Newsom warns Michigan Democrats ‘not to fall prey’ to Biden negativity

Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) defended President Joe Biden’s ability to carry out a second term, warning voters in the key swing state of Michigan “not to be fatalistic” about his campaign amid questions about his age and mental acuity.

During a campaign stop on Thursday, Newsom reiterated his support for Biden as the party’s nominee and sought to ease voter concerns that the president is not the strongest candidate to take on former President Donald Trump in November. The comments come even as Newsom himself has been floated as a contender to replace Biden at the top of the ticket, something the California governor has denied having interest in.

“What I need to convince you of is not to be fatalistic, not to fall prey to all this negativity,” Newsom told the group of Democrats. “I believe in this man. I believe in his character. I believe that he has been one of the most transformative presidents in our collective lifetime.”

Newsom’s visit comes at a crucial time as Democrats view Michigan as one of the most crucial battleground states to win in 2024. Trump carried the state in 2016 before Biden won it in 2020 — making it one of the handful of swing states likely to determine the outcome of the election in November.

The vote of confidence also comes as several Democrats and party donors have openly considered replacing Biden at the top of the ticket.

One group of donors and strategists is pooling resources into a new political action committee to help fund an alternative candidate should Biden withdraw from the presidential race, according to a new report from the New York Times. Meanwhile, at least three Democratic lawmakers have publicly called on Biden to withdraw from the race, increasing pressure on the president as he seeks to convince voters he can handle a second term.

Concerns about Biden’s age have been present throughout his term but were especially exacerbated after the first presidential debate. The president had a worse-than-expected performance last week, making multiple verbal slip-ups and repeatedly losing his train of thought.

His performance has prompted some major donors to consider pouring their resources into down-ballot races rather than the White House, according to reports. Others have even gone so far as to threaten to withhold funds from the Democratic Party altogether unless Biden steps down.

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Gideon Stein, a donor with deep connections to the Democratic Party, said his family would withhold roughly $3.5 million in planned donations to nonprofit and political organizations involved in the presidential race unless Biden withdrew, according to the New York Times. Abigail Disney, the heiress of the Disney family fortune, also said Biden’s campaign and committees supporting the president “will not receive another dime from me until they bite the bullet and replace Biden at the top of the ticket,” the outlet reported.

However, Biden has insisted he will not be dropping out, arguing his performance was due to his busy travel schedule and intense preparation for the debate. The White House has also denied reports that the president is having conversations about whether to withdraw from the race.