The Pelosi tape’s persuasive power

From: POLITICO California Playbook - Monday Jan 30,2023 02:14 pm

Jan 30, 2023

By Jeremy B. White, Lara Korte, Matthew Brown and Ramon Castanos

THE BUZZ: If seeing and hearing is believing, we now have a more comprehensive picture of the attack on Paul Pelosi.

A collection of video and audio evidence released on Friday illuminates the apparent methods and motives of alleged assailant David DePape, who stands accused of breaking into the Pelosi residence in late October and wounding Paul Pelosi with a hammer after failing to find his target, then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi. DePape has pleaded not guilty. But the newly public recordings appear to bolster prosecutors’ narrative and contradict conspiracy theories from people — including conservative media and political figures and a powerful social media CEO — who surmised a coverup and gleefully shared jokes about a tryst gone wrong.

We can see DePape slamming repeatedly into the side of the house and then climbing inside. We watch him swing a hammer at Paul Pelosi’s head shortly after police arrive. And we can hear a seething DePape describe his desire to punish Pelosi for Democratic transgressions, telling a SFPD sergeant that Pelosi is the “leader of the pack” of Democrats who are “lying on a consistent basis,” in particular about former President Donald Trump. His solution: Hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps. Look and listen for yourself here.

The press coalition that won the release of the evidence (of which POLITICO is a member) was seeking transparency. But the San Francisco District Attorney’s office and the Public Defender’s office feared that, rather than piercing the fog of conspiracy theories, the release would add to a miasma of misinformation, with DePape’s attorney citing “the myriad of false conspiracy theories that have been propagated regarding this case already.”

They also argued Friday’s release could affect the outcome of the case. Public defender Adam Lipson has warned that public evidence could taint a potential jury pool. A diminished chance of impartial jurors could also lead to a plea deal. “It shows there may be good reason this case is resolved without a trial,” said Loyola Marymount professor and veteran prosecutor Laurie L. Levenson. In a call to KTVU Friday after the footage came out, DePape apologized because he “did not get more of them.”

The video release did not persuade all the doubters. And while it offered many watchers irrefutable proof of DePape breaking in and striking Pelosi, Brian Levin of San Bernardino State’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism said it also displayed the dark dynamics that allowed the attack. “The public at its core has a right to know about events of communal interest,” Levin said, and the video likely changed minds. But it also offered a reminder that “this is the society we’re in, where social media objectifies violence and amplifies extremism.”

BUENOS DÍAS, good Monday morning. The west steps of the state Capitol will be busy this morning: First Partner Jen Siebel Newsom will be joining Women’s Caucus lawmakers and Planned Parenthood members for a 10 a.m. abortion rights event, after which Republican Assembly members will mount the steps to unveil their anti-crime agenda.

Got a tip or story idea for California Playbook? Hit us up at jwhite@politico.com and lkorte@politico.com or follow us on Twitter @JeremyBWhite and @Lara_Korte.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I don’t mean to sound forlorn, but I’ve been watching this for decades and I’m a gun control type guy, and I just see nothing coming out of it. California has had some good laws, but they’re not as good as they could be.” San Mateo County District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe on mass shootings persisting despite California’s strong gun laws, via the NYTimes.

TWEET OF THE DAY:

ScottWilkCA

WHERE’S GAVIN? Nothing official announced.

JOIN POLITICO ON 2/9 TO HEAR FROM AMERICA’S GOVERNORS: In a divided Congress, more legislative and policy enforcement will shift to the states, meaning governors will take a leading role in setting the agenda for the nation. Join POLITICO on Thursday, Feb. 9 at World Wide Technology's D.C. Innovation Center for The Fifty: America's Governors, where we will examine where innovations are taking shape and new regulatory red lines, the future of reproductive health, and how climate change is being addressed across a series of one-on-one interviews. REGISTER HERE.

