As an introduction to The California Bullhorn, the founders/co-editors of the site sat down for a brief reflective conversation.
Ryan Gardiner: Well Jacob, here goes our first post at The California Bullhorn!
Jacob Ganz: Excited to be here. Weird how we are pretending to give an interview that no one will listen to since we are just posting the transcript.
RG: Even weirder how we aren’t talking to each other but are just writing things down on a shared Google Doc.
JG: Well, The California Bullhorn is supposed to be unique.
RG: True that! Which gets us to the point. How would you like to take the first stab at introducing the California Bullhorn to our new readers.
JG: Gladly! Welcome everyone, to our new online publication that aims to provide a platform for thought leaders to share their opinions on California politics and policy. We are calling it The California Bullhorn, because in a sense, that is what this is supposed to be. A tool that anyone in the state can use to amplify their voice so that folks can play a role in the decision making process.
RG: Well said, Jacob. We are living in an increasingly partisan era where social media dominates the conversation. Two factors that don’t seem to be too healthy for democracy. This project is really about trying to elevate conversations.
This is not a news site, Jacob and I are not journalists, and we aren’t going to pretend to report on the facts. We just want to provide a unique, bipartisan platform where anyone interested in what’s happening in the decisions being made in the 916, and across California, can check out some unique perspectives.
JG: In other words, our mission is to foster a higher level of debate and discussion and improve civic discourse in the Capitol community.
RG: A lofty goal for two young staffers with a bootstrap website and too much time on their hands. Which brings us to the next point our readers deserve to know. Who the heck are you, Jacob?
JG: I grew up in San Francisco where I became immersed in the crazy world of SF politics. I previously worked for the Democratic direct-mail firm Ambrosino, Muir, Hansen and Crounse. I also worked on the Tom Steyer 2020 Presidential campaign. I previously interned for State Senator Scott Wiener, Gavin Newsom’s gubernatorial and I am getting ready to begin a Masters in History from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. Ok your turn Ryan, who the heck are you Ryan?
RG: Currently, I’m working on a variety of political, public affairs projects and redistricting related projects. Before that, I was a Senate Fellow with Senator John Moorlach and worked on ballot measures, candidate campaigns, and public affairs projects over at Meridian Pacific. Like you Jacob, I went to UC Davis (where we met!) but I grew up in the best part of California—San Diego.
JG: That last part is certainly debatable. Anything else we ought to add?
RG: I would just finish off by saying this project is not funded by subscription revenue or advertising. Several of our partners in the public affairs industry support our work here because they agree that having a platform like this is beneficial to them, their clients, and the policy process as a whole.
JG: We should also note that we are relying on folks across the political spectrum to participate in this experiment and submit their content for us to publish. If you have something to say, or want to respond to something you see here, shoot it our way. Our email is submissions@californiabullhorn.com
RG: And be sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and give us your email so you get our weekly opinion roundup.
JG: Thank you all for your interest in the California Bullhorn. Our first posts are by Senate Scott Wilk, Senator Bill Dodd, and Assemblymember Marie Waldron. Be sure to check those out and please stop by again to see what’s new!
