Democratic governors don't tend to jump at the chance for a sit-down interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. They also don’t tend to do tours of states they consider hostile to their own, like Florida.

But then there's California's Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom . He prefers the national stage to dealing with the rampant dysfunction happening in his own state. And while Newsom claims he isn't running for president, the evidence suggests he actually is. True, Newsom may not be mounting a primary campaign against a sitting president of his own party who has announced he is running again. But Newsom is clearly running a shadow campaign just in case President Joe Biden doesn't fulfill his pledge to become the Democratic 2024 presidential nominee.

The first factor is Biden’s age and mental acuity.

When Biden crumbles to the stage after tripping over a sandbag and then needs three people to assist him to his feet, the country collectively holds its breath. Certainly, Gavin Newsom perks up to attention. Biden is staring at bad poll numbers and would be the oldest party nominee in the history of the country. The White House often hides him away from view. Should Biden be forced to the sidelines, medically or otherwise, Newsom wants to be ready. Newsom has to be licking his own chops over where he could be polling against Biden. When Sean Hannity confronted him with the primary question, Newsom was clearly uncomfortable.

Newsom’s efforts in challenging Florida's Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis on culture war issues is another indication of his 2024 interest.

True, Newsom has a prospective Kamala Harris problem. Should Biden step aside, he would surely come under pressure to back his current vice president. Even then, Harris's nomination would be no sure thing either. Harris has disastrous public approval ratings of her own to contend with. Newsom is surely looking at the polling with Harris, as well.

One way or another, Newsom is running for president. It's unofficial at the moment, but will it stay that way?

Stephen L. Miller (  @redsteeze  ) has written for National Review, the New York Post, and Fox News and hosts the Versus Media podcast.