I think Newsom is more or less objectively charismatic. He connects well when he needs to and is a smooth speaker who is good at projecting personality (like that personality or not, witness the differing opinions on him trolling Trump). Comparing him to a politician very much on the same political spectrum, he’s smoother than Kamala Harris and I think would overall be a more effective campaigner.
I don’t find him all that likable. Which I think is much more subjective than charisma.
The two things are divorced in my mind. I respect the first, but my opinion of him is very much tempered by the second. By contrast IMHO I thought Obama was charismatic and likeable, Biden was likeable but not terribly charismatic.
But lacks Purity of Essence, which AOC and (maybe) Buttigieg have.
There are plenty of Democrats who view Newsom and other viable candidates as “corporate” stooges no better than Republicans, and that the party should exclude them before they contaminate the new Progressive Nirvana.
You haven’t said yet why you dislike Newsom, unless I missed it; but I strongly suspect it has to do with misinformation.
He really doesn’t though. His record on LGBT issues is pretty stellar. That’s why I don’t understand how anyone who is pro LGBT rights could possibly say that he is “horrible” on LGBT issues; the only people I expect to find his positions on these issues “horrible” are people who don’t want LGBT people to exist in public.
I agree! Since you said you don’t hate Newsom, you also don’t sound at all like the people we are talking about.
Yet, people can hate Newsom and still not be plotting the end of the US. This is just a non-sensicle claim to me.
On second thought skip commenting on this this is taking the thread off topic.
Sorry mods I will drop this now.
I agree, as I’ve said twice now. People can be misinformed about Newsom’s policies and positions leading them to hate him without being illiberal or anti-American.
What I’ve seen zero evidence for is good faith liberal people hating him for his actual policies and positions.
I don’t want Newsom to be the nominee because I find his Trumplike social media meme b.s. to be childish and unimaginative. But if he ends up being the Democratic nominee, then so be it.
I think that’s true but a massive understatement. I had hoped (unrealistically) that Newsom could somehow be the candidate in 2024 instead of Harris. Harris had a reputation for being disliked among staffers in the Office of the VP and some of that character seemed to come across in her public appearances. I’m willing to bet that if Newsom had somehow miraculously been able to replace Harris, we wouldn’t be in the present disaster and the Orange One might well be in jail instead of the White House.
Most people’s opinions on politicians have little to do with their actual policies and aren’t the result of being convinced by media narratives, misinformation or otherwise.
Tons of people form their views primarily on vibes and a ton of people don’t like Newsom because he genuinely comes off as unrelatable and dishonest. And even people who discount that personally are aware that if you get another John Kerry it doesn’t matter how good his policies are if he loses.
Again, I didn’t start this thread to change people’s minds but to try to understand something other people were strongly reacting to. I don’t seem to have the visceral reaction other people are getting. I don’t want to exaggerate this too much, as I get that Newsom is so polished that he can come across as fake.
To be clear, I think a gut or vibe reaction to a politician is every bit as valid as a detailed analysis of their policy positions. Would you say that you fall into this is almost entirely a vibe thing or is there more too this?
That is a major black mark in the other 49 states for any non-democratic voter.
If any California candidate runs, all the republicans would have to do is remind voters that candidate X is from California. No further attacks would be needed. It is unfair but true.
i think that is why plugged in democrats don’t want Newsom. Nothing need be personal, but the baggage is too heavy.
The Democrats have lots of other candidates that aren’t starting 10 points behind.
There are plenty of good faith liberal reasons to hate Newsom besides his policies and positions (like his terrible podcast choices, his flip-flopping, and even just his communications style).
The courts handled in within two days. Otherwise, you would have chaos.
It was held outdoors, thus it was not within Newsom’s request that people avoid indoor multi-household gatherings and social mixing.
Newsom has signed more bills protecting LGBT+ rights than any other governor.
This week on The Ezra Klein Show, a podcast hosted by The New York Times,California Gov. Gavin Newsom said he’s signed more pro-transgender bills into law than any governor. “I want to see trans kids,” said Newsom, a Democrat. “I have a trans godson. There’s no governor who has signed more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBTQ community.” His statement about pro-trans legislation is likely true, especially given the volume of such legislation in California.
But based on LGBTQ+ group Equality California’s database of legislation it has backed, plus The Advocate’s reporting, we count 47 pro-LGBTQ+ bills Newsom has signed into law since taking office in 2019, of which 21 specifically benefited transgender people. Most of the generally pro-LGBTQ+ bills benefit trans people as well.
Among the specifically pro-trans bills are one making California a sanctuary state for out-of-state young people and their families seeking gender-affirming care; one preventing teachers from being forced to out trans students to their families; several addressing name and gender changes on official documents, either easing the process, assuring usage, or protecting confidentiality; and one requiring single-user restrooms to be labeled all-gender.
Yeah.
More or less Californians like him, and out of state not so much- maybe because other states do not like California (or NY or Texas).
You wouldn’t just have chaos, you’d be creating a constitutional crisis and then going to the National Guard and demanding that they take your side in it. If you gambled correctly and they take your side, then Trump has some egg on his face. Just as he did when the court ordered him to withdraw the troops. On the other hand, if they side with Trump, you’ve given him all the pretext he needs to crack down on your “insurrection”.
There’s very little upside, while the potential downside is apocalyptic.
