Ron DeSantis is “fundamentally authoritarian”, but Donald Trump’s quest for “vengeance” poses an even greater threat to democracy, California’s Democratic governor Gavin Newsom said on Sunday.
Newsom took aim at the leading two candidates for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination during a hard-hitting and wide-ranging interview on NBC’s Meet the Press, the final episode with its long-time host Chuck Todd.
“I worry about democracy,” he said. “I worry about the fetishness for autocracy that we’re seeing not just from Trump, but around the world, and notably across this country.
“I’ve made the point about DeSantis that I think he’s functionally authoritarian. I’m worried more, in many respects, about Trumpism, which transcends well beyond his term and time in tenure.”
Newsom added: “The vengeance in Donald Trump’s heart right now is more of a threat.”
There aren’t any right wing chuds getting elected in state level elections in California. We don’t do that shit here.
That said, Gavin is a sleaze and we don’t need any more of those at the top. Dude can’t keep it in his pants and boned his campaign manager’s - more importantly his good friend’s - wife. That sort of unforced error should be disqualifying. There are over 300 million people in this nation and I know we can find one to be President that doesn’t sleep around mind mindbogglingly stupid ways.
Ideally, sleazes aren’t electable. But, at this point, I’d vote for a sleaze that respect that wills of the people than a non-sleaze trying to destroy it. So, if Gavin is nominated, he gets my vote over any Republicans.
I voted for Joe Biden, and that was hard, but at least I picked the correct choice given the two options.
I’m not saying don’t vote for him but he’s not getting my vote in the primaries, and I’d encourage everyone to look at other options. I think Elizabeth Warren would be good; she has concrete policy proposals.
I think Gavin Newsom is likely to take the nomination. He isn’t getting my vote either, and my vote depends on the rosters that’s up.
So many people actually prefer sleazy politicians, though. Trump is the obvious example, but Silvio Berlusconi was really the master of exploiting his sleaze appeal.