LIVE: Newsom Holds PACKED EVENT in SOUTH CAROLINA!!!

Newsom's book, "Young Man in a Hurry," is not a typical political memoir promoting triumphs but a reflection on personal failures, anxieties, insecurities, and the formative experiences with his parents, including his mother's early divorce and struggles.

This is not a book I think you would expect me to write or someone that's currently in elected office. I tried to do something a little bit different... to reflect on... failures, setbacks, the anxieties, my insecurities, my doubts, my fears, the things that shaped me, my parents.

Newsom recounts the painful experience of his mother's assisted suicide, which he describes as a moment that forced him to confront his identity and relationship with her.

My mother had committed to an assisted suicide, which was illegal at the time... She was in such deep pain... I was there with with her as she took that last breath... it was the worst experience anyone can have... it became cathartic because I started to realize that hand that... my hand. That breath is my breath. And and I am because she was and I never loved her more.

Newsom reveals his lifelong struggle with dyslexia, which he now views as a positive force that shaped his skills and worldview.

I'm in the wrong profession today because I can't read a speech... I found all this paperwork... describing how the words were backwards... it's not something you get rid of. It's just something you work around... It turned out I am literally sitting here because of it. It's it's a gift because it forces you to develop other skills... to have some empathy.

Newsom's first political appointment by Willie Brown came with a harsh lesson in political loyalty and pragmatism.

I had the privilege of getting appointed... by Willie Brown... I answered honestly, I said, 'Well, Ross, as a small business person, I think it's important to read business plans.'... I get a call... it was bottom line, you're asking to see Willie Brown... he said, 'Young man, you have not walked one precinct. You have not walked on one door. You've not received one check. You have not earned one vote. Until you do so, you must understand how this works. You are an appointee of mine and this is among my most important priorities.'

As a newly elected mayor, Newsom made the controversial decision to allow same-sex marriages in San Francisco, driven by a moment of indignation at the State of the Union.

I picked up the phone... I called my chief of staff. I said, 'We need to do something about this.'... we decided just to marry one couple... 4,036 couples from 46 states in six countries got married in the winter of love in San Francisco... I walked out and there was a crowd of people getting married and there was this little girl... she goes, 'Thank you for giving me two mommies.'

A specific incident involving Donald Trump's threat to federalize the National Guard in California marked a turning point for Newsom's political approach.

If there was a light switch, it was in June of last year... 12 hours after that 17-minute conversation, I wake up... President says, 'I read news on the riot act.' And now we're going to federalize the National Guard in his state... That was the moment that I felt we needed to put a mirror up to Donald Trump in a different way... we may lose our country... we decided to put that mirror up and yes, in all caps to the absurdity of Trump.

Newsom staunchly defends President Biden, highlighting his personal integrity and significant legislative accomplishments.

I'll never turn my back on Joe Biden... It's a character thing... The day that Hunter Biden was indicted... I flew with the president... he was clearly distracted understandably so. It's his son... he says pal I I just tried to be there every day... trying to be the best father he can be. I've got four kids... you could just see the pain... the humanity of that moment. And I looked at him... it was my father.

Newsom argues that the Democratic Party is too focused on "winning arguments" while Republicans are "consolidating power," advocating for a more aggressive and disciplined approach.

I love our party, but we're so, you know, we kind of get a little consumed with winning arguments while they're consolidating power... These guys are ruthless... We need to be stronger as a party, more disciplined, more aggressive. Go on the offensive. Define the terms of the engagement. We've got to win the narrative.

Newsom emphasizes that moral authority, not just formal power, is the key to transformative leadership, citing figures like MLK and Gandhi.

King never served a day in elected office... But these are two of the most transformative figures in world history because they had something much more significant and powerful than Donald Trump has. They both had moral authority... Donald Trump has plenty of formal authority. The more he uses it, the less he has of it. The more we use our moral authority, the more abundant it becomes.

Newsom defends his practice of inviting Republicans onto his podcast, stating it's a strategy to understand their motivations and compete more effectively.

I completely respect that critique... I've long believed... success leaves clues... I want out to understand that again. Seek first to understand before you understood... Just because I don't want to hear them, I'm tuning him out. Doesn't mean they go away. I watch Fox News so you don't have to.