Pollsters today predict that Biden could beat a controversial candidate like Trump, but if the GOP ends up choosing the 43-year-old Mr. DeSantis, all bets are off. “The prospect of a geriatric running against arguably the most energetic young candidate Republicans have seen in a generation would not play well for Democrats,” a Democratic fundraiser told the Telegraph. “They would need to find someone to match him, someone who is not of retirement age and more charismatic, otherwise he is toast.” Mr. Newsom and Mr. Pritzker are expected to do well when they seek second terms in November, in an environment in which many in their own party cannot expect the same. A convincing victory could give either a strong mandate to run. Some pundits, however, believe it would be unwise to add their name to what will likely be a crowded field, pitted against Biden and other higher-profile candidates. California’s Democratic governors also have a long history of eyeing the White House, but none have ever made it. Most failed to win the country’s electoral rust belt. Neither Mr. Newsom, who was embroiled in scandal after he was caught dining at the exclusive French Laundry restaurant during the state’s lockdown, nor Mr. Pritzker, the heir to the Hyatt hotel chain fortune, can claim to be human. of the people, as both Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden have done. But they’re banking on the American public being hungry for something different.
