From talks in Davos, Switzerland, to rallies in Houston, there are clear indications that California Gov. Gavin Newsom is laying the groundwork for a potential 2028 presidential bid. Newsom has been relentlessly promoting himself over the past year, appearing in dozens of podcasts and interviews, publishing a memoir, and engaging in debates and discourse online. 

 On “This is Gavin Newsom,” the governor’s podcast, Newsom has featured high-profile guests such as Ben Shapiro, Ezra Klein and Charlie Kirk. The governor’s online presence has expanded massively, garnering millions of followers across Instagram, X and YouTube. 

Currently, Newsom is beating out his Democratic Party contemporaries in favorability, according to recent polling from Emerson College, and on prediction markets on the sports betting app Kalshi.

At first I found myself inspired by Newsom’s eagerness to confront Republicans and conservatives, and I was invigorated by the governor’s vocal criticism of the Trump administration. But after listening to countless hours of conversations, speeches and debates featuring the governor, it becomes clear that Newsom stands for absolutely nothing. 

Newsom’s stances are a cacophony of contradictions, pandering and meandering. His attitude on social and economic issues seems to change depending on who he’s talking to. On his own podcast, he continually displays his lack of backbone and never fails to show his disconnectedness from the average American. 

The governor has taken shifting positions on foreign policy: Regarding his position on the Israel-Palestine conflict, he refuses to acknowledge the genocide in Gaza one day and then compares Israel to an apartheid state the next. 

On social issues, Newsom folded in debates against both Kirk and Shapiro, giving little pushback to anti-trans rhetoric from Kirk and anti-immigration rhetoric from Shapiro. In an episode with Twitch streamer Brandon “Atrioc” Ewing, Newsom appeared confused and disoriented when Ewing confronted him about the economic challenges that young people are facing. In a manner that left me floored, he attempted to steer the conversation toward video games for most of the episode.

Much of the governor’s discussion of economic policy goes no further than broad criticism of the Trump administration. In fact, a lot of Newsom’s policy points are just criticisms of President Donald Trump. To a significant extent, I’d argue that the governor’s identity is largely based on his opposition to the president on essentially any issue. 

Newsom’s rhetoric, and indeed much of the talk among entrenched Democrats, has centered around simply standing opposed to the current administration. Newsom specifically has taken to X and Instagram, consistently mocking and taunting the president and his administration, calling Trump’s methods “disgusting” and “authoritarian” and repeatedly bashing the administration on almost every issue. 

The Democrats as a whole seem to have adopted a platform solely defined by opposition to Trump. This approach has come largely in the form of vocal critiques against the current administration, but they lack actionable solutions and substantive policies. 

Chuck Schumer, the minority leader in the Senate, has justified this methodology, citing the strategic importance of approval ratings for legislative leverage. But even as Republican approval ratings sink nationally, Democrats’ ratings have remained even lower. 

Newsom’s position is symbolic of everything wrong with the Democratic Party. Beyond the political theater, Newsom has yet to articulate a clear governing vision. He lacks a real, consistent stance on significant economic or social issues and provides few concrete policy solutions. And on top of all that, his track record is, at its best, disappointing, and, at its worst, is indicative of gross incompetence. 

During his nearly eight years as governor, Newsom has built a legacy of unfulfilled promises and wasted taxpayer dollars. California saw major spending increases, significant budget deficits and mounting state debt during his tenure. The handling of the high-speed rail project under Newsom has drawn harsh criticism due to cost overruns and significant timeline delays. And California water policy has been a point of condemnation among Republicans, especially during the Eaton and Palisades Fires last year.  

In a bid for the presidency in 2028, Newsom brings nothing but baggage to the table. He is emblematic of a party that has lost its touch with America. When I think of the Democratic Party, I no longer feel hope — I see the handsome face of Gavin Newsom gleefully selling hate and fear. Outrage against Trump is not an economic plan, and mockery of his cabinet is not a foreign policy agenda, nor is a tweet a substitute for real social justice.

If you’re anything like me, provocative podcasts and tweets don’t inspire any cause for hope for the future of America. We deserve more from our leaders. Democrats must be more than just not Republicans; progress is never earned through hate. We cannot be satisfied with a political theater which holds no role for the American people, and we cannot concede our demands for the lesser of two evils.