How long has California Gov. Gavin Newsom been running for president without officially declaring? As I wrote earlier, it feels like forever, and there are still two years to go.
I think he thought if he put himself out there early, he would have the Democratic base flocking to him. But that may have been counterproductive; instead of focusing on the job he has now, he seemed to be pandering all over the place for 2028.
If the latest polling is any indication, that may have backfired on him.
Former Vice President Kamala Harris has a significant advantage over Newsom and the rest of the field by comfortable margins, in the most recent 14 major polls, suggesting she has the early advantage in a still-fluid race.
A poll by Echelon Insights from July 9 to 13 shows Harris with a 7 percentage point lead ahead of Newsom. A Quantus Insights poll from July 3 to 7 has Harris 18 points ahead, with 35% of the vote share.
Newsom has consistently ranked behind Harris at between 15 and 20 percent. So much for all his pandering.
As we reported earlier, part of the problem is, in the words of Joe Rogan, Newsom is like a "cardboard cutout" of a person. He doesn't come across as authentic; he acts like everyone's stereotype of a used car salesman. Kamala may be vacuous, but Newsom is slimy and vacuous. Hence, the "Gov. Hair Gel" nickname.
Then, too, he can't exactly point to great accomplishments while being the governor of California. Indeed, everything seems to have gotten worse since he's been in charge.
It's not very good to burn bridges with voters and podcasters as Newsom did by insulting Joe Rogan, with the powerful platform that Rogan has. He called Rogan a "chicken" for not having him on his podcast, and was clearly jealous that Vice President JD Vance was invited on the show. Rogan will sit down with almost anyone, so it takes real loser talent to blow the opportunity as badly as Newsom has blown it.
READ MORE: Priceless: Gavin Newsom Throws a Tantrum at Joe Rogan Over JD Vance Interview
Looks like the more people have seen of Newsom, the more they've decided they don't want him for that job.
Another poll doesn't have it looking good for either one of them, even placing Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14) ahead.
New @UNHSurveyCenter poll of Granite State D primary voters shows @AOC & @PeteButtigieg at the top of the heap: pic.twitter.com/TkNJKNh3xr
— Mark Halperin (@MarkHalperin) July 22, 2026
All those choices are horrible, and I'm especially amused by how Democrat Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17), another guy making noises about 2028 and embarrassing himself is at 0 percent in that poll.
I don't think either Kamala Harris or Gavin Newsom would fare well in a debate with either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The Democratic bench is looking decidedly lacking in anyone with any real presence.
That might change in another year or so (although I doubt it), but right now it leaves the Democrats swimming in a sea of mediocrity, which is likely good for the Republicans.
Editor's Note: The Democrat Party has never been less popular as voters reject its globalist agenda.
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