Mark Simon and Bob Marks wrap up a packed month of interviews and dive deeper into the biggest political stories shaping the moment.

From rising gas prices and escalating tensions with Iran to the looming midterms and shifting voter sentiment, the conversation explores what success actually looks like in U.S. foreign policy—and whether the current strategy is sustainable.

They also break down:

• The political risks facing President Trump
• How gas prices could reshape the election
• Growing distrust in elections and the SAVE Act debate
• California’s chaotic governor’s race
• Local San Mateo County battles heating up
• And a lighter note: Opening Day and optimism for the Giants

It’s a wide-ranging, candid discussion on politics, policy, and the unpredictability of what comes next.

⏱️ Time Breaks (Chapters)

00:00 – Intro & March recap

00:31 – A month of major interviews

00:53 – Iran conflict & rising gas prices

01:41 – U.S. policy on Iran & nuclear threats

03:20 – What does “success” even look like?

05:18 – Military options & Strait of Hormuz

07:23 – Global economy & oil disruption

09:29 – Gas prices and political fallout

10:53 – Trump’s possible endgame

12:39 – What has actually been accomplished?

15:02 – Midterms outlook & political risks

16:18 – “No Kings” protests & voter sentiment

18:04 – Will protests impact elections?

19:12 – Trump, health, and political stability

21:09 – Election trust & voting concerns

23:17 – Vote-by-mail debate & Supreme Court

26:06 – California governor’s race chaos

27:54 – Strategy, money & campaign dynamics

29:24 – Why candidates stay in the race

33:09 – Why voters aren’t paying attention yet

33:41 – Local San Mateo County races

38:22 – Development battles & community tensions

40:10 – Social media & political polarization

42:15 – Giants Opening Day & sports talk

46:18 – Buster Posey & rebuilding optimism

46:46 – Final thoughts & wrap-up

Subscribe for more conversations on California politics, national issues, and the people shaping both.
The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com and YourTechMakeover.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

Congressman Kevin Mullin joins The Game for a wide-ranging conversation on the SAVE Act, voting rights, the war with Iran, Democratic strategy for the 2026 midterms, and California’s unpredictable governor’s race.

He also discusses his endorsement of Eric Swalwell, the debate over a billionaire tax, and his work to make hearing aids more affordable. After the interview, Mark Simon and Bob Marks break down Mullin’s comments and discuss the latest political fallout in California and beyond.

Time Breaks / Chapters

00:00 Intro and welcome

00:26 Congressman Kevin Mullin joins the show

00:39 Mullin on the SAVE Act and threats to voting by mail

03:02 Voter ID, access to the ballot, and democracy concerns

05:31 Georgia voting laws and whether voter ID can work

08:29 Why turnout could surge in November

11:16 What message Democrats should run on in the midterms

15:28 Iran, terrorism, and divisions inside the Democratic Party

18:03 Bob challenges Mullin on “imminent threat” and presidential war powers

19:09 Mullin on diplomacy, Congress, and international alliances

22:05 What Democrats would do if they retake the House or Senate

25:07 Town halls, activist pressure, and being in the minority

30:11 California governor’s race and the possibility of two Republicans advancing

35:57 Why Mullin endorsed Eric Swalwell for governor

40:15 Billionaire tax debate and California’s fiscal reality

45:20 Mullin on hearing loss and making hearing aids more affordable

48:37 Interview ends

49:08 Mark and Bob discuss the Cesar Chavez allegations

52:38 Postmortem on Iran, Trump, and what happens next

56:16 Final thoughts on the California governor’s race

57:05 Outro

The Game is hosted by Mark Simon and Bob Marks and produced by Frank Bravo, BravoITC.com. You can see more information about The Game at TheGamePeninsula.com.

On this episode of The Game, Mark Simon and Bob Marks are joined by Rosanne Foust, President and CEO of the San Mateo County Economic Development Association, for a conversation about the economic and political future of San Mateo County.

They discuss the local economy, tech layoffs, housing affordability, workforce development, artificial intelligence, office vacancies, transit funding, and the role of major employers in shaping the region. Rosanne also offers her take on county politics, regional leadership, and how San Mateo County can continue to grow while addressing inequality and cost-of-living pressures.

In the bullpen, Mark and Bob discuss the crowded California governor’s race and what it means for the Democratic field.

Time Breaks

0:00 Intro

0:26 Rosanne Foust joins the show

1:28 San Mateo County’s economic outlook

2:42 Tech layoffs and employment trends

4:17 Cost of living and younger generations

6:51 SAMCEDA’s role in the local economy

9:41 Housing challenges and solutions

12:58 AI and the future of work

16:00 Development, density, and community pushback

20:07 Hillsdale redevelopment

22:16 Billionaire tax debate

24:26 Wealth, philanthropy, and community responsibility

30:45 Transit tax and county funding

32:25 Business concerns in San Mateo County

34:26 Prop. 13 and split roll taxes

36:23 Office vacancies and commercial real estate

37:54 The county’s political identity

40:24 Should San Mateo County have a mayor?

43:32 Bullpen: governor’s race discussion

50:54 Outro

See more at TheGamePeninsula.comProduced by Frank Bravo, Bravo IT Consulting (BravoITC.com)