For many Democrats, Gavin Newsom has become an object of desire. Aged 55, the Governor of California’s relative youth, coiffed good looks and ability to speak in something close to coherent English contrasts with their bumbling leader, whom as many as two in three Americans feel is not entirely up to the job. As a result, the chorus calling for Newsom to become America’s 47th President has been growing steadily louder.
Not surprisingly, Newsom himself seems to be waging his own campaign to achieve that end. He is, according to Politico, acting “like the president-in-exile”, promoting a new gun control constitutional amendment, working to ban petrol-powered cars and threatening to arrest the Florida governor, Ron DeSantis, for “kidnapping” migrants. Indeed, his profile seems to be growing just as Biden’s handlers ramp up their efforts to insulate the President from the media, his poor cognitive state posing a danger both to himself and to his legislative programme.
Yet Newsom’s sparkling ascendency might dim somewhat if the media bothered to consider what is actually happening in his fiefdom. Flicking through the mainstream press, one could be forgiven for realising that Newsom has presided over California’s fall from economic pre-eminence: the Golden State is now home to record homelessness, sub-par GDP growth, the nation’s highest poverty rate, a tech downturn fuelled by the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank, and a consistently underperforming public education system. These factors have fuelled a powerful out-migration trend — up 135% in just two years. Recent polls find upwards of 40% of residents are considering leaving, while the rising tide of wealthy emigrees has already taken away $20 billion in adjusted income since 2018.
When the state was flush, Newsom scored progressive points by handing out subsidies to poorer Californians, creating what was heralded as an ideal “blue welfare state”. California certainly spends more of its budget on welfare than virtually any other state, twice as much as its arch-rival Texas. But, at its best, this growing welfare state reflects a staggering inequality, in which 20% of state wealth is held within 30 zip codes that account for just 2% of the population. At its worst, it comes at the expense of neglecting basic infrastructure, such as roads and water supply.
And this is all in keeping with Newsom’s personal brand of politics. Largely financed by San Francisco’s elite, notably the heirs of the Getty family fortune, he presents the face of an emerging Democratic Party based on what the late Fred Siegel called “an upstairs, downstairs” coalition of the gentry rich, the dependent poor and the vast, well-paid union bureaucracy that serves them. On paper, then, Newsom stands in contrast to the legendary Democratic governor Pat Brown, whose investments in roads, bridges, research universities and water expanded opportunities for ordinary Californians in the late Fifties and early Sixties. Today, Brown’s successor is far more concerned with issues that interest the gentry Left: gender and race politics and, most critically, climate change.
None of these obsessions provides an answer to the state’s economic inequality. As a recent Breakthrough Institute report demonstrates, Newsom’s drive to make California a leader in the much-ballyhooed “energy transition” has led to high energy and housing costs. California used to be a major energy provider, with a large, well-paid and unionised workforce. Now, as Newsom seeks to eliminate the industry, California gets its oil from Saudi Arabia, importing more of its energy than any mainland state. Elsewhere, the state ranks a poor 42nd in fiscal responsibility, its transport systems face huge deficits, its hospitals are in deep decline, and it accounts for roughly half of all Americans who are unsheltered and living outside.
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SubscribeTranslation of the above: the Democrat party has a shallow bench, and is schizophrenic. Whatever adults are in the DNC want to dump Biden but don’t know how. Same individuals are angling for a work around Kamala Harris without setting off a stink bomb and angering its Black American base. At the same time the Biden camp and DNC is throwing anything and everything at Trump aiming to stop him from getting the Republican nomination, but would prefer Trump to be the nominee. It would take a Jordan Peterson to handle this degree of mental illness. Yet they’ve burned their bridges with JP.
Must be comforting for the DNC to know it has the race card to fall back on.
Perhaps they can take a lesson in sanity and good governance from the House GOP?
Is that sarcasm?
Is that sarcasm?
“angering its Black American base”
*angering its black American base.
I have a suspicion because I haven’t yet seen a poll, that Kamala Harris isn’t as beloved in the black community as people think. She’s not really an American Black having spent her formative years in Canada as a daughters of a Tamil Indian mother and a Jamaican black father. Kamala puts on a good show though and displays many of the tropes of black Americans when the need arises. Like Hillary Clinton the fake southern drawl comes out. She’s also married to a white Jewish American. She really a cultural outlier in the American black community and as much as blacks discriminate amongst their own regarding skin color- methinks they have smelled her out and don’t necessarily see her as one of their own. But let’s take a poll and find out.
There was no bounce in Democrat support when Biden chose her to be VP, so you’re quite correct. Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than Black Americans and therefore are distrusted by the latter.
How do you know this?
“Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than Black Americans”
*Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than black Americans
How do you know this?
“Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than Black Americans”
*Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than black Americans
She went to Howard University, which is very black (“HBCU” or “historically bad college and university”) and so I think her identity there is a combo of opportunism and partial identity. She is surely “blacker” than the pearl white Meghan Markle!
“She’s not really an American Black”
*She’s not really an American black
If you visit websites and subreddits with very high Black American participation, you will find – going back to the runup to the 2020 election – a strong thread of dislike for Harris. One common theme is that she’s a cop and cannot be trusted (as former AttorneyGeneral of California). Some of that is basic anti-law enforcement attitudes that might exist no matter what her particular record was, but she actually did some pretty bad things as AG, from a civil rights or a Black perspective.
I believe she never got above 3% popularity in the primaries for the previous election.
She is a very weak candidate, and everybody on all sides knows it.
That’s anecdotal at best and besides the point. Most objective Americans would look at the GOP and go ..no way I will vote for that. I mean the leader of the party is on tape asking a foreign leader to find dirt on his opponent, asking an election official to find him votes, showing off highly classified documents to his friends and refusing to return them and leading an insurrectionist. And yet so many white ppl here trying to debate the popular of Harris. …Ridiculous!
That’s anecdotal at best and besides the point. Most objective Americans would look at the GOP and go ..no way I will vote for that. I mean the leader of the party is on tape asking a foreign leader to find dirt on his opponent, asking an election official to find him votes, showing off highly classified documents to his friends and refusing to return them and leading an insurrectionist. And yet so many white ppl here trying to debate the popular of Harris. …Ridiculous!
There was no bounce in Democrat support when Biden chose her to be VP, so you’re quite correct. Recent immigrants from the Caribbean and Africa perform better in school and the workplace than Black Americans and therefore are distrusted by the latter.
She went to Howard University, which is very black (“HBCU” or “historically bad college and university”) and so I think her identity there is a combo of opportunism and partial identity. She is surely “blacker” than the pearl white Meghan Markle!
