In the latest chapter of California’s never-ending political soap opera, Katie Porter has found herself in a bit of a pickle, which surprises exactly no one. Somehow, Porter has decided it’s a good time to try her hand at running for governor, and let’s just say her campaign appears to be off to a rocky start. Recent inquiries into her past behavior have brought to light some rather unflattering video snippets, leaving some voters wondering if her goal is to earn their trust or simply provide endless hours of cringe-worthy entertainment.
During a recent interview, Porter was pressed about the possibility of more troublesome videos surfacing. The question seemed as obvious as asking if Hollywood will make another superhero movie. Porter responded with something akin to a politician’s greatest hit: “I could have done better.” It’s the kind of evasive answer that could have people believing she was auditioning for a political spin-off, rather than seriously campaigning for the job of managing America’s most populous state.
Despite the grilling from the interviewer, who was clearly hoping for a revelation or two, Porter stuck to her script. She acknowledged that the videos were from several years ago and promised to strive for better behavior. It’s a promise that might sound familiar to anyone who’s ever witnessed a child caught with their hand in the cookie jar. Yet, the non-denial left open the tantalizing possibility of more blast-from-the-past videos dropping unexpectedly, much to the delight of her critics.
Porter’s handling—or mishandling—of the situation has left Californians questioning whether she’s the right person to trust with the responsibilities of governor. While apologies and admissions of past mistakes might fly in some circles, the reluctance to categorically deny more videos won’t win the hearts of a state already weary from political drama. In the movie that is California politics, Porter could use a better script and a better director—or perhaps consider a different career entirely.
It seems that, much like celebrity gossip, the promise of more video drama keeps people watching—even if it makes one wince. As the election edges closer, voters might find themselves wondering not just about what Porter has done but what she might do if given the chance to take the reins of a state that has its own share of challenges. Only time will tell whether Porter is remembered as a leader who learned from her mistakes or simply the politician who kept giving people new ones to talk about.
