The road to the White House for California Governor Gavin Newsom appears to be getting clearer as recent events and polls suggest a shift in the political landscape. A new poll conducted by Emerson College Polling reveals that former President Donald Trump is leading President Joe Biden in several key swing states, and the gap is widening following recent events. The poll found that Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Arizona are all leaning towards the GOP.
The numbers spell trouble for Biden, who is already facing mounting doubts about his ability to campaign and secure a victory in the upcoming November election. This growing concern within the Democratic Party has led to calls for Biden to step aside in favor of a younger candidate who might have a better chance of winning in November.
According to the Emerson poll, 53.7 percent of swing state voters would prefer a younger Democrat over Trump, compared to just 41.6 percent who support Biden in the current matchup. This substantial difference highlights the vulnerability of Biden’s campaign and the potential for a new Democratic contender to galvanize voter support. Newsom at 56 years of age fits all the positive demographics of the polling.
Biden’s age and health remain significant concerns among voters, raising questions about his capability to withstand the rigors of a national campaign. Despite his insistence on running and his determination to defeat Trump once more, the pressure from within his party is intensifying. Reports indicate that senior Democratic leaders like Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have privately urged Biden to reconsider his candidacy.
Obama, who served with Biden for eight years in the White House, became the most prominent Democrat to express concerns on Thursday, after similar private warnings from three senior figures to the president were made in the last week. He told several allies he was worried about Biden’s poll ratings and believes he should seriously consider standing down to protect the party and his legacy, according to multiple reports in US media outlets. Obama was 47 years old when he took office.
If Biden were to step down, several Democrats, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have been floated as potential successors. However, the Emerson poll suggests that 57 percent of voters do not believe Harris has “earned the right” to be the next nominee, with 66 percent expressing a desire to see leading Democrats debate each other before a nominee is selected.
This evolving political scenario opens a pathway for Newsom, who has garnered attention for his leadership in California and his ability to appeal to a broad spectrum of voters. Newsom’s policies and actions, particularly in dealing with state crises and progressive issues, position him as a strong candidate capable of uniting the party and presenting a formidable challenge to Trump.
As the campaign season progresses, the Democratic Party faces crucial decisions about its leadership and strategy. With voter sentiment leaning towards a younger, dynamic candidate, Newsom’s prospects for the presidency are becoming more favorable.
The coming months will be pivotal in determining whether Biden will heed the calls to step aside and allow a new contender like Newsom to take the helm and lead the Democrats to victory in 2024.
Emerson Poll can be found here.
