Whispers within the Democratic Party hint at the potential of California Governor, Gavin Newsom, rising to the forefront of presidential candidates for the 2028 elections. Despite not officially declaring his intent to run, political pundits maintain the rhetoric that Newsom stands a reasonable chance to secure his position as the Democrats’ captain towards the next election. However, one could argue that this narrative merely reflects Newsom’s active antagonism of the Republican Party and President Donald Trump, rather than an authentic direction for the Democrats.
The latest political polls indicate that Newsom’s intensifying opposition to Trump and his political cohorts have won him considerable popularity. Such factors include disagreements over redrawing state congressional boundaries and Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. These are not without controversy, reflecting a lack of nuance and understanding often symptomatic of radical policy viewpoints.
Moreover, Newsom’s vocal mockery of Trump on nationwide platforms has elevated his standing among Democrats, painfully highlighting his chosen style of political discourse. Some members of the Democratic Party have interpreted these actions as a robust pushback against the Republicans, driven by their disappointment over the lethargic response to the Trump administration.
Recent results from the Yahoo/YouGov poll exhibit Newsom’s sprint to the vanguard of the Democrats’ 2028 presidential troupe, boasting 21 percent of registered Democratic-leaning voters expressing favor towards his candidacy. Despite Kamala Harris holding the position of former Vice President, she found herself trailing Newsom with a meagre 19 percent preference rate. Other Democratic candidates, including New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, fell even further behind.
The late August polling paints quite a different picture from earlier in the year. Around mid-August, results from an Echelon Insights poll had the roles reversed, Newsom playing second fiddle to Harris, who boasted a solid 26 percent support, dwarfing Newsom’s 13 percent. As recently as April, Newsom was discovered in the dreaded sixth place, a position he shared with Ocasio-Cortez and Buttigieg all sitting at a mere 7 percent.
The powerful narrative of changing fortunes in the polls takes an interesting twist as we delve into the age demographics of Democratic supporters. Younger Democrats and individuals leaning towards the Democrat base, aged less than 45, demonstrated their preference for Harris and Ocasio-Cortez over Newsom as the potential 2028 presidential nominee. It appears Newsom’s support is heavily concentrated among the older demographic of democrats, those over 45, where he surpasses Harris by a significant margin.
The Yahoo/YouGov survey, conducted from August 29 to September 2, proves reflective of this demographic dichotomy. With an approximate margin of error of 3.1 percent, Newsom emerges as a ‘flexible’ frontrunner with scattered support across different demographics.
Interestingly, Newsom’s adoption and emulation of Trump’s brash, social media tactics have not met with universal approval. Only 33 percent of respondents saw Newsom’s approach favorably, while a sizable 43 percent outright expressed their disapproval. This effectively puts Newsom’s strategy to ape Trump under serious scrutiny.
While speaking to The Wall Street Journal in June, Newsom nonchalantly expressed his uncertain path to presidency, saying, ‘I’m not thinking about running, but it’s a path that I could see unfold.’ This rather lukewarm affirmation gives little comfort to his supporters and further compounds concerns about his political ambitions.
One can’t ignore Trump’s own remarks about Newsom, made in June, commenting, ‘He’s done a terrible job. I like Gavin Newsom. He’s a nice guy, but he’s grossly incompetent, everybody knows.’ It’s a striking reminder of the contentious world of politics where disdain and approval often walk hand in hand.
While looming over the political landscape, the official candidate announcements isn’t expected until after the midterms, and Newsom’s second term as governor won’t conclude until early 2027. Until that time, the Democratic Party has its eyes set on a band of prominent personalities, ready to take the gamble.
The real test will be not just in the public support these potential candidates currently enjoy, but also in their ability to maintain relevance and continue to appeal to the party’s base as we move closer to the election. The presidential race is a marathon, not a sprint, and early leads can quickly evaporate under the scorching scrutiny of public opinion and the tendency of the political landscape to shift.
Newsom’s potential foray into a presidential run is a reflection of deeper ideological rifts within the Democratic Party. It’s a testament to the divide between their desires to pursue aggressive antagonistic tactics towards their rival party and the need to present a credible alternative to the Republicans. Whether Newsom can bridge this divide remains to be seen, and his candidacy will certainly test the waters.
To sum up, the traditional political paradigm appears to be shifting, giving way to a new arena where soundbites on social media may outweigh sustained political legacy. Newsom’s rising popularity and potential run can indeed signal a new direction for the Democrats; however, it’s a path fraught with uncertainties and contradictions.
In conclusion, Newsom’s prospective presidential run provides a peculiar glimpse into the soul-searching happening within the Democratic Party. Only time will tell how the American public will respond to these dynamics and what political landscape will form in the run-up to the 2028 elections.
The post Democrats in Disarray: Gavin Newsom’s Questionable Rise appeared first on Real News Now.
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