by David Lindfield
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has acknowledged that Democrats are now “pretty aligned” with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) on major policy issues, declaring that far-left positions are now “mainstream” positions in his party.
Newsom made the admission during an interview with “PBS NewsHour” as he discussed the Democratic Party’s direction and speculation surrounding a possible 2028 presidential campaign.
The California governor was asked whether the growing success of socialist candidates means more of their agenda should be incorporated into the broader Democratic platform.
“I think they are,” Newsom responded.
“I mean, we want money out of politics.
“I’ve been supporting clean money campaigns for decades.”
When the interviewer noted that there appeared to be some distance between Democrat leadership and DSA candidates, Newsom immediately drew a distinction.
“But, not the ideas,” he said.
Newsom: Democrats and DSA ‘Pretty Aligned’
Newsom then pointed to healthcare as one of the areas where Democrats and socialists are already on the same page.
“I believe in universal healthcare, and I believe in Medicare for All, the party does overwhelmingly,” Newsom said.
“And so, if it’s about more money in your pocket, lowering costs, getting money out of politics, if it’s about Medicare for All, I think we’re pretty aligned.”
Newsom also identified the elimination of fossil fuels as another DSA position that has become mainstream inside the Democratic Party.
“It’s about recognizing that we’ve got a planet that is getting hotter and drier and that we’ve got to address the issue of climate change, we want energy security, and we want to move off fossil fuels,” Newsom said.
“That’s a DSA position, that’s a mainstream position within the Democratic Party.”
The comments offer a striking acknowledgment from one of the country’s most prominent Democrats that policies championed by America’s leading socialist organization are no longer confined to the party’s far-left fringe.