Walters: Newsom phone calls GOP governors ‘bullies,’ but what about him?

Politicians who claim to have an elevated ethical goal hazard being branded as hypocrites if they fail to stay up to the specifications they established for many others.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom operates that chance as he denounces the Republican governors of other states, specially Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, as “bullies” for their states’ insurance policies on abortion, homosexual rights and other challenges.

Newsom has operate ads vital of the two governors and donated $100,000 to DeSantis’ challenger, Charlie Crist. At the really the very least, Newsom is increasing his national political profile. But it could be the commencing of a presidential campaign, which he denies.

“People hold asking why I’m calling out DeSantis and these Republican governors,” Newsom tweeted late last month. “The respond to is straightforward: I really don't like bullies.”

Newsom’s tweet contained his interview with ABC news, which includes a lengthy rant beginning with “I simply cannot acquire what’s going on in this country.”

“I just can't just take what these governors are accomplishing state soon after point out affecting minorities, affecting susceptible communities, threatening the Distinctive Olympics with fines, going soon after the LGBTQ local community, stating if you have been raped by your father you don’t have the correct to convey on your own and rights over your individual body,” Newsom advised ABC’s Matt Gutman.

“My entire lifetime I really don't like bullies,” Newsom included. “I do not like people who hassle other individuals. I do not like men and women who demean other individuals and that’s staying celebrated in American politics today and you got to call it out. DeSantis is the worst of it but Abbott and these other fellas, they’re correct there and forgive me, I’m naming them simply because we have to and I assume men and women will need to comprehend what’s likely on in this state and there’s much too a great deal at stake.”

On the problems that Newsom cites, significantly abortion and LGBTQ rights, his criticism is much more than warranted. But calling rival governors “bullies” is more than the prime. Just after all, they ended up duly elected to their positions, as was Newsom, and like him, in all probability will be re-elected this year. Their positions on these incredibly hot button challenges would not fly in California, but they seemingly do in their states.

Which is not bullying it’s governing, which frequently means powerful individuals to do items they’d fairly not do. Newsom has accomplished a lot of it considering that turning out to be governor virtually four many years back, particularly through the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was governing by decree.

Was Newsom being a bully or governing when he ordered countless numbers of modest enterprises to shut down to prevent the spread of the lethal coronavirus? These impacted, together with extra than 2 million employees who missing their work opportunities, may possibly say he was currently being a bully, due to the fact larger sized enterprises have been frequently exempted.

Furthermore, dad and mom complained that Newsom arbitrarily closed schools and compelled their children into “Zoom school” even nevertheless COVID-19’s threat to young children was scant.

Several of California’s town officers have complained that Newsom is bullying them into setting up substantial-density housing that their constituents really don't want, threatening legal action or economic sanctions if they do not comply. Newsom suggests the condition must act aggressively to remedy its housing scarcity.

California gun proprietors complain consistently that Newsom and the Legislature impose nonsensical, harassing rules on their constitutional suitable to bear arms.

Newsom considers all of those functions, and quite a few many others, to be governing — just as DeSantis, Abbott, et al, take into consideration what they do to be governing. But in the eyes of beholders, he could be just as simply branded a bully.

Last but not least, doesn’t Newsom’s identify-calling make him just one of the “people who demean other people” he professes to despise?

Dan Walters is a CalMatters columnist.