Gavin Newsom emerges as Biden’s enforcer and potential heir.

Gov. Gavin Newsom: A Key Surrogate for President Biden’s Reelection

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) has emerged as a powerful ally for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, sparking speculation among Republicans about a potential primary challenge in 2024. However, Democratic officials and operatives have a different perspective, suggesting that Newsom is actually laying the groundwork for his own White House run in 2028.

Newsom’s Strategy: Contrasting Biden’s Agenda with Republicans

In recent weeks, Newsom has been making waves across the media landscape, aiming to highlight the stark differences between President Biden’s agenda and that of the Republicans. He even issued a debate challenge to Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) during a prime-time interview with Fox News’s Sean Hannity.

But Newsom’s efforts go beyond media appearances. He has openly advocated for a 28th amendment to the Constitution, which would establish new gun controls. Additionally, he has launched a super PAC called the “Campaign for Democracy,” which has already raised $4 million since March. The PAC plans to hold numerous events in red states throughout the current election cycle.

While Republicans speculate about Newsom’s potential 2024 bid, Democratic officials insist that he is fully committed to supporting President Biden’s reelection. They see Newsom as someone who can speak candidly and address issues that the president may not be comfortable tackling, thus keeping Biden’s hands clean.

“Think of him as an enforcer, not a challenger,” one official explained. “If it raises his national profile ahead of a future run, so be it.”

Newsom’s Focus: Criticizing DeSantis and Praising Trump

Newsom has been particularly critical of Gov. DeSantis, especially regarding his transportation of immigrants to California and other blue states. He has described DeSantis as a weak and undisciplined candidate who would be crushed by former President Donald Trump in national polls.

Interestingly, Newsom’s tone changes when it comes to Trump. During his interview with Hannity, he expressed sadness upon hearing about Trump’s indictment and praised their working relationship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a Democratic campaign operative, Newsom’s focus on attacking DeSantis rather than Trump is not a coincidence. It is believed that Biden and his allies prefer running against Trump in 2024, and Newsom may be laying the groundwork for a potential face-off between the two governors in the 2028 general election.

Newsom and Biden: Unveiling Climate Change Investments

Newsom recently hosted President Biden in Palo Alto to announce new climate change investments. The two leaders celebrated the opportunity to discuss this issue without the backdrop of a natural disaster. Biden had previously joined Newsom on trips to survey wildfire and flooding damage in California.

During the event, Newsom highlighted the bipartisan history of climate change initiatives in California, dating back to the Republican governor who conceived the California Air Resources Board in 1967. He praised President Nixon for advancing the Clean Air Act just three years later. Newsom acknowledged the significant changes in the political landscape over the past half-century and commended President Biden for his dedication to addressing climate change.

Overall, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s role as a top surrogate for President Biden’s reelection effort has sparked speculation about his own political ambitions. While Republicans wonder about a potential 2024 primary challenge, Democratic officials see Newsom as someone who can amplify the president’s message and potentially pave the way for his own White House run in 2028.