Terrified Trump Fails To Silence Newsom, Crowd Cheers - Pondering Politics

[TexasTowelie]

Summary

Jessiah comments on California Governor Gavin Newsom's speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he criticized the Trump administration's authoritarian tendencies and defended California's economic and social achievements.

Key points:

- Censorship attempt: Trump allegedly pressured the USA House pavilion to cancel Newsom's scheduled speaking event, though he ultimately spoke to international business leaders anyway.

- Newsom's message: He accused the Trump administration of attacking freedom of expression, censoring books, and deploying federal forces in California cities. He also called out corporate leaders for being complicit in Trump's policies.

- Pushback on criticism: When asked about trading insults with the Trump administration, Newsom defended fighting fire with fire, arguing that civility politics require reciprocity that Republicans won't provide.

- California's strength: Newsom highlighted California's economic superiority—it's the world's fourth-largest economy, produces 18% of global R&D, and contributes $83 billion more to the federal government than it receives, while red states like Texas are net takers.

- Political commentary: Jessiah praises Newsom's aggressive stance and criticizes progressive commentator Nina Turner for inconsistently attacking Democrats regardless of their actions, contrasting her approach with commentator Mehdi Hassan's principled criticism.

[samsingh]

1. our leaders should take note of the leadership Newsom is providing

Bill Clinton used to fight back like this. He was an awesome 2 term President.

[Bluetus]

2. One of the sharpest points was

when the moderator asked something to the effect that "aren't you going into the gutter, isn't this beneath dignity". Trump has thrived on the very good bet that Dems will do the Michelle Obama thing ("When they go low, we go high" ) . Trump wins every time on those terms. Coincidentally, one notices that for the past year, Ms. Obama has stopped advocating that position -- mercifully. It is a loser and always was.

Anyway, Newsom's response was powerful, I thought. He immediately agreed it was undignified, and you could see the pain he felt in having to be undignified. And then he made it abundantly clear that there is no other way. He said "I hold a mirror up to Trump" and he implored everyone else to stop treating Trump as if he was a spoiled child that couldn't be disciplined or reasoned with.

I'm not going back through the whole video, but if somebody else finds that moment, kindly post the time-stamp. I think that was very revealing and poignant -- and a powerful message for us all. Anybody who is still saying we have to be above it all is just wrong. That does not work. We haven't any more time to keep to that losing path. We must fight. Time is running out.