Dan Walters: "The Last Grown-Up In Sacramento"

Dan Walters doesn't need a witty phrase or a one-sentence opening to catch your attention.

Instead, Dan Walters takes a look at the big picture of California politics, with his straight-forward, almost lecture-like analysis leading the way. His near-daily columns for the Sacramento Bee explore the world of the capitol from the viewpoint of a longtime observer.

Dan Walters began his career in journalism at the age of 22. His experience in covering California politics started in 1975 when he started writing for The Sacramento Union's Capitol bureau. It wasn't until 1981 that his column about Sacramento politics began, and in 1984 Walters moved to the Sacramento Bee, where he continues to publish his columns, still specializing in California politics.

Walters' columns are quite cynical, but when the job is to cover the always changing and often-frustrating field that he does, that type of mindset is usually needed. When you read his columns, you can tell that his insight on the issues that arise in the capitol are derived from a lifetime of experience. Walters knows how the game of politics works. He knows the players and who has the power. He understands California's past and how that affects our current situations. Ultimately Dan Walters knows what he is talking about.

However, just because Dan Walters knows what he's talking about doesn't always mean the reader will know what he is talking about.

Walters' columns are not entirely accessible. They're fine and deliver great insight into issues if the reader is already familiar with details, but if the reader does not already follow California politics, it is easy to get lost in the middle of all the names and organizations being mentioned.

Perhaps the point of Walters' column is not to inform the ignorant, but rather to enrich those who know enough already, and that's fine. However, even for someone who is in the know, Walters' writing can be dry, often simply rehashing old information rather than contributing to a discussion.

Other times, though, Walters truly brings something new to the table. A recent article discussing the water problem in California shows how previous state legislation and current land developers are key players in the issue. Another recent article highlights the trouble of gerrymandering district lines, which will be a hot issue in 2010.

Walters' columns have a conservative slant to them, although he often criticizes both Republicans and Democrats at the capitol, offering honest criticism of anyone who doesn't do their job correctly.

Walters wrote an article over the summer that criticized the new budget for California, calling out both the Governor and the State Assembly and Senate for using tricky accounting methods and borrowing to help close the state budget deficit. This column prompted popular radio talk show hosts Jack Armstrong and Joe Getty to declare Dan Walters "the last grown-up in Sacramento" for his realistic stance on California's budget woes.

In his personal life, Walters enjoys grown-up tastes as well. He said that he likes to spend as much time as possible on the Sacramento River with his boat. Walters is even the treasurer of the Sacramento Yacht Club.

He enjoys spending time with his current wife of 14 years. He was married to another woman for over 30 years. He currently has three grown daughters, with three grandsons.

His column is syndicated throughout California, appearing in over 50 state newspapers. His columns, while sometimes dry and hard to follow, can offer good insight to the carnival that is California politics, and they are well worth reading.

You can check out all of Dan Walters' most recent columns by clicking here.