Keeping tabs on the Youngkin 2024 whiplash
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Depending on which headlines you read in the past 30 days, you might think Gov. Glenn Youngkin has given up on his presidential ambitions.
- Or, you could have just as easily walked away with the impression that his secret-squirrel, long-shot campaign is still in play.
Why it matters: We like to keep tabs on whether our governor is planning to stick around.
State of play: Here's an abbreviated timeline of recent headlines to help clear things up a little.
In late March, Youngkin's top strategist Jeff Roe bailed for Ron DeSantis' camp, which the Washington Post reported raised "further doubts about Youngkin’s interest in a 2024 campaign."
Not so fast, reported Puck News’ Tara Palmeri a week later. Her unnamed sources say it was Youngkin who told Roe to move on after Youngkin was unwilling to commit to Roe's timeline for a campaign.
- "[Youngkin] believes his best strategy is a late entry into the race, after either: 1) DeSantis fizzles, or 2) Trump and DeSantis effectively mutilate one another so thoroughly that they create a lane for a third option," Palmeri wrote.
Then, last week: More cold water — from the New York Times, which reported Youngkin is "putting the presidential hoopla on ice."
- The article leaned on recent comments from Youngkin vowing a singular focus on this year’s General Assembly elections.
- "Listen, I didn't write a book, and I'm not in Iowa or New Hampshire or South Carolina," Youngkin said.
Between the lines: Both Puck and NYT suggest Youngkin is waiting until after the November elections to make a call, at least in part because he hopes that Republican victories will give him a win he can tout on the campaign trail.
Reality check: The first GOP debate is in August, and he'd be way behind most candidates in attention and fundraising.
- On the other hand, a late start could be a blessing this cycle, per UVA's Larry Sabato, who told the Times it could end up sparing Youngkin from "getting banged up by" Trump.