Babies make for good politics
By: Joshua Sabatini
Examiner Staff Writer
February 19, 2009
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| Dibs on the diapers: Political experts say fatherhood will be a selling point if Mayor Gavin Newsom runs for governor. (Getty Images file photo) |
SAN FRANCISCO — Mayor Gavin Newsom’s potential run for governor can only be helped by the news that his wife is expecting a baby, political experts said.
Newsom has had a playboy image, suffered a divorce, admitted to having an affair and sought treatment for an admitted alcohol problem. But with his marriage last year to actress Jennifer Siebel and news the couple is expecting their first child, Newsom’s image appears to be improving.
Political analyst David Latterman said the pregnancy is an “advantage” for Newsom in a race for governor.
“Babies make good politicians,” Latterman said. “They have for 200 years.”
Latterman noted that voters throughout California care deeply about schools, public safety and other family issues, and to them being a “family man” makes a difference when casting their ballots.
Political consultant Jim Ross, however, said that overall the pregnancy will not make a big difference in the race — though it won’t hurt.
“People like candidates that are stable and grown up, and this is a very stable and grown up thing to do,” Ross said.
Newsom has formed an exploratory committee in his quest to be governor, and in the past few months he has started holding town-hall meetings around the state to talk to voters. He has raised nearly $1.2 million for the possible gubernatorial run.
Newsom could also face big-name Democrats in the primary. The field is expected to include former Gov. Jerry Brown, now the state attorney general, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Lt. Gov. John Garamendi. Only Garamendi has officially announced his run for governor.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, another talked-about possibility, has not said whether she will run or remain in the U.S. Senate.
On the republican side, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman has launched an exploratory bid, as has former Silicon Valley executive and state Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner.
Key dates in Mayor Gavin Newsom’s career
Nov. 3, 1998: Gavin Newsom, then 33, elected to San Francisco Board of SupervisorsDec. 8, 2001: Newsom, 35, marries Kimberly Guilfoyle at St. Ignatius Church in San Francisco
Dec. 9, 2003: Newsom, 37, elected mayor of San Francisco
Janurary 2004: Guilfoyle moves to New York to work as a legal analyst for CNN
Feb. 12, 2004: Newsom issues same-sex marriage licenses at City Hall
Jan. 5, 2005: Guilfoyle, 36, and Newsom announce they are splitting up
March 2006: Newsom and Guilfoyle officially divorced
October 2006: Newsom and Siebel meet on a blind date
Jan. 31, 2007: Newsom announces he had an affair with Ruby Rippey-Tourk, his appointments secretary and the wife of his best
friend and campaign manager Alex Tourk, during his divorce proceedings
Feb. 5, 2007: Newsom admits to drinking problem
Nov. 6, 2007: Newsom re-elected mayor
Dec. 29, 2007: Newsom poposes to actress and girlfriend Jennifer Siebel, 33
July 27, 2008: Newsom, 40, and Siebel marry in Montana
August 2008: Newsom announces an exploratory bid for California governor
Feb. 18, 2009: The couple announces that Siebel, 34, is pregnant
jsabatini@sfexaminer.com
