The Political Junkie is turning his analytical gaze west. Ken Rudin, known to NPR listeners from his many years talking all things politics with Neal Conan on "Talk of the Nation," joins Insight host Beth Ruyak for our signature segment that puts California politics in the context of the national scene. Rudin joins us from Washington D.C. in an effort to put it all in perspective.

This week Ken Rudin weighs in on the longest federal government shutdown in US history, which shows no signs of ending in the near future. Plus, California Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy signals how the GOP will handle Congressman Steve King’s comments that he doesn’t find white supremacy offensive. They also discuss the New York Times' story about the FBI opening an investigation into Trump's dealings with Russia.