Gavin Newsom has been busy lately, and by busy, we mean the kind of frantic activity that suggests he might be laying low, dodging a poorly aimed political bomb, or just looking to amplify his PR game amid the chaos of California’s wildfire season. With LA engulfed in flames and skies choked with smoke, Newsom has taken to the streets, or, rather, the airwaves, like a contestant in a disastrous disaster-themed reality show. And no, there are no cameras rolling to catch his less-than-stellar moments.

As the inferno ripped through neighborhoods in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, Newsom strolled through the wreckage in style, conquering his own version of a political pilgrimage. From photo ops with first responders to casually bumping elbows with star-studded celebrities, it seems he’s ready to put the drama of LA in his rearview mirror, all while hoping his approval ratings won’t take another nosedive.

The stakes couldn’t be higher with the damage potentially marking one of the most expensive disasters in U.S. history. What does that mean? A golden opportunity for Newsom to shift from the ‘California Dreamin’’ phase to ‘California Hero’ overnight. Over his extended stay in LA following the fires, he’s issued executive orders daily, including some to deter those pesky real estate vultures eyeing the devastation for profit. Kind of like flipping houses, but during a real-life apocalypse.

With community leaders acknowledging his rapid response and ongoing engagement, Newsom seems more coach than politician, embodying the hands-on governor role we didn’t know we needed. But of course, while he’s championing local recovery initiatives, the firestorm has also served as a convenient distraction from his dwindling popularity. Seriously, talk about a politically opportune moment. Too bad California residents aren’t handing out gold stars just yet.

The reality is that natural disasters are a double-edged sword for politicians. Fail to respond decisively, and you risk being relegated to the political graveyard of ‘what could have been’. Newsom’s former successes during the pandemic gave him a powerful fan base, but this wildfire crisis demands a heartfelt connection with the people rather than mask mandates and zoom town halls.

In a state hungry for authentic leadership, the wildfire setback may ultimately become the pivotal moment of his governance. LA is watching, and it’s not just flames flickering; it’s the flickering hopes of his political future. Quick recovery or slower-than-molasses response? The world, or at least California, is waiting with bated breath. Because let’s face it, if he can’t handle a firestorm now, what laser-focused planning can he muster for his next dramatic political move? Only time will tell, but for now, California is shining a very bright spotlight on its go-getter governor.