If you haven't heard by now, the biggest blue state Governor has been playing footsie with right wing provocateurs on his new podcast. The Democratic base is perplexed, but what is he really up to?
This right here is why Dems need to get out of their bubble and listen to smart and principled Republicans (there are a still a few out there). Mike offers a perspective I’m very unlikely to hear from the talking heads in the liberal information silo.
I’m in no bubble and recognized years ago that Newsom was hob knobing with the wealthy and noting the housing shortage, homeless, higher than anywhere prices and gov of the only state still taxing retired military pay-in other words behaving like a Republican.
To be honest, I have paid almost zero attention to Gavin Newsome's political career, and California politics for that matter. What I know about the man (and California politics), I know because I have been following Mike.
What does ring familiar in reading your comment is the stereotypical view about Republicans being motivated by wealth. It is familiar because it is a view I held for most of my adult life (not so much now). But what is also all too familiar to me is being on the receiving end of the "liberal" stereotype. My point is that both serve only the enforce the "us vs. them" mindset.
The other thing that has been evident to me for a while is that Republicans are much better at fighting and winning in the political arena, and unfortunately I am not seeing much now that changes my mind about that. But if Newsome is on a quest to infiltrate the MAGA information bubble and influence the narrative--to "own MAGA", then I stand behind him 100%.
Mike, being one of those Republicans that knows how to fight and win, has helped me see Newsome's possible strategy. My old stereotypical views about Republicans have withered by his influence. I'm glad I can follow and listen to his viewpoints, and I'm glad you are here listening too.
I only started paying attention since moving here from North Carolina. People who’ve always lived here don’t know that the rest of the country doesn’t pay over $5.00 a gallon for gas and a big chunk of change on state taxes. I’m here for my grandchildren but I remember when CA was better off-before Newsom. There’s no way he’s not dealing under the table. He announces he’s we’re going to boycott Walgreens because they won’t fill abortion pill prescriptions. Bull shit. He couldn’t make a chain pharmacy break a federal law and he knew it but others cheered him on and forgot about it.
Whether he was running for President or not. Democrats need to stop having panic attacks whenever other Democrats talk to people we disagree with. Gavin has come to understand the reality. The Democratic Party cancel cultured itself into an isolated bubble. That’s partly how we miss how deeply unpopular Kamala Harris is. We are losing the information war.
Guys, stop looking at these things as Newsom platforming Charlie Kirk, Steve Bannon, etc. These people already have huge platforms, more than MSNBC. They don’t need him. Start looking at this as these people are platforming Newsom and what we believe it. Newsom is going where people are.
Yes, the world is full of assholes, some of who think differently than we do. That’s life and it’s not changing. Rather than losing our cool whenever this happens, democrats need to instead go where the people are and win the argument.
We tried being isolated to opposing arguments, exclusionary, and cancelling people for the last nine years and it culminated in disaster. So, pardon my aggressive tone here - it’s time to get our head’s out of our butts and smell what’s really going on in the outside world.
Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon are assholes. However, Charlie Kirk has a huge following every week despite that. It’s time we fight back in this space and start winning the information war again. That means metaphorically getting in the ring and boxing with these people.
I’ll add. Kamala Harris could have gone on Joe Rogan and CHOSE VOLUNTARILY not to. Why? Because of the very same outrage Newsom is receiving now. Please fellow Democrats listen to me. We need to praise what Newsom is doing. He’s getting eyeballs on our brand. The best way to show people we’re not crazy is by them seeing and hearing us themselves.
Whether we go on Rogan or Kirk’s show or have them on ours, they’re big names. So, we either accept this reality and fight back accordingly. Or we continue to feel too enlightened to be in the same room with these voices and we keep letting them shape the narrative with the public on who we are.
I was discussing this with my sister. With some reservations, I believe taking the fight to them and has no intention of running for president. It will be brilliant if that’s what he is doing, and if it works.
Honestly as a Californian who voted for Newsom, I never wanted him as POTUS. I have never completely trusted him. That being said, I really don’t have a problem with the concept of the podcast. As much as I hate it, these people are already mainstream. I wish they were still on the fringes, but they are the GOP now. What I have a problem with is the lack of pushback on Newsom’s part. He doesn’t have to cede ground to them to have a conversation. I do say that as someone who hasn’t listened to the podcast though, I just can’t stomach listening to those people. I want the Gavin that debated DeSantis.
