Daily Brief - March 10th
Gavin Newsom's new podcast and 2028
California Governor Gavin Newsom has launched a new podcast; “This is Gavin Newsom” Besides getting a C- for the name, (“The Gavin Newsom Show” was taken?) he wants to discuss politics from all sides including Republicans. His first guest was Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, (TPUSA) a leading Republican advocacy group focusing on younger voters.
When I first heard about Governor Newsom launching the show I immediately thought thi is part of his effort to further develop his “brand” as he prepares to run for the Democratic nomination for President in 2028. California limits the governor to two consecutive terms, so Gavin is unable to run again in 2026. He will leave office in January 2027 which gives him a few months to put together an “exploratory committee” and announce his intention to run in the middle of 2027.
The hour long discussion between the gentlemen of political polar opposites lead me to a slightly different conclusion as to Gov. Newsom’s interest in the podcast; he wants to learn from Republicans how to run for President, messaging tactics and positions on key topics . The current crop of Democrats all seem to be unable to explain how President Trump won in 2024 and Gavin thinks the Republicans on his show will show him the way.
While being a lifelong Democrat with strong liberal leanings, Newson is willing to take whatever position(s) that is most politically advantageous. For example, when he ran for governor in 2018 he was opposed to the High Speed Rail, a pet project of retiring governor Jerry Brown. After being elected, he did nothing to stop or defund the project, which is now in its 13th year. He convinced voters that he really isn’t as liberal on the topic as his opponents and record would indicate.
He started with the trans athlete issue during the podcast with Mr Kirk. The Governor said it was unfair for men to participate in women’s athletics and claimed to be against the practice, while speaking of his concern and compassion for trans athletes' plight in life. He now is “on the record” as opposing men participating in women’s athletics, and can use it as a talking point in a debate or interview.
This is clever tactic by Newson, he has to rehabilitate and reimage his record as Governor to preparation for the 2028 primary season. He has a closet full of skeletons and political failure the size of California capitol building. His programs to end homelessness started when he was mayor of San Francisco are now over a decade old. While governor of California, the state has spent over $20 billion on the homeless crisis, but virtually none of it can be shown to have positively impacted the problem.
He presides over a state with rampant retail and auto burglary crime rates, some of the highest gasoline prices in America, which he blames on oil companies “gouging” California consumers. California has the highest state income tax rate, almost 14%. Due to Newsom and the Democrat controlled state legislature policies, thousands of citizens are fleeing the state yearly. It lost a congressional seat in 2020 as people and is on target to lose four more in 2030.
This is not a record Gavin can campaign on, hence the need to rewrite his record. Beware while you are watching, as the brand he wants to develop really ISN’T Gavin Newsom.
RJ