Gavin Newsom shuts down running in 2024: Democrat says Kamala is ‘lined up’ to replace Biden, 80, if he drops out and tells donors to stop ‘wallowing’ over dire polls and get behind Joe

California Governor Gavin Newsom has dismissed rumors that he is considering a run for president in 2024, saying he is all for Joe Biden and that Kamala Harris is the natural heir.

“We have to get past this idea that he’s not going to run,” Newsom told NBC News’ Chuck Todd.

“President Biden is going to run and he can’t wait to get him re-elected. I think there has been so much procrastination over the last few months and dismay in this regard. But we are preparing for the campaign. We are looking forward to it.

Newsom also discussed appeals he made to major Democratic donors, sparking speculation that he was considering a primary challenge to the president.

He said his message to donors wondering whether the nominee would be someone other than Biden was: “It’s time to move on.” Let’s go.’

Polls have shown that many Democrats would like an option other than Biden. Concerns have been raised about his age: at 80, Biden is the oldest president in US history.

A Wall Street Journal poll This week, 75% of voters think Biden is too old to be president.

And a CNN poll in July found that 75% of Democratic and left-leaning voters don’t want to see Biden run for another term.

Newsom, 55, has long topped the list of possible Democratic presidential candidates. He is governor of the largest state in the Union. With a GDP of $3.6 trillion, if California were a country, it would be the fifth largest economy in the world.

He has advocated policy positions that appeal to Democrats: he has proposed a constitutional amendment that would install new federal controls on guns, including universal background checks; he championed an ambitious climate agenda, such as banning the sale of new gasoline-powered cars; and he formed a coalition of governors to guarantee access to abortion.

Additionally, he has sparred with prominent Republicans like Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis.

President Joe Biden and California Gov. Gavin Newsom met in California in June — Newsom told NBC News he told donors Biden was a candidate and they should move on.

Newsom and DeSantis – both combative governors who have taken positions on immigration and education at opposite ends of the political spectrum – have agreed to a debate hosted by Fox News host Sean Hannity. The date has yet to be determined.

Some members of the White House are reportedly unhappy with the idea, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris.

Newsom and Harris could be competitors in a 2028 Democratic presidential primary if both choose to run for the White House.

The California governor told NBC News he hasn’t heard from anyone at the White House about the upcoming showdown. He said he had read reports that some in Harris’ office were unhappy, but had not heard directly from the vice president.

—Apparently someone in his office did, because I’ve read off-the-record quotes. I wish I knew who it was. But I don’t hear it from him – and I certainly don’t hear it from the White House itself,” he said.

Newsom, in the interview, also shut down any talk that he might challenge Harris, saying the two had a “very good relationship.”

“I think the vice president is naturally the one lined up” to run after Biden, he said, noting “maybe I’m a little old-fashioned about, you know, presidents and vice presidents. presidents.” I was lieutenant governor, so I’m a little subjective.

Asked if he could imagine running against her, Newsom said, “Of course not. By definition. It will not happen. But we have – I’ve said it 1,000 times. Privately, we continue to maintain very good interpersonal relationships. Just: “How are you?” Registration. The last few years have been difficult with Covid. And we had the opportunity to sit down, have lunch together at the White House, spend time talking about important things.

Vice President Kamala Harris and California Gov. Gavin Newsom together in California in 2021 — Newsom said he can’t imagine running against her.

Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris grew up in San Francisco politics together — above, the two are seen with Rev. Cecil Williams, center, at a political event in that city in 2004.

Newsom and Harris advanced in California in parallel lines, both attracting attention in San Francisco, where they won offices that launched their careers.

Their shared rise meant constant overlap: They traveled in the same political circles, courted the same donors, and hired some of the same consultants.

In 2003, Newsom ran for mayor of San Francisco and Harris his attorney. Everyone won their race in perspective, which gave rise to the the city’s youngest mayor in more than 100 years and the state’s first black prosecutor to be sworn in together in January 2004.

Newsom told NBC: “We knew each other before we were both in politics. The day I was sworn in as mayor, I walked across the street, she was sworn in as prosecutor. Extraordinarily close working relationship, including his time in the Senate, my time here.

The two, however, have been described as “enemies”. Both seen as ambitious potential rivals for higher positions, they charted their career paths in the past – supporting each other without competing with each other.

There were some close calls.

In 2015, both were eyeing the Senate seat vacated by Barbara Boxer, who decided to retire. But Newsom ultimately deferred to Harris, choosing instead to run for governor.

Harris won the Senate seat and repaid the favor by campaigning for Newsom for governor.

And she, as vice president, campaigned for him in 2021, when he faced a recall election. Newsom ultimately prevailed and remained in power.