Newsom: Democratic talk of replacing Biden 'unhelpful and unnecessary'
![Newsom: Democratic talk of replacing Biden 'unhelpful and unnecessary'](https://thehill.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/06/AP24180124917632-e1719593971932.jpg?w=900)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, one of President Biden's top Democratic campaign surrogates, has dismissed concerns about Biden's candidacy after his widely panned debate performance Thursday against former President Trump.
"I am old-fashioned, but on the substance Joe Biden won the debate last night. That is what matters to me," Newsom wrote in a Biden campaign fundraising pitch Friday. "All this other talk ... it's unhelpful and unnecessary.
"We aren't going to turn our backs because of one performance. What kind of party does that?" he added.
Biden’s Thursday night’s debate was largely seen as a loss, even by some members of his own party.
“Joe Biden had one thing he had to do tonight, and he didn’t do it,” former Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) said in an interview with Rachel Maddow on MSNBC after the debate. “He had one thing he had to accomplish, and that was reassure America that he was up to the job at his age. And he failed at that.”
“I think we’ll know a lot more in a few weeks how this plays out, how the polling plays out, but I think a couple of things are going on right now. I think I’m not the only one whose heart is breaking right now," she added.
A CNN post-debate snap poll found that 67 percent of respondents believed Trump won, while 33 percent saw Biden as the victor. Four years ago, as the two candidates faced off in the 2020 election, 60 percent of voters surveyed in the same poll believed Biden had won the first debate.
On Thursday, Biden's voice was raspy, which the White House attributed to a cold, and he appeared to struggle to make clear points on multiple answers. Biden's team has dismissed speculation that he could bow out of the race and be replaced atop the Democratic ticket.
Newsom, 56, has been mentioned among potential successors to Biden. He's been governor since 2019, after previously serving as the state's lieutenant governor and mayor of San Francisco, but he can't seek a third term because of California's term limits.
He has fended off multiple gubernatorial recall attempts and remains politically popular among Democrats and has become a rising star in the national party.
"Don't look at 30 minutes … look at 3 and a half years of Joe Biden as president," Newsom said in the email linking to the Democratic National Committee's online donation portal. "That's what I intend to do, and I hope you'll join me."
Trump said during a Fox News Digital interview Friday that he thinks Biden "will be the nominee" despite the postdebate backlash.
"They wouldn’t have done any better," Trump said. "No one else would have been better."
Date: | |
Tag: | Joe Biden |
Filter
-
NBC News - Top stories
Democrats are talking about replacing Joe Biden. That wouldn't be so easy.
President Joe Biden's performance in the first debate Thursday has sparked a new round of criticism from Democrats, as well as public and private musing about whether he should remain at the top of the ticket. -
BBC News - Top stories
Can Biden be replaced, and who could take his place?
A poor debate performance has fuelled Democrat unease about Mr Biden's candidacy.Joe Biden -
The New York Times - Top stories
Weakening Regulatory Agencies Will Be a Key Legacy of the Roberts Court
Two rulings this week by the Republican-appointed majority add to its steady pursuit of enfeebling the ability of the administrative state to impose rules on powerful business interests. -
CBS News - Top stories
Can Democrats replace Biden as their nominee?
President Biden's campaign spokesperson insists there are no conversations about Biden stepping down as the Democratic Party's presidential nominee after his debate performance sparked concerns among members. CBS News chief Washington ...Joe Biden -
The New York Times - Top stories
Two Appearances, Two Starkly Different Bidens
A day after a shaky debate performance that led to talk of a new Democratic candidate, President Biden was forceful and confident while speaking to supporters.Joe Biden -
The New York Times - Top stories
How a Trump-Beating, #MeToo Legal Legend Lost Her Firm
Roberta Kaplan’s work as a lawyer made her a hero to the left. But behind the scenes, she was known for her poor treatment of colleagues.Donald Trump -
The New York Times - Top stories
The White House Brushed Off Questions About Biden’s Age. Then the Debate Happened.
President Biden’s allies can no longer wave away concerns about his capacity after his unsteady performance at Thursday’s debate as worries among Democrats grow.Joe Biden -
The New York Times - Top stories
Why U.K.’s Young Voters Feel Forgotten by Politicians
Many young people in the northern English cities of Liverpool and Manchester say they feel disillusioned by politics. -
The New York Times - Top stories
Jill Biden Could Make or Break Biden’s Campaign. She Says She’s All In.
If President Biden seriously considered departing the race, the first lady would be the most important figure other than Mr. Biden himself in reaching that decision.Joe Biden
More from The Hill
-
The Hill - Politics
Carville says Biden should be replaced
Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville said Monday that President Biden should be replaced at the top of the 2024 ticket following his poor debate performance against former President Trump. CNN host Jake Tapper asked Carville what the ...Joe Biden -
The Hill - Politics
70 percent of voters have decided who they will back in November: Poll
More than 7 in 10 voters have already decided whom they will vote for in the November presidential election, according to a new poll. The Harvard CAPS/Harris poll released Monday showed 72 percent of respondents said they have already made up ... -
The Hill - Politics
Republicans tout Supreme Court immunity ruling as victory in 'weaponization' fight
Republicans are hailing the Supreme Court’s ruling that presidents have immunity from prosecution for official acts as a major victory over government “weaponization” as the decision deals a blow to special counsel Jack Smith’s prosecution of ...Republican Party -
The Hill - Politics
Hillary Clinton sides with Sotomayor over 'MAGA wing of the Supreme Court'
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Monday the “MAGA wing of the Supreme Court" issued the majority decision granting presidential immunity for official acts in office, as she backed Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s scathing dissent in the ... -
The Hill - Politics
Luna proposes fining Garland $10K per day instead of taking him into custody
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is proposing a less dramatic way to hold Attorney General Merrick Garland in “inherent contempt” of Congress over his refusal to turn over the audio from President Biden’s interview with special counsel Robert Hur ...