Challeng challenges to armed insurgents when he takes office this week. Syrians are heading to the polls in a show of democracy. President Bashar Al Assads sevenyear term is set to expire next month. Many believe the election was called to give him an air of legit maes. Voters who took part in two previous polls found assad was the only option. This time theyll be able to choose from multiple candidates. Hasad al nuri, and hajar, a member of parliament, are in the running. But opposition and western leaders describe assads two rivals as token candidates and voters in opposition controlled districts are excluded from the process. Critics say the election is a farce. People are voting in the middle of a civil war in which more than 160,000 people have been killed. Assad is expected to win easily, and use his victory to claim that his administration has popular support. Representatives of two palestinian political factions have put aside their differences, and joined a unity government. P
Kqed newsroom. Im thuy vu. California democrats gather in los angeles this weekend for the states partys convention. While its not quite as glamorous as last weekends academy awards, there is a lot riding on this Election Year. Scott shafer leads our analysis of what the party faces as it gears up for november. In many ways, its the best of times for california democrats. The party holds both u. S. Senate seats and every statewide office from governor on down, while the Republican Party struggles to rebrand itself. Still, theres plenty for democrats to worry about, starting with political scandals that have cost them their twothirds majority in the state senate. Joining me to discuss what challenges may be ahead are democratic strategist chris lehane and scott detrow, Sacramento Bureau chief for kqed joining us from los angeles, where hes covering the convention. And scott, let me start with you. What impact are these scandals, including the investigation of senator ronald caldron of s
Kqed newsroom. Im thuy vu. California democrats gather in los angeles this weekend for the states partys convention. While its not quite as glamorous as last weekends academy awards, there is a lot riding on this Election Year. Scott shafer leads our analysis of what the party faces as it gears up for november. In many ways, its the best of times for california democrats. The party holds both u. S. Senate seats and every statewide office from governor on down, while the Republican Party struggles to rebrand itself. Still, theres plenty for democrats to worry about, starting with political scandals that have cost them their twothirds majority in the state senate. Joining me to discuss what challenges may be ahead are democratic strategist chris lehane and scott detrow, Sacramento Bureau chief for kqed joining us from los angeles, where hes covering the convention. And scott, let me start with you. What impact are these scandals, including the investigation of senator ronald caldron of s
Kqed newsroom. Im thuy vu. California democrats gather in los angeles this weekend for the states partys convention. While its not quite as glamorous as last weekends academy awards, there is a lot riding on this Election Year. Scott shafer leads our analysis of what the party faces as it gears up for november. In many ways, its the best of times for california democrats. The party holds both u. S. Senate seats and every statewide office from governor on down, while the Republican Party struggles to rebrand itself. Still, theres plenty for democrats to worry about, starting with political scandals that have cost them their twothirds majority in the state senate. Joining me to discuss what challenges may be ahead are democratic strategist chris lehane and scott detrow, Sacramento Bureau chief for kqed joining us from los angeles, where hes covering the convention. And scott, let me start with you. What impact are these scandals, including the investigation of senator ronald caldron of s
Lions den today, as he and russias president cross paths in a few hours. Right now, president obama is wrapping up his visit to sweden, meeting with the countrys king and queen. But things could turn a lot less cordial when he and president putin arrive in the summit in st. Petersburg. Reporter good morning. President obama arrives at the g20, looking for Political Support to strike the Syrian Regime. One person not onboard, russian president putin. President obama and World Leaders gather in russia today for the g20 economic summit. Syria is not officially on the agenda. But its expected to dominate discussions. The president accusing the Syrian Regime of using chemical weapons against its own people. And is urging a Strong International response. My credibilitys not on the line. The international communitys credibility is on the line. Reporter the crisis in syria has president obama facing off against russian president vladimir putin. Putin who backs the assad regime, says the u. S.