We’ll look at why enthusiasm for the Democratic front-runner is lagging.

David Remnick (0:04)

Right now, we are living through some of the most tumultuous political times our country has ever known.

I'm David Remnick, and each week on the New Yorker Radio Hour, I'll try to make sense of what's happening, alongside politicians and thinkers like Cory Booker, Nancy Pelosi, Liz Cheney, Tim Walz, Katanji Brown Jackson, Newt Gingrich, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Charlamagne tha God and so many more.

That's all in the New Yorker Radio Hour, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Katie Simpson (0:33)

The fire hose of news from America can feel like a lot these days.

Paul Hunter (0:38)

If you're trying to figure out what to make of it all, we got you.

Katie Simpson (0:42)

I'm Katie Simpson.

Paul Hunter (0:43)

And I'm Paul Hunter. We're correspondents here in Washington.

Katie Simpson (0:46)

Working just around the corner from where much of the action is taking place.

Paul Hunter (0:51)

Two blocks from the White House.

Katie Simpson (0:52)

And that's the name of our podcast.

Paul Hunter (0:54)

For top-notch analysis of US politics from a Canadian perspective, find Two Blocks from the White House every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts, including YouTube.

Evan Osnos (1:05)

We are in uncharted territory.

David Remnick (1:08)

Staff writer Evan Osnos on the New Yorker Radio Hour.

Evan Osnos (1:11)

I think all of us right now are trying to make sense of an avalanche of news every day. And there aren't very many places where you can go and understand how something looks in the grand scope of history and context. And that's what I come to the New Yorker for.

David Remnick (1:25)

I'm David Remnick, and each week, my colleagues and I try to make sense of what's happening in this chaotic world. And I hope you'll join us for the New Yorker Radio Hour.

Mina Kim (1:35)

Welcome to Forum. I'm Mina Kim.

Democratic nominee for California governor, Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton debate tonight on CNN in what will likely be the only chance to see the candidates side by side and hear them in an unscripted environment, especially Becerra, who's been keeping a low profile as most polls show him leading by some 20 points, a reflection of the state's Democratic voter registration advantage. But with less than a week before ballots go out, some voters, along with business and labor leaders and lobbyists, say they're still not sure what Becerra's priorities would be as governor if elected.

SPEAKER_6 (2:14)

Visters, do you feel this way?

Mina Kim (2:15)

Do you feel like you know enough about what Xavier Becerra would do if elected as governor? What questions do you have about his record or past statements? And what kind of governor do you want California to have in this moment? Here with me to discuss is Guy Marzorotti, a correspondent on KQED's California Politics and Government Desk. Hey, Guy.

Guy Marzorotti (2:33)

Hey, good morning.

Mina Kim (2:34)

Also, Jeannie Kwong is with us, Capital Reporter at CalMatters. Hi, Jeannie. Hi there.

Jeannie Kwong (2:39)

Thanks for having me.

Mina Kim (2:40)

Thank you for joining us. With us in studio, Jeremy B. White, Senior Politics Reporter at Politico. Hi, Jeremy.

Jeremy B. White (2:47)

Hey, Mina. Always a pleasure.

Mina Kim (2:48)

Always glad to have you on with us too. So, Guy, how would you sum up how quiet Xavier Becerra has been since he advanced to November?

Guy Marzorotti (2:57)

I mean, he seems to be running not to lose, has largely avoided a lot of media appearances, run a very low profile campaign.

There's no evidence it's hurting him, right? Like if you look at the public polling that's out there, his vote share is roughly in the range, high 50s, low 60s of where Democratic candidates for governor end up. So there's no evidence it's taking a toll on him with voters. I think the question is, what's the cost for him for governoring? Assuming he's going to win in November. And I think the charitable case is that by keeping a low profile, by avoiding promises, by the way he won the gubernatorial primary, not having maybe some of the obligations that previous governors had, maybe he enters office with freedom, with ability to kind of maneuver. I think the less charitable case would be that a, you know, he lacks a why. He lacks a real thesis for the campaign. And a campaign without clarity could easily turn into a governorship without direction.

Mina Kim (3:59)

Do you think it would make it harder for him, say, to rally support that would urge lawmakers, for example, to pass the things that he cares about?

Guy Marzorotti (4:08)

Yeah, I mean, that would be like the mandate theory. Oh, if he has a certain mandate, then that would influence his ability to govern.