David Marcus: California's recall is no longer just about Newsom

A recall election primarily about Gov. Gavin Newsom’s record has now morphed into a more traditional left vs. right battle.

I invited myself into their conversation, introduced myself as a journalist and asked if they were up to discuss the recall. Dennis did most of the talking, he is 74. He’s a Democrat but someone who has also voted for Republicans. He told me almost everyone he knows hates Newsom, "Even my very progressive friends," he added after sipping his red wine. Here John, a man in his 50s in a San Francisco Giants graphic jersey drinking something red in a highball glass which I couldn’t make out, disagreed. "When you compare how he did on COVID to states like Florida and Texas, I think he looks pretty good," he said. Dennis didn’t seem particularly convinced but let it go.