Gavin Newsom Goes Back On His Word To Avoid Back Room Deals
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He's also vowed to steer a clean-cut transition as he assumed his role as state lieutenant governor.
But then it seems Newsom was involved in back room shenanigans late last night when city supervisors took a short break from debating who should be the interim mayor.
And his effort for a smooth city transition? Well, that's been about as clean as Mission Street sidewalk.
Newsom's refusal to leave his post as San Francisco Mayor on Jan. 3 created a downward spiral of chaos culminating with Supervisor Chris Daly's embarrassing meltdown on Tuesday night, and leaving the progressives writhing in anger.
And for a mayor who was long criticized for shirking his mayoral duties to run his campaigns for higher office, he seems to already be starting on the wrong foot in Sacramento.
While Newsom remains in San Francisco playing politics, there are major mudslides devastating parts of the state and the U.C. executives who are threatening to further cripple the school system by demanding and increase in their pensions.
These are two issues the lieutenant governor has direct say over as a sitting member of the U.C. Board of Regents and the State Lands Commission.
Shouldn't Newsom be in Sacramento working on those issues?
As one political insider put it "He is like the kid who graduated from high school but hangs around to still attend high school parties."
Meanwhile, Democrats who elected Newsom are stuck dealing with Republican Abel Maldonado, the current lieutenant governor.
"It is making him look unfocused," said political consultant Jim Ross, a former mayoral ally turned critic. "The longer he waits, the harder it will be make the position of lieutenant governor relevant."
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