Brief Summary
This video provides a critical overview of Gavin Newsom's political career, starting from his family background and early connections to his tenure as mayor of San Francisco and governor of California. It highlights controversies, policy decisions, and financial dealings, questioning his leadership and suitability for higher office.
- Newsom's political rise was significantly aided by family connections and the support of wealthy benefactors like the Gettys.
- His tenure has been marked by scandals, including an affair while mayor and questionable financial transactions.
- Policies enacted under his leadership have led to economic challenges, population exodus, and increased state debt.
Introduction
California is facing numerous issues such as high unemployment, cost of living, crime, homelessness, and corporations leaving the state. Governor Gavin Newsom is facing a second recall election due to voter dissatisfaction. The video aims to explore Newsom's background, political beginnings, divisiveness, leadership failures, and potential corruption.
Gavin Newsom's Background and Connections
Gavin Christopher Newsom was born in San Francisco in 1967. His family has deep political connections, including Nancy Pelosi, and ties to former California Governors Pat and Jerry Brown. The Getty oil dynasty significantly supported Newsom's early businesses, such as Plumpjack Wine and Hospitality Ventures. These connections facilitated Newsom's political ambitions by providing access to Democratic fundraising networks and endorsements. Since 1996, Newsom has held public office, starting with an appointment to San Francisco's parking and traffic commission by Mayor Willie Brown, and has accumulated a net worth of approximately $30 million.
Scandals and Controversies
Newsom's career has been marked by scandals, including an affair with Ruby Rippy Gibney, the secretary of one of his appointees, while he was mayor of San Francisco. This affair led to his divorce from Kimberly Gilfoil and a public admission of alcohol abuse. Additionally, Newsom faced criticism for going on vacation to Hawaii during the Costco Busousan oil spill in 2007, which caused a major environmental disaster in San Francisco Bay.
Financial Dealings and Questions
Newsom's financial situation has raised questions, particularly regarding his purchase of a $9 million home and chronic property tax delinquencies. An LLC linked to Newsom's cousin and business partner gifted him a $3.7 million home, and Newsom's financial disclosure forms do not mention this gift or related transactions. These financial dealings have led to questions about who is investing in Newsom and what they expect in return.
Policy Failures and Economic Impact
As governor, Newsom has been criticized for policies that have negatively impacted California's economy. These include approving $1 billion for masks from a Chinese company instead of using an American manufacturer, raising the minimum wage, limiting energy production to renewable sources, and banning internal combustion cars by 2035. These policies have led to job losses, business departures, and the highest gas prices in the nation.
Social and Environmental Policies
Newsom's social policies, such as legalizing recreational drugs, reducing criminal penalties for sex with minors, and promoting affirmative action, have been controversial. His environmental policies, including the demolition of dams and the promotion of offshore wind turbines manufactured by Chinese companies, have also faced criticism. Additionally, Newsom's administration was criticized for suspending nursing home regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic, similar to actions taken by Governor Cuomo in New York.
Population Exodus and Business Departures
Due to Newsom's policies, many people and businesses have left California. Approximately 1.2 million people have left the state since Newsom became governor, and over 200 major companies have fled since 2019. Notable departures include McKessan, Charles Schwab, Oracle, and Tesla, resulting in billions of dollars in lost tax and operational revenue.
High-Speed Rail Project
The California high-speed rail project, approved in 2008, has been plagued by corruption and incompetence. The cost for the initial segment from Merced to Bakersfield is projected to be about $35 billion, and the total cost for completion of the project from San Francisco to Los Angeles is estimated at $128 billion. The Trump administration terminated $4 billion in unspent federal grants to the project due to the lack of a viable path forward.
Controversial Actions and Favoritism
Newsom has been criticized for aggressive rhetoric and actions that critics say promote polarization and political violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he attended a birthday party at the French Laundry restaurant, violating his own administration's restrictions on private gatherings. He has also been accused of pay-to-play favoritism, such as granting exemptions to specific donors in legislation related to minimum wage and alcohol sales.
COVID-19 Response and Unemployment Benefits
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Newsom's administration locked down small businesses while allowing big box stores, strip clubs, and liquor stores to remain open. California gave $11.4 billion in unemployment benefits to ineligible claimants and faced investigations into an additional $19 billion in claims. These events contributed to the recall attempt of 2021.
Water Crisis and Medicaid Expansion
Newsom has been criticized for his handling of the water crisis, including refusing federal aid and sending water to the Pacific Ocean for environmental purposes. He also expanded the state's Medicaid program to include undocumented immigrants, leading to increased costs and struggles for citizen taxpayers. The Department of Homeland Security is investigating California's cash assistance program for immigrants to see if illegals improperly received federal benefits.
Budget Surplus and Deficit
In 2022, Newsom claimed that the state budget had a $97.5 billion surplus, but this projection was based on incorrect assumptions. The state now faces a $20 billion gap between revenue and spending due to companies fleeing the state. Newsom's administration has tapped reserves, borrowed from special funds, and delayed payments to address the shortfall. The video concludes by questioning whether Gavin Newsom is a viable candidate for higher political office.
