California Governor Gavin Newsom tells Bill Maher he went after DeSantis because no other Democrat would
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: California Governor Gavin Newsom recently opened up about his decision to engage in a high-profile debate and launch a simultaneous advertising campaign against Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Speaking with Bill Maher on 'Real Time,' Newsom revealed that he felt compelled to challenge DeSantis because he believed other Democrats were not doing enough to counter the GOP's cancel culture crusade.
Gavin Newsom takes on Ron DeSantis amid setbacks
The pivotal debate between Newsom and DeSantis took place on December 1, drawing a national TV audience. As DeSantis faced setbacks in his presidential campaign and Super PAC, the two governors clashed on issues ranging from coronavirus responses and abortion to education and taxes.
The debate, hosted by Fox News, lacked a clear objective, causing frustration among Joe Biden's advisers in the lead-up.
Reflecting on the intense exchange during his interview with Maher, Newsom expressed his belief that he had to step up and confront DeSantis for consistently criticizing liberal causes, as he felt the Democratic Party was being too timid.
Newsom stated, "The reason I started doing ads in those red states is I didn't feel my party was doing enough. It was CRT one year, and then it is ESG, and then it's DEI. Anything with three letters, and these guys keep coming. I just thought there was a little timidity in our party, and I thought we needed to call this stuff out."
Newsom was particularly irked by the Republican antics in the ongoing culture wars, such as attempts to cancel Bud Light, Target, and Disney, issues in which DeSantis played a prominent role.
Gavin Newsom aims Republicans for alleged infringements
According to Newsom, Republicans needed to be challenged for allegedly infringing on free speech in classrooms and corporate boardrooms. Tired of Democrats consistently being on the defensive, Newsom sought to put a top Republican, namely DeSantis, on the defensive.
Highlighting the cultural purge occurring in the country, Newsom emphasized the severity of the situation: "Look what they have done—3,362 books just last year they are banning. This is a serious and consequential moment, the cultural purge that is going on in this country. So I just felt like we needed to call that out as Democrats."
While Newsom has long been considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate, Maher brought up the idea of Newsom running in the future during the interview.
Navigating the perils of political division
However, Maher also expressed concerns about the increasing political dichotomy in the US, cautioning against living in a civil war. He conveyed his affinity for Florida and urged politicians like Newsom not to contribute to the deepening divide.
In response, Newsom acknowledged his shared love for Florida but underscored his refusal to passively observe as Republicans attempt to revert the country to a pre-1960s era.
He emphasized the choice between sitting back and accommodating such regressions or standing tall and asserting oneself in the face of challenges.
Newsom's decision to take a bold stand against DeSantis reflects his commitment to addressing cultural and political issues head-on, even when faced with criticism about exacerbating political divisions.
