Senator Bernie Sanders asks questions during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. | Graeme Jennings / Pool via AP
Senator Bernie Sanders spoiled the effort to recall Governor Gavin Newsom in a public disclosure that could muster progressive opposition to the effort.
“Right-wing Republicans in California are trying to remember @GavinNewsom for the crime of telling people to wear masks and for listening to scientists during COVID. Extremist Republicans have already done enough to undermine democracy. We must all come together to oppose the recall in California, “the Vermont senator and progressive flagship tweeted to his 15 million followers.
Why is it important: Sanders maintains a large and loyal following in California, controlled by Democrats. He defeated President Joe Biden during last year’s Democratic primaries, winning more than two million votes.
In an effort to revoke Newsom that seems increasingly likely to qualify, Sanders’ contribution can galvanize the liberal opposition and help unify the left – including sending a message to liberal Democrats who may consider skipping the recall.
The bottom: The recall organizers have just over a week to collect about 1.5 million valid signatures and say they have already collected nearly 2 million. That would probably be enough to trigger a recall, given the high validity rate of the subscriptions sent so far.
As the recall has become an increasingly concrete threat, it has also taken on national dimensions. The Republican National Committee gave money to qualify it, while the Biden government was publicly opposed.
What is the next: Several Republicans have already declared that they are running, but the big unanswered question is whether a Democrat – or Democrats – would intervene as a barrier or as a way to pressure Newsom to support more liberal policies. Sanders’ message may discourage Democrats from running against Newsom on the left.