California Governor Gavin Newsom conceded he sensed a “red wave” in the Midterm election next week claiming Democrats were being “crushed” in a Wednesday interview.
CBS News’ Chief Washington Correspondent Major Garrett asked the California Governor if he felt a red wave was imminent, to which Newsom agreed.
“I’m not paid to say that. I’m paid to say, ‘fate and feel.’ I mean, I get it,” Newsom continued. “Look, I mean, I could be the cheerleader. I’m also pragmatic. You feel it.”
“It goes to my fundamental grievance with my damn party. We’re getting crushed on narrative,” Newsom told Garrett. “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
“We have to wake up to it,” Newsom said in September, similarly expressing frustration about fellow Democrats needing to get “more aggressive,” claiming the “mantle of freedom” was owned by Republicans. “We have to meet this moment head on, and damn it, the Democratic Party has to assert itself much more aggressively than we have.”
“These guys are ruthless on the other side,” he continued. “They dominate the most important thing in American politics today and that’s the narrative – facts become secondary to narrative. They dominate with illusion. And we are getting crushed. We are on the defense over and over again. … 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 expressed his support for President Biden to seek a second term in 2024, calling his Presidency a “masterclass” in “substance under the circumstance,” though reiterated he was not seeking a Presidential because it was “not [his] ambition,” and not the “moment” or direction he was leaning into.
Although the California Governor insists he is not seeking higher office, recent actions suggest Newsom is attempting to expand his political influence following a billboard campaign in Texas, Indiana, Mississippi, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota and Oklahoma criticizing state legislation on abortion access. Over the summer, Newsom ran a separate advertisement in Florida taking aim at Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. In September, the California Governor doubled down on DeSantis by challenging the Republican Governor to a debate.
“Hey @GovRonDeSantis, clearly you’re struggling, distracted, and busy playing politics with people’s lives. Since you have only one overriding need — attention – let’s take this up & debate. I’ll bring my hair gel. You bring your hairspray. Name the time before Election Day. @CNN,” said Newsom.
Newsom also sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland in late September suggesting DeSantis had participated in kidnapping migrants after the Florida Governor sent illegal immigrants to Martha’s Vineyard in Massachussetts.
“I urge US DOJ to investigate whether the alleged fraudulent inducement would support charges of kidnapping under relevant state laws,” read the letter.
