Gavin Newsom a daunting political figure in state

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3/11/12 | Willie Brown

[SmithL]

I see Gov. Jerry Brown took some backhanded swipes at our lieutenant governor in a visit to The Chronicle the other day.

No surprise there. Even in his "do-nothing" job, Gavin Newsom is still a challenging figure for politicians throughout the state.

He's articulate. He has movie-star looks. He has a great eye for issues, and he's young enough to be Jerry's son.

That's also why Newsom strikes fear in other politicians. He has the potential for being a favorite of the Google generation.

Brown has a special grudge against Newsom, of course, because Gavin tried to run against him for governor. It was Newsom's biggest mistake.

What he should have done was say: "I'm in, but if Jerry gets in, I'll have to reconsider."

He didn't, and Jerry has never forgotten.

I remember Brown's inaugural address, when he all but announced his re-election plans by pointing out that his 97-year-old aunt was still alive and kicking.

Newsom was just two seats over from me. It was the first time I've seen a change in his color.

[SmithL]

The view from Willie World.

[VictoryGal]

I wasn’t aware that “daunting” meant “shameful”.

[ChinaGotTheGoodsOnClinton]

Is he talking about “Any Threesome or Twosome Newsom”?

[paul51]

donly in a zoo like ca could a guy like newsom be considered daunting. And even then it still takes a sfo rag

[bigbob]

for screwing up the chance to sleep with Kimberly Guilfoyle, Newsom has to be one of the biggest putzes in CA.

[Carry_Okie]

for screwing up the chance to sleep with Kimberly Guilfoyle, Newsom has to be one of the biggest putzes in CA.

She'd be pretty if somebody would only take away that trowel they use for putting on her makeup. I recoil every time I see it.

[Lancey Howard]

What would Gavin McGreevey want with a woman? I mean, Newsome, not McGreevey. Sorry.

[Carry_Okie]

There’s something likably direct about Willie, in the same fame as that equally infamous speaker, “Big Daddy” Jesse Unruh.

[ScottinVA]

If California were competitive, I`m betting Obama would`ve considered dropping Biden and substituted Newsome on the ticket. But he (0bama) needn`t bother, since the state is a permanent, guaranteed lock for the dems.

[DTogo]

for screwing up the chance to sleep with Kimberly Guilfoyle, Newsom has to be one of the biggest putzes in CA.

They were married for almost 4 years. For losing Kimberly, Newsom has to be one of the biggest putzes in CA.