In an era where political statements often teeter on the brink of the bizarre, California Governor Gavin Newsom has once again managed to raise eyebrows with his recent remarks about President Joe Biden’s performance. The buzz around his potential presidential run continues to grow, and as it does, so does the curious nature of his statements. In an enthusiastic moment, Newsom seemed to leapfrog several former presidents to place Biden among the ranks of the most successful presidents of the last century. This claim was met with a hearty mix of disbelief and eyebrow-raising across the political spectrum.

There’s something almost comical about Newsom’s assertion when one pauses to reflect on past leadership. It’s as if the legacy of presidents like JFK, Reagan, or even Bill Clinton (unless one discusses that certain infamous dress) suddenly got overshadowed by the rickety train that has been the Biden administration. What lens of success Newsom is using remains a question for the political philosophers. Perhaps it’s the philosophical lens that allows one to see sky-high gas prices and global incoherence as marks of success.

For those struggling to see Biden as a hero of the last hundred years, they might be grappling with simply defining what “success” means here. Is it that endless enthusiasm for industrial policies that keep getting tripped up? Or perhaps it’s the uncanny ability to connect with, well, those few loyal followers who still think the sun rises and sets on his press conferences. In fact, if there is a candidate for the worst president in recent decades, one might argue Biden’s entry hasn’t been swept off the table just yet.

Newsom, ever the political chameleon, continues his dance on the tightrope of ambition. Whether Obama-era elegance or Trump-like decisiveness, he tries on messages to assess which fits best for his political future. Tossing around terms like “anti-woke” and throwing in a sprinkle of “racist” accusations for those who don’t agree, he sure knows how to keep audiences guessing. His readiness to shift narratives doesn’t just reflect adaptability; it flaunts a shape-shifting competence that might arise as a hidden skill in his future political resumes.

While speculations about who might stand against him still circle like vultures over a decaying carcass of political reality, Newsom’s potential candidacy remains fueled by these outrageous assertions. The list of potential competitors is robust, featuring everyone from the sharp-tongued Mayor Pete to the ever-present AOC. But if Gavin stays true to form, his antics alone might be his most formidable opponent. At the end of the day, his strategic leaps between political ideologies make for an entertaining spectacle, highlighting the current state of Democratic contenders who, for better or for worse, seem poised for an unpredictable race.