I don't know if I'd go as far as Mike does, but Mike is right, the media that matters in terms of reaching voters now simply isn't liberal. Just like Romney had to do interviews with NBC and even PBS, Dems now have to go to somewhat hostile turf just to get a hearing. Kamala not going on Rogan was a critical error that can't be repeated.
This is a very interesting take. I’ve been wondering what Newsom is up to with this. What I don’t quite understand though is what is the value in not countering even the most obvious lies such as Bannon saying Trump won in 2020? Is this some kind of rope-a-dope designed to disarm MAGA followers so he can sneak in actual truth later on once he’s become “one of the bros”? (Disclaimer I haven’t listened yet).
Talk about consciousness raising - to hang out in this crowd my consciousness is not only raised but floating high into the ether (or as Chuck might say "ethernets"?) and I'm grateful as hell because it keeps me grounded. Newsom is a master who understands the 3D chess board of politics and plays it well. Kudos to you, Mike for keeping me grounded and informed since 2020. All this helps me at the doors and on the phones 💯 🙂 🗳️
I was just thinking today about what the Mike Madrid take on this was. Dang, I hope he’s being brilliant. I’ll have to listen to the podcast to make some more judgement on that. Curious if the talks sound smarmy or sincere and if anything discussed gives way to thoughtfulness, and how close his discussions and tone come to mirroring the ones I have with almost everyone in my sphere of existence here in TX. Bannon has been pushing back on some of the Elon stuff. Maybe the far left and far right ARE horseshoeing to alignment like I’ve been seeing- and maybe Newsom sees that same populism path that I see. He’ll probably have RFK Jr on soon if so.
While I find this interesting it does not explain his unwillingness to push back on Bannon even mildly. He can get them to legitimize him without giving cover to their most insane views.
I can only like his Beast Mode interview :) Period. The rest of it is gross & BS. We already have enough media attention whores and listening to one cozy up to MAGA during a constitutional crisis is a NO THANKS from me. Just my .02. Truly have never been a fan of him.
This right here is why Dems need to get out of their bubble and listen to smart and principled Republicans (there are a still a few out there). Mike offers a perspective I’m very unlikely to hear from the talking heads in the liberal information silo.
I’m in no bubble and recognized years ago that Newsom was hob knobing with the wealthy and noting the housing shortage, homeless, higher than anywhere prices and gov of the only state still taxing retired military pay-in other words behaving like a Republican.
To be honest, I have paid almost zero attention to Gavin Newsome's political career, and California politics for that matter. What I know about the man (and California politics), I know because I have been following Mike.
What does ring familiar in reading your comment is the stereotypical view about Republicans being motivated by wealth. It is familiar because it is a view I held for most of my adult life (not so much now). But what is also all too familiar to me is being on the receiving end of the "liberal" stereotype. My point is that both serve only the enforce the "us vs. them" mindset.
The other thing that has been evident to me for a while is that Republicans are much better at fighting and winning in the political arena, and unfortunately I am not seeing much now that changes my mind about that. But if Newsome is on a quest to infiltrate the MAGA information bubble and influence the narrative--to "own MAGA", then I stand behind him 100%.
Mike, being one of those Republicans that knows how to fight and win, has helped me see Newsome's possible strategy. My old stereotypical views about Republicans have withered by his influence. I'm glad I can follow and listen to his viewpoints, and I'm glad you are here listening too.
I only started paying attention since moving here from North Carolina. People who’ve always lived here don’t know that the rest of the country doesn’t pay over $5.00 a gallon for gas and a big chunk of change on state taxes. I’m here for my grandchildren but I remember when CA was better off-before Newsom. There’s no way he’s not dealing under the table. He announces he’s we’re going to boycott Walgreens because they won’t fill abortion pill prescriptions. Bull shit. He couldn’t make a chain pharmacy break a federal law and he knew it but others cheered him on and forgot about it.
Quoting the line at scene transitions in the old Monty Python show:
...and now for something COMPLETELY different... 🤔
My fav
Thank you Mike, awesome points.
Whether he was running for President or not. Democrats need to stop having panic attacks whenever other Democrats talk to people we disagree with. Gavin has come to understand the reality. The Democratic Party cancel cultured itself into an isolated bubble. That’s partly how we miss how deeply unpopular Kamala Harris is. We are losing the information war.
Guys, stop looking at these things as Newsom platforming Charlie Kirk, Steve Bannon, etc. These people already have huge platforms, more than MSNBC. They don’t need him. Start looking at this as these people are platforming Newsom and what we believe it. Newsom is going where people are.
