SACRAMENTO, Calif. (NewsNation) — Despite Joe Biden’s dismal performance during Thursday night’s first 2024 presidential debate, the presumptive Democratic nominee still has the full-throated support of California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
“Our nominee is Joe Biden,” he told reporters Friday. “I’m looking forward to voting for him in November.”
Newsom also dismissed questions about whether he would consider replacing Biden, telling reporters, “I will never turn my back on him.”
On Thursday, Biden’s voice was raspy, which the White House attributed to a cold, and he appeared to struggle to make clear points on multiple answers. Biden’s team has dismissed speculation that he could bow out of the race and be replaced atop the Democratic ticket. Biden’s campaign confirmed to NewsNation that he would not decline a second chance to debate former President Donald Trump.
Newsom, who appeared on NewsNation’s “CUOMO” before the debate, said he had full “confidence” in Biden’s debate ability.
“(Biden) knows how to show up in prime time. He knows how to show up on game day. I have all the confidence in the world that when this next 90 minutes is up, he’ll come out successful and will come out successfully defending his record,” Newsom said.
Following the debate, text messages appearing to be from Newsom’s campaign said the president “delivered” during the debate.
“Joe Biden has delivered — and we need to deliver for him in this moment. We’re talking about the fate and future of our democracy, this country and the world. They all need us right now,” it read part.