Former president Donald Trump did not participate in the GOP presidential debate Wednesday, by his own choice.
That may have been a very wise decision, considering both Republicans and Democrats alike have criticized the debate as a debacle.
Yet many believe that Trump came out as the de facto winner after the debate. California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a leading figure in the Democratic Party who attended the debate, went all-in on that theory. He even used a couple of sports analogies to make his point.
“I think it will be clear that Trump comes out the dominant force of this debate. I meant this is the XFL, this is JV. I mean, honestly, this is maybe – maybe – a vice-presidential debate. These guys are getting lapped by Donald Trump,” Newsom told reporters after the event.
XFL officials should take great offense to that analogy, given the GOP debate was marred by poor moderation, interruptions and bizarre statements by the candidates. Newsom, who has been touted as a dark horse presidential candidate, said he thinks the GOP contenders chasing Trump in the polls are “wasting everybody’s time.”
Obviously, Newsom and leading Democrats have a vested interest in playing up Trump as the heavy favorite, feeling he doesn’t stand a chance in the general election. But even leading GOP strategists are echoing his belief that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and the rest of the field are long shots.
“It’s not even close, it’s not even interesting. And I think what’s most interesting to me is, do they recognize that?” Newsom asked. “Either these guys come after the frontrunner and distinguish themselves or otherwise they’re wasting everybody’s time.”