Will Joe Biden Ban a Gavin Newsom vs. Ron DeSantis Debate? – Political advisors to President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are reportedly displeased with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s intention to debate with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a prominent 2024 Republican presidential candidate.
What is Joe Biden Worried About?
According to an NBC News report, an outside advisor to Harris expressed their discontent, labeling Newsom’s plan as “disrespectful.”
They emphasized that Joe Biden is running alongside Kamala Harris, making up the Democratic ticket.
Multiple individuals within Biden and Harris’s inner circles have started to perceive Newsom as irritating due to his proposed debate with DeSantis.
Although many Biden advisors no longer view Newsom as a potential primary contender against the President, they are concerned that the debate could bring more risks than rewards.
The planned debate, scheduled to air on Fox News and hosted by Sean Hannity, has the potential to give the impression that Newsom is conducting a parallel campaign against President Biden in the 2024 election. This comes at a time when many Democratic voters have expressed a desire for change at the top of the ticket.
Harris’ aides view the debate even more negatively, with some interpreting it as an attempt by Newsom to position himself ahead of the Vice President for the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.
Although Newsom issued the challenge to debate DeSantis earlier this month, and it was seemingly accepted by the Florida Governor, the two camps have yet to agree on the rules and format, raising doubts about whether the event will proceed as planned.
A spokesman for Newsom told NBC that the Golden State’s Governor had suggested a day between Nov. 8-10.
Could it Benefit Joe Biden?
While not all members of the Joe Biden camp express concern about the upcoming debate, some believe that it could actually benefit Biden’s reelection chances. One Joe Biden advisor stated, “What he’s doing here is appropriate for a surrogate. It would not be appropriate for the president or the vice president.”
Joe Biden 2024 spokesperson Kevin Munoz previously echoed similar sentiments, stressing the close coordination between Newsom and the campaign. “Governor Newsom is a strong partner and surrogate for the Biden-Harris campaign,” Munoz stated. “We coordinate closely on campaigning, whether it’s fundraising or media. When he brought the debate idea to us, we endorsed it.”
Gavin’s Weakness?
While many Californians hold a strong affection for their state, a significant portion is contemplating a change of location. According to a recent statewide survey, 70% of individuals surveyed expressed a notable degree of contentment with their California residency, particularly commending the state’s diversity. However, a noteworthy 40% of Californians are entertaining the idea of relocating to a different state, primarily attributing their consideration to the state’s high cost of living.
U.S. Census data shows a consistent decline in California’s population over the past three years. Correspondingly, the IRS migration report for the year 2020 indicates that conservative Texas has emerged as the top destination for former Californians seeking a new home.
Additionally, the report highlights that deeply red Idaho holds the fourth position, while currently red Florida secures the fifth position in popularity among former California residents seeking relocation.
Georgia Gilholy is a journalist based in the United Kingdom who has been published in Newsweek, The Times of Israel, and the Spectator. Gilholy writes about international politics, culture, and education.
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