OPINION:
It’s a common quip normally used in connection with U.S. senators, but more accurate perhaps when applied to Virginia governors. They wake up every morning, look in the mirror and see a president of the United States staring back at them. And what with eight of 46 commanders-in-chief having been sons of the commonwealth (including some pretty damn consequential ones) and Virginia being about as uniquely American and politically key as it gets, one can’t really blame them for doing so. Well, the last president from Virginia was sworn in 109 years ago, but still.
If recent reports are to believed, Virginia’s popular new citizen-governor (he is seven months into his first elected position) Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin has been doing some of that morning gazing, which is neither unhealthy nor unusual, but apparently he’s not keeping that to himself, and that is unhealthy. Unhealthy for him, and unhealthy for Virginia.
Whether it was Mr. Youngkin himself, over-excited consultants or perhaps even his very ambitious lieutenants who lit the match to fuel a mini media frenzy over talk that he was taking the idea of a 2024 candidacy seriously, Mr. Youngkin would be wise to disavow any such thing, and forbid anyone remotely close to him who wants to remain that way to even bring it up. If he just settles in and governs in the winning way he campaigned, speculation will not need to be fueled. If this is lost on him, color me disappointed.
There are many, many reasons why nipping this in the bud in the most aggressive fashion is essential, but I’ll stick to the two big ones. He has earned a job in Virginia that he is actually expected to do and has only one term to do it, and if he wants to one day lead the Republican Party and the nation — and early indicators make it seem like he very well could be “The One” — it is essential that he run away from the “dungferno” (coined that, I think) that will undoubtedly be the 2024 election cycle, not toward it. He would be a reset candidate, and 2024 will not be a reset year for the Republican Party. I am, in fact, taking bets.
“Virginians don’t just dislike it, they hate it,” said one Virginia elder statesman when I quizzed him about the latest installment of what have become par-for-the-course Virginia-governor-eyes presidency reports.
I furiously nodded my head as a Virginian and as someone who was energized by and had totally bought into Mr. Youngkin for his earnest, everyman demeanor. I truly believe that Mr. Youngkin sits in the governor’s mansion today because, unlike his opponent former Gov. Terry McAuliffe, Virginians believed he was going to stay there. That he was going do his job, hopefully in spectacular fashion. It’s what we wanted, and it is what we need.
And he needs it too. It’s early yet, but Mr. Youngkin seems to have the goods to thrive in Virginia and go the distance. He is perhaps the most Reagan-esque governor of America in that he very much seems to possess an unshakable core and a steady hand not just as a leader but as a man. Statesmanship, it is called, and I think we can all agree that statesmanship is missed and sorely needed.
That said, by the looks of it, there will be little room for such things in the 2024 race. The 2024 election will be about burning down what’s left to burn down, if you know what I mean. The 2028 election is more likely where it’s at for potential saviors, such as Mr. Youngkin, all of whom for the time being are best advised to keep their heads down and do their jobs. Spectacularly, and sheltered from a storm they don’t need to be in.
• Christian Josi is a veteran political/media strategist and freelance writer based in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
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