What Comes After: A 2024 Game (Gameplay-PAUSED)

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

Governor Newsom's campaign is feeling positive about the trends in New Hampshire and Nevada and has decided to double down on the decision to focus resources almost exclusively there. The Newsom Campaign has decided to shift the New Hampshire campaign in a somewhat Buttigiegesque direction, with focus on the unity of both the party and the country, the mainstream positions of the campaign and a lot of focus on personality and charisma. In Nevada he will maintain for now the mainstream liberal positioning with outsized focus on immigration, unions and gun control together with the other issues.

However, Newsom understands that all of these efforts could just be cancelled by a big Harris romp in South Carolina. Thus, he decided that drastic action was necessary. It was a tough call inside the campaign, but once a decision was reached, Newsom was going to stick with it. Thus, when the reporters asked him "Why are you not campaigning in South Carolina anymore?" expecting a non-answer, the Governor was about to stun them by saying:

"Look I trust the people of South Carolina to make a rational decision. Their role is crucial to prevent the coronation of an unelectable candidate. I would love to earn their votes, but there are also interesting alternatives with roots in the South, like Vice President Gore, who is one of the politicians I admire the most, a true public servant in touch with the South but who also understands what kind of change the country needs. I trust the great people of South Carolina to vote with their hearts, but also with their heads, and I won't be campaigning there for the foreseeable future."

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

"Fighting for ALL of us" - Campaign commercial airing in Nevada

"For years Republicans have demonized and fear-mongered against the immigrant community to cover up for their own failures, and many Democrats were too scared to fight back.

Gavin Newsom is not. He understands the crucial benefits of immigration, he understands that immigrants aren't just useful for America, they are vital for America. As the Governor of California, he treated immigrants with the respect they deserve . He helped them shelter at the border and granted them the right to health care.

As President, he is ready to do more. He will rebuild the immigration system into a compassionate system, with generous legal immigration and a border patrol and ICE focused on actually protecting the country and not cruel prosecutions. Under President Newsom, immigrants will have a path to citizenship instead of having to live in the shadows. He will be fighting for all of us. Gavin Newsom for President.

Gavin Newsom: I'm Gavin Newsom and I approve this message."

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

Debate answers

Question 1 –
For far too long, immigration has been used for fear-mongering and good, decent people coming to the United States willing to work hard to build a better life for themselves and their children have been demonized. I say enough is enough! We as a party must fight for the rights of immigrants, for them to get the treatment they deserve from the greatest nation on Earth. As President, this is exactly what I will do. I support increasing the cap on refugees and asylum seekers. I also support decriminalizing illegal border crossings, and I believe that our border security should be focusing on actually dangerous activities, like illegal drug trade and human trafficking, instead of locking up a desperate mother fleeing with her kids from poverty and oppression. Our country was built by immigrants and we need to reshape our immigration system in order to make the legal immigration system a feasible alternative instead of having to cross the border without documents, as well as creating a path for citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants, many of whom have created families and worked hard for years and yet still have to live in the shadows. I will be the biggest ally of immigrants in office.

Question 2 –
I understand that this is a very important concern for Americans, and once again, unlike the Republicans which only know how to fear-monger, the Democrats actually have effective solutions. When it comes to gun violence, we have managed to effectively tackle it in California, the state which has the strongest gun laws in the country while still respecting the Second Amendment. Through common sense measures which have great support from the American people, like universal background checks, an assault weapon ban and red flag laws, California has kept gun violence in check. I am ready to do the same nationwide. When it comes to other types of crime, it shows the ineffectiveness of our criminal justice system that even with so many incarcerations, crime is still rising. As President, I will do everything to shift the focus of the system from punishing minor offenders to rehabilitating them. It is high time to realize that the crime will keep rising unless we change how we handle it.

Question 3 –
I must say how happy I am to see that the Democratic Party is nearly unanimously united around codifying Roe V. Wade into law. It is of paramount importance for our country to do so and it is what most Americans want. This is a priority for my Administration, and I will also nominate Justices who support a woman’s right to choose. However, this is not the only thing my Administration will do. Together with codifying Roe V. Wade into law, we must also prevent further radical efforts by state governments to restrict reproductive rights, which is why we will prohibit any state-interference in insurance coverage of abortion, repeal the Hyde Amendment and put out funds towards increasing the number of clinics and professionals performing abortions. When it comes to the LGBT community, we have already passed the Respect for Marriage Act, but we can do so much more. And I support ending discrimination by passing the Equality Act and fully investigating hate crimes. For my entire political career I backed the right of gay couples to equality and I will continue doing so as President.

