Is Gavin Newsom a realistic presidential candidate?

The escalating public feud between California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) leads one to wonder if we're witnessing a precursor to the 2024 presidential election.

Last week, Newsom released an attack ad against DeSantis on Fox News in Florida, in which he declared to Floridians that “freedom is under attack in your state,” and criticized the DeSantis administration for restricting voting rights, limiting speech in classrooms, and criminalizing some abortions. The video garnered millions of views online and received a great deal of national media attention.

Although Newsom — who is expected to easily win reelection in 2022, as is DeSantis — has rejected rumors that he is eyeing a 2024 presidential run, his smear campaign against DeSantis suggests otherwise.

By going after DeSantis — whose star is on the rise within the Republican Party, as he is quickly becoming the 2024 pick of establishments and elites — Newsom is clearly working to distinguish himself as a top contender for 2024 in the absence of another clear Democratic candidate.

President Biden insists he is running for reelection in 2024 and does not take kindly to suggestions otherwise. However, some Democratic officials are quietly indicating that they would like to see the party go in a different direction, and nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of Democratic voters prefer a different nominee in 2024, including 94 percent of Democrats under 30. Yet, Biden's natural successor, Vice President Harris, remains unpopular and has had her fair share of political missteps.

At the very least, by attacking DeSantis, Newsom wants to put himself on the radar of Democratic activists and donors, who are dubious of President Biden's capacity to run for a second term and are wary of Vice President Harris' ability to carry the torch if it is passed onto her.

Of course, Newsom running for president in 2024 is entirely dependent on President Biden not seeking a second term, which is becoming increasingly likely.

At the same time, Newsom would need to ensure that Kamala Harris — who is not only the current Vice President, but is also a Former California Senator – does not run as well. Though, given that Harris' polling numbers are even lower than Biden's, she seems to be less of a factor than a sitting Vice President would be in this type of circumstance, where the president is unable or unwilling to run again.