be categorized as war crimes, O’Connell and her supporters agree that the war in Afghanistan is lawful because terrorists who attacked America on September 11, 2001 found refuge there. However, O’Connell maintains drone killings in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia violate laws of war intended to protect non-combatants.

Who should be responsible for monitoring and sanctioning international drone strike activity? Where should the U.S. draw the line when it comes to killing outside of a war zone?

Guest:

Mary Ellen O'Connell, Professor of International Law and International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame

Egyptian members of the constitution committee listen to US-Egyptian Nobel prize-winning scientist Ahmed Zewail at the Shura council in Cairo on September 11, 2012. Credit: KHALED DESOUKI/AFP/Getty Images

Egypt’s new government may not ultimately embrace the democratic ideals demanded by citizens who overthrew former president Hosni Mubarak last year. The country’s 100-member assembly revealed a partial draft of a new constitution to the public yesterday and it indicates that religious and civil rights will likely be shaped by Islamist values.

One section reportedly leaked yet missing from the preliminary charter is one that would give Al-Azhar, the country’s highest Islamic authority, unprecedented powers to review pending laws. Another section that would define the nature of Egypt’s new system of checks and balances is also not included in the released draft, which has yet to be officially voted on. Committee members are hoping to put the new constitution to a national referendum by the end of the year.

Are Egyptians simply replacing one oppressive regime with another? How would a new Islam-centric Egypt impact the international community?

Guest:

Ahmed Namatalla, emerging markets reporter, Bloomberg News Cairo

U.S. Vice President Joseph Biden, speaks during an event at the Pentagon, on October 1, 2012 in Arlington, Virginia. Vice President Biden delivered remarks at the Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) Program Transition Ceremony. Credit: Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Vice presidential debates are traditionally surrogate affairs, with each candidate for VPOTUS trying first to do no harm to their political party’s campaign with a scant few weeks before Election Day. But the stakes are higher this year.

The public perception of last week’s first presidential debate saw challenger Mitt Romney win nearly hands down, putting more pressure than usual on tonight’s only debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Romney’s running mate, Wisconsin Rep. Paul Ryan. But there is a lot on the line; thirteen vice presidents have gone on to be president, either by election or after the death or resignation of their boss – meaning that nearly a third of vice presidents wind up in the White House.

What To Expect From Tonight’s Debate

Mark Barabak, political correspondent of the Los Angeles Times, shares some of his insight into what viewers should expect to see tonight, and just how influential tonight’s debate will be in terms of changing public opinion.

“I don’t think if we look back two or three weeks from now we would say, ‘Wow that night in Danville, Kentucky really turned the race.’ That being said, it is important… but what the Obama folks are hoping will happen tonight is it will break the momentum…and obviously the Romney team hope to build on his performance,” Barabak says.

The last debate had more viewers than expected, about 67 to 68 million. And its anticipated that many will be interested to watch how the Vice Presidential candidates will do tonight, given the pressure that is carrying over from that last debate.

Samuel Popkin, professor of political science at UCSD, shares what Joe Biden will have to do in order to make up for Obama’s performance last week.

“The single most important thing for Joe to remember is that Paul Ryan is not the target and Paul Ryan’s budget is not the target; the target is Mitt Romney and Mitt Romney’s budget… if he goes directly at Ryan, Ryan can simply say that was my initial draft now the big guy is here and he has a better budget with new promises,” Popkin says.

Popkin also note’s how one of Biden’s strengths is his experience, which not only will give him an edge over Ryan but will help make up for the presentation factor that lost Obama so much ground in the last debate.

“Joe Biden has had four years of championing the president, he is very comfortable and used to that… this is a new role for Ryan he is going to have more trouble molding to that and being sure which line he should be following, I expect he will be okay but Biden will do with warmth and clear language what President Obama didn’t do at his debate speech. President Obama read much better than he looked,” says Popkin.

What Paul Ryan Must Do In The VP Debate

Popkin says, “He has to be honed in. The reason Romney put him on the ticket is because that was the best way to have Ryan interested in political power now, rather than purity now to take over the congressional leadership later, and he has to be willing to muddy his initial clear strong budget and not get stuck in the weeds of defending things that would make it harder for governor Romney. He has to basically sell out anything he stood for that is no longer valuable to Governor Romney.”

Given these factors, there are many things that VP candidates do to prepare for their 90 minutes of unfettered campaign face time. Four years ago, when Joe Biden was preparing for 2008’s vice presidential debate, former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm sat in as Alaska’s lightning rod governor Sarah Palin for some friendly sparring sessions.

Granholm says that in these debates, one tries to become as much like the opponent as possible, and get under the skin of the candidate in order to best prepare his/her responses.

“I’m no Tina Fey but I did try to become sort of a Palin-toligist… I looked at everything I could about her…in debate practice you really try to get under the skin of the candidate in whatever way you can, or bring out your worst fear about way they will portray themselves in the actual debate, so we tried," says Granholm. We tried to exploit the difference between then Senator Biden and then Senator Obama. He had to absorb and respond to the attacks on Obama’s position, which he wasn’t as prepared to do, but that wont be an issue tonight, because of course there is no daylight between them now."

