Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) balked at concerns over President Joe Biden’s age and his ability to stay in office through a second term should he be reelected.
“I remember Bobby Kennedy said it best: ‘The world needs qualities of youth, not a time of life, but a state of mind, a quality of imagination,’” Newsom told CNN. “I couldn’t imagine 30 years ago that this president could accomplish so much in such a short period of time. I mean that.”
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Newsom said that rather than focusing on Biden, who will be 81 in November, attention should be given to the “entire party.”
“It’s not just about one guy or gal on the white horse that’s going to save the day for everybody,” the California governor added. “It’s the responsibility of the entire party.”
Despite speculation, Newsom has denied any intention to declare his own Democratic presidential candidacy for 2024. He reiterated his full support for a second term of the Biden-Harris administration.
“I want a guy who produces, and the results are in,” Newsom said of Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. “It’s been a master class. There’s simply no administration in my lifetime that’s been more effective, producing more substantive results, and we haven’t even started the campaign.”
When asked about Biden’s alleged involvement in his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings, Newsom suggested it’s “hardly unique” for someone to “parlay and get a little influence.”
“If that’s the new criteria, there are a lot of folks and a lot of industries, not just in politics, where people have family members and relationships, and they’re trying to parlay and get a little influence and benefit in that respect. That’s hardly unique,” Newsom said. “I don’t love that any more than you love it or other people I imagine love that. We want to see a lot less of that, but [an] impeachment inquiry? Give me a break. This is student government. Student government.”
“Threatening a government shutdown again after we went through that process with the debt ceiling. This is student government,” the Democratic governor continued. “This is a joke. Ready, fire, aim. I mean, this is a perversity that the founding fathers ever conceived of and imagined. So, if that’s the best they can do, give me a break. That’s about public opinion.”
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Newsom added that he’d advise Biden to remain silent and “not to start meddling” in the investigation or the indictments brought against his son.
“I think he’s taking the right approach. It’s tough personally for him not to be able to say more, I can imagine,” Newsom said. “Forget the politics. End of the day, we come and go. He’s a future ex-president. I expect that will happen in five-plus years. At a personal level, this has got to be devastating to him.”
