Union workers propel Newsom in waning days of recall campaign

It was approaching a sweltering 100 degrees when California Gov. Gavin Newsom jumped into the back of a flatbed truck to thank dozens of laborers for their work to keep him in office.

"I know what you are thinking," said Newsom in shirtsleeves and a tie. "He better be short, it is 100 degrees out here." Labor has been central to Newsom's effort to keep his job, and if he is able to stave off a Republican-backed recall effort on September 14, he could have the scores of labor unions backing him to thank for it. The union workers in California have not only become Newsom's base because of their ties to labor, but because Newsom is also benefiting from deep support among voters of color -- many of whom made up the audience for the governor's speech on Sunday.