The hardest part of any debate, according to Granholm, is to find a balance between responding to attacks on you and making attacks. The candidate has to be disciplined in order to make smart decisions about how to allocate the time.

“Somebody very disciplined is Paul Ryan,” says Granholm. “ Biden has to know that the discipline on Ryan’s part will cause some attacks that will make Biden want to chase the rabbit down the hole, and he has to know when to do it and when not to do it.”

As someone who knows Biden’s debating skills very well, Granholm says that what she would worry about for him is being able to deliver the message in the formal style of a debate. She remarks how he is very good at connecting with people, but that his challenge will be to maintain authenticity in the two-minute response of the debate format.

Looking Forward To The Next Presidential Debate

Granholm also projects what she expects President Obama is practicing for next week’s debate.

“He must not allow a misstatement to go unanswered. Leaving it unanswered means the 70-million people who watch will take it as true, so he has to respond… In the last debate I predicted Obama would lose because of all the presidential debates in the last six cycles that incumbent president has lost five out of six times in the first debate…this time in the second debate I predict he is going to win, because he is a competitive soul and he is not going to let that first debate define him,” she observes.

Weigh In
So will Joe Biden be able to make up for what Obama’s presentation lacked? Or will Paul Ryan carry the Romney momentum forward and continue raising his numbers in the polls?

Guest:

Mark Barabak, Political Correspondent, Los Angeles Times

Samuel Popkin, professor of political science, UCSD; author of The Candidate: What it Takes To Win - and Hold - The White House (2012 Oxford)

Jennifer Granholm, former governor of Michigan (January 2003 - January 2011); tv host “The War Room with Jennifer Granholm” on Current TV weeknights at 7pm PT

OC Seal Credit: Orange County

Larry and our talented trio of Orange County journalists riff on the latest news from the O.C. A law barring registered sex offenders from public beaches is challenged…Tustin’s Pop Warner football coaches allegedly offered cash bounties to 10 and 11-year-old players to knock out members of opposing teams…Costa Mesa’s mayor calls for investigations of local soup kitchens, calling them “nuisances”…and questions are raised over the legitimacy of the Kelly Thomas Memorial Foundation.

Guests:

Gustavo Arellano, Editor of the OC Weekly and author of "Taco USA" and “Ask A Mexican”

Teri Sforza, Staff Writer for the Orange County Register

Norberto Santana, Editor-in-Chief of the Voice of OC, a non-profit investigative news agency that covers Orange County government and politics

A typical standardized test sheet. Credit: timlewisnm/Flickr Creative Commons

This morning, the California Department of Education released the Academic Performance Index (API) scores of its schools. The API is comprised of several different measures, including the results of standardized tests in literacy, math and science. For the first time ever, a majority of California schools reached the desired 800-point API mark set by the Department of Education.

That hasn’t come easy to a lot of schools. Private consultants have been hired, students have been given test after test to prepare, and the instructors go through very specific training sessions to get themselves up to speed. But even though over half the schools in the state are exceeding above expectations, many are still critical of the entire API system, especially its reliance on standardized tests.

How is your school doing? What do you think of standardized tests? Are they the right way to measure student progress?

Guests:

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez, KPCC education reporter

Vanessa Romo, KPCC education reporter

"Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America's Eyeballs" by Gina Keating Credit: Portfolio

According to the Urban Dictionary, “Netflixing” means “watching any TV show, movie, documentary, etc. on NetFlix via instant streaming.” Getting “Netflixed,” however, has a less benign meaning: “to screw the consumer over viciously by jacking the rates of whatever service you provide.”

In her new book “Netflixed,” financial and media writer Gina Keating details the story of how one company transformed the movie-watching habits of a generation, and gave Americans even more reason to stay home on Saturday nights. Hard to imagine that there could be much drama, intrigue and page-turning narrative in the saga of home entertainment, but Keating has churned it into what one reviewer called a “lively, canny business potboiler.”

Urban legend has it that the idea for Netflix was born when founder Reed Hastings was slapped with a $40 fine for an overdue copy of Apollo 13; in interviews with key players like co-founder Marc Randolph, Keating debunks that and other rumors, getting to a truth she says was “more fascinating than I imagined.”

The book dishes deep dirt surrounding Netflix’ dizzying rise to the top against massive odds: its long-standing rivalry with rental giant Blockbuster, its taking on and more-or-less vanquishing of both the videocassette and the brick-and-mortar rental outlet, and Hastings’ disastrous decision last year to raise subscription prices by as much as 60%, resulting in fierce consumer backlash - and that not-so-flattering Urban Dictionary definition.

Who won the battle for your famly’s eyeballs? Did home DVD delivery change your movie-watching habits? Have you been “Netflixed?”

Guest:

Gina Keating, author of “Netflixed: The Epic Battle for America’s Eyeballs” (Portfolio/Penguin) and former staff writer for Reuters and United Press International