Newsom’s bid to lead the far-left risks repeating historic revolutionary failures
The column argues that Governor Gavin Newsom’s attempt to portray himself as a revolutionary insurgent for the radical left mirrors the doomed tactics of French Revolution leader Georges Danton.
In a recent commentary, the writer compares Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration of being an "established insurgent" to the 18th-century French lawyer Georges Jacques Danton, who helped ignite the Reign of Terror before falling victim to it. The piece points out that radical victories in states like Wisconsin and Minnesota have emboldened a faction within the Democratic Party that seeks to purge moderates, a trend Newsom appears eager to join.
Polls show Newsom lagging behind former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and facing attacks from progressive figures such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The article also highlights the wealth of Rep. Ro Khanna, suggesting that affluent Democrats are courting socialist voters by proposing constitutional overhauls. References to other left-leaning politicians, including Abdul El-Sayed, Francesca Hong, Peggy Flanagan, and Keith Ellison, illustrate the expanding influence of the far-left. The author concludes that, like Danton, Newsom may find the mob he tries to command ultimately turns against him, rendering his polished image insufficient to secure lasting leadership.
Why it matters
It warns that political leaders who try to co-opt radical movements risk losing control and credibility.
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