In a recent episode of MSNBC's "Morning Joe," host Joe Scarborough expressed his incredulity at the actions of Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The governor, who is currently grappling with a multitude of serious issues plaguing his state, has embarked on a political tour outside of California. This move, according to Scarborough, is a clear indication of Newsom's ambitions for the 2028 presidential race.
As reported by WND, Newsom's two-day tour took him to rural areas in South Carolina, where he engaged with locals in coffee shops and small businesses. Scarborough, however, was quick to point out that Newsom's national aspirations might be hindered by the "really big pile of problems" he has yet to address in his home state. "Thats a guy who, if he runs, hes got a lot to defend in California if you look at quality of life issues there. Man, hes a really good fighter on TV, hes a really good debater, but hes got a really big pile of problems back in California," Scarborough remarked.
Jonathan Lemire, co-host of "Morning Joe," added that California has become the "boogeyman" for Republicans, given the state's post-pandemic issues, which include crime, drug problems, and natural disasters. The state, particularly Los Angeles, has been ravaged by wildfires that have consumed 40,000 acres and left thousands homeless. Newsom and other top politicians in the state have faced criticism for their handling of these disasters.
In a particularly poignant incident in January, Newsom was confronted by a distraught woman from an area affected by the wildfires. She demanded answers about the lack of water and preparedness before the fires struck. Newsom's response was to claim that he had tried to call the president "five times," but was unsuccessful due to poor cell service. He then retreated to his car.
The state's inability to effectively combat the wildfires was further highlighted by the lack of resources in areas like Altadena and Pacific Palisades. These areas experienced low water pressure or complete water outages as officials attempted to extinguish the fires. An analysis by OpenTheBooks, a government transparency organization, revealed that Los Angeles lacked the budget to adequately fund fire hydrants across the area, despite officials from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power receiving substantial taxpayer-funded salaries.
Major cities in California, such as San Francisco, are also grappling with escalating homelessness, drug trade, and crime rates. Residents of San Francisco's most crime-ridden neighborhood sued the city in March 2024, alleging that city officials allowed an open-air drug market to persist and tolerated criminal activities in the area.
Despite Newsom's administration investing $24 billion in homelessness since 2019, the crisis has only worsened. In 2024, California reported a record-breaking number of over 187,000 homeless people, accounting for almost half of the nation's homeless population, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
The Golden State has also seen a significant exodus of residents in recent years due to the high cost of living, homelessness, and rampant crime. As Governor Newsom continues his political tour, it remains to be seen how he will address these pressing issues and whether his actions will resonate with voters on a national scale.
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