Newsom campaigns for Biden in Pennsylvania, avoids question about ‘open convention’

California Governor Gavin Newsom, a prominent supporter of President Biden, recently faced questions about his own potential as a replacement should Biden exit the race. As a key surrogate for Biden’s campaign, Newsom has been actively campaigning for the president’s re-election in battleground states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.

During a campaign event in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Newsom emphasized the importance of opposing a second term for former President Trump, describing it as “America in reverse.” He also highlighted the achievements of the Biden-Harris administration in managing the economy. However, when asked about running in a hypothetical open convention to replace Biden, Newsom dismissed the idea, focusing instead on promoting Biden’s candidacy and unity within the Democratic Party.

Newsom’s recent visit to battleground states came after a meeting between Biden and Democratic governors at the White House. With growing concerns about Biden’s age and mental fitness, there have been calls for him to step aside to improve Democrats’ chances against Trump in the upcoming election.

Despite the speculation, Biden reiterated his commitment to running for re-election during a campaign rally in Wisconsin. He emphasized that one debate performance would not overshadow the years of work he has put into his candidacy. However, the calls for Biden to step aside continued, with Representative Angie Craig becoming the fifth House Democrat to express such sentiments.

Newsom, on the other hand, stood firmly behind Biden, praising his character, confidence, and capacity to lead the country. He emphasized the importance of supporting Biden in the face of challenges to democracy, urging voters to choose “daylight versus darkness, right versus wrong, chaos versus incompetence” in the upcoming election.

Newsom also highlighted the stakes of the election, with voting rights, civil rights, LGBTQ rights, women’s rights, and other crucial issues on the line. He urged supporters to stand up against regressive forces and ensure that democracy is preserved by re-electing Biden and Harris for another term.

As Newsom continues to advocate for Biden’s candidacy, he remains committed to supporting the president and maintaining unity within the Democratic Party. With Biden scheduled to deliver remarks in Philadelphia, the focus remains on the upcoming election and the efforts to secure another term for the current administration.