CA Gov. Newsom: ‘We’re Not Going Back to Normal’ After Pandemic Since ‘Normal Accepts Inequity’
California Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered his State of the State in an empty Dodger Stadium instead of the California legislative chamber in Sacramento.
It may have been a very apt venue, as the speech was empty of both hope and solid plans for more sensible pandemic policies. The address was, however, dark, full of terrors, and rich in social justice blather.
Here are some “highlights“:
When this pandemic ends – and it will end soon – we’re not going back to normal. Normal was never good enough. Normal accepts inequity.It’s why Latinos are dying from COVID at a higher rate than any other racial or ethnic group, why essential workers’ wages aren’t enough for them to afford the essentials, and why mothers have been leaving the workforce in staggering numbers.Look, our eyes are wide open to what’s wrong.So, our journey back must also be a path to close inequities. There is no economic recovery without economic justice.With more compassion, empathy, and connection, we can write the next chapter in the California story.
Newsom filled the speech with progressive platitudes but with no hint that the state will lift restrictions in any effective manner soon. Perhaps Newsom feels continued pandemic limitations are appropriate punishment for his looming recall, which appears on track to be placed on the ballot after 1.95 million signatures have been collected with over a week left to gather even more.
Leaders of the ongoing effort to recall California Gov. Gavin Newsom have amassed enough signatures to trigger a special election this year, they announced.Speaking at a press conference across the street from the state Capitol in Sacramento on Sunday, leaders of the recall effort revealed that they had collected 1.95 million signatures with just under two weeks left before the March 17 deadline.“That is more than enough to be able to have this initiative qualified for a special election later this year to let the people finally decide … what is going to happen with the fate and the future of California Gov. Gavin Newsom,” Randy Economy, a leader in the RecallGavin2020 effort, told reporters.
One potential gubernatorial hopeful is Kevin Faulconer, the former mayor of San Diego and a Republican. He was highly critical of the State-of-the-State.
“What we had, again, was more word salad and a lot of rhetoric,” Faulconer said of the address. “And really, unfortunately, in California, we have a governor that is botching the basics. That’s why you’re seeing this recall continue to grow with so much strength.”
Since that announcement, even more signatures have been added so that the total now exceeds the 2 million-signers goal of the organizers.
An informal poll of recall activists indicates that former National Security Director Ric Grenell is their first pick as a replacement for Newsom. The findings also show that those involved in the recall have little intention to vote for John Cox, the previous challenger to Newsom.
Although these poll results are not scientific, they do illustrate the thinking of a group of our state’s most dedicated activists, painting a picture of which campaigns are gaining traction and whose leadership is resonating, apart from a declared campaign. In all I polled 153 rally participants, posing the question, “If the election to replace Gavin Newson were tomorrow, who would you vote for?”Former Ambassador Ric Grenell, who has recently set Twitter abuzz with speculation following his high profile CPAC speech, came in first, with 52 votes. The second place finish went to “Undecided,” indicating many activists are not yet satisfied with the options.Major Williams, who spoke at the rally, came in third with 18 votes. Mayor Faulconer achieved a fourth place finish with nine votes, followed by a tie for fifth with eight votes each for Assemblyman Kevin Kiley, who is not a candidate at this time, and Mike Grover.John Cox received six votes, for a sixth place finish.
Now that I have another election to look forward to, I can only hope both the signatures and votes are counted properly and legally.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY