General Discussion

AZProgressive

(29,710 posts)

7. I think California has always had a reputation before Newsom became governor

Sun Jul 13, 2025, 08:10 AM

Jul 13

I think California is a great state and they were ahead of the rest of nation when it comes to several issues.

My biggest problem with Newsom is tries to avoid being attacked by Republicans whether that is homeless due to lack of affordable housing (Newsom agreed with a conservative Supreme Court ruling on the issue) or when it comes to transgender rights -- he shifts based on how the right is going to attack him and I don't think that is good. He previous called migrant abductions a distraction but when it was impacting his own state he was basically using it to bolster his image as a fighter against Trump.

He is a smart political animal but his tendency to avoid issues or change stances based on where the political winds are blowing are why he is not my first choice in a primary.

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What do you think of Gavin Newsom for 2028? [View all] zanana1 Jul 13 OP

He's got my vote. We NEED a fighter. Meadowoak Jul 13 #1

Baggage like Hillary or Obama? Or Biden? Not even. librechik Jul 13 #2

Right now, California has a bit of a bad reputation Haggard Celine Jul 13 #3

I think California has always had a reputation before Newsom became governor AZProgressive Jul 13 #7

For cons, California has always been the state to blame for anything bad. mwmisses4289 Jul 13 #48

Nixon and Reagan came from California SocialDemocrat61 Jul 13 #51

Well, that is true, but much more good has come from there than bad. mwmisses4289 Jul 13 #55

the good news is that California's reputation is readily fixable cadoman Jul 13 #108

He was married to Kimberly Guilfoyle. writerJT Jul 13 #4

That makes me wonder a lot about his judgment. milestogo Jul 13 #17

People change. Ever read about DU member's family members transitioning to full on maga? ... including spouses Bernardo de La Paz Jul 13 #33

Good point. Plus it was over 20 years ago. JanMichael Jul 13 #104

It was before she went crazy. BannonsLiver Jul 13 #137

👍 writerJT Jul 14 #143

My goodness! Many of us were once married to asshole Heidi Jul 14 #159

"Victims" writerJT Jul 14 #160

I prefer someone like AOC or Jasmine Crockett. Emile Jul 13 #5

Unfortunately Jilly_in_VA Jul 13 #6

This I agree with, and I agree with your preferred choices. Scrivener7 Jul 13 #10

I also pray for a woman president in my lifetime. Katinfl Jul 13 #13

I'm 52 JustAnotherGen Jul 13 #28

Pritzker's currently my top choice too. Newsom's baggage isn't great Arazi Jul 13 #66

Harris closed the gap between Biden's poll numbers and made it basically a 50/50 race AZProgressive Jul 13 #12

I think Beshear could be a very attractive candidate. lark Jul 13 #19

He would be a return JustAnotherGen Jul 13 #29

I LOVE Whitehouse, but unfortunately he's too old. No chance we nominate a septuagenarian who turns 80 in a 2nd term. Celerity Jul 13 #34

I absolutely agree....and it should be that way democratsruletheday Jul 13 #79

I also like Gov. Pritzker, but he needs to lose weight. phylny Jul 13 #70

as much as I want to disagree with this.... democratsruletheday Jul 13 #82

Hey, I WROTE it and I want to disagree! phylny Jul 13 #101

Do you enjoy losing elections? awesomerwb1 Jul 13 #38

No, that's why I prefer running someone left of center! Emile Jul 13 #40

Apparently you do enjoy losing elections awesomerwb1 Jul 13 #44

Back at you! Emile Jul 13 #49

What is so funny about losing elections? SoFlaBro Jul 13 #99

I have a very high opinion of AOC Cosmocat Jul 14 #151

gimme a BREAK...... democratsruletheday Jul 13 #83

Mind telling us your obvious reasons why? Emile Jul 13 #84

AOC, while very liberal, is amazing and friendly Polybius Jul 13 #134

Voters and donors like someone that's won at least RubyRose Jul 13 #85

Since 1789, 19 Members of the House have served as President of the United States. Emile Jul 13 #89

Garfield is the only one that went straight... PAMod Jul 13 #132

When did Trump win a state wide election? Emile Jul 13 #91

1880 GJGCA Jul 13 #97

Abraham Lincoln is another one. Emile Jul 13 #110

LOVE both of them, but I'm not sure they're qualified to be president YET. still-prayin4rain Jul 13 #122

I'm with you on that!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jul 13 #128

