Newsom's pitch comes as Democrats are in disarray, struggling to catch up with the fast-moving first 100 days of President Donald Trump's return to the White House. This week there was a quiet revolt against Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., for his refusal to shut down the government on Trump.
Critics have noted for weeks that Democrats are "leaderless" and "rudderless," as House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., said at this week's weekly House GOP press briefing.
California Republican strategist Rob Stutzman said Newsom's anti-Trump stance needed a hard pivot, because Trump remains popular not only in his base but the often-forgotten middle.