TOP TALKERS

DHILLON FALLS SHORT — Ronna McDaniel wins a race for RNC chair that grew very messy by the end, by POLITICO’s Natalie Allison: McDaniel on Friday defeated her main challenger, the RNC’s California national committeewoman Harmeet Dhillon, by a vote of 111 committee members to 51. … The at times fierce, two-month-long race sparked debates about how the RNC has managed its finances and fared in recent elections.

Dhillon, whose firm represents former President Donald Trump, raised her profile over the last year with regular appearances on Fox News’ evening programs — garnering support in her bid for chair from a prominent cast of conservative commentators. That list included Tucker Carlson, Laura Ingraham and Charlie Kirk, who helped mobilize an army of grassroots activists to call and email RNC committee members, urging them to oppose McDaniel’s reelection.

— “It’s the first prosecution of an S.F. officer for an on-duty killing. It may be unraveling,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Joshua Sharpe and St. John Barned-Smith: A critical preliminary hearing was postponed while District Attorney Brooke Jenkins’ administration investigates the handling of the 2017 homicide by ousted District Attorney Chesa Boudin. In recent weeks, attorneys for fired Officer Christopher Samayoa, who faces manslaughter charges in the death of Keita O’Neil, have received from Jenkins’ office a series of documents that the defense says illustrate “egregious prosecutorial misconduct” by Boudin.

GLASS HALF EMPTY — “California Imperial Valley farmers see less water in future,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Ian James: “Since its founding in 1911, the Imperial Irrigation District has held some of the most senior water rights on the river, and it is among the last in line to take cuts. Its water rights, which date to 1901, support the local farm economy and sustain a substantial portion of the nation’s food supply.”

CAMPAIGN MODE

FRIEDMAN’S IN — Assembly member Laura Friedman officially launched her campaign for the Los Angeles-area House seat that Rep. Adam Schiff is giving up. Friedman is one of the Assembly’s staunchest environmentalists and an ally of California Speaker Anthony Rendon.

FLETCHER FUNDS — San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher has collected $1 million in10 weeks as he seeks to succeed outgoing Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins in SD-39. Fletcher is a former Republican-turned-Democrat state lawmaker who is half of a San Diego power couple with wife and California Labor Federation chief Lorena Gonzalez.

DOMINO EFFECT — “Former Assembly member Steven Choi eyes Senate seat,” by The Orange County Register’s Kaitlyn Schallhorn: “Choi is running for state Senate in 2024, seeking to represent a district that includes Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine and Laguna Woods, among other communities. Choi’s announcement is the continuing ripple effect from U.S. Rep. Katie Porter’s announcement earlier this year that she is running for U.S. Senate.”

CALIFORNIA AND THE CAPITOL CORRIDOR

— “Victims identified as mystery surrounds Benedict Canyon shooting that left 3 dead,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Richard Winton, Corinne Purtill, Alene Tchekmedyian and Matthew Ormseth: “Police said three people were shot to death inside a car and four wounded outside during a gathering in the 2700 block of Ellison Drive, a quiet cul-de-sac tucked away in a secluded neighborhood north of Beverly Hills. Authorities on Sunday identified the victims as Nenah Davis, 29, of Bolingbrook, Ill.; Destiny Sims, 26, of Buckeye, Ariz.; and Iyana Hutton, 33, of Chicago.”

— “From Sacramento to Memphis, Tyre Nichols cut his own path,” by The New York Times’ Richard Fausset: "They were a pack of teenage nonconformists. 'Our friend group, we were a bunch of little rebels,' said Angelina Paxton, one of Mr. Nichols’s closest friends in Sacramento. But Mr. Nichols, she said, tended to be the voice warning them away from confrontation and serious trouble.”

THE ‘THURSDAY NIGHT MASSACRE’— “Firing of an O.C. school superintendent sets the stage for a conservative agenda,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Gabriel San Román: “The board’s new conservative majority has not stated a reason for the move, which was opposed by many parents and teachers. But it appeared to be the opening salvo in an effort to bring what is taught in the district’s classrooms in line with conservative values.”

