Newsom: "I've told everyone in the WH, from the chief of staff to the first lady... I'm all in"

[bigtree]

Jonathan Lemire @JonLemire 3h
(Gov.) Newsom stood outside his motorcade on a chilly-for-California night, speaking on his cell phone and telling the soon-to-be-80-year-old president, worry not, he was on board.

Politico: Gov. Newsom Told the White House He Won’t Challenge Biden

“I’m all in, put me in coach,” Newsom told Biden. “We have your back.”

...Newsom wants the word to go forth: He’s not going to challenge President Biden for the Democratic nomination in 2024.

“I’ve told everyone in the White House, from the chief of staff to the first lady,” he recounted to me as we sat on the top floor of California’s now-ceremonial governor’s mansion on election night.

His message to Ron Klain and Jill Biden over the summer — when he visited Washington amid growing speculation, and considerable West Wing irritation, that he was plotting a primary challenge — was to count him as a firm supporter of Biden’s reelection: “I’m all in, count me in,” he said he told them.

Newsom relayed the same to Biden himself on election night...

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/11/26/gavin-newsom-wont-challenge-joe-biden-00070829

...fwiw.

[PatSeg]

1. Newsom is young enough,

he can wait for 2028. I think it is very astute politically to openly show his support for President Biden. He usually has great political instincts.

[Polybius]

27. Let's assume Biden runs again in 2024, goes against Trump, and again wins

Damn, 2028 will be interesting. I'd have to say that Newsom and DeSantis would be favored. That would be one hell of a General Election.

[vanlassie]

28. Oh Please Oh Please! Newsom is SO much smarter than DeSantis!

[Demsrule86]

38. Newsome should not run until there is a path to the presidency besides the rust-belt.

He will not win the rustbelt...and I don't see that changing in 28. Also, he needs to work on redistricting. It is outrageous that we lost so many California seats.

[PatSeg]

37. I think that by 2028

DeSantis may be replaced with another "flavor of the month" though. I remember when Marco Rubio, Scott Walker, and Chris Christie were the future of the republican party, but eventually their star power faded. I'm not sure DeSantis has national appeal. He has the charisma and charm of dirty dishrag.

Yes 2028 should be very interesting.

[GoneOffShore]

2. We shall see.

[bigtree]

4. that's how Axios will write their lede on this

'Newsom Says 'All-In,' But Speculation Still Swirling'

Reports say Newsom backs Biden, but sources close to the governor say he still hasn't completely ruled...

[Sympthsical]

5. Because that is what is happening

Newsom will not challenge President Biden in a primary if Biden decides to run. It would be a disaster for the party, and it would be political suicide for Newsom.

There is nothing an intelligent politician could say at this point other than, "I will support the President's bid for re-election."

The question is whether or not Biden runs and what is happening in the background. There are two things that are probable, one for certain and one less discernible.

1. Newsom is letting party insiders, donors, and power brokers know he will go for it if Biden doesn't run.

2. Various factions are maneuvering around in the party around whether or not Biden runs. Newsom allies will exert pressure - very down low - to convince Biden and the party it's a bad idea for him to run.

1 is definitely happening. 2 is harder to gauge, because there is a perception that Biden's ability to run again has been strengthened by the midterm results. People who were receptive to the idea may be less receptive to it now, and Newsom's allies may be less willing to push as hard as they might have had the midterms been a disaster. It's going to take a month or so to really gauge where all that is at. I imagine whispering about it will start in January.

This is all Party Politics 101. At the end of the day, everyone will just have to wait and see what the President decides come February or March.

[bigtree]

7. none of that is real

...none of that speculation is normal for an incumbent president.

It is a normal function of those who oppose the president running again to speculate on it past the assurances they will run, and ignoring the support offered from the would-be rivals the media invents for their clickbait articles.

I mean, what actually motivates people to portray the president as a lame-duck, other than outright opposition?

[Sympthsical]

8. Party politics

Not everything that goes on in the back rooms lands on the front page of the New York Times. In fact, that's more rare than not.

