The backpedaling by Democratic leaders comes as the party overall faced mounting pressure from Gov. Gavin Newsom, other high-level Democrats and Republican lawmakers.

The image that emerges after a recent dustup over a bill seeking to increase penalties for sex solicitation is one of a Democratic Party at war with itself as the governor tries to distance himself from his party’s leftish tendencies.

Are California Democrats weak when it comes to protecting minors from sex trafficking? It's a question that has caused chaos in the state Capitol for more than a week.