HOOKSETT, N.H. (AP) — For years, Gavin Newsom stayed far away from New Hampshire by design.
The ambitious California governor understood that any visit to a bastion of presidential politics would fuel speculation that he might be eyeing President Joe Biden’s job. But on Monday, with Biden fighting an existential political crisis, the embattled president dispatched Newsom to New Hampshire to help rescue his flailing campaign.
It was the latest and perhaps most significant stop in a multi-state tour for Newsom, who has emerged as Biden’s most prominent battleground-state defender.
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“I decided instead of just rolling over and giving up, that I would step up and pick up the fight,” Newsom told reporters at a highway rest stop in his first public appearance in the state as an elected official. He said of Biden, “He’s going to be our nominee.”
It’s a pivotal moment both for Newsom and his Democratic Party, which has been consumed by infighting and uncertainty in the wake of Biden’s disastrous debate performance just 11 days earlier.
Biden insisted again Monday that he would not suspend his campaign. But a growing number of elected Democrats in Washington and even here in New Hampshire are calling on the 81-year-old president to step aside, warning that he is too weak to defeat former President Donald Trump this fall and may not be able to lead the country effectively for another four years even if he wins.
Many Democratic officials believe Vice President Kamala Harris is best positioned to replace Biden. But the short list of top-tier alternatives is led by Newsom, a big-state governor with big ambitions who is as comfortable talking policy as he is mixing it up with leading Republicans.
Many Democratic officials believe Vice President Kamala Harris is best positioned to replace Biden. But the short list of top-tier alternatives is led by Newsom, a big-state governor with big ambitions who is as comfortable talking policy as he is mixing it up with leading Republicans.
Bolster Biden? This is purely and only the “Gavin Newsom Presidential Ambitions tour,” getting Newsom’s pretty face and name out to the public so he can smoothly step in. The DNC will be very interesting.
I hope sloppy Joe NEVER comes to California and I wish sleazy greaseball gavin would leave and never come back.
Newsom has destroyed California.
You DO NOT WANT NEWSOM ANYWHERE CLOSE TO WASHINGTON DC.
It’s a pivotal moment both for Newsom and his Democratic Party,
Slick and the Dems have been crushing Kalif. day by day and year by year since toker Jerry was Gov.
You now have irrefutable evidence of what a long term and destructive Socialist plan does to both the people and the State.
Still want to vote Dem? Are you that stupid?