It's speculative, but read any history book on American politics, and these things are absolutely common. It'd be more of a surprise if Newsom's people didn't have feelers out all over the place to poke around and find opportunity.

And lest you're forgetting, we're not really in a normal situation for an incumbent. People are thinking about age a great deal, even if DU does not like it and never airs stories of surrounding considerations.

Politicians within a party highlight incumbent flaws all the time to varying degrees. They're all jockeying for position, current and future. That's what ambitious politicians do. They just do it as quietly as possible, because once it is on the front page of the New York Times, it means there's going to be a shitstorm.

[bigtree]

13. if someone is spending time speculating, trying to convince that Biden is a lame duck president

...they're likely not a supporter of this presidency or party.

[Sympthsical]

15. Well, that is a loyalty oath for others to bother about

And one that does not apply to nonpartisans and politicians at the higher levels. Loyalty oaths are for the little people so they'll do your work for you. No matter the public face or statement, politicians are generally ever keeping their eyes on that next election.

Even Lincoln, our greatest president, didn't get there because his was the noblest hand to ever rest on a presidential Bible. He got there by being wily as fuck and outmaneuvering every person in his party. Behind the scenes, he was one of the most brilliantly manipulative politicians we've ever had. He dead-ended the careers of a lot of men from his own party to get where he wanted to be, and he did it with an affable smile. During his re-election, he picked up and disposed of people with a shrewdness that would look completely amoral if he didn't also think it was necessary. Loyalty had nothing to do with it.

And that's not even slightly a condemnation. That's just how these things go.

You can spend time picking out heretics and apostates to the party. The politicians will keep on working towards future elections while you do that for them. As long as everyone's happy with their functions.

I aim to be more of an observer, personally. I already have other jobs.

[bigtree]

21. I get it

...you're opposing this administration on a Democratic message board, and you believe expressing support here is a 'loyalty oath.'

You're really angled against the majority of this board who come here to both support the administration and offer up viewpoints on issues and events. Yours is opposition, making the case for opposing them.

I'd say, give it a rest.

[Sympthsical]

26. How am I opposing the administration?

I'm literally just discussing my observations and speculating on what I think is happening within the party right now.

A dis-cus-sion. You're claiming that mere discussion of obvious and pedestrian things is somehow disloyal or means not supporting the party. Which is just wild to me, and should be wild to anyone else who believes in an open exchange of ideas about our party's future.

I haven't made up my mind about whether or not I think Biden should run again. I outlined in a response below to Mopinko that there are legitimate causes for him to stay. I have some thoughts/feelings, but nothing fully sketched out. I'm waiting to see how things develop in the next few months.

What is the point of a discussion board if discussion is frowned upon?

In history, ferreting out heretics was only ever fun for the inquisitor.

[bigtree]

29. I have some suggestions for some literature and some classes

...I'll share that with you later.

[Grasswire2]

34. oh please

Give it a rest.

[bigtree]

36. no.

[Demsrule86]

39. Oh yes it does apply. Any Democrat that challenges Biden is ruined politically. We would lose

the General and that would be unforgivable. I and many others would never vote for said Democrat in a primary. Biden is doing a great job...so the critics should shut the fuck up. Newsome is the Governor of a deep blue state with little experience in national politics and international politics.

[Sympthsical]

43. That was literally the second sentence in my original post.

With regards to Newsom challenging Biden in a primary: "It would be a disaster for the party, and it would be political suicide for Newsom."

I wish people would occasionally get mad at the things I do say rather than the things imagined.

You know, it's kind of funny. There are a lot of stories - and I do mean a lot - about party maneuvering behind the scenes before the 2016 primary - particularly about Biden not running and the behind the scenes pressure being exerted in his direction so that Clinton would have a clearer field. Particularly President Obama's hand in it.

Have we forgotten about those? People maneuver around. It's what politicians do. They explore options and look for opportunities. They try to convince other people in the party that they could do better.

It shouldn't be anathema to discuss these things. We're not in a church. No one's committing blasphemy.

