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whatonearthisgoingoninCalifornia.
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Summary
A journalist and political analysts discuss California's gubernatorial race, examining endemic problems like housing costs, fiscal challenges, and why even strong Democratic candidates appear underwhelming compared to past governors.
Modal verb "behooves" + infinitive — a formal way to say something is necessary or advantageous. "If Republicans want to win elections, it behooves them to portray the state as poorly run." This construction is less common in everyday speech but appears in news analysis.
"It is / it's + adjective + that" + clause — used to emphasize a statement or point being made. "It's not really new programs that's pushing up costs. It's like inflated costs of existing ones." The focus shifts from the subject to what truly matters.
Conditional with present perfect + would + verb — projecting a hypothetical outcome. "If everybody who voted for the president in 2024 votes for me... then I'll be elected with hundreds of thousands of votes to spare." This shows cause-and-effect thinking in political scenarios.
About this video
This Economist conversation follows a news debate about California's 2026 gubernatorial election and the candidates competing to lead the state. The speakers examine why voters are choosing from dozens of candidates, why a Republican endorsed by Donald Trump might advance to the runoff, and what this says about California's future governance. One analyst explains how ballot measures passed in the 1970s have made housing extremely difficult and expensive to build, creating an "existential crisis" as residents leave the state. The discussion shifts to specific candidates—billionaire Tom Steyer and Xavier Becerra—before interviewing Republican Steve Hilton, a former UK government advisor and Fox News host, who proposes eliminating state income tax up to $100,000 and a flat rate above that. The hosts repeatedly ask Hilton where he disagrees with Trump, but he dodges each time, illustrating the political bind facing any Republican in California.
This is excellent shadowing material for B1 learners. The speakers use clear, measured delivery with frequent pauses, allowing you to repeat phrases naturally. The language balances political terminology ("ballot measures," "runoff," "fiscal standing") with everyday conversational phrases ("going off the rails," "get into the thick of it"). Political disagreements are presented respectfully, making it accessible to those less familiar with US elections.
The content suits intermediate learners keen to understand American political discourse and current events. You'll pick up the vocabulary of governance, economics, and policy debate—useful for news comprehension—while hearing native speakers debate nuance ("I think you're making rather a big leap"). By shadowing this material, you gain confidence with connected speech, stress patterns in longer arguments, and the rhythm of interview-style conversation.
Idioms & expressions
go off the rails — to become chaotic or uncontrolled. "I think it's gone off the rails somewhat in recent years." Suggests California has lost its way.
get into the thick of it — to become actively involved in something difficult or central. "I just felt more and more that I want to get into the thick of it, as it were."
tie someone's hands — to prevent someone from acting freely; to restrict options. "Voters passed ballot measures that have... tied budgets in knots." (Extended as "tie in knots" = create a confused tangle of problems.)
hold one's nose and vote for — to vote for someone reluctantly, despite disliking them. "People are kind of holding their nose and voting for him anyway because he offers the progressive choice."
make it + adjective + to + verb — to succeed despite difficulty. "California has made it so hard to build over the past 50 years." Here: has created conditions that make building hard.
throw one's weight behind — to use one's influence to support someone or something. "Donald Trump... throwing it behind Steve Hilton."
open up daylight between — to create visible distance or disagreement between two things or people. "If he opens up serious daylight between him and the president" = if he publicly disagrees with Trump.
