“All of us want to get the vaccine when it’s our turn, and everybody wants it to be our turn today; I do as well,” Newsom, 53, said last week at a Los Angeles vaccination clinic. “I’m looking forward to that opportunity as well.”
Even as more vaccines are available, California politicians are afraid of being seen as line-cutters — and none more than recall-threatened Newsom. The Democratic governor’s reputation was damaged in November after he dined at an exclusive Napa restaurant with lobbyists and friends while telling the public to avoid gatherings last fall. Getting the vaccine ahead of others his age and people with high-risk disabilities, all while low-income communities have the lowest rates of vaccination in California, could result in more negative headlines.
“Unfortunately, I think the way it could be used in a political context against them just has them gun-shy,” said Rob Stutzman, a Republican strategist. “Politically, it’s a valid concern of theirs, even if it makes no sense from an operational perspective.”
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