Yes, the world is full of assholes, some of who think differently than we do. That’s life and it’s not changing. Rather than losing our cool whenever this happens, democrats need to instead go where the people are and win the argument.
We tried being isolated to opposing arguments, exclusionary, and cancelling people for the last nine years and it culminated in disaster. So, pardon my aggressive tone here - it’s time to get our head’s out of our butts and smell what’s really going on in the outside world.
Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon are assholes. However, Charlie Kirk has a huge following every week despite that. It’s time we fight back in this space and start winning the information war again. That means metaphorically getting in the ring and boxing with these people.
I’ll add. Kamala Harris could have gone on Joe Rogan and CHOSE VOLUNTARILY not to. Why? Because of the very same outrage Newsom is receiving now. Please fellow Democrats listen to me. We need to praise what Newsom is doing. He’s getting eyeballs on our brand. The best way to show people we’re not crazy is by them seeing and hearing us themselves.
Whether we go on Rogan or Kirk’s show or have them on ours, they’re big names. So, we either accept this reality and fight back accordingly. Or we continue to feel too enlightened to be in the same room with these voices and we keep letting them shape the narrative with the public on who we are.
I was discussing this with my sister. With some reservations, I believe taking the fight to them and has no intention of running for president. It will be brilliant if that’s what he is doing, and if it works.
Honestly as a Californian who voted for Newsom, I never wanted him as POTUS. I have never completely trusted him. That being said, I really don’t have a problem with the concept of the podcast. As much as I hate it, these people are already mainstream. I wish they were still on the fringes, but they are the GOP now. What I have a problem with is the lack of pushback on Newsom’s part. He doesn’t have to cede ground to them to have a conversation. I do say that as someone who hasn’t listened to the podcast though, I just can’t stomach listening to those people. I want the Gavin that debated DeSantis.
A very interesting take Mike. I can’t say I’m convinced that Newsom is really flipping the tables on maga. Something still smells.
I don't know if I'd go as far as Mike does, but Mike is right, the media that matters in terms of reaching voters now simply isn't liberal. Just like Romney had to do interviews with NBC and even PBS, Dems now have to go to somewhat hostile turf just to get a hearing. Kamala not going on Rogan was a critical error that can't be repeated.
Right.
I have a hard time believing he isn’t going to run for President.
He, Buttigieg, and Shapiro are the only three white man I can GUARANTEE will not be the Dem nominee in 2028.
And it HAS to be a white man…just not these three, to begin.
This is a very interesting take. I’ve been wondering what Newsom is up to with this. What I don’t quite understand though is what is the value in not countering even the most obvious lies such as Bannon saying Trump won in 2020? Is this some kind of rope-a-dope designed to disarm MAGA followers so he can sneak in actual truth later on once he’s become “one of the bros”? (Disclaimer I haven’t listened yet).
I did not expect this take but you’re in the loop in Sac. Gotta think about this now bc I’ve been ticked off about this for weeks.
I think Newsom is correct to speak with populists. We must listen to the base that elected Trump, if we hope to appeal to enough voters to win again.
Talk about consciousness raising - to hang out in this crowd my consciousness is not only raised but floating high into the ether (or as Chuck might say "ethernets"?) and I'm grateful as hell because it keeps me grounded. Newsom is a master who understands the 3D chess board of politics and plays it well. Kudos to you, Mike for keeping me grounded and informed since 2020. All this helps me at the doors and on the phones 💯 🙂 🗳️
I hope that is what he is doing because the alternative is gross.
I was just thinking today about what the Mike Madrid take on this was. Dang, I hope he’s being brilliant. I’ll have to listen to the podcast to make some more judgement on that. Curious if the talks sound smarmy or sincere and if anything discussed gives way to thoughtfulness, and how close his discussions and tone come to mirroring the ones I have with almost everyone in my sphere of existence here in TX. Bannon has been pushing back on some of the Elon stuff. Maybe the far left and far right ARE horseshoeing to alignment like I’ve been seeing- and maybe Newsom sees that same populism path that I see. He’ll probably have RFK Jr on soon if so.
I sure as hell hope that's what he's doing. But I can't see it yet as anything but capitulation. Crossing fingers that you are correct.
While I find this interesting it does not explain his unwillingness to push back on Bannon even mildly. He can get them to legitimize him without giving cover to their most insane views.
I can only like his Beast Mode interview :) Period. The rest of it is gross & BS. We already have enough media attention whores and listening to one cozy up to MAGA during a constitutional crisis is a NO THANKS from me. Just my .02. Truly have never been a fan of him.