Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) told reporters that he would “never” turn his back on Biden following the president’s failed debate against Donald Trump.
The comment comes as the governor has emerged as a potential candidate to replace Biden.
“I would never turn my back on President Biden. Never turn my back on President Biden. I don’t know a Democrat in my party that would do so. And especially after tonight, we have his back,” he said. “We run, not the 90-yard dash. We are all in. We’re going to double down in the next few months. We’re going to win this election.”
When asked about Biden’s poor performance in the debate, Newsom asked, “How about the substance?”
“I care about the substance. I care about the substance,” he declared, adding, “I spent a lot of time with him. I know Joe Biden, I know what he’s accomplished in the last three and a half years. I know what he’s capable of. And I have no trepidations.”
To another reporter, Newsom reiterated, “Our nominee is Joe Biden.”
“I’m looking forward to voting for him in November. He’s going to be our nominee.”
Newsom emphasized his stance in an email sent by Newsom to supporters, which read, “I am old fashioned, but on the substance Joe Biden won the debate last night. That is what matters to me.”
“All this other talk… it’s unhelpful and unnecessary. We aren’t going to turn our backs because of one performance,” the email continued. “What kind of party does that?”
“Joe Biden has delivered — and we need to deliver for him in this moment. We’re talking about the fate and future of our democracy, this country and the world. They all need us right now,” Newsom added. “That’s what I intend to do, and I hope you’ll join me.”
Last year, Biden declared that Newsom could be “anything he wants, he could have the job I’m lookin’ for.”
Newsom has repeatedly insisted that he will not replace Biden as the Democratic presidential nominee.
“We need to move past this notion that he’s not going to run,” Newsom told NBC “Meet the Press” host Chuck Todd in September. “President Biden is going to run and I’m looking forward to him getting reelected.”
Despite Newsom’s claims, some believe the governor is positioning himself for the role of U.S. President.
According to former Communications Director for the Republican National Committee Michael Ahrens, “It’s obvious that his ‘Campaign for Democracy’ is really just a ‘Campaign for Gavin Newsom.’”
“This is the kind of operation you set up when you want to run for president, and he would absolutely jump in the race if the opportunity presented itself,” he said.
