Gov. Gavin Newsom insists his presidential ambitions are below zero, and I believe him. As president, he probably couldn’t avoid giving a State of the Union address to Congress. And he hated that.

OK, I don’t really know Newsom’s innermost thoughts about the presidency. All I know is what he’s consistently said publicly: He’s not interested. But does that only apply to 2024 or beyond?

The 55-year-old Democrat must enjoy being mentioned as a potential top-level candidate. Any politician would. And he is clearly trying to be seen as a national political leader who promotes progressive causes.

But it’s a good bet that Newsom watches certain presidential duties like all speeches, especially the annual State of the Union address and shudders. Reading speeches Reading practically anything is difficult for the governor because of the dyslexia he has struggled with all his life.

I’m just mesmerized by the politicians who literally get a script or talking points from an advisor and they can go there and just read the script beautifully, Newsom Times reporter Taryn Luna told me in a candid interview in 2021 about his dyslexia.

Then I did all this research up there, spent about six hours giving a five or six minute presentation.

Newsom has trouble reading a teleprompter. So he often rehearses several times before giving an important speech.

He hates speeches, a top aide told me. It’s terrifying for him.

In Luna’s interview, the governor explained his problems with dyslexia: spelling, writing, and just deep struggles with reading and reading [problem] is understanding.

Newsom often reads his daily briefing folder three times for comprehension, underlining text, and taking notes.

Dyslexia certainly doesn’t disqualify someone from being president. A few presidents have struggled with it, starting with George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Washington delivered the first State of the Union address at a joint session of Congress.

In reality, Newsom is often a talented orator

at

long-winded, he admits, but a politician who exudes passion and speaks candidly, especially when speaking extemporaneously. He has a unique ability to memorize data that he often recites, which amazes listeners.

But last week, we again witnessed his opposition to making big speeches when he sunk the governor’s annual State of the State address before a joint legislative session.

There was a semi-legitimate rationale: He had delivered an inaugural address after being sworn in for a second term in January. So a separate State of the State speech was not necessary, he reasoned. former governor Jerry Brown thought the same thing in 2014.

Never mind that the settings of the two speeches are very different. A governor’s inaugural address is primarily given to celebrate political supporters. A State of the State Address is delivered to legislators who may approve or reject a governor’s legislative agenda.

This is the third straight year that Newsom has avoided a State of the State speech in the ornate 19th-century conference room.

Traditionally, the event marks the most festive day of the year at the Capitol. The room is packed with legislators, state elected officials, Supreme Court justices, families and friends. They are all on their best behavior.

No one has called you a liar yet, as some Republican legislators did during the State of the Union.

Last year, Newsom delivered his State of the State speech in the auditorium of the State Resources Agency. There he had free rein beforehand to practice his delivery repeatedly. The event seemed sterile.

In 2021, Newsom gave the speech in center field of an empty Dodger Stadium. The former college pitcher fouled that play. It was widely laughed at. He needed a speaking location other than the conference room, as cramped seats could risk spreading COVID-19. But an empty baseball stadium?

This year, Newsom dropped any State of the State pretensions. Instead, he went on a rampage in four cities late last week to announce new policies on homelessness, prisoner rehabilitation, low insulin costs and mental health care.

They were successful events that produced hard news. The governor believed they would attract more public attention than a State of the State address.

But previous governors have done both: delivered a State of the State speech and then started

a

calendar sales tour statewide.

The State of the State is just as important as the State of the Union, says Democrat Willie Brown, a legendary former Speaker of the House and mayor of San Francisco. It sets the tone and agenda for the year for all legislators. That way they know how important their job is.

I noticed that Newsom is having trouble with teleprompters.

Then he shouldn’t be reading teleprompters, Brown

says said

.

Not everyone has the same reference to State of the State speeches.

They are sort of

nonsense

b, says Brown’s longtime San Francisco political ally, former Senate Majority Leader John Burton. They are way overrated. The minority party says the speech is a bunch of nonsense. And the majority party says so

‘

it is awesome. The state of the state is always healthy.

I’m old-fashioned and I’ll miss it, says Senator Tom Umberg (D-Santa Ana). I will miss the camaraderie, the festive occasion, the connection.

But Senator Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) says giving up on statehood doesn’t bother him. Lawmakers are just props.

However, it bothers me.

When the governor gives a State of the State address, he shows respect for the legislature and the entire institution of government. All three branches come together for a few hours of fellowship. It’s a happy tradition worth preserving.

Next year, Newsom should submit a written notice to the legislature, which is his intention this year, but he would also have to appear at a joint session. Discard the teleprompter. Whatever concerns him, he would excel.

And his interest in the presidency could rise above zero.