[Mr.Bill]

45. I agree that the incumbent's age

is somewhat uncharted territory here. I'm hoping Biden is good to go for four more years, but as a californian, I like having Newsom on the bench ready to go.

As long as we're speculating, has anyone thought of Newsom replacing Harris on the ticket? I think that would have to be on the list of possibilities at this point. And I like Harris a lot.

[Kingofalldems]

10. How the hell do you know this?

[Sympthsical]

11. Books

When I want to know how the world works and has done so historically - in this instance, political parties - I find them and even read them occasionally.

It's a neat trick I recommend to anyone who has the time.

[mopinko]

16. i think you're dead on.

ppl dont decide they want to be prez out of thin air. and they dont make that deicsion alone. that's not how any of this works.
i'm sure newsome is not alone. and kamala will be presumed to run. despite the fact that this is murika, i think she has a good shot. expect her to spend more time in the spotlight over the next year.

and btw, expect a woman at least as veep on that side.

these discussions are always stupid. everyone knows how it works, and that only a fool announces b4 they know the field, and r ready.

[Sympthsical]

19. I think that's factoring in Biden's decision

If he doesn't run, it's setting up the party for Harris vs. Newsom.

And that would be u-g-l-y. Forget the national level. Just watching what goes on with the California power base will be headlines for weeks.

So I wonder if President Biden feels some sense of obligation or duty to stay on and keep the party united until 2024 is finished. Just keep a lid on things until the coast is clear, so to speak. It has to be in the mix as he weighs things.

[mopinko]

24. i cant imagine joe doesnt have in the back of his head

that if he feels like he cant do it again, he has to bow out.
i'm 12 yrs younger, and i'm not making any 10 yr plans any more.

[Demsrule86]

40. Also, Biden has said he will run repeatedly so stop.

[Sympthsical]

42. Uh, no?

Politicians say a lot of things in public about their future plans that turn out not to be the case when the day arrives.

It's a discussion board. People are allowed to discuss party things.

[Demsrule86]

51. Listen I pray Biden does run and Biden is not any politician he doesn't say things he doesn't mean.

If Biden doesn't run, we have no one who can win the rustbelt...no one. We can't allow the GOP back in 24. And all your posts do is create dissent...but have at it...it is a free country. I will merely trash them because I don't want to read that stuff. Our democracy hangs in the balance. Biden has been the best president in my lifetime...maybe, tied with Pres. Obama; who got us health care...it is a close call.

But Biden did something not done in 100 years with the midterm and can win a General. I suggest you consider that incumbents have an advantage.

[bigtree]

22. 'thin air'

Joe Biden indicates he’ll run in 2024, following Democrats’ midterms wins

“Our intention is to run again,” Biden said. “That’s been our intention regardless of what the outcome of this election was.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/10/joe-biden-2024-president-election

[mopinko]

25. and it's part of the game to insist u r running even if

you know you're old and this office moght kick your ass, and it might be a bad idea.
he doesnt have the kind of ego that would make him run no matter what.

there's just things u dont say outloud.

[bigtree]

30. that's not the game I'm talking about

...it's the dividing people from this administration that's the issue.

It's really late in the age of misinformation to act as if dividing the party among itself ,and ginning up resentment or regret for this presidency isn't the primary reason for the open speculation.

Why people further the notion that Biden might be a lame duck, here, on a board that's primarily in support of the administration, is anyone's guess. I'm guessing pure opposition, but your mileage may vary.

[mopinko]

41. meh. i'm old enough to remember other presidents.

jimmy carter. there was a lot of talk about clinton.
it should be like that, but it's not. you arent wrong that this suits them, tho. they thought they were gonna get a lot of milage out of it.
but 'dems in disarray' ought to be such background noise you cant even hear it if you've been around politics at.all.

[Kingofalldems]

18. Oh yeah--which one describes your scenario?

[Sympthsical]

20. I have just the thing

Since I was looking at classes for registration and browsing through these anyway. My work can be a happy accidental benefit for others.

https://ps.ucdavis.edu/2022-2023-course-offerings

[calimary]

33. Intriguing.

I think you make some valid points.