Question 4 –
I strongly disavow the Saudi interference and all other foreign interference in our elections. It is of upmost importance that we secure our elections and make them truly a fair contest by fighting against voter suppression, gerrymandering, Dark Money influence and interference by foreign countries. When it comes to our relationship with Saudi Arabia, it is yet another area where our foreign policy needs a clear shift. Saudi Arabia is a country which is guilty of oppression and numerous human rights abuses. Our relationship needs to be re-evaluated urgently, and as President, I will do just that. Under my Presidency, we will hold true to our values at home and abroad, and our alliance with the Saudis, even if beneficial in some regards, is morally wrong.

Question 5 –
*Raises hand* Enough is enough, it is time to combat gun violence in our country, and a voluntary gun buyback program is crucial in doing so.

Question 6 –
Look, I put forward a plan to fix the broken health care system named Quality Choices, which is called that because it gives Americans a Choice between being covered by the government or private companies but ensures that nobody gets left out of the system and that all options are providing health care that is both high in quality and affordable to all. I believe in this plan and if I am elected President I will fight to pass it into law. However, I have said time and time again that health care is an issue which should unite Democrats instead of dividing them. We all want to fix the broken system, prevent abuses from insurance companies and provide access to health care to all Americans. It’s the Republicans who oppose any effort to change how health care works. So, if Congress passes a different single-payer plan which would increase the affordability, quality and accessibility of the health care of Americans, I would gladly sign it into law with no hesitation.

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

In November, after issuing a strong condemnation of the attack on the Department of Justice, Governor Newsom held a campaign meeting, worried about the campaign of Vice President Harris and its potential to ruin all of the work the campaign has placed in New Hampshire and Nevada. First decision: "No matter what we won't drop out for Harris as long as we still have a shot. We will fight against her even if it means a contested convention." On that premise, and considering Governor Whitmer's recent absence from the trail, the campaign began quietly building an infrastructure in Michigan and air some ads presenting Newsom and focusing on economic populism in order to be able to take the fight to Harris in Michigan after New Hampshire and Nevada vote. However, New Hampshire and Nevada are still the main priorities. The Newsom campaign believes that if they win in both they can both stop Harris's momentum after South Carolina and cement themselves as the main anti-Harris alternative. However, especially Nevada might prove to be challenging against a surging Harris. Governor Newsom will begin to roll out a GOTV operation in Nevada, especially focused on Latinos in Clark County, and use every additional money on ads there while still not neglecting New Hampshire.   He will start laying the ground to address supporters of other candidates in Nevada that he is the only candidate who can beat Harris and prevent a coronation, however this appeal will be directly made after South Carolina. He will also begin contacting the campaigns of other candidates and make friendly overtures both in public and in private. Newsom believes that an anti-Harris consolidation must happen before Super Tuesday, and his ego won't stand in the way should another candidate be better positioned to defeat her.

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Gavin Newsom ad - "Time of Choosing" airing in New Hampshire and Nevada

"This year could define America.

We have the opportunity, now more than ever, to enact the change we need and deserve. To have a country with universal healthcare, with a higher minimum wage, a greener economy, redpect for immigrants and protections for the right to choose. We can build a brighter future.

 But it all goes away if we take a wrong turn. If we nominate someone who can't win. Our country would fall to hatred, division and kleptocracy. We can't let that happen.

Gavin Newsom is ready to take on the fight in the General Election. He can unite both the party and the country around his progressive values. He will stop the conspiracists and buils a brighter future. Gavin Newsom for President.

Newsom: I'm Gavin Newsom and I approve this message."

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

"She really thought she could come to California and just shut me up" Gavin mused to himself while looking at Harris's numbers dropping across the board. "Not so entitled now, are we?". He was happy he had done his part in denying her the nomination. Now it was all up to Gore. He started worrying again, but an aide entered to interrupt. The crowd in Nashua was awaiting him. He put on his best smile and entered the room to raucous cheers. Here is a fragment of the speech:

"Thank you, thank you Nashua! Thank you so much! In the past months in which I criss-crossed New Hampshire, listening to the citizens here, I realized what our Party truly needs. First of all, it needs someone who can unite it, and I am the person to do it. I share the progressive values of our electorate and the track record of implementing them. I put forward a policy platform supported by folks from all around the Democratic spectrum. But just as importantly, we need someone who can win. Someone with a -20 approval rating can not win. Someone who has been losing poll after poll after poll is...not a good bet. I have won every election I participated in, I have a record of winning despite sometimes overwhelming opposition, and I bring to the table my experience and my values. With me as the nominee, we will win the General Election!"

