Gavin Newsom Consults Bill Clinton as He Plans for Future Political Aspirations

<p>California Governor Gavin Newsom is seeking guidance from former President Bill Clinton as speculation grows regarding his potential candidacy for the 2028 presidential election. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Newsom expressed his readiness for a political challenge, stating, "I don’t have a problem fighting... I’ve been road tested. It’s not small ball out here in California." </p><p>As he approaches the end of his second and final term, Newsom identified Clinton as a key political influence, referring to him as a "master of his craft." He mentioned that he studies Clinton's work and often seeks his advice. "I watch videos of Clinton. I seek his counsel, his advice, and even in his absence, do that. I’ve been a student of his from day one," Newsom said.</p><p>Newsom revealed that he and Clinton frequently discuss policy and political strategy during late-night conversations. "He calls me late at night, wanting to talk about it, and he goes, ‘I’ve been thinking just nonstop about this. I just think you represent what they fear,’" Newsom stated.</p><p>Despite Clinton's controversial past, including his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and the scandal involving Monica Lewinsky, Newsom praised him as an exceptional problem solver. "[There is] no greater problem solver in that respect than Bill Clinton, in my mind. Master of his craft. Next-level," he said.</p><p>As he navigates an evolving Democratic Party, where democratic socialist figures have gained prominence, Newsom emphasized that he does not align himself with the Democratic establishment, instead positioning himself as a political disruptor. "I’m notoriously a disrupter at heart," he stated. "I’ve never been for the status quo. Quite the contrary. I have a record that consistently challenges the status quo, and I tend to take risks to a degree that few elected officials do."</p><p>Newsom also mentioned that he would not run for president in 2028 if former Vice President Kamala Harris enters the race. He is currently working on a 36-page book outlining policy ideas for what he calls Project 2029, which he describes as a governing framework inspired by MAGA's Project 2025. "No one touches these," he said about his policy ideas, which include zoning reform, corporate tax changes, and family leave policies.</p><p>Democratic strategist Doug Friednash advised that Newsom's approach of emulating Clinton could be beneficial, but warned that if the Democratic Party shifts too far left, it could harm the party's chances in the 2028 election. "At a time when the Democratic Party brand is incredibly unpopular with Americans, Newsom would be wise to take a page out of Bill Clinton’s playbook recognizing that Democrats need to appeal beyond its progressive left," Friednash noted.</p><p>Another strategist, Kaivan Shroff, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that Clinton understood the need to prioritize the country's necessities over the demands of activists. Shroff stated, "Clinton’s lesson was that successful Democrats could move the party in new directions without losing touch with voters who did not speak the language of the activist left." He added that Newsom appears to grasp this distinction but questioned whether he could successfully implement it.</p>