Politics & News
Governor Newsom’s Aspiration to Emulate Ronald Reagan
A Thrill or a Cause for Concern Among California Liberals?
In a recent Fox News interview, Governor Gavin Newsom of California admired former President Ronald Reagan’s leadership approach. On a personal level, Newsom wants to communicate with the public like Reagan did. Although this may raise eyebrows for California progressives against Reagan’s policies, Newsom’s admiration for Reagan’s leadership style is reasonable.
Both Newsom and Reagan display similarities in their approach to leadership, with their ability to connect personally with individuals being a shared trait. Both leaders are highly regarded for their ease in conveying complicated ideas to the masses through communication skills. Newsom could benefit from adopting some of Reagan’s methods better to communicate his policies to the people of California and connect with them on a deeper level.
In California, some liberals may not be fond of Newsom’s admiration for Reagan. Nevertheless, there are advantages to Newsom adopting Reagan’s approach to leadership. It could improve Newsom’s public relations and his ability to express his policies, boosting his approval rating. Embracing certain aspects of Reagan’s leadership style and crossing party boundaries may benefit Newsom in the form of a more unified and flourishing state of California.
The Reaction of California Liberals to Newsom’s Comment
Many responses have surfaced among California’s progressive community concerning Governor Gavin Newsom’s mention of his admiration for Republican Ronald Reagan. Newsom’s remark could be interpreted as a gesture of unity, an effort to connect with those with different political beliefs and, as a result, attain backing from moderate or conservative values. Another possible reason for Newsom’s invocation of Reagan is that the former president is a widely revered figure in California and is known for keeping the state steady during economic hardship, a trait that may also earn support from liberals.
Newsom’s comment may not go over well with all California progressives. After all, Reagan’s views on issues important to many on the left, such as LGBT rights and abortion, starkly contrast the values they hold dear. Some may even accuse Newsom of trying to gain favor with conservative voters while ostracizing his liberal supporters. Newsom’s comment may miss the mark in these times of political upheaval when liberal activists are demanding more progressive policies and a decisive break from the Reagan legacy.
It is unclear what Newsom’s comment means for him politically. Although it’s too premature to determine its effect on his approval ratings or likelihood of re-election, opinions on both ends of the political scale have been substantial. Newsom must take caution in future comments to preserve his left-leaning support while pleasing moderate and conservative voters.
Citation
- The American Prospect. (n.d.) Retrieved June 19, 2023, from www.issuu.com/americanprospect/docs/tap_spring_2019
- National Governors Association Winter Meeting …. (n.d.) Retrieved June 19, 2023, from www.c-span.org
- Roger Ailes, the architect of conservative TV juggernaut Fox, is …. (n.d.) Retrieved June 19, 2023, from www.mercurynews.com
Originally published at https://www.newsbreak.com.
