Gavin Newsom Lets His Progressive Flag Fly?

Were supporters of Matt Gonzalez's mayoral campaign mistaken about Gavin Newsom? Is Gavin Newsom really a progressive, albeit with slicked back hair and expensive suits?

If he isn't, he's sure gone out of his way in the last two years to appear progressive.

First he appointed women to head the Police and Fire departments, and the Board of Education.

Then he decreed that gay marriage was legal in San Francisco, setting off a national political firestorm, and focusing some less-than-desirable attention on John Kerry's presidential campaign.

Then he showed his solidarity with hotel workers by joining them on the picket lines.

And now our "progressive mayor" will be introducing Robert Greenwald's new documentary, "WAL-MART: The High Cost of Low Price." And this from a man who has been a champion of big box stores in San Francisco!

This quote should serve as a reminder to those San Francisco voters who've been fooled into believing that Mayor Newsom represents progressive voters in San Francisco:

The Democrats have sought to cast Newsom as just another idealistic Mr. Smith on his way to Washington -- with a pit stop in San Francisco. In reality, he is a budding hack who draws his support from the city's most dubious interests: Real estate magnates, landlords, and the bureaucratic crony network created by [Mayor Willie] Brown .