Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom faced tough questions in a recent interview with Dana Bash about President Joe Biden’s mental state and Vice President Kamala Harris’ job performance. Bash wasted little time in getting to the point, asking Newsom if voters should have concerns about Biden’s advanced age.
“Voters have every right to be concerned,” Newsom responded. “But let’s remember what Bobby Kennedy said, that what the world needs are the qualities of youth, not a time of life, but a state of mind. A quality of imagination.”
But despite Newsom’s attempt to deflect from the issue, Bash continued to push, questioning whether Biden’s age would affect his ability to serve a potential second term. Newsom’s defense, however, focused more on praising Biden and his “masterclass” administration than directly answering the question.
“I couldn’t imagine three years ago that this president could accomplish so much in such a short period of time. I mean that,” Newsom said. “There’s simply no administration in my lifetime that’s been more effective.”
But Bash didn’t let Newsom off the hook, asking him for his opinion on whether Harris was the best choice for Biden’s running mate, a question that Speaker Pelosi herself had refused to answer.
“Of course she is,” Newsom replied confidently. “Biden-Harris administration, a masterclass in terms of performance. The answer is absolutely.”
However, the interview took a more uncomfortable turn when Bash brought up the recent allegations that Hunter Biden had looped his father into his business deals. When asked if he saw anything inappropriate there, Newsom’s response was cautiously worded.
“I don’t know enough about the details to draw a conclusion,” he said. “But it’s not unique for people across many industries to leverage family connections for personal benefit. We want to see less of that, but is it enough to warrant an impeachment inquiry? Give me a break.”
Despite his attempts to downplay Hunter Biden’s actions, Newsom neglected to answer whether he believes the president should be publicly defending his son. He instead stated that Biden was taking the “right approach” by allowing the Department of Justice to handle the investigation.
But the rumors continue to swirl about Newsom’s potential plans for the 2024 presidency, with many speculating that he may challenge Biden. With concerns about Biden’s age and Harris’ low popularity levels, Newsom’s name has often been brought up as a potential Democratic contender. However, his decision to agree to a debate with Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also raised eyebrows and added fuel to the speculation.
Ultimately, this interview with Bash only serves to bring more attention to the issues surrounding Biden’s advanced age and Harris’ job performance. While Newsom may have attempted to defend the administration and deflect from these issues, his responses only raise more questions and doubts. As the 2024 election draws closer, it remains to be seen if Newsom will emerge as a serious contender and how these issues will impact the Biden-Harris administration.