California governor Gavin Newsom (D.) said his party is getting "destroyed" in messaging ahead of next week's midterm elections.
"We're getting crushed on narrative," Newsom told CBS as he campaigns for Democrats across his state in races tighter than expected, adding that the midterms feel like a red wave.
"We're going to have to do better, in terms of getting on the offense, and stop being on the damn defense," the governor said.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is campaigning for embattled Democrats in an effort to bail out a party he says is being "destroyed on messaging." He spoke exclusively with @MajorCBS addressing questions about whether his political ambitions extend beyond the Golden State. pic.twitter.com/CzVdOhz7kX
— CBS Evening News (@CBSEveningNews) November 1, 2022
Newsom, who is reportedly ready to run for the Oval Office if President Joe Biden does not seek reelection, promotes policies such as banning gas cars and forcing churches to pay for abortions.
Newsom added that he is "not paid" to say Democrats are performing poorly. "I'm also a pragmatist," he said.
As inflation and crime top voters' concerns, Democrats are calling such issues a conspiracy and preemptively blaming voters for their losses.