California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) defended his staunch support for former President Joe Biden’s bid for a second term, telling Kristen Welker on NBC’s Meet the Press Sunday that he “never had” concerns about Biden’s capacity to serve until January 2029.
Newsom, a potential 2028 presidential contender, was pressed about his unwavering support for Biden, even after the former President’s widely criticized debate performance prompted calls from some Democrats for him to step aside.
“I never had that — I just talked to the president a few hours ago,” said Newsom. “I’ve been privileged to have a relationship with the president.”
The Governor highlighted his personal interactions with Biden, including an almost two-hour meeting in the Oval Office, as the basis for his confidence. He instead focused on the Biden administration’s legislative achievements.
“I was proud to stand there, proud to make the case for 50.4 million jobs. Proud to make the case for the CHIPS and Science Act… Proud to make the case for an infrastructure package,” Newsom stated, adding that he was proud of the over 400 bipartisan bills signed.
Newsom conceded that he, like others, was troubled by the debate performance but described it as an “exception” following a challenging travel schedule.
“The one exception, as it relates to the interaction I had with him, that gave me pause, one, was the fundraiser in Southern California… And all of us were a little taken aback. But we also were mindful that he had been in Europe twice in about a week, and for the grace of God go any of us with jet lag and being exhausted,” he remarked. “That person came back on that debate night and that certainly gave all of us pause.”
When asked why he didn’t publicly voice his alarm after the debate, Newsom said he did so “privately, with grace and humility.”
“He was going to make the right decision. And so for me it wasn’t my job to go out there. My job was to let him, give him the space. I just have a different approach,” he explained, noting a personal connection. “He reminds me so much, I’ll just be candid with you, this is me speaking as a human being, he reminds me of Joe Biden.”
The Governor ultimately reiterated that his primary focus was the “situational” goal of keeping Donald Trump out of office. “There was no interaction I had that suggested otherwise,” he concluded, about Biden’s capability to serve.
READ: California Gov. Newsom: ‘Go High’ Is Dead—Dems Must ‘Rewrite The New Rules’ To Fight Back
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