“She’s not really an American Black”
*She’s not really an American black
If you visit websites and subreddits with very high Black American participation, you will find – going back to the runup to the 2020 election – a strong thread of dislike for Harris. One common theme is that she’s a cop and cannot be trusted (as former AttorneyGeneral of California). Some of that is basic anti-law enforcement attitudes that might exist no matter what her particular record was, but she actually did some pretty bad things as AG, from a civil rights or a Black perspective.
I believe she never got above 3% popularity in the primaries for the previous election.
She is a very weak candidate, and everybody on all sides knows it.
Thank you. I also prefer English in its correct form.
You’re very welcome, although I have got into the habit of capitalising “White” while not capitalising “black”, because I like offending the woke scum.
Ah funny you like offending people. Good for you.
Ah funny you like offending people. Good for you.
You’re very welcome, although I have got into the habit of capitalising “White” while not capitalising “black”, because I like offending the woke scum.
I have a suspicion because I haven’t yet seen a poll, that Kamala Harris isn’t as beloved in the black community as people think. She’s not really an American Black having spent her formative years in Canada as a daughters of a Tamil Indian mother and a Jamaican black father. Kamala puts on a good show though and displays many of the tropes of black Americans when the need arises. Like Hillary Clinton the fake southern drawl comes out. She’s also married to a white Jewish American. She really a cultural outlier in the American black community and as much as blacks discriminate amongst their own regarding skin color- methinks they have smelled her out and don’t necessarily see her as one of their own. But let’s take a poll and find out.
Thank you. I also prefer English in its correct form.
The GOP allowed the Christian extremists to take over the party. Barry Goldwater warned against this decades ago. But their obsession with a “strong” president has put Trump firmly back in the driver’s seat. Jordan Peterson is a voice of reason, but I fear his health would not handle a political career.
Jordan Peterson is Canadian.
Ah! lol…well that’s that. He comments on US policy and politics all the time and is all over American social media. Wow. Very conservative for a Canadian I would think?
… as is amply obvious from his accent.
Ah! lol…well that’s that. He comments on US policy and politics all the time and is all over American social media. Wow. Very conservative for a Canadian I would think?
… as is amply obvious from his accent.
Wrong. The lack of actual Christian leadership caused them to cede every cultural issue except for tax cuts and ‘free’ markets. The culture was ever the only thing worth fighting for and their surrender is the reason the country is circling the bowl.
If you are are trying to equate the way Christianity has been historically applied in the US with morality then you are starting with a false premise.
If you are are trying to equate the way Christianity has been historically applied in the US with morality then you are starting with a false premise.
Jordan Peterson is Canadian.
Wrong. The lack of actual Christian leadership caused them to cede every cultural issue except for tax cuts and ‘free’ markets. The culture was ever the only thing worth fighting for and their surrender is the reason the country is circling the bowl.
Speaking of race, why capital B in black which, for over 600 years, has been adjective that is not capitalized.
I take Black to mean the American identity with a heritage of slavery, black to simply mean someone who came (recently) from Africa.
Capitalising “black” is just racism, pure and simple.
I am very much against the extreme expansion of that people want to label “racism”, mostly from the far left but also from any quarters.
I can understand that you may disagree about the capitalization, and you may have some good reasons for that, but how do you see it as “racism”, without using a new made-up concept of racism?
(You might be deliberately using the disreputable tactics of “the other side” in order to highlight the word games they play, but most readers here do not need that highlighting today and are tired of word games from any side, and those who play them).
Anyway: why do you think it racist to capitalize “Black” when referring to Americans descended from Africa as a distinct culture, versus other Africans in Africa or not?
What distinct culture are you talking about, exactly?
I hope Unherd doesn’t turn into an “inverse Guardian”. Then it’d have as little value to me as Guardian.
What distinct culture are you talking about, exactly?
I hope Unherd doesn’t turn into an “inverse Guardian”. Then it’d have as little value to me as Guardian.
I am very much against the extreme expansion of that people want to label “racism”, mostly from the far left but also from any quarters.
I can understand that you may disagree about the capitalization, and you may have some good reasons for that, but how do you see it as “racism”, without using a new made-up concept of racism?
(You might be deliberately using the disreputable tactics of “the other side” in order to highlight the word games they play, but most readers here do not need that highlighting today and are tired of word games from any side, and those who play them).
Anyway: why do you think it racist to capitalize “Black” when referring to Americans descended from Africa as a distinct culture, versus other Africans in Africa or not?
Capitalising “black” is just racism, pure and simple.
I take Black to mean the American identity with a heritage of slavery, black to simply mean someone who came (recently) from Africa.
Funny
The GOP uses the race card every other word. Hint “woke”. Another termed hijacked by the racist “who are not racist”. As for Newton and CA, if you think TX or FL for example are better alternatives then you are sheep. TX and FL have far higher crime, worse education performance and far worse education.
Perhaps they can take a lesson in sanity and good governance from the House GOP?
“angering its Black American base”
*angering its black American base.
The GOP allowed the Christian extremists to take over the party. Barry Goldwater warned against this decades ago. But their obsession with a “strong” president has put Trump firmly back in the driver’s seat. Jordan Peterson is a voice of reason, but I fear his health would not handle a political career.
Speaking of race, why capital B in black which, for over 600 years, has been adjective that is not capitalized.
Funny
The GOP uses the race card every other word. Hint “woke”. Another termed hijacked by the racist “who are not racist”. As for Newton and CA, if you think TX or FL for example are better alternatives then you are sheep. TX and FL have far higher crime, worse education performance and far worse education.
Translation of the above: the Democrat party has a shallow bench, and is schizophrenic. Whatever adults are in the DNC want to dump Biden but don’t know how. Same individuals are angling for a work around Kamala Harris without setting off a stink bomb and angering its Black American base. At the same time the Biden camp and DNC is throwing anything and everything at Trump aiming to stop him from getting the Republican nomination, but would prefer Trump to be the nominee. It would take a Jordan Peterson to handle this degree of mental illness. Yet they’ve burned their bridges with JP.
Must be comforting for the DNC to know it has the race card to fall back on.
Bizarre to read this takedown on Newsom in the context of the Dem nomination without any angle on the San Francisco candidate terrifying the DNC with his talk of putting health before profit and peace before war – RFK Jr, a seasoned litigator with a profound knowledge of the levers of government and public policy, and the very opposite of the fake, coiffed, failed Newsom. Last week he raised $3m in three days. Nobody dares debate him and his interview performances have been extraordinarily impressive in spite of his speech disability. He wins accolades from the old fashioned left and right alike, building a very activist groundswell of support across the country. In RFK Jr the US – and the world – has a chance for the positive and fundamental transformation we so desperately need – not just a new hairdo. So why leave him out of the picture?
