From the DNC: How Obama affects Newsom

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has had his issues with Barack Obama. But now Obama may be a key piece of Newsom's gubernatorial ambitions. Capitol Weekly

Newsom, who backed Hillary Clinton for president, was snubbed by Obama early in the campaign season. Newsom sources complained that Obama refused to be photographed with the San Francisco Mayor as Obama explored a presidential bid.

Newsom gained national attention for performing gay marriages in San Francisco in violation of state law. In the wake of the 2004 election, in which Republicans used the gay marriage issue to appeal to social moderates in swing states, Newsom was viewed as radioactive by many in the Democratic Party Some even suggested Newsom was part of the reason John Kerry lost to George Bush..