Newsom and his team have successfully tapped into the need that many rank-and-file Democrats have for adopting a confrontational approach to Trump and his policies. But few people outside of California know much about the governor’s actual record — and many Democratic voters will be turned off to learn that his fervent opposition to a billionaire tax is part of an overall political approach that has trended more and more corporate-friendly.
A year ago, Newsom sent about 100 leaders of California-based companies a prepaid cell phone “programmed with Newsom’s digits and accompanied by notes from the governor himself,” POLITICO reported. One note to the CEO of a big tech corporation said, “If you ever need anything, I’m a phone call away.” While pandering to business elites, Newsom has slashed budgets to assist the poor and near-poor with healthcare, housing and food – in a state where seven million live under the official poverty line and child poverty rates are the highest in the nation.
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“Governor Newsom’s reluctance to propose meaningful revenue solutions to help blunt the harm of federal cuts undermines his posture to counter the Trump administration.” The statement said that the proposed budget “will leave many Californians without food assistance and healthcare coverage.”
So far, key facts about Newsom’s policy priorities have scarcely gone beyond California’s borders. “National media have focused on Newsom as a personality and potential White House candidate and have almost completely ignored what he has and has not done as a governor,” said columnist Dan Walters, whose five decades covering California politics included 33 years at the Sacramento Bee. “It’s a perpetual failing of national political media to be more interested in image and gamesmanship rather than actual actions, the sizzle rather than the steak, and Newsom is very adept at exploiting that tendency.”
Also see https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/feb/10/gavin-newsom-presidential-candidate-democrats
Like Trump, Newsom breaks promises, serves billionaire interests and mistakes social media theatrics for leadership. Is that really what American voters will want in 2028? After Richard Nixon, Americans chose Jimmy Carter. After George W Bush, they chose Barack Obama. After Trump, they’ll likely want change – authentic, strong, moral leadership, a leader with competence and vision.
I don't think "disappoints California progressives" is the damning indictment that California progressives seem to think that it is, even within California.
Do you think the average US voter alligns with Gavin Newsom's policies? This isn't about being progressive it is about Gavin not having popular policy positions nor a track record that would give nervous voters confidence.
I think so, or rather I think that the average US voter aligns more with Gavin Newsom's policies than with the policies of a hypothetical alternative candidate that Salon might prefer. (Even the average California voter aligned with his policies enough to elect him, after all.) As for what gives nervous voters confidence: that seems to be more about theatrics and vibes than about policies. I'm personally not impressed by Newsom's Twitter shtick but maybe swing voters are - I assume he did his research.
I know you think that, paradoxically many people do but you are wrong that is my point.
https://www.liberalpatriot.com/p/democrats-can-do-better-than-gavin
I highly doubt that any of the people complaining about Newsom have any idea what Newsom's policies even are.
But the idea that the Democratic governor of California isn't liberal enough is just laughable. You guys are as delusional as MAGA folks, as Russians, as North Koreans.
Tell me you don’t understand California politics without telling me you don’t understand California politics.
Literally under an article about Newsom's policies. You should hit your head against a horseshoe until you're back in reality.
Look at his policies fool, he is a Democrat In Name Only.
All you people have are insults and slogans.
Are you sure you're not a Republican?
I have linked to three articles that exhaustively detail how much of a shill Gavin is, so no, all I have is not just insults and slogans. I have evidence and I am sharing it because the idea of Gavin sending us straight to hell with his conception of "moderate" terrifies me.
Fuck Republicans, I am not a Republican. Fuck Trump, Fuck JD, Fuck Trump's Whole Cabinet. I despise Gavin because he is precisely who Republicans want to run against to make their jobs easier.