Scottsdale, Arizona – governor. Josh Greena Democrat from Hawaii, raised the possibility of running for president, predicting that Americans would want a peacemaker for once Donald Trump The second term – and the governor of California – is over. Gavin Newsom It may not fit the bill.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Green questioned the success of politicians skilled at “hand-to-hand combat” with voters tired of political conflict.
These statements reflect how ambitious Democrats are already jockeying for positions in a crowded field of candidates for the White House three years before the next presidential election, especially with no clear heir and uncertainty about how the party will regain power in Washington.
Newsom is a prominent Democratic contender who has drawn attention as one of Trump’s most prominent opponents. But Greene, a moderate who has sometimes frustrated liberal interest groups, said he worried Newsom would be viewed as a “California extremist.”
Green said he has deep respect for Newsom and for him Successful battle To redraw US House districts in California to help Democrats in the midterm elections.
“But if Gavin is ultimately going to win America, he will also have to embrace some conciliatory and collective rhetoric — or even political ideas — that others support,” Green said Thursday during a meeting in Arizona of the Western Governors Association.
Spokespeople for Newsom did not respond to a request for comment.
Green said he hopes both parties will nominate candidates committed to healing the deep partisan divide, warning that the country is “perilously close to a political civil war.” He called for democratic governments. Wes Moore of Maryland and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, along with Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah and himself.
“We will need leaders who are willing to embrace ideas from both ideologies,” Green said. “I think that’s who should be the next president, whoever it is, whether Republican or Democrat.”
He said he is open to running himself but would prefer to support someone else, saying governor of Hawaii is likely his last job in elected office.
“I will certainly try to heal America, even if I am president one day, if we are really in deep trouble,” he said. Green is about to enter the final year of his first term and is seeking re-election in Hawaii next year.
Newsom briefly took a step toward reconciliation when Trump took office earlier this year, sparking a backlash from many on the left. He warmly received the president days after his inauguration and hosted popular figures from his “Make America Great Again” movement for friendly podcast interviews.
But recently, Newsom was among them Trump’s most prominent criticsis aggressively fighting the deployment of the National Guard and active military forces in California and leading the redistricting battle approved by voters this month.
His office also relentlessly mocked the president by imitating his style on social media, trying to infiltrate him and earn laughter — and attention — from Democrats eager for a more confrontational approach.