Unfortunately for his otherwise viable candidacy, RFK is steeped in conspiratorial flailing, calling vaccines a holocaust (even well before covid), promoting that autism hoax, and denying the direct connection between HIV and AIDS, among other wackadoodle views. Perhaps he could still contend in a very fractured field that included, let’s say, both DeSantis and Trump in addition to Biden. Through no fault of his own, his bizarre speaking voice is also a political liability.
*I’d consider voting for him if he’d moderate or disavow his dumbest claims. RKF Jr. victory-model sketch: RFK (I) 30%; Trump (I) 28%; Biden (D) 27%; DeSantis (R) 15%
Like to see your proof that RFK’s views on vaccines, autism, HIV and AIDS etc are wrong. I have seen evidence that he’s right.
What evidence? The burden of proof is upon the conspiracy shouting outlier, not on the consensus view to somehow prove itself to the satisfaction of all possible dissenters or crackpot theorists.
The ‘consensus view’ that told us that socially and economically ruinous lockdowns were necessary and that the so-called vaccines were ‘safe’, effective and necessary for all, kids included (more reputable, genuine experts such s Prof Karol Sikora and hundreds of others having been cancelled by Big Tech, Big State and MSM)?
You, Sir, can take your so-called ‘consensus view’ (!) and stick it in your pipe and smoke it. No one believes it any more except a few Hiroo Onoda style Extreme Centre cultists and the MSM stooges who pumped it at us in the first place.
Yep, supporters like yourself are going to convince enough voters that RFK Jr is a solid option.
Sorry, I’m very, very tired of being smugly screamed at by the extreme left, and I’m not buying any more of it from any quarter.
RFK Jr won’t get much traction until he and his advocates can stop screaming in people’s ears that they and only they understand the real TRUTH and you can only trust THEIR experts who are unquestionably the best, everyone else is just a cultist, etc, etc, etc.
Don’t take it too personally tho – there are many others to the left and right of you and your candidate who do the same thing, and get the same response from me.
Yep, supporters like yourself are going to convince enough voters that RFK Jr is a solid option.
Sorry, I’m very, very tired of being smugly screamed at by the extreme left, and I’m not buying any more of it from any quarter.
RFK Jr won’t get much traction until he and his advocates can stop screaming in people’s ears that they and only they understand the real TRUTH and you can only trust THEIR experts who are unquestionably the best, everyone else is just a cultist, etc, etc, etc.
Don’t take it too personally tho – there are many others to the left and right of you and your candidate who do the same thing, and get the same response from me.
As with the Covid vaccines, the routine childhood vaccines have never demonstrated long term safety and to a degree effectiveness is under challenge. Belief not supported by data.
Ah “the consensus”! Also known as groupthink.
Exactly.
The ‘consensus view’ that told us that socially and economically ruinous lockdowns were necessary and that the so-called vaccines were ‘safe’, effective and necessary for all, kids included (more reputable, genuine experts such s Prof Karol Sikora and hundreds of others having been cancelled by Big Tech, Big State and MSM)?
You, Sir, can take your so-called ‘consensus view’ (!) and stick it in your pipe and smoke it. No one believes it any more except a few Hiroo Onoda style Extreme Centre cultists and the MSM stooges who pumped it at us in the first place.
As with the Covid vaccines, the routine childhood vaccines have never demonstrated long term safety and to a degree effectiveness is under challenge. Belief not supported by data.
Ah “the consensus”! Also known as groupthink.
Exactly.
It doesn’t matter. The officially approved mainstream media narrative/gospel is that he is a nutter. Keep moving along.
People are beginning the mistrust the msm. Many are choosing alternatives – like Unherd.
Let’s be honest, Unherd is irrelevant in context of public debate.
Most people take news from MSM like bbc.
How many subscribers Unherd has?
10 thousands?
Even Spectator is about 100k.
Yes true. How is change effected if the majority only takes a moment to take their MSM fix and not debate the issue?
I’m here because I like to hear the usually “unherd” positions, and I find I often agree with them, to greater or lesser degree.
But there is persuasion with evidence and reason, and there are True Believers. Everyone gets a shot, but some of the latter do not interest me; they can be as dogmatic and arrogant about their certainty as the far left or far right.
However, I do disagree with those who would not grant them their right to speak, so long as I get to decide whether to listen.
I’m here because I like to hear the usually “unherd” positions, and I find I often agree with them, to greater or lesser degree.
But there is persuasion with evidence and reason, and there are True Believers. Everyone gets a shot, but some of the latter do not interest me; they can be as dogmatic and arrogant about their certainty as the far left or far right.
However, I do disagree with those who would not grant them their right to speak, so long as I get to decide whether to listen.
Yes true. How is change effected if the majority only takes a moment to take their MSM fix and not debate the issue?
Let’s be honest, Unherd is irrelevant in context of public debate.
Most people take news from MSM like bbc.
How many subscribers Unherd has?
10 thousands?
Even Spectator is about 100k.
People are beginning the mistrust the msm. Many are choosing alternatives – like Unherd.
The MMR vaccinations link with autism has been disproved and there IS a connection between HIV and AIDS. (However, I’m on the fence regarding Covid’s vaccination).
That’s all RFK has to do, tone this one down.
What evidence? The burden of proof is upon the conspiracy shouting outlier, not on the consensus view to somehow prove itself to the satisfaction of all possible dissenters or crackpot theorists.
It doesn’t matter. The officially approved mainstream media narrative/gospel is that he is a nutter. Keep moving along.
The MMR vaccinations link with autism has been disproved and there IS a connection between HIV and AIDS. (However, I’m on the fence regarding Covid’s vaccination).
That’s all RFK has to do, tone this one down.
The media present RFK’s views as wackadoodle because that suits their purpose. His views are nuanced. He says “I am pro-vaccine but pro-safety” in his interviews. Hardly an extremist position. He is dangerous to the establishment because he asks difficult questions and is not “owned” by vested interests.
That’s not his consistent, full position on vaccines and you must know that. Aside from my use of “wackadoodle”, I think I take a nuanced view of RFK Jr.: He’s an intelligent and principled man with some fringe, angry views he takes for articles of faith, in the absence of any persuasive evidence. If he would disavow the claims that underlie the “pro-safety” bumper sticker, or at least discuss and engage the issue instead of ranting and denouncing, I’d consider voting for him–especially given the rest of the field. Enough said from me on this one (and then some).
You are 100% correct. I investigated RFK thoroughly because I had really hoped he could be a viable candidate.
But his own words work against him.
He takes a nuanced view of vaccines….now.
You are 100% correct. I investigated RFK thoroughly because I had really hoped he could be a viable candidate.
But his own words work against him.
He takes a nuanced view of vaccines….now.
