Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Newsom Steps up His Nonpresidential? Campaign
By admin
Published 3 years ago on
October 3, 2022

Share

 

Gov. Gavin Newsom continues to insist that he has “sub-zero interest” in running for president should Joe Biden decide against a second term.

However, Newsom continues to cement his place on the informal list of potential presidential candidates by grabbing opportunities to raise his national political profile.

Late last month, while dealing with the hundreds of bills passed by the Legislature in August, Newsom found time for cross-country dashes to two high-profile events, where he praised himself, criticized his own Democratic Party for being too timid and seemingly suggested that the 79-year-old Biden is out of touch

Dan Walters

CalMatters

Opinion

The first jaunt was to New York for two days of speeches and schmoozing at the Clinton Global Inititative conference on climate. He bragged publicly about California’s leadership on attacking climate change and met with top political figures, including several from other countries.

“California’s climate leadership was on display at the closing session, as Governor Newsom highlighted the state’s recent passage of world-leading climate measures,” his office declared while releasing a lengthy account of his appearances, complete with pictures of him posing with other attendees.

Newsom barely had time to change his socks before he was off again to Texas, whose Republican governor, Greg Abbott, is one of Newsom’s top rhetorical targets, this time for the Texas Tribune’s annual political gabfest.

Declaring that his party is “being crushed” by Republicans in the war of words, Newsom said, “These guys are ruthless on the other side. Where are we? Where are we organizing, bottom up, a compelling alternative narrative? Where are we going on the offense every single day? They’re winning right now.”

However, the most interesting, and perhaps most revealing, aspect of Newsom’s trip to Austin was an interview with Alex Wagner of MSNBC — progressive Democrats’ favorite TV outlet — in which he indirectly suggested that Biden’s not up to the job of confronting Republican “bullies” because he’s “hardwired for a different world.”

“It’s very hard for him,” Newsom said of Biden. “His decency, his honor, his character, his moral persuasion…those are tools in his toolkit.”

Newsom said that while Biden “wants to compromise, he wants to find our better angels, and he wants to find that sweet spot in terms of answering our collective vision and values but that’s not how the system is designed.”
Newsom’s very evident message was that to win, Democrats need a leader who is glibly confrontational — someone, it would seem, very much like the governor of California.

Newsom closed out his week of high-octane politicking with a final gesture indicating that despite his oft-repeated declarations of non-candidacy, he’s at least keeping his options open.

Without advance notice, Newsom walked out of the Capitol to greet United Farm Workers Union activists who had been camped outside the building, beseeching him to sign legislation that would make it easier for the union to win representation elections by allowing mail ballots.

Although Newsom had vetoed a similar bill in 2021 and his office had declared opposition to this year’s version, he signed the bill while the UFW’s protesters looked on, saying that union leaders had agreed to some tweaks that would be added to the law next year.

Biden and other high-level Democratic figures had been publicly urging Newsom to sign the bill and had he vetoed it, it would have angered not only the union but the progressive wing of the party that views unionization of low-wage workers as a holy grail.

It could have caused significant damage to a Newsom presidential campaign — if, of course, there would be such a thing.

About the Author

Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers. He began his professional career in 1960, at age 16, at the Humboldt Times. For more columns by Walters, go to calmatters.org/commentary.

 

Make Your Voice Heard

GV Wire encourages vigorous debate from people and organizations on local, state, and national issues. Submit your op-ed to rreed@gvwire.com for consideration. 

RELATED TOPICS:

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

UP NEXT

Health Care Is a Lifeline. The Central Valley Deserves Better.

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

16 hours ago

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

16 hours ago

Nintendo Switch 2 Smashes Record as Company’s Fastest-Selling Console

TOKYO — Japan’s Nintendo said on Wednesday it had sold more than 3.5 million Switch 2 units in the first four days after its launch, m...

31 minutes ago

31 minutes ago

Nintendo Switch 2 Smashes Record as Company’s Fastest-Selling Console

37 minutes ago

Machado Pounds Devastated Dodgers Pitching Staff in Easy Padres Win

51 minutes ago

Giants Edge Rockies on Yastrzemski’s RBI. They’ve Won 6 Straight Games by 1 Run

Arizona Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, center, applauds for those affected by the Los Angeles area wildfires as she gives the State of the State address in the House of Representatives at the state Capitol with Speaker of the House Rep. Steve Montenegro, R-Litchfield Park, left, and Senate President Warren Petersen, R-Gilbert, flanking the governor on Jan. 13, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP File)
16 hours ago

Arizona Governor Vetoes Bill to Ban Teaching Antisemitism in Arizona’s Public Schools

Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., demands the release of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka after his arrest while protesting outside an ICE detention prison, May 9, 2025, in Newark, N.J, (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis, File)
16 hours ago

US Rep. LaMonica McIver Indicted on Federal Charges From Skirmish at New Jersey Immigration Center

President Donald Trump prepares to deliver remarks during a visit to Fort Bragg to mark the U.S. Army anniversary, in North Carolina, U.S., June 10, 2025. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
17 hours ago

US Military Bases to Restore Names Changed After Racial Justice Protests, Trump Says

18 hours ago

Clovis Councilmember Basgall Says He Won’t Run for Re-Election

19 hours ago

An Unknowing Fresno County Gave Community Medical $2.7M While Hospital Engaged in Kickback Scheme

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend