Karl Rove Exposes Gavin Newsom’s Vulnerabilities as 2028 Presidential Aspirations Intensify
California Governor Gavin Newsom's tenure may pose significant challenges for his ambitions in the 2028 presidential race, according to insights from Karl Rove, a former senior advisor in the George W. Bush administration.
In a recent opinion piece, Rove criticized Newsom's leadership, pointing to California's soaring taxes and sluggish economic performance as major drawbacks for any Democratic candidate seeking national office. He argued that the state has lost its once-coveted status as a hub for jobs and innovation, a reputation it enjoyed during the governorship of Republican icon Ronald Reagan.
“California no longer has the quality of life that was long a gigantic magnet for jobs and commerce,” Rove stated, emphasizing the stark contrast between past and present conditions in the state.
Newsom’s office opted not to respond to Rove’s assertions, which also extended to another potential contender for the Democratic nomination, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Rove suggested that Pritzker shares similar vulnerabilities on the campaign trail.
“Mr. Newsom has great hair and Mr. Pritzker a vast fortune,” Rove noted. “But neither will matter nearly as much as their records as governor. Neither man can credibly claim that he has a solid record of economic achievement. That may not matter much to Democratic primary voters. It will in November 2028.”
Concerns about Newsom's record are echoed by some left-leaning commentators, despite his rising profile among Democratic voters alongside figures like former Vice President Kamala Harris. Observers have pointed out that under Newsom's leadership, California has become a testing ground for controversial Democratic policies, leading to increased living costs and a shift in cultural dynamics.
“During his tenure, the state has been a laboratory for some of the Democratic Party’s most politically fraught policies and instincts,” wrote Marc Novicoff and Jonathan Chait in a recent article. “His record not only raises pressing questions about how effectively he could govern as president; it also provides opponents an endless buffet of vulnerabilities across social and economic issues.”
Over the past year, Newsom has positioned himself as a prominent Democratic counterbalance to former President Trump, frequently engaging with him on social media and launching a podcast featuring discussions with notable conservatives.
Rove has not shied away from critiquing the Republican Party either, especially as midterm elections approach. He warned that the GOP's failure to deliver on promises such as replacing the Affordable Care Act could spell trouble for the party.
In another column, Rove took aim at President Trump, arguing that his often controversial remarks and overly optimistic assessments of the economy do not resonate with voters facing real financial struggles. “Mr. Biden and his allies looked disconnected from reality when they proclaimed ‘Bidenomics is working’ even as ordinary Americans struggled with inflation,” Rove commented. “Telling voters not to believe their own lying checkbooks was politically insane. Mr. Trump is doing the same thing.”
