California Gubernatorial Debate Proves Democrats never learn

The spectacle that unfolded in the recent California gubernatorial debate served as yet another exhibit in the long-running museum of Democratic political malpractice. In the Golden State’s ridiculous jungle primary system, where all contenders face off regardless of party affiliation, the voters witnessed a prime example of why one-party dominance breeds complacency, arrogance, and astonishingly poor policies.

There are eight candidates in the race — six Democrats and two Republicans. It is possible, but not likely, that the two Republicans would come in first and second and enter into a runoff in November. That would mean the next governor of California – arguably one of the most Democrat states in America – would have a Republican governor. What sweet irony that would be.

There are three major points to be made from this embarrassing display of political deafness, hyperbole and Hubris.

1. Democrats spent so much of their time attacking President Trump as if he was the opponent rather than their fellow candidates.

One after another, they hauled out the familiar script of demonization, treating the sitting President like some bogeyman lurking in Sacramento. It was as if they had not read the election results from 2024 – or realized that Trump is not facing a future reelection.

This unrelenting attack has not worked for Democrats in the past. In fact, some pundits say the excessive attacks created a backlash that enabled Trump to win reelection in 2024. But here they were again, — shadowboxing the man in the White House instead of addressing the man on the street who cannot afford rent, gas, or groceries. It reminded this observer of a pack of dogs barking furiously at a mail truck that has already driven away. The noise is impressive, but the target is long gone, and the real threats – crime, homelessness, and economic stagnation – remain.

The two Republican candidates, media personality Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco, barely needed to lift a finger. The Democrats did their opposition research for them by obsessing over a President who is not on the ballot and attacking each other.

2. When not attacking Trump, the Democrat candidates engaged in internecine combat. It was a joy to behold. It was a proverbial circular firing squad of the highest order. Xavier Becerra found himself under fire from his own side over alleged flip-flopping on single-payer healthcare and past scandals involving his top aide. Others traded barbs over who had the purest progressive credentials or who had received the wrong kind of donations. Katie Porter lobbed jabs that seemed more aimed at fellow Democrats than at the Republicans on stage. Antonio Villaraigosa and Matt Mahan exchanged pointed remarks about experience and records. Tom Steyer and the rest piled on, turning what should have been a policy discussion into a family food fight at Thanksgiving. The two Republicans, Hilton and Bianco, sat back and watched the show, occasionally tossing in a pointed remark about costs or accountability, but mostly enjoying the free entertainment.

It was as if the Democrats had forgotten who the actual opponents in the room were. Their infighting left the GOP candidates looking like adults in a room full of squabbling toddlers. One could almost hear the collective groan from California voters wondering why their tax dollars fund such amateur hour theatrics.

3. Democrats again failed to put forth cohesive and comprehensive proposals. They dwelled on unconvincing promises and preposterous platitudes. For the most part, they promised things that are unpopular or impossibly expensive. Take healthcare for illegal immigrants, a favorite talking point that plays well in certain coastal enclaves but leaves working families wondering why their own taxes and expenses keep rising.

There was the predictable push for universal healthcare, or single-payer, which sounds compassionate until one considers the price tag and the track record of government-run systems that deliver long waits and bureaucratic nightmares. One candidate after another treated it like a magic wand, ignoring the repeated failures of similar schemes in the state legislature.

And who could forget the absurdly expensive high-speed rail project that is barely started and already has a $200 billion cost overrun? That is 10 times the original estimated cost for the entire project. It has become the poster child for Democratic fiscal folly – a train to nowhere that has swallowed more money than it would take to send a rocket to the moon. And yet, Democrat candidates pledged to move forward with the project without putting forth and estimate of future costs.

Other examples of budget-busting, taxpayer-crushing policies abounded. There were vague pledges to solve the housing crisis with more spending, as if the state had not already poured billions into programs that produced tents rather than homes. There were calls for higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, the very engines that keep California afloat. (And everyone should understand that corporations do not “pay” taxes. They pass them on to the consumer through higher prices. Duh!) And it has businesses and millionaire and billionaires fleeing to states with saner policies – leaving behind billions dollars in loses to the state and local economies.

It was all platitudes wrapped in virtue signaling — like a bad infomercial selling miracle cures that never quite deliver. The Democrats offered no serious plan to cut waste, reduce regulations, or restore the state’s competitive edge. Instead, they served up a menu of expensive fantasies that would make even the most optimistic Santa Claus cringe.

The entire debate underscored a deeper truth about modern Democrats in deep-blue states like California. They never learn. They remain trapped in the echo chamber of Trump Derangement Syndrome, fairy-tale spending promises, and self-destructive internal warfare.

While the two Republicans offered measured critiques focused on affordability, public safety, and fiscal reality, the six Democrats performed like a comedy troupe that had not updated its material since vaudeville. The jungle primary may yet produce the ultimate irony – a general election without a Democrat on the ballot. If that happens, Democrats will have no one to blame but themselves.

California deserves better than this perpetual cycle of failure dressed up as compassion. Voters have seen the results of one-party rule — the highest gas prices, the highest taxes, the worst homelessness rates, unaffordability on steroids, massive public waste and fraud and a business climate that drives jobs to Texas and Florida.

The debate proved once again that Democrats are masters at promising the moon. They should remember that the moon is a barren lifeless uninhabitable environment.

So, there ‘tis.