That’s not his consistent, full position on vaccines and you must know that. Aside from my use of “wackadoodle”, I think I take a nuanced view of RFK Jr.: He’s an intelligent and principled man with some fringe, angry views he takes for articles of faith, in the absence of any persuasive evidence. If he would disavow the claims that underlie the “pro-safety” bumper sticker, or at least discuss and engage the issue instead of ranting and denouncing, I’d consider voting for him–especially given the rest of the field. Enough said from me on this one (and then some).
Definitely, if RFK is the solution then Lord only knows what the problem is.
If you seek America’s problems, chum, read the piece above.
Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.
Si monumentum requiris, circumspice.
If you seek America’s problems, chum, read the piece above.
Matt Welch has been doing a decent job of investigating RFKjr history. https://reason.com/2023/04/28/the-very-strange-new-respect-for-authoritarian-democrat-robert-f-kennedy-jr/
Megyn Kelly discusses RFK jr claims with the Fifth Column journos yesterday. RFKjr described himself as the “dot connector”. The man is given to conspiracy thinking, despite his record as an environmental litigator.
But is is not conspiratorial flailing is it? It is the exposure of real data and evidence that presents a contrary view to the one we have all been sold. He makes compelling arguments and backs them up. Perhaps you should take a real look at what. he has written.
Like to see your proof that RFK’s views on vaccines, autism, HIV and AIDS etc are wrong. I have seen evidence that he’s right.
The media present RFK’s views as wackadoodle because that suits their purpose. His views are nuanced. He says “I am pro-vaccine but pro-safety” in his interviews. Hardly an extremist position. He is dangerous to the establishment because he asks difficult questions and is not “owned” by vested interests.
Definitely, if RFK is the solution then Lord only knows what the problem is.
Matt Welch has been doing a decent job of investigating RFKjr history. https://reason.com/2023/04/28/the-very-strange-new-respect-for-authoritarian-democrat-robert-f-kennedy-jr/
Megyn Kelly discusses RFK jr claims with the Fifth Column journos yesterday. RFKjr described himself as the “dot connector”. The man is given to conspiracy thinking, despite his record as an environmental litigator.
But is is not conspiratorial flailing is it? It is the exposure of real data and evidence that presents a contrary view to the one we have all been sold. He makes compelling arguments and backs them up. Perhaps you should take a real look at what. he has written.
You’ve answered your own question.
You might agree on lots of RFK Jr.’s old fashioned Democratic policies, but what turns me off is his radical Green Agenda. One of his quotes : “Man Made Climate Change Deniers are contemptible human beings, and that, you know, I wish there were a law you could punish them under.”
No, thank you, that is not somebody, who listens to other scientific arguments about Climate Change. This reminds me a lot about all the politicians, who condemned everybody, who wasn’t convinced of Covid vaccinations. How ironic!
Weird coming from a guy who was a shill for Venezuelan oil and a big fan of Hugo Chavez.
Was he? How so?
Was he? How so?
Hello Stephanie, that video clip re climate change deniers was very odd. I don’t know its context or validity and haven’t explored it. But his climate views and the human role in climate change are actually very nuanced. I think his major climate-related concern is environmental pollution – if we poison the planet we poison ourselves. He has been very successful cleaning up rivers by suing industrial polluters.
If that’s true, that’s is much to his discredit.
But is it? The establishment that rammed Covid down our throats are so clearly out to nobble RFK, I’m primed to be sceptical about any harmful ‘quotes’ and allegations against him that appear online.
Weird coming from a guy who was a shill for Venezuelan oil and a big fan of Hugo Chavez.
Hello Stephanie, that video clip re climate change deniers was very odd. I don’t know its context or validity and haven’t explored it. But his climate views and the human role in climate change are actually very nuanced. I think his major climate-related concern is environmental pollution – if we poison the planet we poison ourselves. He has been very successful cleaning up rivers by suing industrial polluters.
If that’s true, that’s is much to his discredit.
But is it? The establishment that rammed Covid down our throats are so clearly out to nobble RFK, I’m primed to be sceptical about any harmful ‘quotes’ and allegations against him that appear online.
I like and respect RFKJ but he’s still a liberal. Republicans would do well to remember it.
He considers himself a libertarian..
He considers himself a libertarian..
RFK? Antivax, antinuclear, anti- every technology that might actually help at a time like this. Even Newsom would be less of a disaster than that bonehead.
I wish RFK would renounce his anti MMR vaccine position because this is the one thing that stands in his way to be acceptable to the Democrats.
It’s a shame because he would be more likely than any other Democrat to rally floating voters.
Unfortunately for his otherwise viable candidacy, RFK is steeped in conspiratorial flailing, calling vaccines a holocaust (even well before covid), promoting that autism hoax, and denying the direct connection between HIV and AIDS, among other wackadoodle views. Perhaps he could still contend in a very fractured field that included, let’s say, both DeSantis and Trump in addition to Biden. Through no fault of his own, his bizarre speaking voice is also a political liability.
*I’d consider voting for him if he’d moderate or disavow his dumbest claims. RKF Jr. victory-model sketch: RFK (I) 30%; Trump (I) 28%; Biden (D) 27%; DeSantis (R) 15%
You’ve answered your own question.
You might agree on lots of RFK Jr.’s old fashioned Democratic policies, but what turns me off is his radical Green Agenda. One of his quotes : “Man Made Climate Change Deniers are contemptible human beings, and that, you know, I wish there were a law you could punish them under.”
No, thank you, that is not somebody, who listens to other scientific arguments about Climate Change. This reminds me a lot about all the politicians, who condemned everybody, who wasn’t convinced of Covid vaccinations. How ironic!
I like and respect RFKJ but he’s still a liberal. Republicans would do well to remember it.
RFK? Antivax, antinuclear, anti- every technology that might actually help at a time like this. Even Newsom would be less of a disaster than that bonehead.
I wish RFK would renounce his anti MMR vaccine position because this is the one thing that stands in his way to be acceptable to the Democrats.
It’s a shame because he would be more likely than any other Democrat to rally floating voters.
Bizarre to read this takedown on Newsom in the context of the Dem nomination without any angle on the San Francisco candidate terrifying the DNC with his talk of putting health before profit and peace before war – RFK Jr, a seasoned litigator with a profound knowledge of the levers of government and public policy, and the very opposite of the fake, coiffed, failed Newsom. Last week he raised $3m in three days. Nobody dares debate him and his interview performances have been extraordinarily impressive in spite of his speech disability. He wins accolades from the old fashioned left and right alike, building a very activist groundswell of support across the country. In RFK Jr the US – and the world – has a chance for the positive and fundamental transformation we so desperately need – not just a new hairdo. So why leave him out of the picture?
