While the networks and the liberal cable networks have largely ignored California’s upcoming gubernatorial recall election, CNN is finally starting to sweat as the race heats up. On Monday, senior correspondent Kyung Lah tried to help out the embattled Democrat Governor Newsom with a puff piece that completely ignored his critics and glossed over his failures.
Host Kate Bolduan led into the piece noting that Newsom’s biggest struggle in the blue state was getting Democrats out to vote. “Beyond the people who want to take his seat, the biggest challenger though he may be facing is voter apathy,” she warned.
Lah took over, hyping how hard Newsom was working to keep his job: “This wasn't supposed to be an election year. California Governor Gavin Newsom is fighting for every vote--call by call--person-to-person, all to convince Californians he should stay on the job.”
But if you were expecting a balanced report, where Lah spoke to Californians to ask them why they wanted a new leader, you’d be disappointed. In fact, Lah seemed puzzled herself, asking, “Why is he fighting so hard in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2-1?”
To get that answer, she actually turned to...Newsom.
The Democrat and CNNer blamed apathetic voters for the recall:
NEWSOM to LAH: Well that’s what recalls are about. They are about getting you sleepy. In these off-year elections, they have an opportunity, they have a chance.
LAH: That chance is because many California Democrats don't know the recall is even happening.
As if that wasn't bad enough, she then turned to a Democrat strategist, who gave more excuses for Newsom:
LAH: Democrat strategist Michael Trujillo says voters of his party are depressed by COVID-19 and a host of persistent state problems making this recall far closer than it should be.
TRUJILLO: If we sleep on this election, then we will be waking up to a Republican governor.
The desperation continued as Lah actually helped Newsom attack his conservative competitor, radio host Larry Elder, as the next Trump [click expand]:
LAH: Radio host Larry Elder with no political experience, virtually no public scrutiny, has lit up Republican enthusiasm. [crowd cheering]
LAH: A Trump supporter, he would be vastly out of step with the majority of California voters.
ELDER: It’s outrageous that minimum wage has gone higher and higher.
LAH: Governor Newsom is increasingly invoking Elder’s name--
NEWSOM: You got a guy in the name of Larry Elder that is not fighting for 15. He doesn't believe there should be a minimum wage.
LAH: --to turn up democratic passion against his recall.
NEWSOM: We thought we turned the page when Trump lost this last election and somehow Trumpism would start to go and wane. It's just the opposite.
Lah ended her report on that note, fretting how a recent poll showed the election was within the margin of error. But don’t turn to CNN if you want to know why that is, or how Newsom is cracking under the pressure.
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Read the transcript below:
CNN
At This Hour With Kate Bolduan
8/16/21
BOLDUAN: In California, Governor Gavin Newsom’s campaign to try to stay in office is kicking into high gear ahead of next months’ recall election. Beyond the people who want to take his seat, the biggest challenger though he may be facing is voter apathy.
...
[chanting ‘se se puede’]
KYUNG LAH: This wasn't supposed to be an election year. California Governor Gavin Newsom is fighting for every vote--call by call--person-to-person, all to convince Californians he should stay on the job.
[footage of campaign stop]
KYUNG LAH: Less than a month until his recall election where voters will say yes or no whether to keep Newsom. The Democrat has been increasingly visible in the center of the state’s most pressing problems: From homelessness--
[footage of Newsom picking up trash]
LAH: To the massive wildfires--
NEWSOM: Extraordinary work.
LAH: --to hosting multi million dollar give-aways to encourage more Californians to get vaccinated. [B-roll footage] Why is he fighting so hard in a state where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans nearly 2-1?
NEWSOM to LAH: Well that’s what recalls are about. They are about getting you sleepy. in these off-year elections, they have an opportunity, they have a chance.
LAH: That chance is because many California Democrats don't know the recall is even happening.
[two California voters shown to be oblivious to recall election]
MICHAEL TRUJILLO ,DEMOCRAT STRATEGIST: Democrats constantly lose campaigns because they don’t turn out to vote.
LAH: Democrat strategist Michael Trujillo says voters of his party are depressed by COVID-19 and a host of persistent state problems making this recall far closer than it should be.
TRUJILLO: If we sleep on this election, then we will be waking up to a Republican governor.
LAH And who will that Republican governor be?
TRUJILLO: It seems like it might be Larry Elder. ]
[footage of Elder speaking]
LAH: Radio host Larry Elder with no political experience, virtually no public scrutiny, has lit up Republican enthusiasm. [crowd cheering]
LAH: A Trump supporter, he would be vastly out of step with the majority of California voters.
ELDER: It’s outrageous that minimum wage has gone higher and higher.
LAH: Governor Newsom is increasingly invoking Elder’s name.
NEWSOM: You got a guy in the name of Larry Elder that is not fighting for 15. He doesn't believe there should be a minimum wage.
LAH To turn up democratic passion against his recall.
NEWSOM: We thought we turned the page when Trump lost this last election and somehow Trumpism would start to go and wane. It's just the opposite.
LAH: Underscoring the concern of California Democrats is a new poll from CBS/YOUGOV and it shows Kate that the recall yes or no is within the margin of error. That’s why you are seeing Governor Newsom hit the trail so hard here.
