What do you think of Pres. Trump's midterm strategy? What about the fight in California over the billionaire's tax and voter ID? @ChristySmithCA and @TonyStrickland join @CNNTheStoryIs panel:

Rep. @JayObernolte (R-CA) is co-sponsor of the bipartisan "Frontier Act" to regulate AI. Obernolte has a master's degree in artificial intelligence & is teaching his colleagues in Congress how it works. "There is nothing about AI regulation that should be a partisan issue. And only in achieving bipartisan legislation can we achieve a free market that is durable." Via @CNNTheStoryIs

Gene Sperling, who advised 3 Presidents on the economy, says the biggest issue right now is that wages haven’t kept up with inflation for 6 straight months.

.@Elex_Michaelson Anchor of @CNNTheStoryIs w/ @SenStricklandCA @ChristySmithCA CIVIL Political Discussion 10.3.26 7 Minutes

Going live on @CNN with @Elex_Michaelson at 9pm & 10pm Tune in!

.@BeaconEconomics Christopher Thornberg says mortgage rates are rising and the federal government's deficit isn't helping. "We're on track to borrow $2.3-2.4 trillion this calendar year...one of the biggest full employment deficits this nation has ever had." Via @CNNTheStoryIs

ELECTION 2026: Former Vice President @KamalaHarris is in Sacramento today. She made an appearance at a phone banking event for 6th Congressional District candidate @DrPanMD (D-Sacramento). During her remarks, Harris criticized Pan’s opponent, Rep. @KevinKileyCA (I-Rocklin). Harris said she does not believe Kiley, who changed his registration from Republican to independent earlier this year, is a true independent. I will have reaction from Kiley. Harris added she believes the race between Pan and Kiley is very close. She also criticized President Donald Trump. Below is a portion of Harris’ remarks. More to come.

How’d @XavierBecerra @SteveHiltonx do in their only debate? @GuyMarzorati & @Elex_Michaelson joined me to beam it down piped.video/ldumw0ev_i8

.@FareedZakaria says California is a "case study in failed governance." He says Democrats have struggled to provide "public order" on a local level. Far too often, he says, they've prioritized the rights of the homeless over the rights of home owners. "The Democratic Party needs to think with it's head and not just with it's heart." So...why do Democrats keep winning? "What has happened with partisan alignment now is it's almost tribal." What can be done to break the cycle? Zakaria says San Francisco Mayor @DanielLurie is a "good example" of how to make government work more efficiently. The moderate Democrat with a business background has focused on improving public safety and economic revitilization. "You can tackle these in a way that's not inhumane but does solve the problem."

About Paramount-WBD's new corporate name Skydance: It was originally the name of the production company that @davidellison founded in 2006. The name came from "David’s love of aviation," Skydance's website says. "An accomplished pilot, he took inspiration from flying aerobatics known as 'skydancing' – giving his new company a name to evoke limitless possibilities." When Ellison took control of Paramount in 2025, he renamed that company Paramount Skydance. Now, with Ellison on the verge of taking over Warner Bros. Discovery, he introduced the new corporate name in a post here on X this morning. "We chose this name for a few important reasons," Ellison wrote. "First and foremost, as we bring Paramount and Warner Bros. together, we wanted to preserve what has made each of these studios iconic. Both have distinct identities, extraordinary legacies and brands that have resonated with audiences for generations." "We never wanted a new corporate identity to diminish, alter or overshadow either one," Ellison wrote. "Instead, we wanted a name that would give the combined company an identity of its own while allowing Paramount and Warner Bros. — and all our extraordinary brands — to remain in the spotlight." The merger is expected to take effect on Tuesday.

"Nobody wants rogue AI...safety and reliability go hand in hand with market performance" @FareedZakaria says there should be room for agreement between the U.S. and China on AI regulation...eventually. "Right now Chinese AI is much more regulated than U.S. AI...this is a communist party that obsesses over control." Via @CNNTheStoryIs

.@Elex_Michaelson Anchor of @CNNTheStoryIs w/ @JenniferHorn @askDinaDoll CIVIL Political Discussion (Hour One) 10.2.26 10 Minutes

.@Elex_Michaelson Anchor of @CNNTheStoryIs w/ @FareedZakaria Focus : AI 10.2.26 7 Minutes

What did you think of the CA Governor debate? @KQED’s @mlagos & @GuyMarzorati invited me on to talk about CA politics. Listen here. Would love your thoughts? kqed.org/news/12102344/calif…

Coming up on @CNNTheStoryIs: @FareedZakaria on whether AI can be regulated & whether Democrats can run big cities? 12a-2a ET/ 9-11p PT

This is @SteveHiltonx's first interview after @CNN's debate for California Governor: "It's very clear that @XavierBecerra has nothing specific, nothing concrete, nothing positive to say about how he'd change anything about what we're experiencing in California." Was he surprised by anything? "No. I totally expected him to blame President Trump for everything." Hilton says "this is not about what you have to say about national politics. This is about our policies here in California."

This is @XavierBecerra's first interview after the @CNN debate for California Governor: "I know Steve wanted to peg me to @GavinNewsom, but I think it's pretty clear he's stuck at the hip to @realDonaldTrump." Was he surprised by anything? "We actually got through an hour without knocking each other to the mud." I ask, will there be more debates? "You can only respond so much, but I got a record, I got a website...most people know what I did as Secretary and Attorney General..."

Congrats to my pal @DanaBashCNN on her new book “The Elections That Changed the World.” She and @jaketapper did a great job moderating tonight’s debate!