It’s the same everywhere; the Left can’t run a bath, let alone a local authority. Potholes, rubbish collection and other local services aren’t as captivating as drag queen story hour, Palestine and silly electric cars / bicycle fetishism.
But as long as you control the ballot boxes in key, high population metro centers, and the public sector unions, who are guaranteed wonderful pensions, are in lockstep, it all doesn’t matter.
Exactly. A rotten banana republic that is dragging the whole western world down with it….
Exactly. A rotten banana republic that is dragging the whole western world down with it….
But as long as you control the ballot boxes in key, high population metro centers, and the public sector unions, who are guaranteed wonderful pensions, are in lockstep, it all doesn’t matter.
It’s the same everywhere; the Left can’t run a bath, let alone a local authority. Potholes, rubbish collection and other local services aren’t as captivating as drag queen story hour, Palestine and silly electric cars / bicycle fetishism.
Newsom’s appeal to the Left is really very understandable IF you consider this fundamental truth: Liberals do not care as much about what you do, as they care about what you say. Conservatives don’t care as much about what you say. They really only care about what you do.
This completely explains the Left’s abhorrence of Trump who had a much better record of accomplishments than Biden. They spent 4+ years being shocked by what he would say, ignoring what he was doing that worked. Conservatives by and large dismissed all that blather and boasting, focusing instead on his accomplishments.
Here, Newsom says all the right things, and will continue to do that into the general election if nominated in place of Biden. And the Left will conveniently ignore every salient point in this well written article because they don’t care…he’s saying all the right things.
After all, let’s not confuse the issue with the facts.
Bullseye.
Bullseye.
Newsom’s appeal to the Left is really very understandable IF you consider this fundamental truth: Liberals do not care as much about what you do, as they care about what you say. Conservatives don’t care as much about what you say. They really only care about what you do.
This completely explains the Left’s abhorrence of Trump who had a much better record of accomplishments than Biden. They spent 4+ years being shocked by what he would say, ignoring what he was doing that worked. Conservatives by and large dismissed all that blather and boasting, focusing instead on his accomplishments.
Here, Newsom says all the right things, and will continue to do that into the general election if nominated in place of Biden. And the Left will conveniently ignore every salient point in this well written article because they don’t care…he’s saying all the right things.
After all, let’s not confuse the issue with the facts.
I mean… I don’t know how that foppish, corrupt, incompetent, buffoon would get the nomination either, but the choices the US is making these days in general leave me flabbergasted, so.
I mean… I don’t know how that foppish, corrupt, incompetent, buffoon would get the nomination either, but the choices the US is making these days in general leave me flabbergasted, so.
Apropos San Francisco. I first visited in 1992 and last visited in 2002. It was, on both occasions, a marvellous city blessed with beautiful countryside and an agreeable climate (for a Brit). It felt safe, too.
Last week I was speaking to a well-educated American in their 20s. When I mentioned SF, they grimaced. “What a s**thole”, they replied. It was as if I’d asked them about Aleppo or Kabul.
What happened in the past twenty years? It can’t just be Gavin Newsom, can it?
I’m going on holiday with the family to California next month. We’re visiting San Francisco. I’m starting to worry.
Just drive across the Golden Gate to Sausalito and all points north, its quite lovely.
Don’t go to SF. See the Redwoods, enjoy the vineyards, but leave SF to its drugged-out dysfunction.
When were you last there?
When were you last there?
Pick your spots, such as Golden Gate Park (in the peopled, open areas) and Chinatown. You’ll survive, both physically and mentally.
Thanks all – I’ll bear that in mind
Rental cars are targets for burglaries, the Tenderloin is open air drug zone. I am local, 40 plus years. Public transit is overrun with addicts and low lifes. The homeless situation on the west coast is a very real problem, some harass people, follow your instincts, avoid the most unhinged. Newsom’s policies and political actions definitely played a major role in creating social disorder.
Agreed, I’ve lived here in SF for over 60 years as an adult, originally from the UK, the deterioration in SF over the years, especially the last five is staggering. That said if you’re just visiting and driving around the northern part of the City and across the GG Bridge to Sausalito and Marin County it’s still beautiful. But the downtown and Market Street and the Tenderloin are a horror story.
Closing down Mental Asylums and defunding and decrying the Police, together with the increasing family breakdowns has caused the present mess and it’s hard to see how recovery will ever happen.
Yes, I’m also originally a Brit who lived in SF for 30 years and watched the decay.
Yes, I’m also originally a Brit who lived in SF for 30 years and watched the decay.
Overpopulation and Silicon valley wealth made the rents sky rocket. I lost my rent controlled apartment of 20 years because my landlord could raise the rent 200%. There was rent control but not vacancy control. Many artists have been driven out and been replaced by the high income dot comms. I did get mugged a couple of times.
Agreed, I’ve lived here in SF for over 60 years as an adult, originally from the UK, the deterioration in SF over the years, especially the last five is staggering. That said if you’re just visiting and driving around the northern part of the City and across the GG Bridge to Sausalito and Marin County it’s still beautiful. But the downtown and Market Street and the Tenderloin are a horror story.
Closing down Mental Asylums and defunding and decrying the Police, together with the increasing family breakdowns has caused the present mess and it’s hard to see how recovery will ever happen.
Overpopulation and Silicon valley wealth made the rents sky rocket. I lost my rent controlled apartment of 20 years because my landlord could raise the rent 200%. There was rent control but not vacancy control. Many artists have been driven out and been replaced by the high income dot comms. I did get mugged a couple of times.
Rental cars are targets for burglaries, the Tenderloin is open air drug zone. I am local, 40 plus years. Public transit is overrun with addicts and low lifes. The homeless situation on the west coast is a very real problem, some harass people, follow your instincts, avoid the most unhinged. Newsom’s policies and political actions definitely played a major role in creating social disorder.
Thanks all – I’ll bear that in mind
Don’t go out at night. Stick by tourists.
The area outside San Francisco, the Redwoods, Napa…going into Yellowstone though? Don’t miss it.
Honestly. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I have traveled a lot..and that whole section of CA is breathtaking.
We’re visiting Yosemite, Sequioa national park, Santa Cruz, Monterey, last couple of days in Frisco
We’re visiting Yosemite, Sequioa national park, Santa Cruz, Monterey, last couple of days in Frisco
Just try not to look like a tourist. Don’t wear shorts or carry a camera or wear pastels!
Just drive across the Golden Gate to Sausalito and all points north, its quite lovely.
Don’t go to SF. See the Redwoods, enjoy the vineyards, but leave SF to its drugged-out dysfunction.
Pick your spots, such as Golden Gate Park (in the peopled, open areas) and Chinatown. You’ll survive, both physically and mentally.