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

Gavin Newsom understands that it is make or break for his campaign on February 6th, primary day in New Hampshire and Nevada. Whether he can win those states and become the frontrunner or lose and have to bow out of the race. Luckily, he is in striking distance of the victory in both states, and he intends to fight for every vote.

In a strategy meeting after the results in South Carolina, Newsom told his team that all resources available to the campaign must be placed in the two states and volunteers from across the United States will be placed there in order to start turning out the vote, a massive GOTV effort long planned by the Newsom campaign, which they hope will keep the afloat in the midst of surges by other candidates.

Following only a brief reaction on the South Carolina results thanking his voters and congratulating Al Gore for his strong performance, Gavin Newsom flew straight to New Hampshire on February 4th. His campaign will start airing ads on his economic promises and liberal-but-electable status in the state while the GOTV effort will be spread out throughout the state. While Newsom sees some opportunities for victories in places like Portsmouth and Concord, it mostly wants to get 17% everywhere. Newsom will start the day with town halls in Dover and Derry before going to rallies in Manchester and Nashua. The campaign believes that in New Hampshire, the time for persuasion has passed, and now it's time to get the Governor's supporters to the voting booth.

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Gavin Newsom ad - "It's all in your hands" airing in New Hampshire

"Debates have been held, plans have been put forward, politicians have spoken. Now it's your turn to speak.

Gavin Newsom is committed to building the progressive future our country deserves. President Newsom will raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, build an universal healthcare system and respect the right to choose. He will create a fairer immigration system and reform the criminal justice system. Gavin Newsom as shown in all his offices: he's a progressive through and through. Get out to vote on February 6th! Gavin Newsom for President!

Newsom: Let's build the future we deserve. I'm Gavin Newsom and I approve this message."

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Gavin Newsom ad - "Susie Lee" airing in Nevada

"Susie Lee: Hi everyone, I'm Representative Susie Lee! During this electoral campaign many candidates have come to me and asked me to endorse me. But there is only one I trust with all my heart: Governor Gavin Newsom!

Knowing Gavin Newsom, he is a politician who is unafraid to take on the big issues. As Mayor and Governor, he worked steadfastly to build a progressive future. As President, he will do the same. Immigrants, Laborers and Nevadans can hope for no better friend in the White House! And seeing him campaign, I don't just think that he will beat the Republicans, I know he will. I support Gavin Newsom because I know he is the best candidate for our state and our country.

Join me in voting for Gavin Newsom on February 6th!

Newsom: I'm Gavin Newsom and I approve this message."

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

The wheels of Newsom Campaign's operation in Nevada started coming together from his announcement speech in Reno and arecharging full speed ahead in the final days. The GOTV efforts focus especially on Latinos and White Liberals, with a shift to the left being noticed in the final ads and campaign materials.

With the Merkley campaign deciding not to contest the state, Newsom decided to make moves for that portion of the electorate. On February 5th, Newsom flew to Las Vegas where he held a rally together with Susie Lee before ending his efforts with an event in Reno. In both speeches he highlighted the progressiveness of his positions, mentioning his heathcare plan  and his fight to get Dark Money out of politics while also underlining that "Nevada decides whether we nominate someone who can win."

As the day passed and February 6th came, Newsom spent the day trying to coordinate the massive GOTV effort and preparing both a victory speech and a speech announcing his dropping out of the race as counted the minutes until polls close.

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Gavin Newsom - For a Brighter Future

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!

First of all, I'd like to thank my supporters for everything they have done on the course of this campaign. We fought hard, we fought well, and we came close!

But, we didn't win. It is hard for me too, but it's clear my path to the nomination does not exist anymore. Which is why, for the good and the unity of the party, I am announcing the suspension of my campaign. No, I know, I know, it's hard for me too.

But we must rise to this moment and see beyond petty personal issues. Even if I won't be President, there is another candidate who is willing to tackle the issues, who is a committed to building the brighter future we deserve, who has fought all of his life for Democratic values, who can win the election and keep Republicans out! And that is Vice President Al Gore! I fully trust him with the great responsabilities of the Presidency, and I do believe our country will change for the better if we do nominate him.

So, my campaign is over, but our fight is only beginning. Let's get it done America, let's elect Al Gore!"

