Gavin, This Ain't It
Centrist Politics Won’t Save You in 2028. Authenticity will.
Gavin Newsom is unofficially kicking off his 2028 presidential campaign.
Everyone knows it, and generally that's fine. But the rebrand is… something, inviting guests with, shall I say, openly hostile views on the majority of Americans to have an enjoyable conversation on Gavin's new podcast regarding what works in America on politics.
And if your goal is absolute power? Go off, Gavin. But if the goal is a stronger economy with a healthy community, then this "both sides" approach isn't going to work. Let's talk about why.
There are roughly 340 million Americans, 244 million of whom are voting eligible. Of the 244 million, 64% voted in this last election, meaning close to 90 million eligible voters said "Nah…"
While enforcing a progressive agenda, President Joe Biden did his best to come across as a centrist, using good faith efforts of reaching across the aisle and close relationships with politicians he’d worked decades with to move the country forward to a more civil, respectful place. Yet here we are with the White House looking like a Tesla dealership.
There's a long assumption that being a Centrist is the best approach to being elected as a Democrat (the same theory does not apply to Republicans, however). In theory, sure, and historically, maybe. You've got people on the left and people on the right, so in theory, meeting people in the middle should win the most votes. The only probably is reality.
Trump is the furthest thing from a Centrist, and while Joe campaigned as one, a lot of folks voted against Trump in 2020, not necessarily because they loved Joey B's vision for America.
While a liar, grifter, and all things dishonorable, people believe Trump’s message. Why? I'm not smart enough to answer that, but often he comes across as a champion of people, someone who got into politics to change a broken system. He’s not a champion of people, and he’s demolishing a broken system and trying to put a rundown hotel on the property, but that’s for another day.
Americans are so hungry to have a President who'll fight for them that many have hitched their wagon to the one person they think will, even if that means risking their 401K, health care, or personal safety in the process. This centrist approach being targeted by Gavin Newsom is outdated, ineffective, and is missing the point.
Like I mentioned earlier, 90 million people sat out the election. That's a lot of people! And no, they won't be persuaded by more ads or controversial podcast episodes; they'll be persuaded by people who believe in a Presidential candidate. Presidential candidates need to stop crafting specific messages to a handful of “undecided voters” who need a personal handshake from the candidate to decide if they like democracy or authoritarianism better.
Californians voted for Gavin. I voted for him. Even after his French Laundry blunder, I gave him a pass, acknowledging the stupidity but feeling like the Charlie Kirks and Steve Bannons of the world were making a far bigger deal out of the situation than it needed to be. But am I going to bat for him today? No, definitely not now. Stating your son is a massive fan of a white supremacist is a huge red flag on multiple levels.
Jasmine Crockett resonates with people because, on top of being brilliant, she's authentically her. Bernie Sanders has a decade-long track record of consistency and authenticity. The goal is never perfection, but the question is, do you give a damn? Are you dedicated to people or power? Who are you here to serve?
The country isn't 50% red and 50% blue. America is roughly 46% voters, 28% kids, and 26% people who want nothing to do with any of this. Why? Because your average voter sees suits, they see lies, talking points, and honestly, they see the same. I know there is a galaxy between what Gavin would do for America vs what Trump is doing right now, but 26% of Americans don't because of the complete and utter BS they feel on a daily basis.
Tim Walz called Trump/Vance weird, and people said, "Yeah, they are!" Again, I ask why? Because they are weird! Americans felt seen having someone at a high level say what all of us were thinking. No focus groups. No message testing. Just an obvious observation that most people can get on board with.
Unfortunately, politics took hold, and the word "weird" left the conversation because Trump is worthy of dignity, I guess, but our hunger for more common sense, no BS, and no talking points is still there. Finding common ground with right-wing podcasters will not move the needle like authentic conversations with normal people would.
Gavin is 90% of the way there. He's eloquent, charming, and, let's be real, he's handsome. His resume screams presidential material, but while a resume can get you an interview, eventually, you have to talk. Gavin's talking, and the American people hear a man who wants to be President, but not a man who wants to lead.
A strong economy is built on physically, financially, and emotionally healthy people. Parents need to be healthy. Kids need to be healthy. An honest message of compassion, empathy, and progressive values works wonders from Haight Street to Bakersfield if you are willing to drop the strategists and message-tested responses.
I don't know who the Democratic nominee is gonna be in four years. Right now I’m doing my best to win a Junior Monopoly game against my daughter. But if that person wants to take back the White House, they need to lean all the way into authenticity as that is going to resonate with far more people than appearing as an opportunist centrist will.