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California Governor Gavin Newsom engaged in a candid conversation with conservative leader Charlie Kirk concerning the Democratic Party’s challenges as they head into the 2024 presidential election.
During the inaugural episode of his podcast, “This Is Gavin Newsom,” the governor acknowledged Kirk’s notable impact as the founder of Turning Point USA, an organization credited with helping President Donald Trump connect with younger voters.
Newsom referenced an opinion piece by prominent Democratic strategist James Carville, who suggested that Democrats should consider a strategic retreat, allowing Republicans to falter under the weight of their own issues, leaving voters nostalgic for Democratic leadership. This notion resonated negatively with Newsom.
“Right away, I thought about you—constantly engaging and taking control of this debate daily, gaining support bit by bit, even in the wake of this election,” Newsom expressed to Kirk. “It concerns me that we might stand idle while you effectively capitalize on this moment for years to come. That felt like suboptimal advice. It’s nothing personal against Carville, who I respect considerably.”
TRUMP’S SKILLS DISPLAYED IN ADDRESS TO CONGRESS
In a lively interaction, Kirk responded with enthusiasm to the idea of Democrats retreating, noting that it would only allow Republicans more room to advance their agenda. “There’s a void of opposition, no energizing activism. You guys are putting out these awkward videos online—” he began.
“What are the most awkward videos?” Newsom inquired, seeking specific examples.
“I think it’s when you have a bunch of senators repeating the same message in a sing-song manner,” Kirk replied humorously.
Newsom probed for further guidance, asking Kirk to share advice for the Democratic Party. “Come up with better ideas, governor,” Kirk simply responded.
KIRK HAILS TRUMP FOR HIS PROMISES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Newsom dismissed the advice from Carville, emphasizing a more proactive approach as essential for moving forward. Kirk recounted his objective from 2021, which aimed to shift the youth vote by ten percentage points over a decade. He argued that the Democratic Party had taken young voters for granted and lacked a substantive message to appeal to them.
“We noticed significant shifts in youth sentiment as Trump aligned his outreach efforts with modern platforms like podcasts and TikTok,” Kirk stated, reflecting on the rapid progress they made in a shorter timeframe.
He elaborated on what he described as a crisis facing young Americans. “This generation is experiencing a reality where a 30-year-old might be worse off than their parents—this indicates a breakdown of the societal support system,” Kirk asserted. He pointed out that young people today are grappling with unprecedented levels of substance abuse, mental health issues, and feelings of disenchantment.
Highlighting the importance of addressing young men’s needs, Kirk claimed that the Democratic Party has overlooked this demographic, thus enabling Trump to reach out effectively to these voters. “Young men are crucial for a thriving society, and we devised strategies to engage them in a thoughtful and innovative manner,” he remarked.
KIRK DISCUSSES TRUMP AS A CULTURAL ICON
Turning the conversation towards Trump, Kirk labeled him a “cultural phenomenon,” commending him for overcoming numerous adversities, including criminal charges and attempts to restrict his political participation. “Despite all these challenges, he emerged as a symbol of resilience and an ‘American comeback story,’ appealing to many young people, particularly young men, who are seeking assertive leadership that pushes back against ineffective institutions,” Kirk concluded.
Source
www.foxnews.com