50 Comments

Newsom's been saying that for some time, but you're right, it's a little more veiled and nuanced now. He wants to be sure everyone hears he'll wait his turn, but is more and more bent into wondering if there'll still be a turn to take after this election.

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If Trump stepped aside, Newsom would be a strong contender.

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Why in the world did DeSantis agree to this? Newsom will definitely take him apart. Last night Newsom handled Hannity in an exemplary way, but he's still saying he'll never run in 2024, never, no matter what. But the DeSantis/Newsom debate looks like a suicide-by-cop move by DeSantis. Maybe he just wants out? Or is he really that stupid?

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I didn't hear Newsom say that. I heard Hannity trying to trap him into that and Newsom changing the subject. For all his skeletons, he would destroy Trump if Biden somehow got out, which he's not going to do. BTW, Biden gave a terrific speech tonight on McCain and democracy.

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well, I agree that Biden is old, and your case for him not running is certainly rational. The problem is that our politics aren't fully rational, unfortunately, especially given the presence of MAGA and Trump on the scene. Practically speaking, it seems like he is running. Practically speaking, he's got a long lists of accomplishments as POTUS (which you acknowledge). and, most importantly, he's right when he frames this as a battle for the soul of democracy. I couldn't be more disappointed by the state of American politics. especially all the support for Trump. we need to fight this battle, and win, cause if Trump wins in 2024 we will no longer recognize our country. And the media needs to recognize that most people actually do care more about the fate of our democracy than the price of a gallon of gas or a carton of milk. time for the American voters to grow up and be adults.

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I sure hope you're right....

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Yes, Biden is totally right about democracy and I'm with him all the way if he's the nominee and I'm totally opposed to No Labels etc.

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Been seeing a lot of Newsom on clips here and there. Couldn't we just do an AI body switch and make him the Dem nom? Please? Can someone with the AI chops get working on this? Time is of the essence.

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lol

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How about Blinken as an alternative to Biden? I would vote for him.

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He plays a mean guitar!

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JON--This piece is a waste of time. The Democrats have NO ALTERNATIVE TO BIDEN: Time to get together and remind a majority of voters that TRUMP WOULD GOVERN ABSOLUTELY DICTATORIAL. Otherwise, Costa Rica looks not too bad. ALTER: GO BACK TO SLEEP AND STOP RILOING UP THE CROWD, just to getting an OLD GOATS, as you are now--for perhaps the first time writing like a STUPID OLD GOAT yourself!

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We do have to keep reminding the world that Trump would end democracy. If you read this newsletter, I write that almost every week. When the Michigan filing deadline passes in Dec., all this talk will end. In the meantime, it's .....democratic.

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Barry, we all admire your great achievements with CBS. I watched Walter Cronkite's reporting during the first moon landing and was amazed at the coverage you produced. Thank you. Likewise, I tuned in CBS for most of the Watergate coverage and I was riveted to the television.

In today's U.S.A., you and I and all sentient Democrats agree that we must lockout Trump and all Republicans from the presidency. All reasonable paths to that end must be explored thoroughly. Jon is proposing an alternative that makes sense to many of us. Yes, there are tremendous risks that must be considered in 2024, but we must face them with courage.

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Well said, JoAnne.

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It’s probably just due to ignorance on my part, but I don’t feel that way. And if what you’re saying, and what I am saying are both true, the Democratic Party needs to be doing a better job of putting those people out there and enlightening people like me.

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Definitely.

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Thanks, Dorothy!

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Brilliant, Jon. XXDK

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Thanks, Dorothy!

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Is it possible any of these people have actually approached him to tell him this?

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Highly unlikely that anyone has, despite all the private grumbling...

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none of this is plausible. No white guy is going to go up against Harris for the nomination.

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I disagree...She would have to earn the nomination.

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Harris is the person Biden chose to be a heartbeat away from the presidency should something happen to him. That is a fact, and one she would not shy away from stating repeatedly in a primary debate. And I guess I just have trouble picturing a white guy like Josh Shapiro (who I like) going up against the sitting vice president, an African-American woman, and winning the argument that he should lead the party over her, especially in SC. It would also put Biden in a weird situation, not wanting to endorse but having already given Harris something of an implicit endorsement. I agree that there are legitimate concerns about Biden hanging on for another 6 years, but I don’t think we can have an honest conversation about who could take over without noting the power of incumbency and name recognition that Harris would carry

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I agree. I wish there was someone other than Joe running. If he continues to stay in the race, we have to be very, very careful about who is VP. If his ego gives T the White House, we can kiss democracy goodbye and look forward to civil unrest.

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Just so you know, my sense is that there is zero chance he dumps Kamala. The only way she's off the ticket is if he steps aside and she loses in bid for president.

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Hakeem Jeffries and Amy Klobuchar have the talent and stature to join in a ticket that would draw massive support in the general election from progressives and independents, especially Blacks, women, and millennials.

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Agreed....

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Terrific piece, Jonathan. Effective. How will you get it in the hands of the actors in your script? Personally, having just read Klobuchar’s book, I think she’d make a great president.

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Excellent piece, and putting it in this form makes it a little less terrifying. Newsom just appeared on Rachel Maddow from the spin room after the debate and he looked good, believably supporting Biden.

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Newsom will eat DeSantis alive in their debate in November and he would easily beat Trump.

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