California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) suggested a major shift in Democratic political strategy is necessary, telling NBC’s Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker that “the rules of the game have changed. Now, we have to rewrite the new rules.”
During his interview on Sunday, Newsom addressed the traditional Democratic approach often encapsulated by former First Lady Michelle Obama’s mantra, “When they go low, we go high.”
Welker pressed the Governor on whether that mindset still has a place for Democrats. “I would love to go back to that, but politics has changed. The world has changed,” Newsom responded, clarifying that he is currently in the process of “iterating” a new approach.
He referenced a recent amendment to Michelle Obama’s own comment, noting her shift to suggest that “going high is also going strategic, meaning finding strategies to address concerns and anxieties.”
“She’s evolved on her own foundational principle, but it’s the right one,” Newsom stated. “We’re all better off when we’re all better off. This can’t continue forever, all of us living in this state of fear and anxiety, on edge.”
Presidential Ambitions Questioned
Newsom also faced persistent questioning from Welker about his potential presidential ambitions, following previous comments suggesting he was considering a run after the midterms.
When asked directly, “Why do you want to be president?”, Newsom offered a clear denial.
“I don’t. I’m not suggesting I am,” the Governor said, attributing his previous comments to a desire to avoid being a “politician that sits there and lies to you.”
He stated he is currently focused on state matters like Prop 50 and fair elections, but acknowledged a future possibility: “To the extent, fate, the future, there’s an alignment, you have a big enough why, you have a what and a how, you meet a moment and that moment presents itself in a year, year and a half, we’ll see what happens.”
Despite his denial of current ambition, Newsom outlined what he believes the next Democratic nominee’s platform should include:
- Repairing the Breach: The candidate needs to be a “repairer of the breach, spiritually and physically.”
- Transformation, Not Just Restoration: The focus must be on future trend lines and not solely on “forces of restoration.”
- Vision for the Future: The candidate must paint a journey “that’s not just about growth but about inclusion,” addressing issues like artificial intelligence, the future of work, debt, entitlements, and climate change.
Newsom concluded by positioning California as a bellwether for the nation. “I’m here in California. Future happens here first. We’re America’s coming attraction,” he said.
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