Rating Newsom’s U.S. Senate picks

With the selection of Laphonza Butler, Gov. Gavin Newsom has now appointed both of California’s sitting U.S. Senators. It has hardly been a process without controversy, and so we asked our panel of experts this simple question:  On a scale of 1-10 (10 being the best, 1 the worst) rate how the governor has handled making these picks.

“5 – 10 on the first, 0 on the second.”

“This should be graded on how he got there and the result. How he got there: 1.  He made the biggest mistake in politics, answering a hypothetical and then weeks ago made the even worse decision to answer what he called a ‘hypothetical on top of a hypothetical.’ But the result: 9. Everyone who has worked with Senator Butler knows what a powerhouse she is.  And a transformational leader as a black openly gay Senator. If Butler runs and wins the full term, when he runs for President in 2028, or whenever, he will have the unwavering support of both US Senators from CA and a stronger pathway with LGBT, labor and Black voters.”

“Handling of the picks has been at least an 8. The picks were quick, diverse, representative, and qualified.”

“I think both of his Senate picks have been outstanding — and historic. The first Latino US senator from California, and the first LGBTQ senator from California — and only the third black woman in history to serve in the US Senate, and the first lesbian of color. In the latter case, I also respect and admire how he resisted the crass “pick me, pick me” pressure campaign by Barbara Lee and her claque to force him to pluck her out of a distant third place in the current field of Democratic Senate candidates and elevate her over the other two. It was unseemly, egotistical, and unrealistic, and unfair to Newsom. Good for him.”

“Hard to rate by number, but so far Padilla has been largely invisible in the position, so… maybe a 6. And it’s hard to know how Butler will be as a senator, but politically she was a truly inspired choice: 10.”

“Ten. Beyond the insider quibbling, Newsom played point guard for advancing California’s history of breaking ceilings in the U.S. Senate. In appointing Butler, he leaned hard into California as a beacon to the nation. Newsom, Padilla and Butler are a triad of fierce effective representation for trying times.”

“10”

“Committing to appoint someone based on race and gender sets a racist and sexist precedent, and narrows the field too much. If he had waited and just appointed her, would’ve looked stronger and more thoughtful.”

“Governor Newsom’s appointment process was marked by bold declarations followed by reversals and contradictions. While the appointed individuals were indeed qualified, such a confusing process overshadowed their qualifications. Also, Governor Newsom’s emphasis on the ‘firsts’—like the first Hispanic male or the first openly gay Black woman in the U.S. Senate—undermines their accomplishments. Reducing an individual to such categories detracts from their achievements and capabilities.”

“Padilla was an excellent choice for CA & the nation. He is honest, smart, thoughtful and every bit an MIT geeky boy. He paid his dues and waited patiently for a job he’s wanted since he was able to vote. He’s also a great family man. Butler is actually a good choice too. Bass or Weber would have been safe choices, but neither wanted to give up what they had. The Gov should have never promised a “black woman.” Just “a woman” would have been the best statement. With that he could have appointed Toni Atkins … former Speaker, Pro Tem and LGBTQ. No one would have criticized that appointment and Toni wouldn’t now feel Gov was her only choice.”