California Governor Gavin Newsom is a strong contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, and his record is a real problem - not in the way pundits think it is. Rather than being a beacon of hope for progressive voters, Newsom's tenure as governor has seen California "fall hard for faddish progressive policies" that have resulted in significant costs and unintended consequences.
One such policy was providing Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, which Newsom championed despite warnings from experts that it would be unaffordable and unsustainable. Another example is his support for gender-affirming healthcare for prisoners, a move that has been met with criticism from advocates who argue that it will only serve to further entrench the status quo of mass incarceration.
Newsom's record also includes his decision to mobilize thousands of National Guard troops to quash Black Lives Matter protests in California, an action that has been widely condemned by civil rights groups and others. Furthermore, his administration's efforts to undermine reproductive rights have put women's health at risk and reinforced the notion that access to healthcare is a privilege rather than a right.
Despite these criticisms, Newsom remains committed to a centrist agenda that prioritizes moderate politics over progressive ideals. His willingness to work with right-wing pseudo-intellectuals like Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro has been seen as a sign of his lack of conviction on key issues, and his inability to take a strong stance against Trump's authoritarianism has left many feeling disillusioned.
Ultimately, Newsom's biggest problem is that he embodies everything the Democratic Party should be moving away from - the craven coddling of billionaires, the fealty to zombified Third Way snake oil, and the twitchy suspicion of any mass movement that threatens the status quo. If Newsom is not willing to challenge these forces head-on, then it's unlikely he will ever be able to unite the party behind a unifying vision.
In short, Gavin Newsom's biggest problem is that his record reflects everything that is wrong with modern centrist politics - its willingness to make the reality of people's lives worse in order to overcome perceptions rooted in fantasy. If Newsom is not willing to challenge these forces head-on, then it's unlikely he will ever be able to unite the party behind a unifying vision.
One such policy was providing Medicaid to undocumented immigrants, which Newsom championed despite warnings from experts that it would be unaffordable and unsustainable. Another example is his support for gender-affirming healthcare for prisoners, a move that has been met with criticism from advocates who argue that it will only serve to further entrench the status quo of mass incarceration.
Newsom's record also includes his decision to mobilize thousands of National Guard troops to quash Black Lives Matter protests in California, an action that has been widely condemned by civil rights groups and others. Furthermore, his administration's efforts to undermine reproductive rights have put women's health at risk and reinforced the notion that access to healthcare is a privilege rather than a right.
Despite these criticisms, Newsom remains committed to a centrist agenda that prioritizes moderate politics over progressive ideals. His willingness to work with right-wing pseudo-intellectuals like Charlie Kirk and Ben Shapiro has been seen as a sign of his lack of conviction on key issues, and his inability to take a strong stance against Trump's authoritarianism has left many feeling disillusioned.
Ultimately, Newsom's biggest problem is that he embodies everything the Democratic Party should be moving away from - the craven coddling of billionaires, the fealty to zombified Third Way snake oil, and the twitchy suspicion of any mass movement that threatens the status quo. If Newsom is not willing to challenge these forces head-on, then it's unlikely he will ever be able to unite the party behind a unifying vision.
In short, Gavin Newsom's biggest problem is that his record reflects everything that is wrong with modern centrist politics - its willingness to make the reality of people's lives worse in order to overcome perceptions rooted in fantasy. If Newsom is not willing to challenge these forces head-on, then it's unlikely he will ever be able to unite the party behind a unifying vision.
, think he's some kinda hero for California but really he's just a puppet for big business and the 1%. His 'progressive' policies are all just marketing gimmicks to keep the libs happy while he lines his pockets with cash from special interests. And don't even get me started on that whole Black Lives Matter thing, what a total cop-out 
. He's more worried about keeping the peace than actually making real changes. And let's be real, his friendship with Trump wannabes like Charlie Kirk is just embarrassing 
. If he can't take a stand against the status quo, then how can we trust him to lead us forward? 
and now they're whining about it? also, gender-affirming healthcare for prisoners? what's next? 
meanwhile, ppl are still trying to whitewash his quashing of BLM protests... like, come on Gavin, get with the times 
... I mean, what was he thinking with Medicaid for undocumented immigrants? Like, didn't anyone warn him about the financial implications? And his handling of BLM protests? Wild 
. On the other hand, some of these progressive policies might've been well-intentioned, but executed poorly. It's like California is just trying to keep up with the trends without thinking through the consequences 
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. Like, providing Medicaid to undocumented immigrants wasn't exactly the smartest move... it's like, what happens when you put a lot of pressure on a system that's already straining? 
And his decision to mobilize National Guard troops against Black Lives Matter protests just seems super heavy-handed and outta touch 
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. We need someone who's gonna take a stand for what we believe in, you know? I'm not saying he's a bad guy or anything, but his record shows he's more worried about being liked by everyone than taking risks 
.