San Francisco Mayor Newsom Admits Adultery, Trouble with Alcohol

In the past week San Francisco's Mayor Gavin Newsom has been the center of much controversy. It was a one-two punch of adultery and trouble with alcohol, and the responses have ranged from "hmm, I thought he was gay," to Supervisor McGoldrick's call for Newsom's resignation.

McGoldrick has claimed that the city would be better off without Newsom at the helm, that the mayor failed as a leader and a role model, and that he's quite sure San Francisco could find someone else to fill the Mayor's shoes saying "I'm sure there are plenty of people who are capable of running the city."

There are several aspects of McGoldrick's call for resignation that are upsetting. Frankly, his opinion that any old body can run the city is insulting to every one of the citizens of San Francisco who dragged their asses out of bed early, to get to the election polls, to cast their vote for Newsom back in 2003. I'll be honest, I wasn't one of them.

Oh, I voted. It is my personal belief that anyone who doesn't vote has no right to complain about the state of our society, and as I do so very much enjoy vocalizing my opinion, I have to vote, but I didn't vote for Newsom. He struck me as a pretty boy, someone without the experience to do a satisfactory job, and I questioned his proposed policy changes. Maybe I was just unaccustomed to politicians having so much hair. What ever the reason, I voted for his opponent. It wasn't long before Newsom had earned my respect.

Since Newsom took office unemployment in San Francisco is down 26%, he has initiated programs to bring city-wide internet access to San Francisco, worked with PG&E to provide rebates to small businesses and residents who work to conserve energy, and strived to provide health insurance to the 82,000 San Francisco residents without it. Not to mention his high profile decision to grant equal rights to all San Franciscan's by allowing and condoning same-sex marriage - a move that could easily cost him any anticipated move up the political ladder in the future.

Then there's this business with the affair, and the alcohol. Again I take issue with McGoldrick's call for resignation. One can never be sure of a man's true character until adversity strikes. It took a lot of guts for Newsom to admit to having an affair with a married woman, but he did. Admission of trouble with alcohol could mean the end of his career, but he stepped up and was honest with his constituency. More than that, he was honest with himself. He had to admit he was headed down a dangerous path, and that he needed help.

Ask anyone who has ever struggled with his or her relationship with alcohol and they'll tell you - being honest with yourself can be the hardest step. Before McGoldrick shames the Mayor for not being a role model, he should consider what our world would be like if more people were able to admit they had a problem and that they needed help. Newsom's decision to go public with his alcohol troubles sets an example for the entire city.

As a society we have a bad habit of expecting out leaders to be perfect. We want them up on their pedestals, untouchable. It's far more impressive to me to see someone able to admit their wrongs, and take action to correct them. That is role model a city can appreciate.

McGoldrick can say what he likes, it is (at least for the time being) still a free country, but I for one hope Newsom stays. He is a unique and inspiring political figure.