Gavin Newsom Looks to Bill Clinton for Political Inspiration Amid 2028 Speculation

California Governor Gavin Newsom is drawing inspiration from a former president as speculation mounts around his potential 2028 presidential bid. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Newsom expressed confidence in his ability to tackle challenges head-on, emphasizing his resilience and experience.

“I don’t have a problem fighting,” Newsom stated when discussing the possibility of entering the 2028 presidential race. He added, “Nor do I have a problem getting roughed up and getting back up. I’ve been road tested. It’s not small ball out here in California.”

As Newsom approaches the end of his second and final term as California governor, he has identified former President Bill Clinton as his political model, referring to Clinton as a “master of his craft.”

“I watch videos of Clinton. I seek his counsel, his advice, and even in his absence, do that. I’ve been a student of his from day one,” Newsom revealed.

Newsom disclosed that his connection with Clinton goes beyond admiration from afar. He mentioned their frequent late-night discussions about policy, political strategy, and addressing California’s challenges. Clinton has been portrayed by Newsom as a significant problem solver despite past scrutiny over his associations.

He further explained Clinton’s engagement with him, illustrating their interactions: “He calls me late at night, wanting to talk about it, and he goes, ‘I’ve been thinking nonstop about this. I just think you represent what they fear.’”

The California governor praised Clinton’s problem-solving capabilities, acknowledging the scrutiny surrounding Clinton’s past connections. Despite this, Newsom affirmed his admiration for Clinton’s abilities.

Newsom’s approach to Clinton also aligns with his navigation of an evolving Democratic Party. He has noted the shift in the Democratic Party with the rise of democratic socialist figures, distancing himself from the traditional Democratic “establishment.”

Characterizing himself as a political “disrupter,” Newsom stated, “I’m notoriously a disrupter at heart. I’ve never been for the status quo. Quite the contrary. I have a record that consistently challenges the status quo, and I tend to take risks to a degree that few elected officials do.”

Newsom expressed willingness to support Kamala Harris if she decides to run for the presidency in 2028. He also discussed Project 2029, a 36-page book he is writing full of policy proposals, which include zoning reform, corporate tax adjustments, and several domestic strategies.

“No one touches these,” Newsom said about his policy ideas. “These are my own little version. This is just policy, not narrative, the kinds of things we need to do.”

Democratic strategist Doug Friednash noted Newsom’s strategic approach to emulating Clinton while cautioning the Democratic Party about moving too far to the left. Friednash warned that it could render the 2028 Democratic nominee “toxic.”

“At a time when the Democratic Party brand is incredibly unpopular with Americans, Newsom would be wise to take a page out of Bill Clinton’s playbook recognizing that Democrats need to appeal beyond its progressive left,” Friednash commented.

Kaivan Shroff, another Democratic strategist, agreed with Friednash’s assessment. Shroff recognized Clinton’s knack for aligning party strategies with broader voter concerns, suggesting Newsom aims to master this distinction.

“Clinton’s lesson was that successful Democrats could move the party in new directions without losing touch with voters who did not speak the language of the activist left,” shared Schroff.

“Newsom seems to understand that distinction. The harder question is whether he can actually pull it off.”

Nora Moriarty contributed to the reporting for Fox News Digital.