Newsom and the Democrats clearly don’t have faith in Kamala and it shows.
This week, during the Democratic National Convention (DNC), California Governor Gavin Newsom took a jab at the extremely quick nomination process of Vice President Kamala Harris. Newsom quipped that Harris was selected in what could be described as a “30-minute convention,” highlighting the rapid pace of her elevation to the Democratic presidential nominee.
Harris’ rise to the top of the ticket came swiftly after President Joe Biden announced his withdrawal from the race on July 21. Biden, who had initially won the Democratic primary, stepped aside amid mounting concerns from within his party about his age and mental acuity. His endorsement of Harris facilitated her swift nomination, with her official acceptance occurring on the final night of the DNC in Chicago.
In her acceptance speech, Harris pledged to be a president who serves all Americans. She assured her supporters of her commitment to enforce the American principles, including the laws, free and fair elections, and a safe and peaceful transfer of power.
During a live appearance on the podcast Pod Save America, released on Friday, Newsom addressed the rapid shift in the Democratic race. When asked about the transition from Biden to Harris, Newsom surprisingly remarked on how quickly the process unfolded, saying, “We went through a very open process and a very inclusive process… a 30-minute convention between tweets and other tweets. It’s amazing how unified everyone is. I mean it’s next level.”
Newsom, who has been a strong supporter of Biden and Harris due to their shared Californian roots and long-standing friendship, expressed his admiration for Harris’ rise. He reflected on their relationship, noting that they have known each other for nearly 25 years, long before either entered politics.
On August 2, DNC Chairman Jaime Harrison announced that Kamala had secured enough delegates to become the party’s nominee. Harrison praised Harris for breaking records and securing the overwhelming backing of the Democratic Party to face off against Republican Donald Trump in November.
Trump, however, has been vocal in his criticism of Harris’ candidacy. Following Harris’ nomination acceptance, Trump took to Truth Social to challenge her right to run for the presidency, citing her previous campaign struggles and lack of early voter support as evidence of her unfitness for the role.
Despite the unprecedented nature of Biden’s withdrawal so close to the election, constitutional law expert Richard Pildes reassured that the process followed by the DNC was within constitutional bounds. Pildes emphasized that the Democratic Party was fully entitled to select its nominee through the convention process after Biden’s departure.