I moved to California in 1995. Within a few months, I was versed in some of the problems in the state, such as homelessness in Berkeley, tight budgets in the University of California system, and soaring real estate prices vs. rent control problems.
One day, I was driving across the Bay Bridge listening to some talk radio show and I heard a man talking about some of the serious issues in the city of San Francisco. I had no idea who he was, but it was noted on the show that he was the youngest member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. I liked his energy and common sense. He had a way with words, and I thought he was the freshest political voice I'd ever heard. I hoped he would continue fighting for the City of San Francisco. I kept listening and I found out his name: Gavin Newsom.
That day, I began a journal of policy ideas and inspiration, and I wrote his name in my journal along with my thoughts from the radio show. I kept him in mind as I continued studying issues of politics and technology. I graduated and became entrenched in the start-up world, and one day I saw him speak at a Glasshouse for Startups small group event in SF. He was talking about his experience growing the Plumpjack business, and he alluded to his possible run for mayor. I shook his hand, knowing I was shaking the hand of the future mayor because I believed his talent and charisma and his knack for actually finding useful solutions both on the business and the municipal level was significant.
I dove into working on new media for political campaigns on national and local campaigns, and during that time, Gavin Newsom was elected Mayor of San Francisco. Every so often, I would attend an event where I would see him talking to people, graciously listening to their concerns. We heard about his own personal problems, but somehow I knew he would rally. His popularity was soaring - the people of San Francisco loved him. When he announced his run for Governor, I think I was the fifth person to sign onto his Facebook page the first day it was setup, and I enjoyed watching it grow to over 59,000 supporters - even in the wake of Jerry Brown's candidacy.
Now I want to make one thing clear: Gavin Newsom could have been a safe politician, a career California Democrat like many others, not rocking the boat, just toeing the party line. He could have used his charisma and smarts to take the cautious road politically and follow the party line, moving up the ranks the way many others have, making small enough changes to get pats on the back and applause from the sidelines. But I believe he would not have been satisfied with that life. Instead he dared to dream. He's a man who has seen poverty, he's watched couples cry with joy when becoming married after being barred from it for several decades, and he's had his own struggles and triumphs within the education system in California.
Newsom's someone who's not afraid to roll up his sleeves and do real work. In the early days of his Plumpjack restaurant while Newsom was on the Board of Supervisors, I heard that he would sweep the sidewalk in front of the restaurant himself because it allowed him to stay involved. It's not that I haven't heard worthwhile criticisms of his work as mayor. We all have our flaws. But he continued to listen to the people in the community and register their concerns. He continued working hard for the city. And for a man to admit that it's tough to run a race for the state's Chief Executive due to his responsibilities both at home and in his current office - I believe that is daring, too, even in the face of an uphill fund raising battle.
So while I'm saddened he will not be continuing his run for Governor of California at this time, I feel lucky we still have Mayor Newsom in San Francisco to continue fighting the good fight, and I have no doubt he will run again for another statewide or national office when the time is right. He is a rare individual who could have provided the vision the State of California needed to pull out of a troubled recent past, and perhaps in the future he will still play that role or another of great importance. And for the national pundits who might use this as an opportunity to count him out, take heed: there's always a Comeback Kid.
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Mostly I'm sorry Newsom won't continue with his candidacy because I believe it would have been a good debate. I was also well aware of Brown's strong record, but I like the fresh ideas Newsom has. I find that the debates help push public awareness on these ideas and it would have been good to hear Brown weigh in on what Newsom had to say and vice versa. I had not yet decided whether to vote for Newsom over Brown. I wrote up the anecdotes included in this article before Brown ever entered the race.
And as much as I doubt Feinstein will enter the race, there's a big part of me that would like see her duke it out - two powerful women in the contest for California governor would be a sight to behold. And I believe Feinstein would crush Whitman, although Brown's record in comparison with Whitman's is like Biden to Palin - no contest.
Team Edward, you've got competition... and now he has more time since he's not running for Gov.
Jerry Brown is too old. He should practice grace, pick someone he's mentored under 45 and let go of his ego to help land a young, innovative person as Governor. Put all that experience into giving someone fresh the driver's seat and "guide" as an elder from behind the scenes. Let's look to California's future instead of the past... so what he had ideas 35 years ago? There are Californians that old with stalled careers thanks to the grey ceiling. Those born in his first term are now old enough to lead California. No one under 45 gets my vote in any upcoming election.
Anna Quindlen did it right, and she's not even as old as Jerry. Jerry, if you're reading this, take a page from this classy playbook:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/05/03/anna-quindlen-giving-up-e_n_195300.html
This story is all you need to know about how he forms his "ideas". I do like his latest -- not running for Governor. How did he form it? Again, a political calculation. He took a poll and did what the poll indicated.
Screw Newsom. I wouldn't for for him as dog catcher.
He would have lost in a landslide anyway.
His only votes would have been the one-issue gay rights people.
As to equating California to the Titanic - I hope not. But I've heard good things about Jerry Brown, so hopefully he can help right the ship. I don't have any reason to believe Whitman can.
Was that really a typo, or a misunderstanding of the idiom, like saying "hone in" instead of "home in"?
At least you're deigning to reply to comments, unlike some.
Hope it's not Jerry or Meg or Barbara or Diane. Hope someone fresh, from outside the mainstream enters the fray in upcoming months. Like Al Franken did in MN... I forget Al's a Boomer he speaks out for my generation so much. Glad he finally took his seat.
With 36+ million Californians, there has to be a fresh crop of qualified candidates brave enough to enter California politics. Let's stop recycling the current crop of has beens. And as a fellow 1995 "transplant" to California, I appreciate Sarah's view.
It's not "towing the line", it's "toeing the line", as in to get your toes right up to the line, just like the raw recruits to your left and right. It's about conforming and obeying.
A party line, however, isn't a line on the floor or in the dirt. It's more like a line of script or writing. It's the official position. One is more likely to parrot it than toe it.
This has nothing to do with the other kind of party line, which is a telephone line shared by more than one subscriber.
As for that Governor thing, isn't that like applying to be the new captain of The Titanic, after it hits the iceberg?