Newsom vows to finish four-year term if reelected governor

[SouthBayDem]

Source: Associated Press

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday vowed he would serve a full four-year term if reelected in November, trying again to knock down speculation that he wants to replace Democrat Joe Biden on the ballot should he not seek a second term.

Newsom made the promise during an hourlong debate with his Republican challenger, state Sen. Brian Dahle — the only time the two candidates will meet face to face before voting ends on Nov. 8.

Newsom is expected to easily win reelection in November more than one year after beating back a recall attempt fueled by anger at his pandemic policies — which included the nation’s first statewide stay-at-home order. He has barely campaigned in California this year, instead spending money on ads in challenging Republican leaders Florida and Texas — potential opponents in a presidential election.

“Everyday Californians understand what is happening here in California and the governor is focused on running for president,” Dahle said during a debate that was broadcast live on the radio by KQED News. The debate will air again Sunday night on KQED Public Television.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/gavin-newsom-california-government-and-politics-elections-8c3a310f39beee9513587854e6a41e8b

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The debate video is already online, approximately an hour and seven minutes. The first eight minutes are a standby graphic.

[calimary]

1. Get thee back to Sacramento, Gav.

All you'll be doing (besides serving Californians well) is adding luster to your resume. You've still got time.

[somaticexperiencing]

4. that's fine, but the fire he has been bringing to the game has been admirable and

exactly what we need in these closing days. everywhere. every Democrat. and not to give an inch on the economy for instance. can you imagine what the other side bozos would do with it? horror story.

[calimary]

15. Well, there certainly is that.

I find him MOST appealing, especially for our future as Democrats.

[FBaggins]

2. That seems odd

He doesn't need to make such a promise in order to win...

Maybe he has information hinting that the election won't go as poorly as feared for Democrats. Because if it does... the 2024 nomination fight could start within weeks and he was the frontrunner behind Biden.

[SoCalDavidS]

3. Or He Knows That Biden Is Going To Run For Re-Election

If he knows that President Biden is going to announce in the next 3-6 months, then he can stand by his statement that he would not run against him in the Primaries.

But he'll probably help out by continuing to campaign, as it were, against the Asshole Governors of FL & TX.

[BigmanPigman]

5. I love it that he is nailing FL and TX governors

with billboards. etc. I hope he keeps it up!

[SoCalDavidS]

6. Yeah

I'd love it more if it was having any effect. But the majority of voters of those states are too braindead for the ads to reach apparently.

[FBaggins]

8. That's basically what I was saying

If things go poorly in two weeks, all bets are off and I'm not sure that anyone will be able to keep the floodgates closed.

But if the election goes well, there's every reason to believe that the president will shut down speculation and there wouldn't be any point in Newsom trying to make a run at it until 2028. So to make this announcement now... maybe he knows something.

[Initech]

7. Fuck the MAGAs!

Let them whine and complain, Newsom is the best governor we've had in a long time!

[ZonkerHarris]

9. 2028 works too.

[Kablooie]

10. If Biden doesn't run Newsom would be my clear choice.

At least at the moment.
I live in California and was impressed with his Covid response.

[NullTuples]

11. Newsom is smart; 2024 would be divisive. 2028 on the other hand gives him plenty of time

to build a national brand for himself.

Barring a scandal that takes him down and if he keeps doing what he's doing, I'd predict he'd be a very viable nominee at the DNC in 2026.

And in the meantime - not to sound selfish - California is just going to have to show everyone what America could be.

[left-of-center2012]

12. Who, asks I....

Was the last democratic governor elected president? (from the governor's office)

Carter was VP and then president when he was elected in '76.

I don't remember

[Elessar Zappa]

14. Bill Clinton, I think?

[C Moon]

13. How many times does he have to say this? Last month he was asked...

and he said he had no interest in running for President of the U.S.
I haven't seen a single ad for the GOP's candidate.
I'm guessing their grasping for straws in this election.