Gov. Gavin: "Now That I'm Running For President..."

Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Monday ordered cities across the Golden State to start cleaning up their homeless encampments, stating that the "time for inaction is over" and that the state has a lot of federal funding to help with the efforts.

Why would the "time for inaction" be over now, but wasn't over for the past number of years?

California has become known for having the highest homeless rate in the country, with 187,000 homeless people as of 2024, who largely occupy cities like Los Angeles and San Francisco. Los Angeles has the second-highest homeless population in the country, behind New York City.

Be informed, not misled.

Apparently, Gov. Newsom is very serious about the matter.

A few days ago, he said: “There’s nothing compassionate about letting people die on the streets. Local leaders asked for resources — we delivered the largest state investment in history. They asked for legal clarity — the courts delivered. Now, we’re giving them a model they can put to work immediately, with urgency and with humanity, to resolve encampments and connect people to shelter, housing, and care. The time for inaction is over. There are no more excuses.”

Yesterday, he released a model ordinance for cities and counties:

SACRAMENTO —  As part of California’s ambitious push to tackle the nationwide homelessness crisis head-on, Governor Gavin Newsom released a model ordinance for cities and counties to address unhealthy and dangerous encampments. The Governor is calling on every local government to adopt and implement local policies without delay, backed by billions in state funding and authority affirmed by the U.S. Supreme Court last year. The model ordinance follows and builds on the Governor’s 2024 executive order, which urged all local jurisdictions to quickly address encampments and use state and local funding to connect people experiencing homelessness with the care and support they need.

This announcement is coupled with the release of $3.3 billion in voter-approved Proposition 1 funding, which will be made available later today [ yesterday] to communities statewide to expand behavioral health housing and treatment options for the most seriously ill and homeless in California.

A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times said, "A new poll offers unhappy news for California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s presidential prospects. He insists he’s not even thinking of running, though his actions suggest otherwise."

The Times noted a couple of issues Newsom faces:

• His standing in a recent California poll pales compared with other Democratic governors mentioned as 2028 contestants, was very weak
• A Golden State return address could be more of a hindrance than help if Newsom runs.

And there are the polls.

A new poll by the L.A. Times and UC Berkeley found California’s registered voters believe — by a margin of more than 2 to 1 —"the state’s gallivanting governor is more focused on boosting his chances of winning the White House than fixing the multitude of problems facing him here at home."

While the Democrats are already looking for leadership, Republicans are beginning to review the significant pool of leadership in the Republican Party.

What defines good leadership?

When asked about this, people often refer to Washington, Lincoln, Reagan, and others, most often settling on Abraham Lincoln as the best.

While the next presidential election is quite a way off, we often seek leadership in our daily lives. 

And perhaps more importantly, we should all strive to be good leaders in our personal sphere of influence.

Lincoln on leadership

Abraham Lincoln's leadership was characterized by his emphasis on honesty, integrity, and the importance of understanding and relating to the people he led. He believed in taking initiative, staying close to the people, and using persuasion rather than coercion. Lincoln's leadership was also marked by his ability to learn on the job, share credit for success and blame for failure, and maintain a balanced lifestyle. 

One of his core principles of leadership involved this principle: 

"Stand with anybody who stands right. Stand with him while he is right and part with him when he goes wrong. You must be consistently fair and decent, in both the business and the personal side of life."

Ten principles that made Lincoln a great leader:

• Capacity to listen to different points of view
• Ability to learn on the job
• Ready and willing to share credit for success
• Ready and willing to share blame for failure
• Awareness of one's own weaknesses
• Ability to control emotions
• Know how to relax and replenish
• Go out into the field and manage directly
• Strength to adhere to fundamental goals
• Ability to communicate goals and vision

Takeaway

Abraham Lincoln’s leadership remains an enduring beacon for those aspiring to positions of influence. His ability to forge unity amidst adversity, learn and adapt, and maintain a steadfast moral compass offers invaluable leadership lessons. As we navigate the complexities of today’s world, understanding the principles that guided Lincoln can equip us to meet challenges with wisdom, empathy, and determination.

And make the right choices when we vote for leadership.

Be Informed. Be Discerning. Be Vigilant. Be Engaged. Be Bold. Be Prayerful.