# I don’t grok the Newsom dislike among engaged Democrats **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [October 19, 2026, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980 "2026-10-19T21:35:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/41 "2026-10-20T15:15:04Z")
I still hold a grudge from when he was mayor of San Francisco (where I have lived since 1980). Sure, he allowed same sex marriage licenses, then he went on TV and totally grandstanded, saying something like “We’re doing this in San Francisco, and you can’t stop us!” That got immediate backlash in the rest of the state, and in 2008 we had Prop 8 which made same sex marriages illegal in the whole state. That stayed law until the US Supreme Court knocked it down. I’m no political expert, and since I live in California I don’t see a lot of the national animus towards California and it’s “current state” (whatever that is supposed to be). I’m not against him because I think he can’t win (a topic on which I feel unqualified to judge) but because I think he would be a bad president. I don’t think he has the stones to stand up to much of anyone. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/42 "2026-10-20T15:42:57Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > I have gotten the same sense from a few CEOs. It’s a _sense_ that there is no real core belief there other than self interest. I am distinctly reminded of Bill Clinton, smarmy “vibes” and all. Looking back, the Clinton years seem like Nirvana compared to what’s ensued more recently. > [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Newsome is horrible on LGBT+ issues and trans rights issues. This seems to be at the core of why a substantial proportion of Democrats dislike Newsom. Like it or not, being 100% fervently in defense of “LGBT+ issues and trans rights issues” is kryptonite for a Democratic presidential candidate. Rejecting Newsom on the basis of [his position on trans athletes in women’s sports](https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/03/newsom-transgender-athletes/) is shortsighted. His greatest weakness in my opinion is his having been California’s governor, which sets him up as a GOP target over everything people resent and fear about California. We’ve come a long way since the Reagan days. One thing I like about him is his willingness to get down and dirty and mock Trump in Trump’s own style. His enraging Trump and his devotees has been enjoyable. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/43 "2026-10-20T15:54:41Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > I am distinctly reminded of Bill Clinton To my ears Bill Clinton came off as much more sincere, but different people get different vibes. To me he had a great strength in being someone who often was the smartest person in the room but not giving the impression he thought so - he was just expressing what you already knew (without knowing that you already knew it). ---
**Author:** ![Thing.Fish](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thing.fish/32/9168_2.png) [@Thing.Fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thing.Fish)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/44 "2026-10-20T15:57:05Z")
I’m not really sure what you think he should have done, unless it’s not to have issued same-sex marriage licenses at all? Just hope nobody asked him any questions about it? Say “We’re going to keep doing this unless somebody objects, then we’ll stop!”? ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/45 "2026-10-20T16:00:31Z")
Wow, Newsom haters reallly hate! Californian here, and I don’t hate him. Yeah, he’s done things I don’t agree with, but I don’t share the repulsion some people feel. At least in this thread it seems to me mostly men. Am I off there? But when I think of him compared to someone like Steven Miller, he looks like Gandhi reincarnated. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/46 "2026-10-20T16:12:00Z")
Simple – I would have him not be a dick towards every other city and state who didn’t do what SF did. A strong but measured statement that SF did this because it was the right thing to do would have been fine; in fact, he made an excellent speech early on that pointed to the importance of moral leadership, a speech that was entirely unobjectionable. It was the actual crowing, which came a little later, that stuck in everyone’s craw. And to me, that appeared to be driven entirely by ego. > [@carrps](#): > > But when I think of him compared to someone like Steven Miller, he looks like Gandhi reincarnated. If that were the only choice, you would be making a valid point. Nobody is saying that he is evil, what most people seem to be saying is that they don’t trust his principles. That isn’t hate, it’s just observation and extrapolation. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/47 "2026-10-20T16:17:20Z")
Agreed, but personal rant deleted. I appreciate what he did, but the way he did it made unnecessary enemies, and it was obvious at all stages that he didn’t have a stake but was looking for a cause to attach his name to. Lots of other straight people had friends, family, and just general empathy without just seeing us as a cause that would generate publicity for them. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/48 "2026-10-20T16:17:34Z")
