Title: The Political Chess Game Unfolds: A Deep Dive into Tom Steyer’s Campaign Ad Against Eric Swalwell In an unexpected twist in California’s gubernatorial race, billionaire Tom Steyer has launched a scathing attack on his Democratic rival, Rep. Eric Swalwell. The ad, which cleverly uses Swalwell’s own social media videos against him, highlights the congressman’s missed votes during the 2025 government shutdown while he was relaxing at the gym and pool (Fox News Network, LLC, 2026). This blog post aims to provide an in-depth analysis of this political maneuver, its historical context, potential implications, and our perspective on its significance. The ad’s strategy is reminiscent of classic political attack ads that aim to undermine a candidate’s credibility by highlighting perceived weaknesses or inconsistencies. In this case, Steyer has capitalized on Swalwell’s videos where he repeatedly states, “I should be working,” during the government shutdown (Fox News Network, LLC, 2026). By juxtaposing these statements with footage of Swalwell enjoying leisure activities and interspersing facts about his missed votes, Steyer paints a picture of a politician who prioritizes personal comfort over duty. Historically, such tactics have been employed in various political campaigns, often leading to significant shifts in public opinion or candidate performance (Baumgartner & Jones, 1993). In the case of Swalwell and Steyer, this ad could potentially sway undecided voters who value punctuality and commitment from their elected officials. The timing of this attack is also noteworthy. With Swalwell having announced his run for governor in late November 2025 (Fox News Network, LLC, 2026), Steyer’s ad marks an early move in what promises to be a heated race. By launching his attack now, Steyer may seek to establish himself as the frontrunner and set the tone for the rest of the campaign. From a broader perspective, this incident underscores the increasingly personal nature of political campaigns. In an era where social media provides easy access to candidates’ private lives, opponents can quickly seize upon seemingly innocuous posts or videos to undermine their rivals (Papacharissi, 2010). As such, politicians must be mindful of their online presence and the potential implications it may have on their political careers. In conclusion, Tom Steyer’s ad against Eric Swalwell represents a significant moment in California’s gubernatorial race. By using Swalwell’s own words against him, Steyer has launched an early attack that could potentially sway undecided voters and set the tone for the rest of the campaign. As political campaigns become increasingly personal, candidates must be more vigilant about their online presence to avoid similar faux pas in the future. References: Baumgartner, F. R., & Jones, B. (1993). Agendas and Instability in American Politics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Papacharissi, Z. N. (2010). Networked Identity: The Social Web as Passport, Performance, and Portfolio. New York: Routledge. Fox News Network, LLC. (2026). Swalwell’s ‘I should be working’ gym, pool videos resurface as Dem rival hammers his missed House votes. Retrieved from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/swalwell-i-should-be-working-gym-pool-videos-resurface
Source: [Original Article](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/swalwells-i-should-working-gym-pool-videos-resurface-rival-hammers-missed-house-votes)
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