Don’t go out at night. Stick by tourists.
The area outside San Francisco, the Redwoods, Napa…going into Yellowstone though? Don’t miss it.
Honestly. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I have traveled a lot..and that whole section of CA is breathtaking.
Just try not to look like a tourist. Don’t wear shorts or carry a camera or wear pastels!
He’s a symptom, not a cause. The voters are closer to the cause. How they became thgat way is closer still. But we do love our villians.
An American is either a he or a she, certainly not a “they” or a “their”. Well-educated people know this.
Don’t police my language and I won’t police yours.
Well educated people know that use of ‘they’ was perfectly acceptable whatever your place on the spectrum of genderist nonsense.
It is if you don’t know, or want to provide, the sex/gender of the person. BJ clearly knew whether thar person was a He or She but maybe he did not want to indicate. Weird but possibly grammatically permissible.
It is if you don’t know, or want to provide, the sex/gender of the person. BJ clearly knew whether thar person was a He or She but maybe he did not want to indicate. Weird but possibly grammatically permissible.
Depends what you mean by ‘educated’. The people who believe this nonsense most fervently are invariably ‘BA Hons’.
‘If there is hope, it lies in the proles…’
Don’t police my language and I won’t police yours.
Well educated people know that use of ‘they’ was perfectly acceptable whatever your place on the spectrum of genderist nonsense.
Depends what you mean by ‘educated’. The people who believe this nonsense most fervently are invariably ‘BA Hons’.
‘If there is hope, it lies in the proles…’
One culprit is the no-enforcement DA called Chesa Boudin, who was recalled. Runaway housing prices, opioid crisis, and attractive sleeping rough weather too. And hard-progressive mismanagement under decades of mayors. I lived there in 2002 and thought it was pretty rough and dirty then–not everywhere, and not only, but rough.
I was there with a group of girl scouts about 10 years ago?
We took the girls (around 11 years old at the time) to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with some 5000 other American girl scouts. The bridge is symbolic of them “crossing over” into another stage of the scouts.
Afterwards we went through Chinatown and several other neighborhoods. It was lovely.
But at some point we went to Ghiraredell’s Chocolate so the girls could purchase some souvenirs. We were followed by a trio of homeless screaming obscenities at us, aiming their vituperative comments particularly at the girls. I mean, really? They tried surrounding us, the 4 chaperones and 8 girls, and were really scaring the girls…they followed us for a little over a block. For no real reason. I mean, they didn’t even ask for money. Just stoned out of their heads and screaming.
I haven’t been back. I loved San Fran. And I’m an ex-Chicago girl! Not a lot shakes me. But this experience, maybe because there were children, no thanks.
That is really bad. I wish I thought that type of thing were more of an anomaly there.
It’s just in certain parts.
It’s just in certain parts.
That is really bad. I wish I thought that type of thing were more of an anomaly there.
No it’s not Gavin Newson’s fault. San Francisco has been in a slow decline for a long time. I lived there for 30 years from 1970. It was safe and open and free till the Zodiac killer hit, and the city shut down in fear. It’s never been the same since, no more hitchhiking or greeting strangers on the street.
I’m going on holiday with the family to California next month. We’re visiting San Francisco. I’m starting to worry.
He’s a symptom, not a cause. The voters are closer to the cause. How they became thgat way is closer still. But we do love our villians.
An American is either a he or a she, certainly not a “they” or a “their”. Well-educated people know this.
One culprit is the no-enforcement DA called Chesa Boudin, who was recalled. Runaway housing prices, opioid crisis, and attractive sleeping rough weather too. And hard-progressive mismanagement under decades of mayors. I lived there in 2002 and thought it was pretty rough and dirty then–not everywhere, and not only, but rough.
I was there with a group of girl scouts about 10 years ago?
We took the girls (around 11 years old at the time) to cross the Golden Gate Bridge, with some 5000 other American girl scouts. The bridge is symbolic of them “crossing over” into another stage of the scouts.
Afterwards we went through Chinatown and several other neighborhoods. It was lovely.
But at some point we went to Ghiraredell’s Chocolate so the girls could purchase some souvenirs. We were followed by a trio of homeless screaming obscenities at us, aiming their vituperative comments particularly at the girls. I mean, really? They tried surrounding us, the 4 chaperones and 8 girls, and were really scaring the girls…they followed us for a little over a block. For no real reason. I mean, they didn’t even ask for money. Just stoned out of their heads and screaming.
I haven’t been back. I loved San Fran. And I’m an ex-Chicago girl! Not a lot shakes me. But this experience, maybe because there were children, no thanks.
No it’s not Gavin Newson’s fault. San Francisco has been in a slow decline for a long time. I lived there for 30 years from 1970. It was safe and open and free till the Zodiac killer hit, and the city shut down in fear. It’s never been the same since, no more hitchhiking or greeting strangers on the street.
Apropos San Francisco. I first visited in 1992 and last visited in 2002. It was, on both occasions, a marvellous city blessed with beautiful countryside and an agreeable climate (for a Brit). It felt safe, too.
Last week I was speaking to a well-educated American in their 20s. When I mentioned SF, they grimaced. “What a s**thole”, they replied. It was as if I’d asked them about Aleppo or Kabul.
What happened in the past twenty years? It can’t just be Gavin Newsom, can it?
2nd gen Californian here. Newsom=perfect example of failing upwards.
2nd gen Californian here. Newsom=perfect example of failing upwards.
sounds like a prediction of what most of the UK will look like if Labour wins. to be fair, would be the same if the Tories stayed in, or we got a Lib Dim-Anyone coalition. None of our ‘ruling elites’ can actually ‘rule’; just pass more legislation and look self righteous.
sounds like a prediction of what most of the UK will look like if Labour wins. to be fair, would be the same if the Tories stayed in, or we got a Lib Dim-Anyone coalition. None of our ‘ruling elites’ can actually ‘rule’; just pass more legislation and look self righteous.
Rome is burning while the little would-be emperors play games. Meanwhile the Chinese century is taking shape. Transgenderist idiocy, like other left-wing shibboleths, is a distraction that our other planet, the non-Western one, billions strong, ignores or laughs at. Only climate breakdown, the reason why the South is moving North, is real. The USA is in decline, a failing power. The ultrarich will leave for their bunkers in cold mountain ranges, while the 99% drift to hell on opioid floods.
China will shortly start to decline as its population falls off its demographic cliff. By 2001 there will be more Nigerians than Chinese.
China will shortly start to decline as its population falls off its demographic cliff. By 2001 there will be more Nigerians than Chinese.
