By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Recent polling data indicates that California Governor Gavin Newsom has gained popularity among Democrats after launching social media attacks against Donald Trump. According to a POLITICO-Citrin Center-Possibility Lab survey, Newsom leads Vice President Kamala Harris in a potential 2028 presidential primary within California. This surge in support is linked to Newsom’s combative stance against Trump, particularly through his online trolling campaign and introduction of the “Election Rigging Response Act.” While Harris has also shown some positive poll numbers, the contrasting levels of enthusiasm between the two candidates highlight the evolving dynamics within the Democratic Party.
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Gavin Newsom’s recent actions, particularly his sharp and public criticisms of Donald Trump, have clearly had a positive impact on his public image, resulting in a noticeable boost in his polling numbers. It’s not simply the trolling, but rather a combination of factors, including his willingness to engage Trump on his own level, that seems to be resonating with a broad segment of the population. This approach, essentially “fighting fire with fire,” is grabbing the attention of people who might otherwise tune out political discussions, making Newsom a more visible figure.
The fact that Newsom is taking a combative stance is refreshing for many who feel that Democrats have been too hesitant to confront Trump directly. There’s a palpable desire among a significant portion of the American public for politicians to stand up to Trump’s tactics and rhetoric. Meeting Trump with the same level of aggression, coupled with substantive arguments, appears to be a winning formula. People want leaders who are willing to challenge the status quo and engage in a battle of wits, especially when it comes to calling out what is seen as the MAGA movement’s harmful behavior.
This strategy, of going toe-to-toe with Trump, is a departure from the traditional Democratic approach of being overly cautious and measured. It’s almost as if Democrats have been asked to fight back for years. This shift in tactics seems to be working, making people wonder if Newsom’s actions will have more support. The hope is that the willingness to call out the political nonsense will show more people what he stands for. It’s a direct response to the feeling that Trump has been allowed to control the narrative for too long.
However, there are also some critiques of Newsom’s approach. While the trolling is seen as effective, it does not necessarily mean support for his policies, which are the subject of criticism. There are concerns about certain policy decisions and Newsom’s past actions. Some feel that his focus on personal attacks is merely performative and doesn’t address the more significant issues that need to be resolved. It seems that the focus is on the short term, while the long term effects of the decisions are left unnoticed.
Despite the criticisms, Newsom’s willingness to engage in a political battle is a notable factor in his rising popularity. It signals a shift in the way that the Democrats may approach the political playing field. The move appears to be breaking through to “normies” – people who may not always follow politics closely but are drawn to the humor and attention that Newsom is generating.
His approach has garnered attention from all corners of the political spectrum. He’s also using the attention to fight against the policies the party of Trump and its allies have used over time. This is being seen as a smart strategy. The desire to see politicians go after Trump in the same way he goes after others is a powerful motivator. It’s a direct response to the perception that the Democrats haven’t been aggressive enough in countering Trump’s tactics in the past.
While some are skeptical and worried that Newsom is just another corporate Democrat, it is a good sign that he’s at least putting up a fight. The key will be if Newsom can deliver on the same message for years to come. The hope is that Newsom’s strategy could be a sign of change for how political opponents will be treated.