Commentary: Newsom offers a sunny view of California to combat Trump's darkness
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In a State of the State speech that largely ignored any talk of the big, fat budget black hole that threatens to swallow the California dream, Gov.Gavin Newsom instead laid out a vision of the Golden State that centers on inclusivity and kindness to combat Trump’s reign of darkness and expulsion.
In a week dominated by news of immigration authorities killing a Minnesota mother; acknowledgment that “American First” really means running Venezuela for years to come; and the U.S.pulling even further out of global alliances, Newsom offered a soothing and unifying vision of what a Democratic America could look like.
Because, of course, far more than a tally of where we are as a state, the speech served as a likely road map of what a run for president would sound like if (or when) Newsom officially enters the race.In that vein, he drove home a commitment to both continuing to fight against the current administration, but also a promise to go beyond opposition with values and goals for a post-Trump world, if voters choose to manifest such a thing.
It was a clear volley against Republicans’ love of using California as the ultimate example of failed Democratic policies, and instead positioning it as a model.“This state, this people, this experiment in democracy, belongs not to the past, but to the future,” Newsom told the packed Legislative chamber Thursday.
“Expanding civil rights for all, opening doors for more people to pursue their dreams.A dream that’s not exclusive, not to any one race, not to any one religion, or class.
Standing up for traditional virtues — compassion, courage, and commitment to something larger than our own self-interest — and asserting that no one, particularly the president of the United States, stands above the law.” California The governor looked to define his legacy by touting California’s economic and policy achievements while cast...