Talk of a debate between 44-year-old Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and 55-year-old California Gov. Gavin Newssom has irked the Biden and Harris campaigns. With today’s AP-NORC poll showing that 77% of voters think 80-year-old President Joe Biden is too old to run for a second term, it certainly opens up the possibility that someone like Newsom could easily step in for Democrats. Newsom would be the prohibitive favorite to win the 2024 presidency, knowing Democrats enjoy a 20% registration advantage to Republicans. Biden hasn’t gotten the loud message that the Democrat Party would prefer a younger candidate, something Biden promised when he ran for president in 2020. Newsom keeps himself in the conversation by talks of a debate with DeSantis, bypassing 58-year-old Vice President Kamala Harris, considered the 2028 Democrat front-runner.
DeSantis needs the Fox New debate more than Newsom who most Democrats think would be the perfect replacement for Biden. DeSantis has struggled in his campaign to gain much traction, running about 30% behind in the poll to former President Donald Trump. Democrats and Republicans express reservations about Biden and Trump, citing their ages but, in Trump’s case, his growing legal problems. Biden campaign officials consider Newsom a faithful ally, backing Biden’s 2024 run. But Newsom’s decision to debate DeSantis indicates the some political advisers see a high profile debate hosted by conervative Fox New host Sean Hannity as signaling Newsom is ready to step in if Joe decides it’s time to g et out. Harris campaign officials think she should receive the automatic nod to run in absence. Democrats would be torn between the Harris and Newsom’s camps.
Newsom’s desire to debate DeSantis gives him national publicity, placing his name at the head of the list of possible presidential candidates. As long a Biden insists of running, Newsom said he won’t challenge him, backs him all the way as he seeks a second term. Yet the mere talks of a debate between DeSantis and Newsom slaps Kamala in the face, something deliberately by Newsom. Harris was a former San Francisco District Atty. and State Atty. Journal before tapped as Biden’s Vice President. Newsom was a former mayor of San Francisco, Lieutenant Gov. and now Gov. of California, obviously a competitive trajectory to Harris. Harris was tapped by Biden for Vice President largely because he wanted to pick a woman of color for his Vice President. When you look at the differences between Newsom and Harris, Newsom has all the right stuff for president.
Biden’s age and, more importantly, his level of function has have become a major GOP talking point. If DeSantis gets the GOP nomination over Trump, Democrats would have real problems running Biden. No matter how much Democrats demonize DeSantis as a mini-Trump, independent voters look favorably on the 44-year-old Florida governor. Independent voters aren’t concerned about his controversial positions on book banning or Florida education curriculum, including teaching Black history, they’re looking in 2024 for a more youthful candidate. Biden’s age and level of functioning are a growing issue in the 2024 campaign. Democrat handlers don’t have the same political storm with the Covid-19 pandemic and George Floyd death in the rearview mirror. Campaign 2024 boils down to whether or not voters like Biden’s economic or foreign policies, something badly lacking.
Harris doesn’t even come up in discussions about running for president if Biden decides to hand it off to a younger candidate. Whatever Harris’ publicity problems, it’s not Newsom’s fault, something that reflects only on Kamala. No candidate for president should rely only on legacy or position but be forced to earn it in the arena of public opinion. Newsom has as strong liberal track record in California after beating back a Sept. 14, 2021 recall election. Newsom won recall in overwhelming numbers, proving his popularity with Democrats. “Joe Biden is running with Kamala Harris. That’s the Democratic ticket,” said an unnamed outside adviser. Harris has a big beef with DeSantis refusing to debate him because of his controversial positions on teaching Black history in Florida public schools. Newsom plans to debate DeSantis to show that he’d have an easy time beating him in 2024.
Biden’s political consultants have no problem with Newsom debating DeSantis, knowing that Newsom is a stronger backer of Biden reelection. “What he’s doing here is appropriate for a surrogate. It would not be appropriate for the president or the vice president,” the adviser said. “We’re in close touch with him. That is the kind of thing we want surrogates to do,” said the unnamed adviser, insisting that the Biden campaign backs Newsom’s efforts on part of Biden’s campaign. “Governor Newsom is a strong partner and surrogate for the Biden-Harris campaign,” said Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Nunez. Nunez won’t comment on Newsom’s expected debate with DeSantis, knowing that Newsom back the Biden-Harris ticket. Putting himself on the national stage Newsom hopes to be noticed if Biden decides to quick the 2024 race. Newsom shows he’s ready when called on.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
