Gavin Newsom's improbable journey from a boyhood in Marin to the Golden State governorship still faces significant obstacles. But the two-term San Francisco mayor seemed undaunted and even relaxed as he discussed his plans for capturing the Democratic nomination next year.

"We need a problem solver. I have been running a city considered ungovernable and look what we have done with health care, education, environmental reforms and economic development. I delivered," declares Newsom.

Some of his detractors - mainly those well to his Left who currently dominate the Board of Supervisors - would disagree-arguing that he has become increasingly an absentee mayor, mainly positioning himself for higher office, signing autographs and ignoring the city's needs.

Newsom brushes off these charges coming from people who have been his principal antagonists. He mentions former board president Aaron Peskin, and his long-time nemesis, Supervisor Chris Daly, explaining that he has never run statewide and must be travelling if voters are to become familiar with him.

However, he makes little effort to conceal his feelings about such critics: "I cannot wait to deal with Republicans after dealing with these Democrats on the board," Newsom bristles.

To a large extent, Newsom's reputation is built on his path-blazing efforts to legalize same sex marriage. This was dealt at least a temporary setback with the state Supreme Court's recent ruling upholding Proposition 8, in which the voter's narrowly supported a ban on same-sex marriages.

The strong likelihood that a similar measure will appear on the ballot next year along with Newsom's name could complicate matters. Recognizing this, Newsom says, "I need to do a better job of describing all the things I have done which are not controversial and which have advanced San Francisco as a world-class city."

His biggest achievement: "The Care not Cash program. We changed lives."

His biggest failure: "Not giving the city free Wi-fi. We have not addressed the digital-divide issue."

A self-confessed policy wonk, Newsom points out that he ran for mayor in 2002, brandishing 26 policy papers that he feels prepared him for office. He will do that again. "The campaign which runs on the best ideas will win," Newsom states flatly.

But Newsom will face a fierce adversary in the primary, one who is not short either on ideas, but who also has a resume Newsom cannot match. Someone who already served as governor and is a formidable fund-raiser: Jerry Brown.

Is Newsom concerned?

"Not at all," says the lanky, former Redwood High basketball star with a winsome smile and Hollywood-perfect looks. After mulling over his answer, he said, "Jerry represents the politics of the past. We need what Obama is doing - big and bold - a more entrepreneurial system of government that will bring back a true spirit of innovation."

And what if Sen. Dianne Feinstein jumps into the race? "Then I'm out, but not if that happened next year. At some point it's not fair to those pledged to my candidacy."

Newsom favors the idea of a constitutional convention and sees the state's fundamental challenges as structural. He would abolish the two-thirds voting rule and favors a rainy day reserve.

As to the budget mess: "The whole system is out of whack. It's like a guy who gets up on a street corner not knowing where he was the night before."

The two toughest nuts to crack: "Water policy and prison reform."

Can Newsom raise the $35 million needed?

"That's our plan," he responds, brimming with confidence.