Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) opined Vice President Kamala Harris should be his party’s 2024 presidential nominee if President Joe Biden does not run.
The California Democrat’s remark was a response to a question from Chuck Todd during an NBC News “Meet the Press” interview broadcast over the weekend.
Todd asked Newsom about the possibility of him being a candidate if Biden doesn’t run.
“Well, I think the vice president is naturally the one lined up,” replied Newsom. “And the filing deadlines are quickly coming to pass. And I think we need to move past this notion that he’s not going to run.”
“President Biden is going to run, and looking forward to getting him reelected,” continued California’s governor.
“I think there’s been so much wallowing in the last few months and handwringing in this respect,” he added. “But we’re gearing up for the campaign. We’re looking forward to it.”
When probed about concerns from donors regarding Biden’s potential run, Newsom’s response was straightforward, advising them that it’s “time to move on.”
Newsom said he was “a little old-fashioned” and believed that if something were to happen to Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris would naturally be next in line, given that it’s the Biden-Harris administration.
He elaborated on his long-standing relationship with Harris, noting that they have known each other for many years and have maintained an “extraordinarily close working relationship, including her time in the Senate.”
Addressing the hypothetical scenario of running against Harris, Newsom was clear in his stance.
“Won’t happen,” he declared. “We privately continue to maintain a very good relationship, interpersonal. Just, ‘How are you doing? Checking in.’ It’s been a challenging few years with COVID. And we’ve had the opportunity to sit down, have lunch together in the White House, spend time talking about important things.”
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