California Progressivism Is Not the Path Forward for Democrats
If California progressivism were the answer to Donald Trump’s MAGA-inspired populist bluster, then we’d be watching news of President-elect Kamala Harris’ Cabinet appointments. Instead Trump swept the swing states, won the popular vote and saw Republicans secure control of both houses of Congress. The message voters sent might not be entirely clear, but they certainly didn’t say, “We want California values!”
Harris, of course, was a product of the San Francisco Bay Area political machine. Her tenure in the U.S. Senate was marked by support for standard-issue progressive platitudes. She wisely tacked to the center, but never detailed a compelling alternative agenda—although she did walk back some of her more liberal positions. One cannot defeat something with nothing, even if the something is ominous.
There’s cause for concern as the Trump Show 2.0 unfolds. Some early picks—such as Sen. Marco Rubio (R–Fla.) for secretary of state—are perfectly reasonable. My initial social-media post wondered whether after all the fuss we’d just end up with a relatively normal Republican administration. Fortunately, I quickly deleted my X post. Shortly thereafter, Trump announced some doozies.
The funniest thing about choosing Rep. Matt Gaetz (R–Fla.) for attorney general—who was the subject of a House ethics report considering allegations of sexual misconduct—is it actually was a relief compared to other possible choices. Now that he has removed his name from consideration, it wouldn’t surprise me if Trump picks someone worse on civil liberties.
Don’t worry, though. Those same “principled” Republicans who would have dutifully supported the Gaetz selection will support whoever comes next, just as they will publicly applaud Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence.
Democrats are understandably in disarray. So are Never Trumpers and other non-Democrats who take seriously Trump’s promises and trial balloons (mass deportations, joking that Congress should find a way for him to run for a third term). It’s all fun and games until it isn’t. Granted, this is a long and convoluted path to my main point: To deflect further assaults on democratic norms, Trump’s foes will need a skilled, focused, and thoughtful leader.
It’s not news to this newspaper’s readers, but Gov. Gavin Newsom is not that person. Yet he’s positioning himself and our state as the bulwark of Trump resistance. Newsom last week announced an emergency legislative session to “safeguard California values and fundamental rights in the face of an incoming Trump administration.” It will muster “legal resources to protect civil rights, reproductive freedom, climate action and immigrant families.”
Mind you, this governor and Legislature have yet to make a dent in any of the state’s pressing homegrown problems: a sprawling homelessness problem, crime wave, housing unaffordability, and fleeing businesses. Newsom was first elected governor in 2018—two years into the first
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