Crockett would lose 45 states Polybius Jul 13 #133

I prefer having a chance to win elections. BannonsLiver Jul 13 #138

Me too, that's why I prefer someone left of center. Emile Jul 14 #149

What left of center candidates have won presidential elections? BannonsLiver Jul 14 #156

I'd vote for him happily if he won the primary, but he wouldn't be my first choice. Scrivener7 Jul 13 #8

No kacekwl Jul 13 #9

The choice to me is obvious kacekwl Jul 13 #11

Pete Buttigieg markie Jul 13 #31

He won't get the African-American or Hispanic male vote. SKKY Jul 13 #43

strange how they were ready for a multi-felon con man rapist fascist Skittles Jul 13 #113

Buttigieg being gay sabbat hunter Jul 13 #129

A mayor of a small town and former Secretary of transportation? fujiyamasan Jul 14 #148

Big Pete fan Cosmocat Jul 14 #152

I'm voting for Pete! pinkstarburst Jul 14 #154

I don't know if he'd have my support in the primaries EnergizedLib Jul 13 #14

2028 is not yet on my radar. 2026 is. DFW Jul 13 #15

This! JustAnotherGen Jul 13 #30

I look forward to a robust primary. May the best fighter win! Intractable Jul 13 #16

I'd happily vote for him if he is our candidate. lark Jul 13 #18

I don't think anyone from California could win in a national election. I would vote doc03 Jul 13 #20

No thank you. Nanjeanne Jul 13 #21

He wants to be president so bad he can taste it. Fiendish Thingy Jul 13 #22

Beshear is good but I don't even know who Murphy is. comradebillyboy Jul 13 #94

Chris Murphy has been one of the most articulate outspoken Dem senators Fiendish Thingy Jul 13 #98

Agree. choie Jul 13 #120

No. n/t valleyrogue Jul 13 #23

Not my first choice. Ferrets are Cool Jul 13 #24

It's going to be a toppling of a Regime JustAnotherGen Jul 13 #25

I'd certainly vote for him if he's the nominee rollin74 Jul 13 #26

He's my guy SuzyandPuffpuff Jul 13 #27

I like him, too Agent Orange Tabby Jul 18 #163

Newsom TnDem Jul 13 #32

Slick and political, yes. Far left, no. Ms. Toad Jul 13 #69

Authoritarian TnDem Jul 13 #75

I think 2028 is too far away to worry about. Let's see if we survive Trump's Autumn Jul 13 #35

And let's see if we can flip EmmaLee E Jul 13 #106

Nope Blue_Adept Jul 13 #36

I'd vote for him without hesitation. comradebillyboy Jul 13 #37

Hope not. awesomerwb1 Jul 13 #39

If the election was today...I'd vote for him... MiHale Jul 13 #41

Sure! And Pritzker and Buttigieg and Beshear and Shapiro... Arazi Jul 13 #42

For all of his flaws, he is far better than any republican. CTyankee Jul 13 #45

I'm voting for the Democratic nominee. Aristus Jul 13 #46

I'm thinking about 2026, not 2028. emulatorloo Jul 13 #47

He'll do. Lots of plusses, few minuses. Ping Tung Jul 13 #50

I was hoping for newsome when Biden pulled out oldmanlynn Jul 13 #52

So was I Agent Orange Tabby Jul 18 #165

Depends on who runs in the primary SocialDemocrat61 Jul 13 #53

You realize participating in message board speculation is non-binding, right? TheProle Jul 13 #95

Sure SocialDemocrat61 Jul 13 #102

I'll vote for whoever the Democratic presidential candidate is in 2028. Paladin Jul 13 #54

but I'm finding it hard to get information on his past ILikePie92 Jul 13 #56

My husband pisses me off regularly Agent Orange Tabby Jul 18 #166

Yes, totally right ILikePie92 Jul 18 #168

Prefer Senator for this one, POTUS is only 8 years, maybe. Brainfodder Jul 13 #57

I think that would be a mistake. David__77 Jul 13 #58

Baggage? Mike Nelson Jul 13 #59

The thing about baggage LogDog75 Jul 13 #107

True... Mike Nelson Jul 13 #118

Not in my top 50 for 2028 krawhitham Jul 13 #60

He Is My Governor And I Support Him the_liberal_grandpa Jul 13 #61

I prefer Democrat Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland. Emile Jul 13 #62

