Staff Reports
As Democrats scramble to find a frontrunner for the 2028 presidential election, it appears they’ve latched onto California’s very own Gavin Newsom, at least according to the latest poll. With a majestic 25% support, this dashing governor seems to be leaving his competition in the dust, a whole nine points ahead of Pete Buttigieg and a staggering 14-point lead over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Perhaps Harris’ popularity is doing its best impersonation of a rock in free fall, as it’s recently dropped from 13% to a humble 11%. But never fear, Democrats always have a flair for the dramatic.
Interestingly, Newsom has been busy making a name for himself on the national stage, while Kamala Harris decided it was a good time to fade into the political background. He’s making sure he’s the shiniest object while everything around him continues to fall apart under his watch. It’s a classic case of all bark and no bite, yet Newsom might just charm his way to the top by poking at President Trump now and then to keep himself in the headlines. And who knows, an ultramodern political snake oil salesman might actually make it in today’s world, considering how political landscapes are shifting at breakneck speeds.
What’s perplexing is that while some Democrats are working themselves up over this poll, apparently zero percent think their party is on the right track currently. That’s right, not a single Democrat found satisfaction in the party’s current trajectory according to a survey. Republicans, on the other hand, seem quite content with how things are shaping up. In California, 56% of voters believe redistricting was a bad idea, yet they still rally behind their fearless leader, Newsom. Consistency is apparently in short supply.
Despite some Democrats’ dissatisfaction, this peculiar dynamic does hint at just how perilous Newsom’s rise might be. If he somehow manages to convince the voters that he’s a moderate because of good hair and savvy optics, Republicans could be in for a challenging ride come 2028. Newsom’s rise is a classic example of style over substance; sure, his policies aren’t exactly hitting home runs with immigration, the economy, or crime, but somehow, he’s front and center in this Democrat play.
Meanwhile, the rest of the nation is sizing up what’s on the Republican buffet of issues: immigration, the economy, and crime. Things Newsom has less than excelled at during his time in California’s political hot seat. Perhaps the most compelling showdown would be a faceoff between Newsom and J.D. Vance, a solid Republican candidate who isn’t afraid to address America’s real issues. A matchup like that could bring some clarity to the chaos swirling around the Democratic camp, and maybe, just maybe, bring an end to political theater masquerading as leadership.