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Gavin Newsom's response to latest campaign trail attacks

Following his exit of the race, Gavin Newsom has worked relentlessly behind the scenes to help Vice President Gore's organisation in California and shift his endorsers towards him, planning to reassume his role in the public eye after Georgia votes. But the latest round of attacks from Vice President Harris caused him to break the silence on the ongoing campaign. Here's what he answered when asked by a reporter about the ongoing back-and-forths:

"Look, I think it is very clear to the voters in the great state of Georgia that Vice President Al Gore wanted to keep this campaign focused on the issues that matter to voters, and Kamala Harris declined. And if she is so willing to relitigate what was happening in the 90s, I think we need to talk about much more recent history! We have all by now heard the horror stories  about what prisoners under 《progressive prosecutor》 Kamala Harris had to endure. California will never forget about the people kept in jail for longer because of random technicalities, the withheld evidence, the fight against more control by communities over the police. She said she's the top cop, that liberals need to move on from biases against law enforcement. Probably because of this kind of statements she only won in California by less than 1%. Our party needs someone with a clean record, someone who can win, someone who doesn't have a -20 approval rating nationwide. And Al Gore is that candidate."

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Gavin Newsom rallies the troops for Al Gore in the West

Since his withdrawal from the race, Gavin Newsom has always planned to support Al Gore's campaign as a surrogate, but the results in Georgia made him do so more quickly than he expected.

Immediately after the Georgia race was called, Gavin Newsom began scheduling events in California to boost support for Gore, focusing especially on major population centers as well as suburbs. While he still presented the main Gore message of pragmatism and electability, he shifted it ever so slightly to the left to make it suitable for California, especially by focusing on the issue of climate change, presenting Gore as the best chance to save the environment.

Newsom also views Utah and Colorado as a free-for-all, and plans to make the Gore campaign the first to show up. He made acontacts and built up the organisation while still going to rallies in Denver and its suburbs as well as in St. Lake City.

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Gavin Newsom takes on Kamala Harris in San Diego

Following a speech given in San Diego in support of Vice President Gore, Gavin Newsom has taken questions from the audience. One participant asked him on his opinion of Kamala Harris and her campaign. Here is what he answered:

"Look, the reason why I believe that Vice President Gore is by far a better choice over Kamala Harris is that he is simply a better choice. Vice President Gore has confronted head-on any doubts some may have had about his candidacy and record, and he won over many sceptics, dare I say myself included. Kamala on the other hand has been unable to confront basic questions about her record, coming from fellow Democrats! Months have gone by and we still don't know, for example, why did she keep Daniel Larsen in prison? We still don't know why did she say that liberals are biased against law enforcement? We still don't know why she opposed body cameras for police officers? We still don't know, we still don't know why this progressive prosecutor didn't prosecute Steve Mnuchin's bank when they fraudulently foreclosed on thousands of Californians and then tried to suppress evidence of her own inaction? And if she can't answer these questions from fellow Democrats, imagine her against the GOP propaganda machine! A DeSantis, Hawley or, God forbid, Stone Presidency is what we actually vote for if we nominate her."

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Gavin Newsom hits the trail for Al Gore in California

As the long-awaited Super Tuesday came along, and Al Gore had to divert his resources away to other states, Gavin Newsom stepped in and campaigned for the Gore campaign as if it was his very own, with at least three events every day. Newsom told people that the Gore campaign "is the only one which proved to have support in all corners of the party, and Al Gore is the only candidate with an unifying platform and an experienced outlook. Running against an unpopular and unelectable candidate, Al Gore is our best, and possibly even only, shot at victory in November!" According to Newsom, Al Gore has exhibited during his career the qualities a leader needs most, namely morality and a willingness to fight for your principles. Newsom also said: "This is now a two-person race. There is no way around it. So when we look at these two candidates, and we ask ourselves, which one of them do we trust to both win and implement a progressive agenda, there is only one answer. Al Gore has been fighting his entire life for Democratic principles, above all the fight against climate change. With President Gore, a brighter future is indeed in reach."

While privately Newsom knows that Harris will carry California, in public he remained defiant. Newsom said: "Up against an unpopular and unelectable opponent, we are confident that Vice President Gore will carry California. He has beaten all odds during this primary season and we are confident he will do so again, with the support of Democratic primary voters", thus attempting to flip the "underestimation" narrative by the Harris campaign onto its head. He went as far as to say: "a vote for Al Gore is also a vote for me, for the values I advocated for during my entire career and campaign, for the way we are governing this state." Newsom was all in.