While some in the media speculate about CA Gov. Gavin Newsom's presidential ambitions, Bill Maher has pushed Newsom to throw his hat in the ring. However, even some Californians are pumping the brakes, including liberals. As homelessness worsens, crime remains rampant, and gas prices persistently exceed the national average by over a dollar, in part due to the state gas tax, refinery shutdowns, and climate policies, 

A writer for The Atlantic and a self-professed liberal, Caitlin Flanagan, appeared on "Real Time With Bill Maher" and did not mince any words. Residing in Los Angeles, Flanagan has firsthand experience of the havoc caused by the policies of Newsom and the Democrat legislature. 

I know you're friends with Newsom... We live in California. I was born here... [Kaiser] hospital put out a notice last week -- employees are not to leave for lunch, it's too dangerous... that's on him.

Bill Maher's guest Caitlin Flanagan (California born and raised) goes on a rant about how poorly Gavin Newsom is running the state of California. She preceded the rant with "I know you're friends with Newsom"
"I know you like him but I can't imagine him having the gall to run to… pic.twitter.com/od0vwwp2el

— Eric Abbenante (@EricAbbenante) February 10, 2024

Although then-San Francisco Mayor Newsom prepared a 10-year plan to "end homelessness," the problem has only gotten worse since then. Flanagan continued, talking about the homelessness crisis and Newsom's potential presidential run:

I don't want to hear that the homeless problem is intractable. You want to be CEO, it's your problem... I can't imagine him having the gall to run, to relieve this country when he's run this state into the ground. We just had Governor Brown not that long ago -- Oakland was safe, and things were going on. It's not good. He looks very shiny, but he's not a straight shooter, and he's not willing to do the hard things to make this state better, and that's his only job; he doesn't realize that. 

Homelessness has become so out of control in Los Angeles that whether you're in Beverly Hills or Long Beach, you will see homeless people sleeping on the street, asking for money, or pitching a tent in the cities that permit it, such as Downtown Los Angeles. The missions are doing their part, but there aren't enough missions to accommodate all the homeless people, and the leaders of Los Angeles and the Golden State always talk a good game but never deliver on their promises to tackle this epidemic. 

In coastal areas like Santa Barbara, where several years ago there wouldn't be any homeless on the street, they are noticeable now. In Northern California -- San Francisco, Sacramento, and Oakland -- there are several areas where huge encampments are set up, and the people living on the street are using countless drugs. No matter how Newsom wants to spin this, the buck stops with him. 

Willow Street in San Francisco's Tenderloin District
September 2014 vs January 2023 pic.twitter.com/DXGx1RXrLU

— Stig the White (@StigTheWhite) February 13, 2024

It is inhumane; nothing about these policies is "compassionate," as Democrats like to claim.

Flanagan concluded by saying it's not Newsom's job to get into spats with states like Florida and its Governor, Ron DeSantis, while people back here in California are dying in the encampments. 

A Newsom presidency would make Biden's administration look comparatively moderate.