‘Study Newsom’s playbook’: what Democrats – and Republicans – can learn from California’s recall

Governor's strategy could help Democrats in some states but also offers them a warning

It was anger over Gavin Newsom's pandemic restrictions that ultimately put a recall vote on the ballot. But the California governor doubled down, placing his coronavirus policies at the heart of his campaign and casting his leading opponent - the anti-mask, anti-vaccine rightwing radio host Larry Elder - as a dangerous proxy for Trump.

That winning strategy could have national implications for both Democrats and Republicans already looking ahead to the 2022 midterms.