Governor Gavin Newsom expressed strong support for President Joe Biden during a press conference held on Thursday, addressing crime in California’s East Bay. When questioned about Biden’s performance in last month’s debate with former President Donald Trump, Newsom offered a candid response that highlighted the challenges Biden faced leading up to the event.
Newsom remarked on the tight and exhausting schedule that President Biden had to endure, noting that many attendees at the debate and subsequent fundraiser were puzzled by the timing. “Everyone at the event was wondering what his schedulers were thinking, scheduling a fundraiser and debate for the President immediately after he returned from overseas,” Newsom stated. He empathized with Biden, acknowledging that the President was understandably fatigued, saying, “The person who showed up at the fundraiser was a human being and exhausted.”
While Newsom refrained from providing detailed commentary on the debate itself, he indicated that discussing Biden’s debate performance required a separate conversation. Despite the implicit criticism of the scheduling decisions, Newsom emphasized his unwavering support for Biden.
On Wednesday, Newsom reaffirmed his commitment to supporting President Biden, dispelling any speculation about his own presidential ambitions. He made it clear that he would not challenge Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination if Biden decides not to run for re-election. “I remain supportive of President Biden and will not run for president against Vice President Kamala Harris,” Newsom stated, reinforcing his loyalty to the current administration and its leadership.
Newsom’s comments come at a time when the Democratic Party is facing internal debates about the best path forward for the 2024 election. His statements reflect a desire for unity within the party and a continued focus on supporting the current administration’s agenda.