[SheltieLover]

3. Good! No sane person would challenge Joe! (Hint: sane is the operative)

[ananda]

6. I like Newsom now.

Before he became governor, I wasn't all that
happy with him.

But he's OK now.

[deurbano]

32. He turned out to be much more substantive than I had thought, and I found his briefings in the early

days of Covid very reassuring. I never understood why Cuomo's schtick got all the coverage, but then I prefer a wonk-ish approach to a macho "daddy" approach. (Which is why I also like Liz Warren... and Katie Porter!)

[Marcuse]

9. It appears Newsom can assess a given situation and take any necessary corrective action.

[deurbano]

31. He must give thanks every day that he escaped that pending train wreck!

[calimary]

35. Yeah, like when he broke up with her.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimberly_Guilfoyle

[Just A Box Of Rain]

55. And after Guilfoyle, then what?

[NullTuples]

12. The unspoken part: If the party backs me in 2028. He's savvy *and* a team player.

[Iggo]

14. People in this thread remind me of the people who were still mad after they found out the Van Gogh...

…was protected by glass.

[mopinko]

17. plenty of that here, le sigh.

some here as addicted to outrage as the other side. sad.

[OverBurn]

44. When ever it's time, I'm all in for Newsom!

[mcar]

46. So maybe MSM can finally shut their gobs about it

[Mr.Bill]

47. Something else about Newsom

is he can credibly call himself a DC outsider, yet an experienced executive, and any California governor has international experience. He didn't go to Harvard or Yale, he's never worked in DC, he's not a lawyer, etc. In short, he's not "more of the same". DeSantis is.

And for what it's worth, my wife ia a retired RN and she was in San Francisco for a nurse's union conference and then Mayor Newsom was the keynote speaker. She says to this day that she can't find the words for the electriying feeling everyone felt when he stepped up to the podium. This man is charisma squared. The least role he should play in 2024 is to be a major speaker at the Democratic Convention. He would rival Obama, Clinton, Cuomo and Jackson in that role.

[Pachamama]

48. Translation: Newsom supports Biden, won't challenge him

Doesn’t mean he doesn’t run if Biden decides not to run

[bigtree]

49. Biden not running isn't part of this story

...that's something people tack onto Newsom as a political wedge.

Basically the reason Newsom had to say anything at all.

If anything, Kamala Harris would be the apparent heir to Biden's presidency, ostensibly after two terms. Jumping past that to Newsome is a transparent way of dismissing this presidency entirely.

[sellitman]

50. I don't know about others here but

I'm looking forward to a President Harris.

[Pachamama]

53. There is no assured heir apparent

Everyone presumes that it is the VP always - or that they want it.

Biden not running is a possibility not yet announced and it’s strategic.

Harris and Newsom are friends and long time political partners.

No one is dismissing this presidency - this is a discussion of the future.

[DFW]

54. I would say Harris is AN heir apparent, but not yet THE heir apparent

Al Gore and Joe Biden were stand-out Vice-Presidents because they practically were forced to be or else get buried by the star quality of the presidents they were serving under. Harris, so far, as I see it, has been under no such pressure, since Joe Biden, for all he HAS accomplished, has done so in a far lower-key manner than either Clinton or Obama.

She will need to do more high-profile stuff than just perform a few vital tie-breaks in the Senate if she wants to claim that the 2024 or 2028 nomination is her automatic inheritance by divine right. I would THINK she is easily smart enough to realize that, but I have never met her, and I have no personal reason to have an opinion one way or the other. What she DOES have is some time on her side to accomplish a few headline-worthy things. How she polled in the 2019-2020 primaries is something she knows only too well, and she won't get anywhere near the oval office (or even the nomination) with those numbers. She has time to build up some support, a competent team, and a "lookit-me" resumé if she wants it. It is not automatic.

[Roisin Ni Fiachra]

52. If Joe doesn't run, Gov. Newsom would be a great candidate. California

has a $100,000,000,000 budget surplus, and has wonderfully progressive social policies.