Today, Explained: Does #Resist Still Exist?
Vox Podcast Network | Released on November 11, 2024

Introduction: A Rightward Shift in California

In this episode of Today, Explained, Sean Ramaswaram and Melanie Mason, a senior political writer with Politico, delve into the surprising political shifts occurring in California—a state long considered a Democratic stronghold. Despite its deep blue reputation, California has moved 12 points closer to Trumpism in the latest elections, prompting questions about the future of the #Resist movement.

Economic Pressures Driving Political Change

Melanie Mason attributes California's political shift primarily to economic dissatisfaction among voters:

"I think the economy I think we have to put at number one because inflation, although it was a problem all across the country I think that because California is already a high cost state, when prices went up even further, I think that people really, really felt the squeeze. On average, you're paying $0.70 more today for gas in San Jose than you were last Friday in Menlo Park. Above $8 a gallon, we found."
(00:45 - 03:03)

Residents are grappling with high costs of living, with weekly grocery bills averaging between $300 to $350, exacerbating frustrations with the current economic climate. This economic strain has fueled anti-incumbent sentiments, reflecting broader national trends where inflation has significantly impacted voter sentiment.

Public Safety Concerns and Prop 36

Public safety has emerged as a critical issue, evidenced by the overwhelming support for Proposition 36, which aims to increase penalties for certain thefts and drug crimes:

"And voters were really signaling that there was a frustration, a sense that public safety was at the top of their minds and they weren't happy with how the ruling Democrats have handled it."
(04:03 - 04:50)

Prop 36 passed with 70% approval, despite opposition from prominent Democratic figures like Governor Newsom and legislative leaders in traditionally liberal areas such as San Francisco and Los Angeles. This indicates a significant disconnect between voter priorities and party leadership, particularly concerning public safety.

District Attorney Elections: A Shift Away from Progressivism

The election results for district attorneys across California further highlight the state's rightward movement. Melanie Mason discusses the defeat of George Gascon, a progressive prosecutor in Los Angeles County, who lost to Nathan Hockman:

"George Gascon held a meeting with Black Lives Matter, including families of people who have been killed by police officers... His opponent, Nathan Hockman, ran on rolling back some of those measures."
(05:05 - 05:55)

Similarly, in Alameda County, progressive DA Pamela Price faced a recall, signaling voter dissatisfaction with liberal criminal justice reforms such as the elimination of cash bail and reduced prosecution of misdemeanors.

Governor Gavin Newsom’s Response: Shoring Up State Policies

In response to the election outcomes, Governor Gavin Newsom is taking steps to defend California's policies against potential challenges from a Trump administration:

"He has already called for a special legislative session for next month... What he wants lawmakers to address is more funding for the state attorney General's office to fund California's legal battle against the Trump administration."
(09:51 - 10:58)

Newsom is focusing on Trump-proofing California’s key policies, including climate change initiatives, which are more aggressive than federal efforts. However, Melanie Mason notes the political balancing act Newsom faces:

"He has a pretty impossible balancing act ahead of him... he is a talented politician, so I don't want to dismiss it out of hand, but just to lay down a marker that this is not going to be easy for him."
(08:16 - 09:31)

The Evolution of the #Resist Movement

The core of the episode explores whether the #Resist movement remains a potent force in today's political landscape. Christian Paz, a senior political reporter with Vox, provides a historical context:

"The peak moment was 2017, going into 2018. [...] Once Biden is the nominee, that's where that energy goes to. They accomplished the goal of ousting Trump."
(20:00 - 22:06)

Initially, #Resist was a coalition of diverse groups united against Trump, encompassing movements like the Women's March and March for Our Lives. However, post-2018, internal divisions and the achievement of their primary objective led to a decline in unified resistance.

Current State of #Resist: Exhausted and Reflective

Today, #Resist appears muted and exhausted, struggling to regain its former momentum:

"It's just like a full sputtering out... there's a sense that there's some greater silent majority out there that agrees with you."
(24:54 - 26:16)

Protests now feature smaller crowds and diminished energy, reflecting organizer fatigue and a lack of a unifying figure to rally behind post-Trump administration.

Potential for Revival: Future Activism and Challenges

Despite the current stagnation, Christian Paz suggests that the spirit of resistance may reemerge in response to future political or social challenges:

"I have to imagine that it'll maybe not roar back to life, but will for sure leap into action... if mass deportations start happening, for example, we'll see some version of a mass movement or mass protest in response."
(26:16 - 27:14)

Events such as policy reversals or social injustices could reignite the movement, though the path forward remains uncertain.

Responses from Other Governors and the Biden Administration

Further expanding the discussion, the episode touches on initiatives by other Democratic leaders like Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois and Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, who are also striving to Trump-proof their states:

"Governor Hochul has been saying that she's going to convene the state's resources... reproductive rights, civil rights, immigration."
(16:35 - 17:24)

Additionally, the Biden administration is attempting to secure state policies against federal challenges, although Paz describes the effort as somewhat vague and reactive:

"There's been a little bit more muddledness... trying to disperse about $7 billion in aid to Ukraine... spending under President Biden's semiconductor infrastructure and climate laws."
(17:30 - 18:14)

Conclusion: The Future of #Resist and California’s Political Landscape

The episode concludes with an acknowledgment of the complex and evolving nature of political activism in California. While the original #Resist movement has fizzled out, underlying frustrations with economic and public safety issues continue to shape voter behavior. The potential for new forms of resistance remains, contingent on future political developments and socio-economic challenges.

Notable Quotes

• Sean Ramaswaram: "If everyone's moving to the right, what does that mean for resist and the hashtag resistance?"
  (00:45)

• Melanie Mason: "Voters were really signaling that there was a frustration, a sense that public safety was at the top of their minds and they weren't happy with how the ruling Democrats have handled it."
  (04:03)

• Governor Gavin Newsom: "Your hands aren't tied anymore."
  (06:14)

• Christian Paz: "The resistance looks like reducing our poverty rate. I think the resistance looks like improving our public schools."
  (11:07)

• Christian Paz: "Even around the time that we were noticing this increase in enthusiasm, there was an expectation that it would eventually come back to earth in some way, shape or form. And eventually it did."
  (24:09 - 24:54)

Produced by:
Avi Shai Artsy, Avi Bai Artsy, Amanda Llewellyn, Laura Bullard, and Hadi Moogdi.

Edited by:
Patrick Boyd and Andrea Christian.

Mixed and Mastered by:
Andrea Christian.

Fact-Checked by:
Matthew Collette.

Host:
Sean Ramaswaram

Contributors:
Melanie Mason, Christian Paz

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