Huh. I live in California, and I actually like Gavin Newsom. I’ve admired him ever since he was mayor of San Francisco. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/49 "2026-10-20T16:18:00Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > when I think of him compared to someone like Steven Miller, he looks like Gandhi reincarnated. I would much happier with him as a Democratic nominee for President than with Steven Miller as the Democratic nominee. I’d vote for him over any imaginable GOP nominee in today’s world. But relative to other possible Democratic candidates? Right now he leads my list of who I would most prefer not get the nod. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/50 "2026-10-20T16:31:49Z")
Newsom has a real chance at winning and a message that could actually make life better for many people. So if you’re an accelerationist extremist on either the left or right flank, that’s just about the worst thing possible for you. That’s where the Newsom hate comes from - people like that and the people they successfully manage to misinform. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/51 "2026-10-20T16:39:05Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > He did have the authority, because the NG had not been legally federalized, because Trump did not have the authority. The federalization was the illegal order he should have countermanded. When soldiers under your command are obeying illegal orders, you don’t wait for the courts to take care of it. You take care of it yourself, because it’s your job and your responsibility. What would be the point of manufacturing a constitutional crisis and hoping the troops side with you when you can just go to the court and they’ll side with you? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/52 "2026-10-20T16:39:52Z")
> [@Swords\_to\_Plowshares](#): > > Newsome is horrible on LGBT+ issues and trans rights issues. Are you anti-LGBT? Because I can’t imagine how someone who supports LGBT rights would ever say this with a straight face. ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/53 "2026-10-20T16:55:17Z")
That bar is so low it’s about 100+ feet under ground. There’s no way that bar could get any lower. 😁 ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/54 "2026-10-20T16:58:22Z")
So the only people that don’t like Newsom want the US to fail? Is that a fair summation? ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/55 "2026-10-20T17:06:32Z")
> [@Sylvanz](#): > > So the only people that don’t like Newsom want the US to fail? They certainly don’t see it that way; in their minds, the failure of the liberal world order is the only way for us to [return to traditional values/adopt communal ownership of the means of production] and anything aside from that is failure. So in their minds, things getting worse before they get better is the only way to _avoid_ failure. Both groups are horribly wrong about their analysis of the world and what its problems are, of course. It’s a garbage in garbage out situation. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/56 "2026-10-20T17:16:00Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > That sense is a significant thing to me, because presidents are more effective leaders when we at least believe they believe in where they are wanting to lead us. > > He doesn’t fake that well enough. Everyone is self-interested at some level. Newsom is at least intelligent and, I believe, reasonably principled, and is likable and charismatic. Kinda the “anti-Trump”. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/57 "2026-10-20T17:16:11Z")
I very much don’t like Newson, love the liberal world order, and don’t want it to fail. Just completely false that people that don’t like Newson fall into those categories. ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Drake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Dr.Drake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Drake)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/58 "2026-10-20T17:20:20Z")
Newsom has a very mixed record on LGBT issues, and most of us who are gay are very wary of his support in this area. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/59 "2026-10-20T17:36:04Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > likable and charismatic Honestly this is the big issue of contention. Clearly some react to him as that and some don’t … it is like that dress that different people see different color stripes! ---
**Author:** ![Sylvanz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/fbc32d/32.png) [@Sylvanz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sylvanz)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980/60 "2026-10-20T17:41:23Z")
Bingo. I don’t like or dislike Newsom. I will vote for him if he gets the nomination. I prefer AOC, Ossoff, and Kelly. I don’t know who is running, but that is who I favor right now. I’m farther left than any of them except AOC, but I sure don’t clap my hands in glee waiting for the nation to collapse. I’m all about forming a more perfect union, and boy howdy do we have work to do. expecally after the craptacular mess the dumbass in the white house has wrought. I’m think that just because someone doesn’t agree with every one of your opinions doesn’t meant that person is evil or plotting/hoping for the end of the US. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-don-t-grok-the-newsom-dislike-among-engaged-democrats/1033980.md?page=4)