Love him. He could be our first Jewish President! CTyankee Jul 14 #157

Go for it. With Pennsylvania governor as veep. OLDMDDEM Jul 13 #63

NO. Not "outsidery" enough leftstreet Jul 13 #64

I'm from California. haele Jul 13 #65

YESSSS! Granny Blue Jul 13 #88

Newsom has piecemealed CEQA rollbacks and recently signed legislation for a major CEQA rollback. PufPuf23 Jul 13 #111

Exactly. Not saying he's a lesser of two evils, just that there's better haele Jul 13 #115

excellent analysis Skittles Jul 13 #114

Fine by me. Iggo Jul 13 #67

My first choice is whoever the hell can WIN. 3catwoman3 Jul 13 #68

Far from my first pick Greg_In_SF Jul 13 #71

NO -eom vanessa_ca Jul 13 #72

If Newsom is the nominee in 2028, he'll have my vote peggysue2 Jul 13 #73

He'd be a terrific president BannonsLiver Jul 13 #74

Luv my Guv! He calls 'em as he sees 'em. poli-junkie Jul 13 #76

Newsom pamdb Jul 13 #77

Well that settles it then... BannonsLiver Jul 13 #139

I'm pretty worried about 2028 pinkstarburst Jul 13 #78

WHO are those 'getting shot down?' elleng Jul 13 #125

To answer your question, I DON'T. Emile Jul 13 #80

Unsure if my first choice.. mvd Jul 13 #81

Newsome in in the running for my vote LetMyPeopleVote Jul 13 #86

All talk, no action! Granny Blue Jul 13 #87

I think he would be great! We need to see flamingdem Jul 13 #90

I think it's like 2.5 years too soon for this topic 0rganism Jul 13 #92

He can't win in the general. creeksneakers2 Jul 13 #93

It's so early but I trust him right now and a few others Tribetime Jul 13 #96

He's a no lovesfruit Jul 13 #100

Sorry to say, we have to take back the presidency no matter what Bayard Jul 13 #103

It will be 24/7 ads about "French Laundry". Hypocrite will be the messaging. JanMichael Jul 13 #105

If that's the best they've got he'll he just fine. BannonsLiver Jul 13 #140

I doubt that's all. And it was not adorable. It was dickish. JanMichael Jul 14 #150

Yeah I don't agree that the French Laundry is relevant or would cost him primary or GE voters. BannonsLiver Jul 14 #155

If dick move over 5 star dining disqualifies him Agent Orange Tabby Jul 18 #167

I'm for him because he can win. BlueTsunami2018 Jul 13 #109

Yes, agree with this. Who can win has to be top priority. still-prayin4rain Jul 13 #124

I would like to see him take a really forceful stand against Trump.. AntiFascist Jul 13 #112

Far too early to read the terrain Torchlight Jul 13 #116

Will there even be an election in 2028? dlk Jul 13 #117

He is running Johonny Jul 13 #119

My choices: Beshear, Buttigieg, Pritzker, Newsom elleng Jul 13 #121

I like him. I'm a little afraid he won't meet the far left's purity tests though. still-prayin4rain Jul 13 #123

Many/most would probably meet tests of elleng Jul 13 #127

Let's have a primary and let him prove it JCMach1 Jul 13 #126

Pete Buttigieg (nm) mikewv Jul 13 #130

Ever dating kim Guiyfoile should be an automatic disqualifier for elected office SSJVegeta Jul 13 #131

Not just dated but married her. 😵 nt Raine Jul 14 #147

This thread a perfect example of Democrat circular firing squad Bobstandard Jul 13 #135

Yes, it's odd to see supposed Democrats completely buy into GOP narratives about CA. BannonsLiver Jul 14 #141

Beshear might actually carry Kentucky due to his popularity here Wanderlust988 Jul 13 #136

Last I heard he opposed USSC expansion. carpetbagger Jul 14 #142

He'd get my enthusiastic vote. oasis Jul 14 #144

Possibly. H2O Man Jul 14 #145

This Califorian says NO thanks. nt Raine Jul 14 #146

Nope. Dems better give us better options, or we'll lose. Not that we'll probably have voting... mucholderthandirt Jul 14 #153

I'm wondering about voting in 2028. zanana1 Jul 15 #161

Just as long as it's not Fetterman! Jilly_in_VA Jul 14 #158

Put a Whitehouse in the White House! Totally Tunsie Jul 16 #162

No thanks Luciferous Jul 18 #164

As a Californian who has traveled a lot... WarGamer Jul 18 #169