In a strategic move that has sparked speculation, California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has traditionally avoided the presidential politics hotbed of New Hampshire, made a significant appearance there on Monday.
This visit comes at a time when President Joe Biden is grappling with a political crisis, and Newsom's presence is seen as an attempt to bolster Biden's faltering campaign.
According to Boston.com, Newsom's visit to New Hampshire is the latest and perhaps most crucial stop in his multi-state tour, where he has emerged as Biden's most prominent defender in battleground states. "I decided instead of just rolling over and giving up, that I would step up and pick up the fight," Newsom stated during his first public appearance in the state as an elected official. He further affirmed his support for Biden, stating, "He's going to be our nominee."
This is a critical juncture for both Newsom and the Democratic Party, which has been plagued by internal strife and uncertainty following Biden's poor performance in a debate just 11 days prior. Despite growing calls from elected Democrats in Washington and New Hampshire for the 81-year-old president to step down, Biden reiterated on Monday that he would not suspend his campaign. Critics warn that Biden may be too weak to defeat former President Donald Trump in the upcoming fall elections and question his ability to effectively lead the nation for another four years, even if he wins.
Many Democratic officials see Vice President Kamala Harris as the most likely successor to Biden. However, Newsom, a governor of a large state with grand ambitions and a knack for policy discussions and political sparring with leading Republicans, is also a strong contender. Other potential replacements include Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, all of whom have been vocal advocates for Biden recently.
Newsom, speaking before a closed-door fundraiser for New Hampshire Senate Democrats, criticized the current divisions within the party as unhelpful and distracting. He also sidestepped a question about whether he would seek the party's nomination at the upcoming national convention if Biden were to withdraw from the race. "I think that's a legitimate question and I respect it, but it's also exactly the question that Donald Trump is hoping everyone asks as he's out on the golf course," Newsom said. He reiterated his support for Biden, stating, "Joe Biden is our nominee, he's our president. And I look forward to voting for him."
In the most precarious phase of his presidency, Biden has never kept Newsom so close. Since the debate on June 27, Newsom has campaigned on Biden's behalf in Michigan, Pennsylvania, and now New Hampshire, a state known for its early primaries and its status as a small swing state in general elections with four Electoral College votes.
Newsom and his team have shown overwhelming deference to Biden. In recent days, all inquiries about Newsom's travel schedule and political plans have been referred to the Biden campaign. The Biden-Newsom relationship is seen as mutually beneficial within both camps. Newsom, 56, lends credibility and excitement to Biden as one of the Democratic Party's rising stars with close ties to California's influential donor network. In return, Biden provides Newsom with a platform on the biggest stage in U.S. politics, potentially boosting his brand ahead of a potential 2028 presidential bid.
However, this alliance is not without risks, particularly for Newsom. Former New Hampshire State House Speaker Steve Shurtleff, who once was Biden's chief supporter in the state, now believes the president must step aside. He expressed his admiration for Newsom as a top-tier presidential prospect but questioned whether Newsom is aligning himself with the wrong side in what he described as "a profile-in-courage moment" for party leaders. "He's shown that he's been very loyal to the president and the administration. And that, I think, could hurt him," Shurtleff said of Newsom.
Despite the growing criticism, Biden's campaign invited a handful of local party officials to attend Newsom's unannounced appearance at a rest stop off Interstate 93. One of the invitees, Jennifer Buck, 78, chair of the Webster town Democrats, expressed her admiration for Newsom's work in California but did not believe he should replace Biden on the ticket. If Biden does step aside or is "pushed out," she said, Harris should be the party's nominee.
Newsom seems to agree with this sentiment. When asked about a hypothetical matchup between Vice President Harris and Trump, the California governor predicted that Harris would emerge victorious. "I have no doubt about that. And that's from someone that's also known her longer than most, before we were both in politics," he said. "But I don't expect it's going to come to that."
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