Blog: Gavin Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom wowed the Young Democrats of America, and me, at their annual conference on Wednesday. His message was simple, yet drew a contrast with many other Democrats: we should stand up for what we believe in, period. People will respect that, even those who disagree.

Newsom has been criticized by many for issing marriage licenses to same-sex couples in San Francisco last year. But, he persuasively argued, when John Kerry claimed that he believed marriage should be between an man and a woman, most people just plain didn't believe him. He lost respect from those who supported marriage rights and credibility from those who did not. Instead, he should have stood up for equality. It's the right thing to do. It's what Democrats believe.

People respect a leader who stands up for himself and for what he believes. Democrats continuously fall into the fallacious trap of thinking that voters will make their decisions based on which politician agrees with more of their positions. Voters want a strong figure to follow. A charismatic leader who extolls a vision for a better future is very attractive no matter the specifics.

And Gavin Newsom did this. "I'm pro choice, period, exclamation point," Newsom shouted, to thunderous applause. We need more people like Newsom. State Senator Eric Schneiderman is cast from the same mold. A fierce partisan and persuasive speaker, he pulls no punches yet comes across as an appropriately zealous advocate for truth and justice. No matter what one's beliefs, that's hard not to be attracted to.

Justin argued that Newsom is the perfect argument for why we need a Democratic mayor in New York City. Too many Democrats believe that Bloomberg is a fine mayor despite being a Republican, because he has run the city efficiently. But Bloomberg has sucked up to state and national Republicans, burnishing their image through the use of New York imagery without getting much for the city in return. He hasn't pushed for progressive social principles or progressive economic policies. He has weakened unions and trod upon civil liberties. Meanwhile, Newsom is doing the exact opposite in every one of those ways, making San Francisco into a shining city of a hill - several hills, actually - of why liberalism is a viable and inspiring political philosophy. Conservatives may mock it, but they mock it because of its success, and its success will persuade millions.

At the Parks1 Mayoral Forum, Gifford Miller got the greatest applause and won the most fans when he broke out of the thoughtful, wonkish, mature discussion they had all engaged in and launched into a spirited defense of parks maintenance. Written down that doesn't sound like much, but his enthusiasm and eloquence made even maintenance funds exciting. Imagine what would happen if he exhibited that kind of fire all the time.

He'd be like Gavin Newsom.

And maybe, like Gavin Newsom, he'd be Mayor.