Though the CPUSA moved toward the Front populaire slowly and uncertainly in 1935 and 1936, the party was fully committed to working with New Deal Democrats by mid-1937. During 1937–1939 the California CP moved very close to the political mainstream—partly through circumstances over which the party had no influence, partly due to the presence of party members or supporters in CIO unions, and partly because of the People’s Front line of the Comintern. The closer the CP moved to embrace Roosevelt and the New Deal, the greater grew their potential to influence local and state politics. Circumstances in California came together briefly during 1937–1939 to put the CP into a position where its leaders could meet with Democratic candidates for state and legislative office to discuss campaign tactics and legislative initiatives. Issues that the party had pressed for years became part of mainstream politics, if only for a short while.