Becerra, Steyer on hot seat in CNN CA governor debate candidates ranked
Xavier Becerra and Tom Steyer, the two Democrats who emerged as narrow frontrunners in the race for California governor after the implosion of Eric Swalwell, were on the defensive in Tuesday night’s CNN debate.Rivals — Republican and Democrat — attacked Becerra and Steyer throughout the evening, as they jockey for position in the “jungle primary.” Only two candidates will advance, regardless of party.The contest was fairly even, until Katie Porter — who had started strong — scored a spectacular own goal by bringing up her own temperament as an issue.The debate then pivoted to Chad Bianco, who took the spotlight for several minutes.Steve Hilton took a whimsical approach, smiling as he delivered policy zingers.
Antonio Villaraigosa looked desperate, as he flailed at the frontrunners.And Matt Mahan tried to triangulate between both sides as the moderate in the race.
Notably, Hilton and Bianco avoided attacking each other, and were even friendly onstage.They seem to realize that each of them only has a chance if the other also qualifies; they have to finish first and second.Whether that happens might be a shrinking possibility, if Democrats can settle on one strong candidate.
Viewed as a contest between Becerra and Steyer, Becerra won.But the field is still spread too thinly among Democrats to make any outcome certain, and the two Republicans are still in with a shot to win.Here’s how each did:Xavier Becerra: A- The former Secretary of Health and Human Services defended the state’s high gas tax, again — an untenable position.
But he did so with poise and gravitas, and repeated that he had fought Trump in court.He also deflected some of the attacks other candidates flung at him all evening — though he struggled to explain away the corruption scandal that Hilton brought up late in the debate.Chad Bianco: B+ Another strong, at times exceptional, performance from the unshakable sheriff.
But he took some damage when Villaraigosa attacked him for be...