Staff Reports
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, known for his knack for conveniently disappearing during crises, has once again left his state in the midst of ongoing wildfires to hobnob with President Joe Biden at the White House. The Democratic governors’ meeting, which Newsom could have easily attended virtually, saw the governor rubbing elbows with potential contenders to replace Biden if he were to gracefully bow out of the 2024 presidential race after a less-than-stellar debate performance.
In a move that left many scratching their heads, Newsom jetted off to the nation’s capital, abandoning California as it battles scorching temperatures and wildfires raging across the state. This isn’t the first time Newsom has displayed such questionable judgment, as he notoriously jetted off to Mexico for a vacation last year while Californians were left stranded and struggling during a brutal winter storm.
Governors coming to the White House today for emergency meeting with Biden include:
Walz
Newsom
Pritzker
Beshear
Healey
Hochul
Moore
McKeeMany others, including Shapiro, Cooper and Murphy attending virtually
— Edward-Isaac Dovere (@IsaacDovere) July 3, 2024
While Newsom may have pledged not to challenge Biden in a primary, his cozy relationship with the president has sparked speculations about his own ambitions for higher office. As the calls for Biden to step down intensify and doubts about his mental acuity linger following a lackluster debate showing, Newsom’s appearance at the White House takes on a more strategic hue.
The closed-door meeting with Biden and other Democratic governors comes at a time when the party is grappling with the dilemma of finding a viable replacement for a faltering Biden. Newsom’s presence at such a crucial juncture raises eyebrows and fuels rumors about his political aspirations. Whether Newsom’s alliance with Biden will pay off, in the long run remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure – his penchant for jet-setting during emergencies doesn’t bode well for his image as a responsible leader.
