LA Times - "Gavin Newsom drops out of California governor's race"

[TomCADem]

I am surprised that Gavin did not have a stronger showing, since he had the support of the Big Dog behind him.

Gavin Newsom drops out of California governor's race

The San Francisco mayor makes the decision amid lackluster poll numbers and meager fund-raising receipts. Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown, expected to run, is left with little Democratic primary opposition.

Reporting from San Francisco and Sacramento - San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom abruptly abandoned his run for California governor Friday, folding in the face of weak poll numbers and a skimpy bank account and leaving state Atty. Gen. Jerry Brown as the only major candidate bidding for the Democratic nomination.

Newsom's announcement in a statement issued just after 3 p.m. was surprising mainly for its timing, a full seven months before the primary. For weeks, rumors circulated among political insiders that Newsom would exit the race absent a dramatic turnabout in his fortunes. The arrival of his first child, a daughter born seven weeks ago, increased that speculation.

In bowing out, Newsom, 42, cited family obligations as well as his duties at City Hall. The mayor's frequent absence from San Francisco had contributed in recent months to considerable slippage in his standing at home, where he once boasted stratospheric approval ratings.

[alittlelark]

1. His public affair and divorce a few years ago has stuck.

He's a great SF mayor and can go on to do great things - but he screwed the pooch in terms of big-time politics.

[Luminous Animal]

4. Do you live in San Francisco????????????

He's a crap SF mayor.

[chatnoir]

6. +1

The former wine shop owner is an empty suit propped up with Getty money.

[Rowdyboy]

2. A blip in his career....

I expect to see Gavin again in the major leagues

[Mojambo]

3. Agreed. I don't think he's done.

[Control-Z]

5. I expect to see him back again

at a time that will serve him better. I think he is doing the right thing, at this point, for his political future.