(NewsNation) — Political megadonor John Morgan says former President Barack Obama’s standing in the Democratic Party is the reason behind his appearing in an ad that backs Gavin Newsom’s redistricting effort in California.
“I talked to someone yesterday who is very much in the know. They told me that Obama is the only person whose negatives are not underwater in the Democratic Party,” Morgan said to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo on Tuesday.
The 30-second ad urges California voters to approve a November ballot proposal, Proposition 50, that could add as many as five Democrat-held House seats in the state.
In late August, California’s Democrat-controlled legislature formally approved a plan to redraw the state’s congressional lines, teeing up a special election this fall that will let Californians weigh in on mid-decade redistricting in response to a plan pushed by Texas Republicans.
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“We know he can’t beat Katie Porter, that’s Mrs. Doubtfire on steroids with road rage,” added Morgan about the Newsom-Obama ad. “It can’t be Gavin Newsom because it’s his message. It has to be Barack Obama.”
“He’s the most talented politician ever since Bill Clinton. We all fell in love with Barack Obama for a reason.”
Voting on the redistricting proposal is underway and will conclude Nov. 4.
Democrats more worried about midterms and not next election: Morgan
Morgan acknowledged that the Democratic Party has shifted its focus to the midterms and away from the 2028 presidential election.
And who is the messenger behind it all? Obama.
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“I think Hakeem Jeffries has real talent,” said Morgan. “I think he could be great. He doesn’t have the gravitas yet, but I think he could. But other than him, there’s really nobody else. And the rest of them are kind of auditioning for president, which kind of takes away their message.
“This is about the midterms. This is about a check on power. This is about checks and balances. And that’s what the midterms will all be about for the Democrats.”