Rome is burning while the little would-be emperors play games. Meanwhile the Chinese century is taking shape. Transgenderist idiocy, like other left-wing shibboleths, is a distraction that our other planet, the non-Western one, billions strong, ignores or laughs at. Only climate breakdown, the reason why the South is moving North, is real. The USA is in decline, a failing power. The ultrarich will leave for their bunkers in cold mountain ranges, while the 99% drift to hell on opioid floods.
‘Anyone else rather than Trump, but preferably more compos mentis than Biden.’
Not a very catchy slogan is it? Especially when ‘anyone else’ includes such luminaries as Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, but excludes possibilities such as JFK Jr or even Tulsi Gabbard who might appeal to a wider electorate.
Perhaps the slogan should be extended further:
‘Anyone else rather than Trump, but preferably more compos mentis than Biden, and still subordinate to the Party machine.’
“Anyone but Trump, who is the only POTUS in my lifetime who actually delivered on his campaign promises.”
‘Change you can believe in!’ Anyone remember that?
‘Change you can believe in!’ Anyone remember that?
“Anyone but Trump, who is the only POTUS in my lifetime who actually delivered on his campaign promises.”
‘Anyone else rather than Trump, but preferably more compos mentis than Biden.’
Not a very catchy slogan is it? Especially when ‘anyone else’ includes such luminaries as Kamala Harris and Gavin Newsom, but excludes possibilities such as JFK Jr or even Tulsi Gabbard who might appeal to a wider electorate.
Perhaps the slogan should be extended further:
‘Anyone else rather than Trump, but preferably more compos mentis than Biden, and still subordinate to the Party machine.’
There is an obvious scenario. Biden steps aside and Harris appoints Newsome as VP. He would probably be approved by both Chambers.
Newsome would be defacto President and would run as the incumbent in 2024, avoiding a messy primary season. Harris would pardon all the Bidens in the name of “Moving on”.
The Swamp retains control.
The Congress has a say on such an appointment. Would be a real battle.
The Congress has a say on such an appointment. Would be a real battle.
There is an obvious scenario. Biden steps aside and Harris appoints Newsome as VP. He would probably be approved by both Chambers.
Newsome would be defacto President and would run as the incumbent in 2024, avoiding a messy primary season. Harris would pardon all the Bidens in the name of “Moving on”.
The Swamp retains control.
From this side of the pond California appears in ruins. Can Johnny America not see the wood for the trees? Even Democrats are said to be leaving, taking their liberal views with them to infect their new homes’ politics. The running joke seems to be all U Hauls are in Texas, none to be found in CA.
We moved to Northern California from Colorado 20 years ago. Even at that time, the cost for a U-Haul was literally almost 3:1 higher for somebody moving out of California than in. Must be intense now.
California is a very large state in size and population, and very diverse. Once you get out of the liberal hotbeds, most of the state is not nearly as bad as you imagine. Or course, one cannot escape the state government, so I’m not trying to paint a very rosy picture, just to moderate the imagined horrors.
I live in a small city, not too far from San Francisco (which IS pretty bad).
We have a homeless problem, but the city seems to be managing it pretty well overal. They remove campers in the parks or along the streams (I’ve never seen any on sidewalks), and strongly encourage the designated camping area with water, portapotties, trash, lighting, etc. They have built an area of transitional housing. Problem reports have decreased. It’s just dramatically different than SF.
We walk a few miles around town every day (or at night) and feel safe. There are nice parks and creekside trails. Litter is very minimal in general. I’ve never seen needles or human poop. Got yelled at once by an angry homeless man down by the creek, several years ago – nobody there now tho.
Our police are not generally hated, and from what they’ve said feel pretty good about their jobs. There was no substantial defund movement here; instead they added a special team composed of an EMT and a social worker in a van (at a given time), in addition to the police, rather than as a replacement. The dispatcher can choose which or both to send initially, but either can turn it over to the other as things develop. As a result, the police are very happy to have this team as a resource, and the team is happy to have the police as a resource. It was a sensible decision, rather than a heated anti-police social-justice proxy war.
And this is a blue city in a blue county within the SF Bay Area. It’s no paradise and I have concerns about the long term finances and direction in this state, but there are a lot of relatively sensible people here too, it’s not a paradise nor a hell hole. Mostly it’s pretty pleasant where I live.
We are wary of San Francisco, where some parts are sorta OK but we are not native there and don’t have the reflexes to scan an address and decide not to go to that section of town. Here, there’s no part of town that I would hesitate to walk in (and we have walked most of it).
Also, the people leaving California come in all political flavors, but those who are non-woke or anti-woke are a lot more likely to leave than the woke, who have similarly paranoid imaginings of the less progressive parts of the country and are deathly afraid to leave. Many have become disenchanted with the progressive vision (if they ever shared it), and so are open to rethinking or at least not trying to change their new homes to be like the places they fled. When I lived in Colorado, we disliked the effect of Californians arriving, but not because of their politics, it was their transferred equity that helped drive up prices.
Basically, remember that the media is a distorting lens even when it doesn’t have a political agenda (much less when it does). The algorithms cater to audiences of all flavors, and will result in exaggerated impressions very often.
We moved to Northern California from Colorado 20 years ago. Even at that time, the cost for a U-Haul was literally almost 3:1 higher for somebody moving out of California than in. Must be intense now.
California is a very large state in size and population, and very diverse. Once you get out of the liberal hotbeds, most of the state is not nearly as bad as you imagine. Or course, one cannot escape the state government, so I’m not trying to paint a very rosy picture, just to moderate the imagined horrors.
I live in a small city, not too far from San Francisco (which IS pretty bad).
We have a homeless problem, but the city seems to be managing it pretty well overal. They remove campers in the parks or along the streams (I’ve never seen any on sidewalks), and strongly encourage the designated camping area with water, portapotties, trash, lighting, etc. They have built an area of transitional housing. Problem reports have decreased. It’s just dramatically different than SF.
We walk a few miles around town every day (or at night) and feel safe. There are nice parks and creekside trails. Litter is very minimal in general. I’ve never seen needles or human poop. Got yelled at once by an angry homeless man down by the creek, several years ago – nobody there now tho.
Our police are not generally hated, and from what they’ve said feel pretty good about their jobs. There was no substantial defund movement here; instead they added a special team composed of an EMT and a social worker in a van (at a given time), in addition to the police, rather than as a replacement. The dispatcher can choose which or both to send initially, but either can turn it over to the other as things develop. As a result, the police are very happy to have this team as a resource, and the team is happy to have the police as a resource. It was a sensible decision, rather than a heated anti-police social-justice proxy war.
And this is a blue city in a blue county within the SF Bay Area. It’s no paradise and I have concerns about the long term finances and direction in this state, but there are a lot of relatively sensible people here too, it’s not a paradise nor a hell hole. Mostly it’s pretty pleasant where I live.