— “UC intends to dock pay of workers who went on strike,” by CalMatters’ Mikhail Zinshteyn: “The UC 'may not legally pay our employees or gift them funds if they did not provide a service to the institution,' wrote Ryan King, a spokesperson for The University of California Office of the President, in an email to CalMatters Friday afternoon. He cited state and federal rules that forbid the university from paying employees who didn’t work.”

— “California beaches were dramatically damaged by recent storms. Can they recover?” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Tara Duggan: “Tons and tons of sand moved off Bay Area beaches during recent winter storms as massive waves swept sediment out to sea and rainwater poured over crumbling cliffs. Some of the worst damage happened just to the south in Santa Cruz County, but local beach goers also saw changes, to Point Reyes and beyond.”

— “L.A. County relaxes universal mask recommendation as COVID eases,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Rong-Gong Lin II and Luke Money: “While wearing a face covering is still required in certain settings — such as healthcare facilities and nursing homes — and still encouraged aboard public transit, the decision for most should now be considered a matter of personal preference.”

BIDEN, HARRIS AND THE HILL

A QUICK CHAT — “Biden, McCarthy to discuss debt limit in talks on Wednesday,” by The Associated Press’ Hope Yen and Zeke Miller: “McCarthy (R-Calif.) said he wants to address spending cuts along with raising the debt limit, even though the White House has ruled out linking those two issues together as the government tries to avoid a potentially devastating financial default.”

— Harris headed to Munich conference before Ukraine war’s 1-year mark by POLITICO’s Alexander Ward: Harris’ appearance at Europe’s premier defense conference is meant to underscore that America won’t abandon Kyiv even as the war is expected to grind on for at least another year. She’ll arrive in the southern German city after a few tense weeks of negotiations between Washington and Berlin over supplying more advanced weapons to Ukraine.

SILICON VALLEYLAND

— Mr. Musk goes to Washington to stump for Twitter and Tesla by POLITICO’s Rebecca Kern and Kayla Guo: Musk met with House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), according to a person familiar with the matter, and House Oversight and Accountability Chair James Comer (R-Ky), according to a committee spokesperson.

— “Tesla trial: did Musk’s tweet affect the firm’s stock price? Experts weigh in,” by The Guardian’s Erin McCormick: “Within one minute, the price of Tesla’s stock shot up by $8 a share and, by the end of that afternoon, the stock had climbed by more than $20 — a 6 percent —- only to tank 10 days later when it became clear the $72m deal was not on the horizon at all.”

MIXTAPE

— “Steph, Ayesha Curry oppose plan to add multi-family housing near Atherton home,” by The Mercury’s Jason Green.

— “Lion P-81 was killed on PCH, probably by a vehicle, officials say,” by the Los Angeles Times’ Christian Martinez.

— “Peet's Coffee workers unionize first location in North Davis,” by the San Francisco Chronicle’s Mario Cortez.

— “Missing diver search suspended off central California coast,” by The Associated Press.

BIRTHDAYS

L.A. Times’ Mackenzie Mays … CNN’s Maeve Reston

SUNDAY: Maureen “Mo” Elinzano of Rep. Doris Matsui’s office … David Argus

SATURDAY: Rep. Linda Sánchez … former Rep. Brian Bilbray … Microsoft’s Matt Gelman … LA Times’ Courtney Subramanian … Samantha Greene

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 -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. Contact Jesse Shapiro to find out how: jshapiro@politico.com.

DOWNLOAD THE POLITICO MOBILE APP: Stay up to speed with the newly updated POLITICO mobile app, featuring timely political news, insights and analysis from the best journalists in the business. The sleek and navigable design offers a convenient way to access POLITICO's scoops and groundbreaking reporting. Don’t miss out on the app you can rely on for the news you need, reimagined. DOWNLOAD FOR iOS– DOWNLOAD FOR ANDROID.