California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Democrats are getting “destroyed” on messaging and “crushed on narrative” with the November midterms less than a week away. 

“We’re getting crushed on narrative. We’re going to have to do better in terms of getting on the offense and stop being on the damn defense,” Newsom told CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett in an interview that aired Wednesday.

Newsom in the interview also acknowledged the midterm environment feels like a red wave. Democrats have sought to tone down the possibility that Republicans could see success in both the House and Senate next week, but Newsom said he was being “pragmatic.”

Newsom has been widely floated as a 2024 Democratic presidential candidate, and he’s launched ads in red states like Florida and Texas, an unusual move for a Democrat.