We are wary of San Francisco, where some parts are sorta OK but we are not native there and don’t have the reflexes to scan an address and decide not to go to that section of town. Here, there’s no part of town that I would hesitate to walk in (and we have walked most of it).
Also, the people leaving California come in all political flavors, but those who are non-woke or anti-woke are a lot more likely to leave than the woke, who have similarly paranoid imaginings of the less progressive parts of the country and are deathly afraid to leave. Many have become disenchanted with the progressive vision (if they ever shared it), and so are open to rethinking or at least not trying to change their new homes to be like the places they fled. When I lived in Colorado, we disliked the effect of Californians arriving, but not because of their politics, it was their transferred equity that helped drive up prices.
Basically, remember that the media is a distorting lens even when it doesn’t have a political agenda (much less when it does). The algorithms cater to audiences of all flavors, and will result in exaggerated impressions very often.
From this side of the pond California appears in ruins. Can Johnny America not see the wood for the trees? Even Democrats are said to be leaving, taking their liberal views with them to infect their new homes’ politics. The running joke seems to be all U Hauls are in Texas, none to be found in CA.
Well said, certainly a month in greater LA, if not SF will cause pause in your vote for Newsom. Everything you touch is determined to cause cancer in a state that was once inviting. Humans(read democrats) have ruined a once prosperous and glorious state. It is shocking(but not suprising) that 40% are considering leaving.
I had to LOL when the governors of Florida and Texas symbolically shipped immigrants to “sanctuary states” of NY and CA. Put up or shut up Newsom.
Well said, certainly a month in greater LA, if not SF will cause pause in your vote for Newsom. Everything you touch is determined to cause cancer in a state that was once inviting. Humans(read democrats) have ruined a once prosperous and glorious state. It is shocking(but not suprising) that 40% are considering leaving.
I had to LOL when the governors of Florida and Texas symbolically shipped immigrants to “sanctuary states” of NY and CA. Put up or shut up Newsom.
All true observations, but two nits:
Failure to mention that the two states far outperforming California — Texas and Florida — have no income tax, which suggests that the immensely high taxes in California are seriously misspent;The “Staggering inequality” is not a sign of evil nor is it surprising. It is a sign of a. a welfare state attracting the poor who have problems succeeding in an educational system
b. a huge pile of uneducated illegal immigrants
c. an educational system catering to uneducated ethnic immigrants who do not have the same educational drive as earlier generations of immigrants and
d. a mismatch between the educational levels of the poorer third of its population and the educational needs of its industries.
All true observations, but two nits:
Failure to mention that the two states far outperforming California — Texas and Florida — have no income tax, which suggests that the immensely high taxes in California are seriously misspent;The “Staggering inequality” is not a sign of evil nor is it surprising. It is a sign of a. a welfare state attracting the poor who have problems succeeding in an educational system
b. a huge pile of uneducated illegal immigrants
c. an educational system catering to uneducated ethnic immigrants who do not have the same educational drive as earlier generations of immigrants and
d. a mismatch between the educational levels of the poorer third of its population and the educational needs of its industries.
Zimbu the monkey for president.
A primate for our times.
Zimbu the monkey for president.
A primate for our times.
You can’t blame Newsom for the decline of San Francisco or California, simply because he has had so little impact either way. He’s the perfect symbol of the state, comb in hand, lazily surfing whatever random, shallow wave passes his way. If you want to find how this will translate to the national stage, look no further than Kamala Harris.
You can’t blame Newsom for the decline of San Francisco or California, simply because he has had so little impact either way. He’s the perfect symbol of the state, comb in hand, lazily surfing whatever random, shallow wave passes his way. If you want to find how this will translate to the national stage, look no further than Kamala Harris.
Well, Mr. Kotkin and I can finally agree on something. Newsom is a preening, incredibly opportunistic yet shallow politician who has overseen the decline of both San Francisco and now California. He appeals to the equally superficial rich progressives who bankrolled his rise from a pretty boy wine merchant/restauranteur in the ’90s. DeSantis would eat his lunch in any debate, and actually knows how to govern.
Well, Mr. Kotkin and I can finally agree on something. Newsom is a preening, incredibly opportunistic yet shallow politician who has overseen the decline of both San Francisco and now California. He appeals to the equally superficial rich progressives who bankrolled his rise from a pretty boy wine merchant/restauranteur in the ’90s. DeSantis would eat his lunch in any debate, and actually knows how to govern.
As an Australian we have made our own significant mistakes when picking potential political leaders, but I digress.
In a Country of 300M ish people you have a particularly poor selection of possible Presidential canterdates. Newsom is just another poor political performer. Don’t the Democrats have any potential leaders who have a record of running a tight ship and the potential of leaving their present position in better shape than they found it.
As for the Republicans having a president run the country from jail would be an interesting prospect.
“For the Democrats hailing Newsom as the saviour of their party”…such as whom? There must be examples for that seeming null set, but as a 45-year California resident, a moderate who’s family, friends, and acquaintance are mostly to my left, I don’t know anyone who’s called him a “savior” (back to American spelling outside quotes) nor a “greasy-haired great white hope”, or whatever–especially not lately.
Neither major party has very appealing candidates that are electable on a national level, but some pretty unappealing ones are getting elected anyway. I’d be ok with someone like Nikki Haley or Pete Buttigieg if I thought they could win. Not because one is a “woman of color” and the other a gay man, but because they seem reasonable, competent, decent, and presentable (yeah, that’s part of being a plus-value so-called Leader of the Free World), and who cares a lot about their “groundbreaking” demographic traits one way or the other?
Seriously, which Democrats are calling him a savior of any kind?
It used to be a requirement of a leader to be competent at something. The far-left who have taken over the Democrat party are competent at nothing. The decline of America’s cities and Democrat states is absolutely caused by chronic incompetence. Pete Buttigieg has been an absolute failure as Transport Secretary. Look at his handling of the disastrous chemical explosion after the Ohio train derailment. He was a laughing stock among people who actually live there.
Who could have consoled or satisfied them after de-regulationist policies , worsened under Trump, found them in calamity?
Were Bush Jr., Reagan, or his interior secretary James Watt–enemy of the air, soil, and water–models of competence? Neither is Biden of course, don’t get me wrong. But I trust his aged clown car more than Trump’s runaway golf cart.
As was George Bush in New Orleans and Nixon at Kent State (though “laughing stock” is a bit ill-fitting a term). That doesn’t quite encapsulate their whole careers, even if the taint endures.
Who could have consoled or satisfied them after de-regulationist policies , worsened under Trump, found them in calamity?
Were Bush Jr., Reagan, or his interior secretary James Watt–enemy of the air, soil, and water–models of competence? Neither is Biden of course, don’t get