California Gov. Gavin Newsom says Michigan stop shows he's 'all in' for Biden

SOUTH HAVEN, Mich. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom described himself as "all in" for President Joe Biden's campaign during an event Thursday in Michigan, saying a question about what would happen if Biden dropped out of the race was "very unhelpful."

Newsom, whom many view as a potential future candidate for president, spoke at a gathering in South Haven, a day after he and other Democratic governors met with Biden in Washington, D.C., in the wake of a weak debate performance that has spurred doubts about the future of his reelection bid.

"I was really proud to be with Joe Biden last night," Newsom told the crowd in Michigan. "He started the meeting. The first words out of his mouth: 'I'm all in.'"

"There was no one that walked out of that and didn't say, 'We've got your back, Mr. President," Newsom added. "No one. Not one."

Asked later by a reporter if he would support Vice President Kamala Harris for president if Biden eventually decided to withdraw as the Democratic nominee, Newsom said the question was "very unhelpful and it's exactly the question and answer that the Republican Party wants us to have."

"Joe Biden is our president," Newsom said. "He said he's all in. I doubled down, said I'm all in. And not only that, I'm here with you to prove it."

Biden, who's 81, has been trailing Republican former President Donald Trump in polling in swing states with four months remaining before the Nov. 5 election. During the first debate of the 2024 race featuring Biden and Trump on June 27, one week ago, Biden gave some meandering and confusing answers, including stating at one point, "We finally beat Medicare."

His performance inspired calls from some that he step aside and let someone else be the Democratic nominee. And in recent days, two Democratic members of the U.S. House — Rep. Jared Golden of Maine and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington — publicly predicted Trump will beat Biden.

Asked about the representatives' comments, Newsom said they were coming from a "very small number of people." Biden has strong support among Democrats in Congress, Newsom added.

"There are a few people who have expressed other points of view," Newsom said. "But that's remarkable unity considering Donald Trump's own vice president (Mike Pence) is not supporting his reelection.

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