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senseandsensibility

(24,154 posts)
Tue Aug 19, 2025, 02:10 PM Aug 2025

My opinion of Newsom as a native Californian for what it's worth [View all]

I grew up with Newsom as a public figure on local television so he is very familiar to me. I like him, even admire him, but I am not willing to commit to him as my choice for POTUS in 2028.

As far as I can see, he has faults like all our potential candidates do. Playing footsie with the manosphere did not play well with me because he didn't challenge them enough IMO.

But he has real, undeniable strengths. And these strengths, while obvious in the past couple of weeks, have been on display locally for a long, long time. In 2004, as Mayor of San Francisco, he instructed City Hall to start recognizing marriage equality because it was a Civil Rights issue. This was way before the mainstream of the Democratic Party recognized these rights. Biden and Obama were both against it. His stance took courage He did not back down.

I think we can count on him and he is not easily intimidated. But I am in no hurry to "pick" a candidate now. For one thing, we don't need a sitting duck target for all of magaworld and the corporate media to attack. They will do that no matter who the candidate it. Let's keep our enemies in suspense for a while longer.

And whether he's a candidate or not, let's unite behind what he's doing on redistricting. Unity, people! It's how we win elections!

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Wise words, thanks Easterncedar Aug 2025 #1
That's a good idea popsdenver Aug 2025 #28
I really, really don't want Staph Aug 2025 #2
What I meant was he was a local politician for me senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #4
I'm sorry! Staph Aug 2025 #53
You're right senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #71
What do you want, then? Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #23
Did Obama really qualify for that before he ran for president? RockCreek Aug 2025 #46
Did he need to? Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #48
Obama's experience didn't qualify him, exactly... Trueblue Texan Aug 2025 #60
Obama had already made the min quals specified in the Constitution He'd been nationally noted as a student Hekate Aug 2025 #62
What's the alternative? North Coast Lawyer Aug 2025 #69
The original post, since corrected, referenced Staph Aug 2025 #80
I like him and he has really shown a lot of forward leadership over the many years he has been in politics sdfernando Aug 2025 #3
Exactly! senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #5
100% !!! /nt sdfernando Aug 2025 #6
He's unlikely to be my personal primary choice Bettie Aug 2025 #7
"Celebrity factor?" vanlassie Aug 2025 #15
He's not a celebrity. He is the Governor of California. chowder66 Aug 2025 #17
He is our Governor, he isn't a celebrity obamanut2012 Aug 2025 #25
In 2007 Obama had "celebrity factor", as did Clinton in the early 90s. dem4decades Aug 2025 #35
He's a little too polished and bland for my taste. Would certainly vote for him as a nominee though. Tommy Carcetti Aug 2025 #8
We'll know more about Dems that might do well nationally as we approach Prez primaries. Think he's a good candidate, but Silent Type Aug 2025 #9
Great post Mysterian Aug 2025 #10
Glad to hear it senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #11
TACO has already been punishing California so not much left to lose I guess IronLionZion Aug 2025 #12
There is no perfect candidate, I agree wait until the time comes and pick the best of the bunch or if Bev54 Aug 2025 #13
The perfect candidate is the one that can win the next election. dem4decades Aug 2025 #37
Thank You! Jean Genie Aug 2025 #14
The Kimberly Gilfoyle thing doesn't bother me at all senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #34
It's WAY too early to be discussing 2028 relayerbob Aug 2025 #16
Sounds like maybe this thread isn't for you senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #39
