HUNT VALLEY, Md. (TNND) -- California Gov. Gavin Newsom will consider running for president after the national midterm elections next year, he revealed in a recently aired TV interview.
The governor noted during an appearance on CBS News Sunday Morning, which was taped on Thursday, that he'd by lying if he said otherwise. Host Jonathan Karl had asked him whether he would give a campaign "serious thought."
"Yeah, I'd be lying otherwise. I'd just be lying, and I can't do that," Newsom said.
Karl then asked the governor whether he was figuring out why he would want to run for president, which Newsom has said is important for a potential campaign.
"Nietzsche said if you have a compelling 'why,' you can endure any 'how,'" Newsom replied, referencing the German philosopher. "And so I don't think - I think the biggest challenge for anyone who runs for any office is people see right through you if you don't have that why, you're doing it for the wrong reasons. And so, look, ... faith will determine that."
The governor has expressed opposition to President Donald Trump and other national Republicans for many reasons, including for redrawing congressional maps, using the military against California protesters and other actions Newsom says are undemocratic.
He traveled across South Carolina in July with the state Democratic party, speaking at events and meeting residents in rural counties. Newsom said Thursday he happened to enjoy himself there, noting that he loves people.
In June, the governor told The Wall Street Journal that a presidential campaign was a "path" he could see "unfold." His criticism of the Trump administration, which in that month centered on its response to Los Angeles protests, wasn't only political, though, he added.
"I have a responsibility to combine passion with action, to stand tall and firm and defend the values that I hold dear, that I think the vast majority of Americans hold dear, and assert myself in this moral moment," Newsom said. "I want people to know in my state that they matter, we care, we're going to have their backs, we're going to push back against the authoritarian tendencies. And we will be here for the long haul."
Trump has dismissed the idea his administration's actions are authoritarian and has defended them as important and beneficial for the country. The president wrote in a social media post on Monday that people have taken note of his work on the economy and border. Democrats have criticized his approach for both matters, though, particularly his use of tariffs and an aggressive Immigration and Customs Enforcement.