(Republican Leader) – Well, contrary to many predictions by folks on both sides of the aisle, it appears that California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom is not going to be challenging President Joe Biden for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024, having reportedly told Biden himself that he’s “all in” on his re-election.
Newsom, during an interview with Politico, sought to put out the fire of speculation on his making a run for the White House after what the news outlet referred to as “considerable” irritation from the Biden administration about the rumors he was going to be attempting to oust Biden as the party’s nominee, according to Fox News.
“I’ve told everyone in the White House, from the chief of staff to the first lady,” he stated during the interview, adding that his message is “I’m all in, count me in” on Biden’s re-election bid.
“Talk of a potential Newsom 2024 bid had fired up in recent months amid growing concern from Democrats about Biden’s health, age and low approval ratings. Fears about how Biden would fare in a 2024 fight against former President Donald Trump, or Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, had led some Democrats to begin looking for a potential replacement, and Newsom’s name had been floated as a possible option,” Fox continued.
“That concern has likely dissipated somewhat after a stronger-than-expected performance by Democrats in the November midterms, where Democratic fears of a Republican ‘red wave’ did not come to fruition. Democrats have kept hold of the Senate, and while they lost control of the House, Republicans will only gain a slim majority. As a result, Biden’s position appears stronger than it did in the summer,” Adam Shaw, reporter for the news outlet, wrote.
President Biden remarked during a post-election press conference that he was fully planning on running for re-election, noting that he would make a final decision at some point early in 2023.
“I think everybody wants me to run, but we’re going to have discussions about it,” Biden commented. “I hope Jill and I get a little time to sneak away for a week between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and my guess is it will be early next year when we make that judgment.”
A lot of the speculation surrounding a potential bid for the presidency by Newsom came from the repeated public attacks he launched against Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott.
People keep asking why I’m calling out DeSantis and these Republican governors.
The answer is simple: I don’t like bullies. pic.twitter.com/dksyOash8A
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) August 26, 2022
However, Newsom, who easily won re-election in his home state, is believed to have stepped outside of his motorcade close to a hotel in Sacramento on the night of the midterm elections and called the president to express full support personally for his re-election.
“I’m all in; put me in coach,” Newsom asserted. “We have your back.”
Politico reports that Newsom had not intended for the news outlet to overhear his phone conversation with the president, but he was, coincidentally, leaving the same hotel when he took the call.
“The outlet reported that a Trump comeback has become the top priority for the party and explains why Biden has been given so much leeway by his party during a difficult 2022. And now, one of his biggest potential primary threats is on record with his full-backing for Biden 2024 – specifically mentioning his record in defeating the former president,” Shaw reported.
“He not only beat Trump once, I think he can beat him again,” Newsom said. “I hope he runs, I’ll enthusiastically support him.”
Well, okay, I think we need to add a little bit of clarity to what Newsom is saying here. If Biden decides to run again, he’s not going to challenge him. Notice that small caveat. This is only the case if the current president runs again. While Biden has indicated that he’s planning to run, he even noted himself that he hasn’t made a final decision. If Biden opts out of a second term, it seems pretty likely that Newsom will toss his hat in the ring.
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