“We Don’t Need Another Democrat That Can’t Walk and Chew Gum at the Same Time”: Biden Touts Gavin Newsom as Replacement for 2024 Presidential Election

William FurneyNov 22, 2023

Minute Read

Perhaps President Biden has been listening after all. Following months of criticism and embarrassing stumbles and gaffes, the elderly commander in chief appears to be suggesting a more youthful candidate for next year’s election.

California Governor Praise

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That would be popular California governor Gavin Newsom, who Biden lauded at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco. “I want to thank him. He’s been one hell of a governor, man,” Biden said, on stage, following a warm-up talk by Newsom.

‘Could Have Presidency’

Biden, who will be 81 next week, said of his 56-year-old Democratic counterpart: “Matter of fact, he can be anything he wants — he could have the job I’m looking for.”

Second Term Hope

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President Biden is seeking a second term in the White House, in next November’s presidential election, again with Vice President Kamala Harris as his running mate. He is the Democratic Party frontrunner, with about 70 percent voter support and with almost no rivals for the nomination.

Biden’s Age Problem

A recent series of trips, stumbles and gaffes while giving press conferences has done little to assuage concern that President Biden is too elderly for the job. Critics point out that, should he win the presidency again next year, he would be 82 by time he was sworn in, in January 2025.

Most Don’t Want Biden Again: Poll

A recent Associated Press/NORC at the University of Chicago poll revealed three-quarters of those surveyed believed President Biden should not run again because of his age. The figure included 69 percent of registered Democratic voters, while 89 percent of Republicans held that view.

Newsom Popularity

Newsom, whose Golden State has the largest economy in the US, with a GDP of 3.5 trillion, had a job-approval rating of 58 percent earlier this year, according to a poll by the Public Policy Institute of California, a nonpartisan think tank. But several polls later in the year put the governor at slightly lower in approval ratings.

Falling Newsom Approval

A poll by the Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies, a research division of the University of California, in early November showed that Newsom’s popularity had fallen to its lowest level since he took office in 2019, putting him at 44 percent.

Newsom’s National Profile

The latest polling comes at a time when the California governor is attempting to raise his national profile amid rumors he may take up the Democratic Party mantle for 2024 should President Biden bow out due to his age.

‘Eye off the Ball’

Berkeley IGS Poll Director Mark DiCamillo said in a statement that the new poll findings suggest that California voters don’t want their governor to be distracted by national ambitions when there are many problems at home.

‘Pressing California Problems’

DiCamillo said: “Newsom’s recent actions in taking a much more active role in national Democratic politics appear to be related to his recent decline, as voters here hold decidedly mixed views about taking on this role at at time when California is facing increasing budgetary challenges and is dealing with a host of other pressing problems.”

Governor’s China Trip

Newsom made a high-profile trip to China last month, spending a week in the country and meeting Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. He said the reason for the trip was “turning the page, of renewing our friendship and reengaging (on) foundational and fundamental issues that will determine our collective faith in the future.”

‘Presidential Ambitions’

The governor’s trip to China was the most obvious sign yet that he has his sights set on the White House, political analysts say. It is only natural, they add, that the leader of one of the biggest states in the country would want to take a shot at the highest office in the land.

Xi US Visit

President Xi attended the APEC summit where both Newsom and Biden were speaking, in a sign of warming ties between the US and China and also more cordial relations among Chinese and Democratic leaders, say political observers.

Public Reaction

Commenting online to suggestions that Newsom might take Biden’s place for the 2024 presidential race, one person said: “He is running for president. Polishing up his resume, showing off his ‘diplomatic’ skills. As soon as Biden and Harris are sidelined he will be ready to step in.”

Not So Supportive

Another person commented online: “Dude should be more worried about the sheer chaos in his state than being a diplomat.” While someone else offered: “I sure hope he doesn’t run for President. We don’t need another Democrat that can’t walk and chew gum at the same time.”