California Governor Gavin Newsom’s high-profile plan to debate Ron DeSantis has reportedly angered the White House, which sees it as a “disrespectful” spectacle that could distract from the campaign of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
The reaction would come from some of the president’s top political advisers, according to four insiders – and it’s a somewhat sensitive topic given that most Democrats say they would prefer someone other than Biden topping their list .
While they don’t see Newsom, 55, as a threat, advisers have reportedly complained that the planned posting, which is expected to be moderated by Sean Hannity, could lead voters to believe that Newsom is preparing his own White House bid .
Newsom backed Biden for president in April – the same day the 80-year-old announced he would run for re-election – and vowed he had no intention of leading this election cycle.
But Biden’s camp is reportedly still worried that this show might help DeSantis, who advisers initially saw as Biden’s main threat. The data shows that the accolade has since gone to Donald Trump, although DeSantis remains far behind.
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s high-profile plan to debate Ron DeSantis has angered the White House, according to a new report. DeSantis, left, has now agreed to debate California Governor Gavin Newsom, right, in a Red vs. Blue matchup
Several of President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris’ top advisers have privately expressed their frustrations with the planned spectacle, calling it “disrespectful” and a potential distraction for both men’s re-election campaign.
However, insiders remain concerned. NBC News reports – with Newsom’s plans to defend his state against the incendiary governor increasingly seen as a nuisance.
“It’s disrespectful,” said an outside adviser to Harris, whose camp would be particularly upset because they view the debate with DeSantis as a ploy to position themselves at the top of the next primary in 2028.
“Joe Biden is showing up with Kamala Harris,” the unspecified aide said, according to NBC. “It’s the Democratic ticket.”
A Biden adviser, meanwhile, was furious at the message the debate sent about Harris — who has found himself locked in a bitter war of words with the Florida politician as of late — and the potential for a schism. in 2028, when Harris is about to launch it. own offer.
“It could take two forms,” the source said, citing recent feuds like the one earlier this summer, in which Harris criticized a recent DeSantis mandate to teach young public school students the “benefits” of slavery.
“(You would think) he tried to defend her because she couldn’t defend herself, or he was craving attention or a fight,” the Biden adviser said.
“And that was during a time when the VP had completely fired and won the fight with DeSantis, and I think Gavin gave him a second life.”
That said, some Biden advisers see potential gains from a showdown between governors — which was framed as a public challenge by Newsom on social media. DeSantis accepted the summons on social media earlier this month.
An adviser is furious at the message the debate is sending about Harris – who has recently been locked in a bitter war of words with the Florida politician – and said it could cause a schism in 2028, when Harris is expected to launch a bid for The Presidency
Biden’s camp is reportedly still worried that the show might help DeSantis, who advisers initially saw as Biden’s main threat. However, his campaign has since stalled – and many believe he is taking the opportunity to debate Newsom to revitalize his presidential bid.
Others believe there’s not much to lose if the two politically opposed men go head-to-head, and that Newom, seen as one of Biden’s top campaign surrogates, could actually hurt the odds. by DeSantis.
The data shows that the accolade has since gone to Donald Trump, although DeSantis remains far behind.
They think there’s not much to lose if the two politically opposed men face off on cable TV, and that Newome, considered one of Biden’s top campaign surrogates, might actually hurt DeSantis’ chances with a good performance.
“What he’s doing here is appropriate for a surrogate,” said a Biden adviser who praised Newsom for taking on DeSantis — and for recently sharing a list of donors with the presidential campaign.
“It wouldn’t suit the president or the vice president,” the anonymous official added.
“We’re in close contact with him (Newsom). That’s the kind of thing we want surrogates to do.
Biden campaign spokesman Kevin Munoz expressed similar sentiments, suggesting the standoff could bolster the president’s re-election hopes.
“Governor Newsom is a strong partner and surrogate for the Biden-Harris campaign,” Munoz said. “We closely coordinate our campaigns, both fundraising and media.
“When he proposed the idea of the debate to us, we approved of it.”
That said, the debate comes in an already unprecedented period of decline among Democrats, who have expressed a desire to leave Biden as president.
It’s set to be televised on Fox News and first appeared as a possibility in June during an interview Hannity had with Newsom, in which the progressive confidently said he’d be in for a three-hour showdown with DeSantis – who has been increasingly critical of him and California in recent months.
Days later, after Newsom offered more chosen words to his polar opposite on social media, DeSantis – who many believe is seeking to seize the California-Florida debate to revive his languid campaign would accept the challenge.
“Absolutely, I’m in, let’s do it, tell me when and where. We will,” he wrote on social media.
Location options suggested by Newsom’s team include Nevada, Georgia and North Carolina – although a concrete date has yet to be set.
Newsom’s team also called for a coin toss to determine who will start with their opening remarks, with the loser making their closing remarks first.
Topics to be discussed include the many political differences between the two governors, ranging from immigration to crime and education.
Dailymail.com reported last week that liberal states like California are showing losses of more than $600 million in tax revenue due to migration.
The Golden State currently tops the list, with $343 million leaving the state, while New York reported losses of $300 million.
On the other hand, the conservative states of Florida and Texas received a collective $24 billion boost after an influx of migrants.
The shift from blue states to red states was accelerated by the pandemic, when states like California and New York enacted the most draconian lockdown restrictions in the United States, and maintained them far longer than states conservatives.
Last year, 319,000 Americans moved to low-tax Florida, according to the National Association of Realtors.
In contrast, New York State, which is under heavy fiscal pressure, has experienced an exodus of millionaires.
Meanwhile, California, which has a progressive tax system that relies heavily on the wealthy and high personal income tax rates, has also experienced a population exodus.
The state has seen a population decline since the Covid-19 pandemic, with approximately 500,000 people leaving the state between April 2020 and July 2022.
Tensions between the two governors grew after migrants from the Texas border were flown to Sacramento, Calif., with help from the state of Florida.
DeSantis argued that states like California and New York should bear the brunt of “open border” policies.
In response, Newsom tweeted DeSantis saying he was a “small and pathetic man” after Florida funded flights for migrants to California.
Newsom also threatened to bring kidnapping charges against his administration for deciding to take the migrants to the sanctuary state.
