Gavin Newsom Taps Bill Clinton as Role Model Amid 2028 Presidential Speculation

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is drawing political inspiration from former President Bill Clinton as speculation intensifies about a potential 2028 presidential bid. Newsom, who is approaching the end of his second and final term as governor, described Clinton as a "master of his craft" and a key figure he studies.

"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 told Vanity Fair. He detailed that their relationship extends to late-night conversations about policy, strategy, and addressing California's challenges. "He calls me late at night, wanting to talk about it, and he goes, ‘I’ve been thinking just nonstop about this. I just think you represent what they fear,’" Newsom recounted.

Newsom praised Clinton as an exceptional problem-solver, acknowledging the controversies surrounding the former president's past associations and personal scandals, while Clinton has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of criminal activity.

Newsom's embrace of Clinton comes as the Democratic Party navigates a changing landscape, with the rise of democratic socialist figures alongside the more centrist tradition Clinton embodied. Newsom, however, positions himself as a "disrupter" rather than aligned with the Democratic establishment.

"I’m notoriously a disrupter at heart," Newsom stated. "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."

The governor also revealed he is working on a 36-page document outlining policy ideas for what he calls "Project 2029." This initiative is modeled in name after the conservative "Project 2025." Newsom described the document as containing his own policy ideas, including zoning reform, corporate tax adjustments, efforts to curb junk fees, new domestic strategies and tariffs, expanded preschool access, childcare caps, family leave, paid sick leave, child tax credits, industrial decarbonization, anti-monopoly measures, immigration policies, and whistleblower protections.

Democratic strategist Doug Friednash suggested that Newsom is wise to emulate Clinton, particularly if the Democratic Party continues to move leftward, which could alienate broader voter bases. Friednash cautioned, however, that Newsom faces the challenge of authentically presenting himself as a disruptor given his long career within the California political establishment.

Kaivan Schroff, another Democratic strategist, echoed this sentiment, noting that Clinton understood the importance of prioritizing national needs over those of activists or party leaders. Schroff believes Newsom is attempting to learn this distinction, observing that successful Democrats can guide the party in new directions without alienating voters who do not align with the progressive left. The key question, Schroff added, is whether Newsom can successfully implement this approach.