Gavin Newsom's not-so-hidden

Gavin Newsom's not-so-hidden
presidential ambitions.
By Mackey Smith, a political strategist with consulting group Sugarhouse Strategies
The only other politician the party "could potentially bypass (Harris) for would be Gavin Newsom." Smith noted Newsom's "dress rehearsal version of a presidential campaign" with his appearances on Fox News - including a televised debate with former Republican presidential candidate Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida - and international trips to China and Israel. He hit the campaign trail for Biden, traveling to South Carolina and Nevada in January.In 2022, the California governor rented out billboards in red states to call out conservative policies on guns and abortion, which fueled his budding national name recognition. At the same time, he denies any intention of running for president in 2024."He's basically saying, 'If (Biden) can't go, I'm in the wings ready and able to jump in,'" said Smith.Newsom is also trying to reposition his brand to become the "voice of common sense," stepping away from progressivism, Smith said, adding, "Anyone in California knows that Newsom is a true liberal. But I think he's going to try to market himself to the Midwest ... to win.""Now, you can't have Kamala and Gavin on the ticket together," he said. "One of them would have to change their residency because the Constitution doesn't allow the president and vice president to be from the same state."He added he doesn't see either of them leaving California, nor does he see Democrats embracing a Harris-Newsom ticket for their 2024 playbook.Plus, by "kicking Kamala to the curb, Democrats would be abandoning the strategy that won them the White House four years ago," referring to the higher voter turnout among African American and women voters.