Comments on: Gay marriage debate complicates SF mayor’s future

By: drewski

drewski — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 09:23:14 +0000

Note that neither SF nor LA has gone bankrupt. Oh-so-pretty San Diego did, as did Orange County–SD because of a “minor” problem with pensions, and the OC because of a derivative investment program in the 90s. Interesting that it was the two hallmark GOP urban areas of California that went into bankruptcy, not least from phenomenally poor judgement and fiscal management. While Newsom has been mayor of San Francisco, it’s managed to navigate through some worsening times without fiscal implosion. Same in LA (for now). Given that the next Governor will get to be the one to put hands on what’s arguably the worst state fiscal meltdown in US history, a candidate with a track record of balancing a budget will have an advantage. Is he a jerk? Maybe, and who cares if he can build the consensus to pull California out of a world-class (and largely bipartisan and self-imposed) clusterfuqq.

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 19:06:07 +0000

I live in San Francisco, and while Newsom has really tried to put equality at the front of his political maneuverings, they’re still just that: politics. He’s also kind of a jerk. Good luck to him, since he’s far cry better than eBay’s Mistress Meg.

By: David Gibson

David Gibson — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 18:44:44 +0000

Mayor Gavin Newsom is so far ahead of his time compared to so very many other politicians in office today–or that will be in office tomorrow. I wrote on Facebook not long ago that he had my vote not only for Governor but, hopefully some day, for President of the United States. He is humane and forward thinking that he will surely go down in history as being one of the really true Americans. If only the people of the United States and the world would — to coin a phrase, would “wake up and smell the coffee.” The country needs Gavin Newsom; we need him very badly.

By: Rodney K Moore

Rodney K Moore — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:53:23 +0000

The issue isn’t that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or other states with marriage equality are somehow more “liberal” than California. The issue is that Californians were arrogant, smug and had this bring it on attitude, as if California were immune to the same social ills of the rest of the states. Also Californians like to think they’re different and that California is somehow enlightened. It’s not that California isn’t enlightened, but many people there often forget that while they live in a tolerant place, many people harbor unspoken bigotry and prejudices. California’s gays and lesbians, left-wingers, liberals, progressives and the like have grown too comfortable and failed to understand that homophobia that exists in Alabama or Texas, also exists there, just not as openly. Californians grew self assure, arrogantly assured of their superiority on social issues, that they let their guard down. In Massachusetts(where I vote, even though I live in Québec), we fought for marriage equality against determined bigots. While the vast majority of the polls indicated that a slim majority of Massachusetts residents were OK with same-sex marriage, we didn’t let such an important institution and civil right be decided by popular ignorance. Call it “undemocratic” but gays and lesbians in the Commonwealth and our allies in the Assembly did everything possible to derail any amendment proposed. We realized that while Massachusetts voters were by no means ignorant, many were not sufficiently educated to make an electoral decision as to the rights of a misunderstood minority. What Massachusetts did that California did not, was we never underestimated our opponents, we used legal and political cunning, we broke some rules but only in the spirit of upholding higher principles(ie a cop speeds and breaks the law to respond to a 911 call). We used our representative democracy and educated those in office, as opposed to letting an average voter decide on an issue which they don’t understand and don’t want to understand. Much in the same way we don’t allow 3rd graders to use heavy machinery, by the same token there are issues(ie marriage equality, defense, international diplomacy, etc) which are best in the hands of elected officials or the courts and not in the hands of the average voter. The founding fathers, across the board supported the notion that a republic and a representative democracy, instead of “direct democracy” was the way to secure our liberty and the longevity of our republic. It’s not a question of whether California is less progressive than Iowa or Massachussets, it’s a question of minimizing the electoral lynch mob’s ability to cause havoc. Californians are in bad shape right now, both socially(due to Prop and fiscally, due largely in part of California’s insistence on allowing people to vote on issues, which they have no expertise in. Anyway.

By: shawn

shawn — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:48:29 +0000

“Connicut”?? is this a new U.S. State?

By: Gerry Fisher

Gerry Fisher — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 17:38:12 +0000

Generally Newsom seems like a really good guy. However, it pains me to watch the far right run the videotape of him right after the court decision a year ago saying something such as “It’s over…they’re just going to have to get used to it.”

There have been some people in the limelight recently who have spoken poorly, not really realizing how their words can be portrayed later. Sotomayor is one of them, and Newsom is another. I think that true leaders need to be able to support their base constituency without waving a red flag in front of the bullish opposition. Every good professional athlete and politician knows that you don’t want to give your enemies ammunition before the war is over…never celebrate before you’ve reached the end zone! Newsom forgot about this, and his slip up empowered our enemies. Not his finest moment, IMO.

By: cheese & crackers

cheese & crackers — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 16:45:24 +0000

I live in San Francisco and I LOVE Gavin Newsom! I have never respected a politician like I respect Mr. Newsom. I will vote for him in any election he is ever in.

I am not originally from California. I moved here 5 years ago accepting the libefral image American’s hold of California. San francisco is the best place in the world, and the best place for gay people I have ever been to. Unfortunately, California is a huge state with and enormous and well-populated central valley, with enough voting voting power to sway policy. If Massachusettes or Connicut or Vermont had a huge Central valley dragging them down, I doubt there would be marriage equality in those states either. I would love to see California break up into two states: Costal california, and Inland california.

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 15:29:21 +0000

Gavin Newsome for Governer! He is the man!

Regarding California being liberal, there are more things to being a liberal state than just social issues.

And Iowa is nowhere near the 6th most liberal state. Iowa only has same-sex marriage due to a supreme court ruling. I highly doubt a majority of the people that live in Iowa support it.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:52:29 +0000

I’m a native Californian, and it’s anything but liberal. It’s just an image America has due to the film and TV industry. Sure, the Bay area is liberal, but outside of that, it’s just a few pockets, here and there.

By: Barb

Barb — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:42:42 +0000

We have unfortunately TWO Californias. If you checked the Prop H8 voting map, the entire coast voted against it and the central and inland areas were the culprits. The younger generation is moving this map inland over time, but it unfortunately is still moving slowly. Waiting for prejudice to die, along with the old Republicans. Thanks to people like Mayor Newsom, we have begun the process, in fits and starts, for California. I came her3 over 30 years ago for the promise of “progressive” California; good thing I chose the coast, since I did find the California I hoped to .. just didn’t find all my rights! We have to keep working and pushing for our rights. It is awesome to see progress in other states; this progress helps every other state eventually. Then the federal rights –which really will move us into full citizenship. Best to all.