California Governor Gavin Newsom's biggest problem isn't his record on progressive policies, but rather the lack of willingness among some pundits to acknowledge the extent of his ties to the plutocracy and the far-right.
Newsom has long been seen as a strong contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, largely due to his ability to bridge the political divide through "chummy dialogue" with far-right celebrities like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk. This approach may seem like a pragmatic strategy, but it's actually a symptom of Newsom's deeper problem: his inability to take a clear stance on key issues.
Take, for example, his determination to thwart the 2026 California Billionaire Tax Act. While he argues that 5 percent is still a significant levy, those who care about economic justice know that it's hardly enough to make a dent in the wealth gap. Newsom's refusal to acknowledge this reality reflects his true allegiance: to the interests of billionaires and corporate elites.
Newsom's visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos also says a lot about him. His advice to European leaders on how to deal with Trump was essentially telling them to toughen up, which is code for "we're not going to make any concessions." This approach may play well with far-right audiences, but it's a recipe for disaster in the long run.
The Intercept reporter Sean Bell aptly captures the essence of Newsom's problem: his inability to take a stand on issues like immigration and crime. Instead, he's more interested in making photo ops and appearing as a leader who can bring people together, even if that means compromising on key principles.
What sets Newsom apart from other politicians is his willingness to pander to right-wing audiences while still maintaining a veneer of progressive credentials. He's essentially playing a game of "the ultimate centrist," where he tries to appeal to everyone except those who are genuinely committed to social justice.
This approach has been widely criticized by progressive activists, who see Newsom as little more than a corporate-friendly politician who will stop at nothing to win power. The Intercept reporter notes that if Newsom is not willing to take a stand on issues like abolition and mass incarceration, then who is?
The sad truth is that the Democratic Party's leadership has become increasingly complacent about its own failures. Rather than confronting the real problems facing the country, they're more interested in avoiding controversy and maintaining their grip on power.
In short, Gavin Newsom's biggest problem isn't his record on progressive policies; it's his willingness to sacrifice those principles on the altar of electoral success.
Newsom has long been seen as a strong contender for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, largely due to his ability to bridge the political divide through "chummy dialogue" with far-right celebrities like Ben Shapiro and Charlie Kirk. This approach may seem like a pragmatic strategy, but it's actually a symptom of Newsom's deeper problem: his inability to take a clear stance on key issues.
Take, for example, his determination to thwart the 2026 California Billionaire Tax Act. While he argues that 5 percent is still a significant levy, those who care about economic justice know that it's hardly enough to make a dent in the wealth gap. Newsom's refusal to acknowledge this reality reflects his true allegiance: to the interests of billionaires and corporate elites.
Newsom's visit to the World Economic Forum in Davos also says a lot about him. His advice to European leaders on how to deal with Trump was essentially telling them to toughen up, which is code for "we're not going to make any concessions." This approach may play well with far-right audiences, but it's a recipe for disaster in the long run.
The Intercept reporter Sean Bell aptly captures the essence of Newsom's problem: his inability to take a stand on issues like immigration and crime. Instead, he's more interested in making photo ops and appearing as a leader who can bring people together, even if that means compromising on key principles.
What sets Newsom apart from other politicians is his willingness to pander to right-wing audiences while still maintaining a veneer of progressive credentials. He's essentially playing a game of "the ultimate centrist," where he tries to appeal to everyone except those who are genuinely committed to social justice.
This approach has been widely criticized by progressive activists, who see Newsom as little more than a corporate-friendly politician who will stop at nothing to win power. The Intercept reporter notes that if Newsom is not willing to take a stand on issues like abolition and mass incarceration, then who is?
The sad truth is that the Democratic Party's leadership has become increasingly complacent about its own failures. Rather than confronting the real problems facing the country, they're more interested in avoiding controversy and maintaining their grip on power.
In short, Gavin Newsom's biggest problem isn't his record on progressive policies; it's his willingness to sacrifice those principles on the altar of electoral success.
. I mean, yeah he's got a decent record on some progressive stuff, but when you look closer, it's all about appeasing the billionaire crowd and avoiding actual tough conversations 
. It's like he's playing this game of "I'm a centrist, but only if it makes me popular" 
. The Intercept reporter is spot on, Newsom's not taking a clear stance on issues like immigration or crime, he's just more interested in being seen as a leader who can bring people together... even if that means watering down his own principles 
. It's kinda sad, 'cause when you're trying to make a difference, sometimes you gotta take a stand and face some backlash 
. I mean, he's a total pragmatist and that's what the Dem's need right now - someone who can bring people together and not alienate half the country 
. The billionaire tax act was a tough one, but 5% is better than nothing, you know? 
Newsom's not trying to be some radical firebrand, he's trying to win the nomination and lead the country forward. We need someone who can bridge the gap between the left and right, not someone who's gonna divide us even more 
. And let's be real, progressive activists are already super biased, it's hard for them to see anything other than a Democrat as a threat 
. The Dem's leadership needs to focus on getting things done rather than being inflexible 
.
, but really he's just trying to get elected no matter what 
. It's all about the benjamins baby 
. And don't even get me started on his "chummy dialogue" approach 
. Newsom needs to decide which side he's really on 
.
. Like, what even is this "chummy dialogue" nonsense? It's just a weak attempt to get votes from people who don't actually agree with his policies 
. I mean, if you're not willing to take a clear stance on immigration and crime, then why are you even running for president? It's like he's just phoning it in and hoping no one notices 
.
. He thinks he can appeal to everyone except the real social justice warriors, but let's be real, that's just not how politics works 
. And the fact that he's trying to make deals with the far-right and corporate elites is just disgusting 
.
. We need politicians who are willing to take risks, challenge the status quo, and actually fight for justice 
. And don't even get me started on the California Billionaire Tax Act 
.
. Newsom's trip to Davos, where he essentially told European leaders to "toughen up" against Trump, showcases his pragmatism vs commitment to progressive values 
. This isn't going unnoticed by progressive activists who see him as more of a corporate puppet than a genuine leader 
. The party's leadership complacency on issues like abolition and mass incarceration is also alarming 
.