It happens every election cycle... GiqueCee Aug 2025 #18
I Agree With You On Each And Every Point You Made, Salient And To The Point! MayReasonRule Aug 2025 #19
Lets see: Governors Beshear, Newsom, Shapiro, and Whitmer speak easy Aug 2025 #20
I would add Pritzker (IL) MLWR Aug 2025 #22
Pritzker is, too obamanut2012 Aug 2025 #26
Let's not forget Gov. Tim Walz Trailrider1951 Aug 2025 #38
What is Walz waiting for? Bobstandard Aug 2025 #79
What you said in your antepenultimate paragraph about a sitting duck is so, so true... Hekate Aug 2025 #21
Yup, my first marriage was terrible obamanut2012 Aug 2025 #27
Regarding Kimberly Guilfoyle: will everyone at DU who has never been divorced please raise their hands? Hekate Aug 2025 #24
Voice in the wilderness, I guess DFW Aug 2025 #29
I think you hit the jackpot with your wife 💕 But I was being a bit snarky because ... Hekate Aug 2025 #50
My bad! I should have geen more alert! Eom DFW Aug 2025 #55
You're not bad at all, you're the best ;) Hekate Aug 2025 #64
Shyly raising hand here... druidity33 Aug 2025 #54
As a native born San Franciscan I have appreciated YoshidaYui Aug 2025 #30
TY for the first hand input, Yui Hekate Aug 2025 #74
I, just myself, think he engaged with the "manosphere" to show, he at least tried to connect with magats. cksmithy Aug 2025 #31
And in so doing . . . markpkessinger Aug 2025 #42
I am sorry about that, and stand with trans rights. cksmithy Aug 2025 #45
As am I . . . markpkessinger Aug 2025 #83
While you're "never forgiving " ask yourself how much you want Trump or JD as president Hekate Aug 2025 #66
Query-- What do you think of Pete Buttegieg going on FOX and other RW channels? Also unforgivable? Hekate Aug 2025 #76
As a gay man I was very disappointed in Buttigieg. n/t markpkessinger Aug 2025 #82
The only box I need checked is "can beat Vance" or whoever. No more pandering Callie1979 Aug 2025 #32
I never liked Newsom all that much... ananda Aug 2025 #33
This is quite subjective, but Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #36
If he becomes president he can be called Slick Gavin, like the right wing called Clinton Slick Willy. dem4decades Aug 2025 #40
I learned my lesson in 2008 catchnrelease Aug 2025 #41
Wasn't that Edwards thing a kick in the gut? senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #43
The purity police have been dormant for a bit but are back strong I see. NoMoreRepugs Aug 2025 #44
Funny you should mention it Hekate Aug 2025 #65
After the Manosphere interviews I ranked him pretty low. But as of late Ars Longa Aug 2025 #47
I look forward to a robust primary with our candidates championing our various political positions and dissatisfactions. Intractable Aug 2025 #49
Thanks for the discussion; elleng Aug 2025 #51
Funny how tRump could exist as the leading R candidate for the 2024 election for the better part Sibelius Fan Aug 2025 #52
A bit early but I agree we need a fighter Jersey Devil Aug 2025 #56
Fight fight fight DoBW Aug 2025 #57
So don't commit. Iggo Aug 2025 #58
I love what Gavin is doing but berksdem Aug 2025 #59
Fortunately, he's got time to build a strong team AND a strong presence to the public. CTyankee Aug 2025 #61
It's waaaay too early JustAnotherGen Aug 2025 #63
"Thinking about " 2028 is fine-- it's the elimination derby that gets me riled... Hekate Aug 2025 #67
Amen JustAnotherGen Aug 2025 #68
Good points, all. Buddyzbuddy Aug 2025 #70
Thanks senseandsensibility Aug 2025 #73
Couldn't agree more. Buddyzbuddy Aug 2025 #75
It's a little too early to make commitments. Trump won't finish his term I believe and if the US... NNadir Aug 2025 #72
Being a S.F. native he was a good mayor and I'm respecting him more now that he is punching the orange pedo felon ! kimbutgar Aug 2025 #77
I was angry that he would platform a racist Keepthesoulalive Aug 2025 #78
Thanks for your first hand perspective. For me it's PRITZER or NEWSOM. UTUSN Aug 2025 #81
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