CMC In The News

Professor Minxin Pei wrote about the corruption that continues to plague the Chinese military, due to a promotion system that prizes loyalty above competence. 

Professor Jack Pitney was quoted in an article noting the crucial role California played in setting the U.S. House of Representative’s political balance. He noted that Democrats need to pay attention to issues around crime and cost of living, even in states where Democrats hold a majority, because where they had hoped their stronghold in California would carry them into a house majority, their gains were evidently not strong enough. 

Professor Minxin Pei wrote an article on the opportunity China must take the place of the United States in the world as a global leader. As President-elect Trump is bound to apply unilateralist policies, weakening global allies, Professor Pei argued that this will leave a vacuum in global leadership. However, like last time, China will fail to present itself as a “reasonable and convincing alternative.” He attributed this to China’s inability and unwillingness to sustain momentum behind multilateral efforts to combat climate change, promote free trade, protect public health, and more. Furthermore, China is not improving ties with trading partners, and faces a resource deficit. Professor Pei warned of a “world adrift” where, as China fails to fulfill a global leadership role while the U.S. pulls back.

In this article, Professor Minxin Pei cautioned President-elect Trump and Elon Musk against the consequences of fulfilling the role of a governmental revolutionary, undermining a “deep state” and challenging bureaucratic pillars. To illustrate the potential destruction this could bring, Professor Pei recalled the dictatorship of Mao Zedong, which resulted in 1966-1976 Cultural Revolution.

In the wake of President Biden’s last meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Professor Minxin Pei wrote about the policy the Biden administration put in place to fund infrastructure, semiconductors and clean energy programs, tighten regulation on tech exports via security ties with allied countries, and isolate China. However, in light of the Trump administration’s unilateralism on trade and Ukraine, and corresponding drawback on the policies Biden progressed, Professor Pei asserted that continuing to strengthen ties with U.S. allies through the progression of Biden’s China policy, is advisable.

Professor Jack Pitney joined “Your Morning,” in reaction to President Donald Trump’s presidential election, to discuss Special Council Jack Smith’s move to step down from his position, what we can expect from the GOP House and Senate Elections, Pete Hegseth as a surprising cabinet pick from President-elect Trump for Secretary of Defense, and Trump’s former campaign manager Susie Wiles, tentative position to serve as Trump’s White House Chief of Staff, which would make her the first woman to ever hold that position. Professor Pitney also discussed Trump’s institution of DOGE, the department of government efficiency, including Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk as members. Pitney clarified that this is an advisory committee, and not a real department, as the institution of a legitimate department requires an act of congress. Lastly, he asserted that Kristi Noem’s prospects for Trump’s vice-president pick are severely diminished following negative publicity received after the incident involving her dog.

Professor Minxin Pei addressed concerns around a trade war with China. He wrote that President-elect Trump’s bigger issues lie in its alliance with Taiwan, which looks to sign a huge weapons deal with the U.S. Professor Pei warned that this could result in a detrimental crisis with China, and grants Trump good reason to tread carefully.

Professor Minxin Pei contemplated the advantages China must gain by buying “insurance” through improving relations with Europe and Japan, should the Trump administration come into power. He noted that to improve ties with Europe, China would need to reduce Russian support, and to improve ties with Japan, concessions on security and territorial disputes would need to be made. 

An article on the upcoming Texas Senate election mentioned the CMC-Rose Institute Poll. The article shared: “A poll from Claremont McKenna College’s Rose Institute of State and Local Government found much the same thing, with Cruz polling at 49% compared to Allred’s 45%. Still, with a margin of error of 3.49 percentage points, the Rose Institute poll shows Allred well within striking distance of his entrenched opponent.”

KNBC-TV political reporter Conan Nolan interviewed former Congressman David Dreier ’75 and Colorado Governor Jared Polis (D-CO) at CMC during the Dreier Roundtable Civility Award ceremony. Gov. Polis provided details on the Disagree Better initiative, which he co-founded with Governor Spencer Cox (R-UT). Gov. Polis explained that he hopes Vice President Harris can bridge the gap between Democrats and Republicans by inviting individuals on both sides into her cabinet, if she were elected President. David Dreier provided additional context on the importance of having a “clash of ideas” with “resolution” when it comes to politics. 

Prof. Andrew Sinclair ’08 was quoted in an article on how polls are showing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a tight race for the election. The article mentioned the recent CMC-Rose Institute Poll on national election results. In his capacity as the director of the poll, Prof. Sinclair was interviewed and shared, “It’s possible for either candidate to outperform their polling…We live in a time where there’s enough change in the technology that people are using, and the way that interacts with how people respond to surveys, that polling has gotten more interesting and more difficult. So it’s possible to miss either way.” The article was reposted in more than 30 media outlets across the United States, including Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, The Seattle Times, MSN.com, and Sun Herald. 

Professor Minxin Pei reflected on China’s attempt to mediate in the Ukraine conflict, which has been dismissed by the U.S. and Ukraine as insufficient. He acknowledges that China could play a crucial role in pushing for a long-term ceasefire.

Professor Jack Pitney provided an update on the presidential race. 

Professor Minxin Pei wrote an opinion piece that attributes the recent murder of a young boy in Shenzhen as a symbol of worsening Sino-Japanese relations. He ascribes this horrific act to be driven by China’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Japan and its territorial disputes.

The Rose Institute of State and Local Government was cited for a report that highlighted Long Beach as one of the most ADU-friendly cities in California. The Rose Institute found that Long Beach issued 1,431 ADU permits between 2018 and 2022, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting ADUs as a solution to housing shortages.