(Headline USA) California Gov. Gavin Newsom admitted this week that Democrats are getting “destroyed” in the final lap before the midterm elections.
“We’re getting crushed on narrative,” he told CBS News. “We’re going to have to do better in terms of getting on the offense and stop being on the damn defense.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is campaigning for embattled Democrats in an effort to bail out a party he says is being "destroyed on messaging.” He spoke exclusively with @MajorCBS addressing questions about whether his political ambitions extend beyond the Golden State. pic.twitter.com/CzVdOhz7kX
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 1, 2022
Newsom said even he believes the Nov. 8 midterm elections will turn into a red wave, and that it seems likely Republicans will make serious gains in both the House and Senate.
“I’m not paid to say that. I’m paid to say, you know, ‘fate and feel.’ I mean, I get it. Look, I mean, I could be the cheerleader. I’m also pragmatic, you feel it,” he said.
This isn’t the first time Newsom has slammed his own party for its “messaging” failures. At the Texas Tribune Festival in September, the California Democrat urged liberals to be more aggressive.
“These guys are ruthless on the other side,” Newsom said. “Where are we? Where are we organizing, bottom-up, a compelling alternative narrative? Where are we going on the offense every single day? They’re winning right now.”
Newsom is widely expected to make a bid for the presidency in 2024, especially if President Joe Biden decides not to run again. He’s cut ads in red states like Florida and Texas – an unusual move for a state government leader.
He also joined former President Donald Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, with the stated goal of “calling out Republican lies.”
However, Newsom refused to reveal his intentions for 2024, telling CBS that a presidential bid is “not the direction that I’m leaning into,” and “it’s not the moment.”
“So one way to answer that question is ‘I will never run for President [of the] United States,’” CBS pressed. “Can you say that?”
“Yeah, I have no interest,” Newsom said.
