In April, California Governor Gavin Newsom traveled to Republican states to promote his progressive agenda. He said California had plans to “go on offense” against Republican governors.
Newsom’s constant attacks against Republican leadership have fueled an unprecedented battle between blue and red states. It seems as if he is completely oblivious to the fact that America operates under a democratic federal system, where states have a right to enact laws different from other states.
Nowhere has Newsom been more voracious than in his strikes against Governor Ron DeSantis.
Most recently, Newsom called DeSantis a “small pathetic man” and has consistently criticized the governor of Florida’s policies on everything from Covid to gender instruction in grade schools to gun laws.
The Win-Win
The rivalry is mutually beneficial for both governors, offering even more reasons for their respective bases to proclaim, “Phew … I’m glad I don’t live in California/Florida!”
With his anti-woke policies, DeSantis gives Newsom plenty of opportunities to claim that “freedom is under attack” in America and that he – and the Golden state – offer salvation from tyranny. He uses DeSantis’s policies to illicit funding for his “Campaign For Democracy” committee, which he says will fight “rising authoritarianism” in red states.
Newsom’s version of freedom, including a recent bill that punishes parents who don’t “affirm” their child’s gender, offers strong rationale for DeSantis’s policies in Florida. Ron DeSantis has banned transgender surgeries and hormone treatment for minors in Florida.
Newsom’s far-left policies are a means to rally more conservative voters in California, despite the chances of California voting red in a presidential race being zero to none. Still, there is plenty of money in California, and the more Republicans despise Newsom’s policies, which is not hard to do, the bigger the checks.
This makes sense for DeSantis, who is running as a presidential nominee in 2024.
What’s In It For Newsom?
By the way Gavin Newsom is going after Ron DeSantis, one would think the governor of California is running for president.
Otherwise, there really is no rationale for Newsom to be so vocal about another state sitting clear across the country. Unless he’s just trying to ingratiate himself to the powers that be in the Democratic party by showing unwavering support for Joe Biden.
In his interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News earlier this week, Newsom vehemently defended Biden’s record when He lauded him for post Title 42 illegal immigration efforts, along with the bipartisan work Biden has done around infrastructure, the Chips and Science Act, gun legislation reform, and the debt ceiling.
“I’m rooting for our President. I have great confidence in his leadership. I know he’s capable. I’ve seen a master class in results the last few years.”
Let’s hope Newsom has taken copious amounts of notes on how not to lead a country back to prosperity and international strength. He may need those come 2028.
Newsom also sits on Biden’s campaign advisory board, a coalition of Democratic leaders to help get Biden re-elected.
DeSantis Strikes Back at Gavin Newsom
DeSantis punched back at Newsom’s initial jabs in the spring in a California visit to the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley to promote his book, The Courage to Be Free.
“I know you guys have a lot of problems out here, but your governor is very concerned about what we’re doing in Florida, so I figured I’d have to come by,” he told a welcoming crowd of California conservatives.
More recently, DeSantis commented on Newsom’s obsession with Florida.
“He has a real serious fixation on the state of Florida. I mean, I think it’s just bizarre that he does that.”
He further challenged the California governor, “What I would tell him is ‘You know what? Stop pussyfooting around’” which elicited a swell of cheers from the audience in Fort Pierce, FL.
“Are you gonna throw your hat in the ring and challenge Joe? Or are you just going to sit on the sidelines and chirp? Why don’t you throw your hat in the ring and then we’ll talk about what’s happening.”
Newsom responded on Twitter.
“So…debate challenge accepted? Or do you need your notes for that, too?”
Again, what exactly is Gavin Newsom debating? He is not running for office. DeSantis’s declaration was a call to stand up to Joe Biden and run for president if the California governor wanted to a debate forum.
If California’s governor wants a shot at securing the Democratic nomination, he should take a note from Ron DeSantis. Focus on creating wins in your own state rather than criticizing someone else’s.
Jennifer Galardi is the politics and culture editor for 19FortyFive.com. She has a Master’s in Public Policy from Pepperdine University and produces and hosts the podcast Connection with conversations that address health, culture, politics and policy. In a previous life, she wrote for publications in the health, fitness, and nutrition space. In addition, her pieces have been published in the Epoch Times and Pepperdine Policy Review.
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