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After winning the recall vote, California governor, Gavin Newsom's tone was not a victor's. "Tonight I'm humbled, grateful, but resolved." It was a bruising battle and he was fighting for his political life, but Newsom came out the winner. The atmosphere here was a far cry from the days when even Democrats doubted this victory. [ https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/20/democrats-nightmare-recall-newsom/ ]
Has the Democratic Party gained from this fight that saw even President Joe Biden jumping into the fray to ask the Californians to vote against Newsom's recall?
While the state's fight against coronavirus may have tilted the scales in his favor, the pandemic was responsible for his recall initiative. The state has one of the nation's highest vaccination rates and the lowest number of viruses in the recent round of the pandemic that is sweeping many states. [ https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/09/14/us/california-recall-election-newsom ]
For the Democrats, the lesson could be that a tough fight against the pandemic, even if it inconveniences the people, would be accepted. Like it happened in the state of California, which had the toughest anti-coronavirus measures, including lockdowns, social distancing etc.
Newsom's campaign theme could be taken to other states by the party before the mid-term elections next year. Instilling the fear of Trump returning could galvanise enough voters to stick to the Democratic Party. For instance, alluding to Larry Elder, the radio host and Republican party candidate against Newsom, President Joe Biden said, "The leading Republican running for governor is the closest thing to a Trump clone that I've ever seen." Even Newsom admitted it. "Trumpism is still on the ballot in California," he told voters. [ https://www.latimes.com/politics/newsletter/2021-09-15/national-lessons-from-californias-recall-essential-politics ]
After the California experiment, likely, more and more Democrats will now believe that core voters of the party can be held on to by invoking Trump while also appealing to suburban swing voters who may not be fans of Trump.
Read more:
There is no upside for Republicans in California:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/09/15/theres-no-upside-gop-california-recall/
It was a nightmare scenario:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/08/20/democrats-nightmare-recall-newsom/