The burgeoning speculation surrounding the 2028 presidential election is drawing sharp scrutiny on potential candidates, with California Governor Gavin Newsom at the center of the discourse. Fox News host Jesse Watters has articulated the feeling many conservatives share regarding Newsom’s treatment by the media. Watters claimed, “The media is treating Gavin Newsom like a ditsy hot chick, and will do their best not to ask him any questions to embarrass him.” This comment resonated widely, reflecting a sentiment that Newsom receives preferential treatment while major issues in California remain unexamined.
Although Newsom has yet to formally declare a run for president, his maneuvers to gain national attention—including high-profile appearances and combative exchanges with former President Donald Trump—suggest ambition. However, polling and shifting public perception indicate that the path to the presidency—and even the Democratic nomination—could be far more challenging than the favorable media narrative implies.
Recent national surveys hint at a fractured Democratic landscape leading into 2028. A June 2025 Emerson College poll positions Newsom among several notable candidates vying for attention, with Kamala Harris, Pete Buttigieg, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Tim Walz, and Andy Beshear also on the list. In a party already tumultuous, Newsom faces considerable challenges—not only in ideological positioning but also in geographic appeal and credibility among working-class voters in battleground states.
In stark contrast, Republican candidates appear more united. Vice President J.D. Vance is currently leading in the 2028 GOP nomination race, having inherited much of Trump’s loyal voter base. Vance’s approach to populism, economic nationalism, and cultural conservatism resonates strongly with constituents in both Rust Belt and Sun Belt regions. Polling data shows Vance capturing 46% among Republican voters, significantly ahead of his rivals.
This backdrop raises questions about Newsom’s media coverage. Critics argue that while he garners visibility on cable networks and various political forums, his track record in California is largely overlooked. Under his governance, the state has seen a troubling exodus of over 500,000 residents within three years, steep rises in crime rates, worsening homelessness, and soaring energy costs. A 2023 report from the Public Policy Institute of California noted that 68% of voters believe the state is heading in the wrong direction, with concerns about affordability and safety looming large.
Newsom also faltered on pivotal cultural debates that resonate nationally. He initially labeled the participation of biological males in women’s sports as “deeply unfair,” only to later retract that stance under pressure from progressive activists. The subsequent endorsement of legislation permitting transgender athletes to compete in alignment with their gender identity ignited backlash, not only from moderate Democrats but also from independents.
An analysis from 2025 offered insight into the Democratic Party’s challenges: “The Democratic Party base demands fealty to identity politics, open borders, and climate extremism,” it contended. This demand alienates working-class voters who swung to Trump in 2016 and have remained with Republicans since. With the political landscape evolving, Vance’s strategy will focus on maintaining support from white working-class constituents in states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Ohio while capturing Hispanic and Asian voters increasingly dissatisfied with progressive policies on key issues like crime and education.
Evan Barker, a former Democratic operative, voiced her concerns during an appearance on Watters’ show in 2024. She stated, “Gavin Newsom, if he actually becomes the nominee in 2028—the Democrats deserve to lose again because there’s no way a pretty boy from Marin County is going to be able to win over swing voters in swing states.” Barker herself left the Democratic Party, casting a vote for Trump in 2024 out of frustration with perceived elite hypocrisy.
The disconnect between voter sentiments and political leadership is stark. An Overton Insights poll from mid-2024 revealed that 40% of registered voters consider themselves politically homeless. In a hypothetical matchup, Newsom led Vance by a mere three points—a margin well within polling error. Among primary voters, however, Harris outpaced Newsom 35% to 23%, illustrating the unsettled nature of the Democratic primary landscape.
Newsom’s public persona complicates matters further. His infamous dining at the exclusive French Laundry restaurant during strict COVID lockdowns cast a long shadow over his image, highlighting a perceived elitism that continues to impede his political aspirations. This incident has been used repeatedly in conservative and centrist critiques as a symbol of a double standard enjoyed by political elites at the expense of working-class Americans.
History presents a cautionary tale for Democrats as they navigate these choppy waters. Between 1972 and 1988, the party suffered four crushing presidential defeats, often due to the nomination of candidates out of sync with ordinary Americans. The missteps of Senator George McGovern in 1972 and similar fates in 1980, 1984, and 1988 serve as reminders of the dangers of losing touch with the electorate. Only Bill Clinton’s centrist politics and Trump’s unconventional approach have significantly altered this trajectory.
Scholarly insights suggest that Republicans have found success by positioning themselves centrally on economic issues while maintaining a conservative stance on social matters. If Vance can emulate this strategy, he could broaden the Republican coalition. Conversely, Newsom may find himself increasingly beholden to a progressive base that views any compromise on immigration, energy, and gender issues as a betrayal.
Watters’ biting commentary about Newsom being cozier with the media than most candidates exposes a deeper frustration felt by many working Americans. Their economic realities—stretched paychecks, insecurity in their communities, and education systems teaching values at odds with their beliefs—amplify their irritation at politicians who seem insulated from these struggles. For them, a polished governor from California navigating a politics of convenience complicates the search for substantive solutions.
As the 2028 election draws near, the disparity between Newsom and Vance may illuminate broader truths about which party aligns more closely with an electorate weary of well-scripted narratives. In a political landscape already cluttered with uncertainty, the interplay between these two figures could ultimately determine the future direction of both the Democratic and Republican parties. Watters’ jest about the media’s soft treatment of Newsom may shine a light on a vulnerability that becomes pivotal in the upcoming race.
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