He Can Run, but Can He Straddle?
This analysis from the Hoover Institution examines California Governor Gavin Newsom's political positioning as he prepares for a potential presidential run. The article contrasts Newsom's approach with that of Ronald Reagan, who ran for president shortly after leaving the governor's office in 1975. The author argues that Newsom lacks a consistent philosophical underpinning, instead engaging in 'shapeshifting' by simultaneously portraying himself as a tempered leader while offering lip service to the Democratic Party's socialist wing. The piece references polling data showing a lopsided gubernatorial race in California between Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, using this to contextualize Newsom's political calculations. The author questions whether Newsom's divided political identity can withstand national scrutiny, paraphrasing Lincoln to ask if 'a Newsom divided against himself can stand for national office.'
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