The Californian Governor Gavin Newsom found himself responding to a surprise reshuffle within the Democratic Party. The surprise move came in the form of replacing President Joe Biden with Vice President Kamala Harris with no voting process, just ahead of the commencement of the Democratic National Convention. While Newsom did try to make light of the situation, his tone made it clear that this unexpected turn of events hadn’t completely won him over.
Newsom’s name had at some point been swirling around alongside other potential candidates that the Democratic Party was considering for a call-up, should President Biden step aside. This recent development came to light during his brief appearance on ‘Pod Save America’, a well-known podcast, which coincided with the Democratic National Convention.
The podcast hosts, unable to resist the temptation, probed Newsom about the sudden shift in the party’s lineup. The governor’s response, although diplomatic, suggested a level of uncertainty and amusement, underscoring the abrupt nature of the move.
‘What’s your take on this sudden change?’ inquired one of the podcast hosts. ‘Oh, you mean…the change,’ Newsim responded, taking a slight pause, followed by a chuckle, suggesting the unexpectedness of the situation.
Moving ahead with his thoughts, Governor Newsom reflected, ‘We underwent an extremely transparent procedure, a decidedly inclusive process. This wasn’t top-down; it was the other way around. Or so I’ve been told to state.’ His humor-laden reiteration of the ‘switch’ did not go unnoticed, adding a touch of levity to the discussion.
This amusing exchange set off a wave of laughter between Newsom and the podcast hosts. One host jestingly referred to the event as ‘blitz primary’, hinting at the expeditious nature of the shift, while the others nodded in agreement and amusement. This fast-paced decision-making had indeed put the hosts in high spirits.
Bringing another analogy into the conversation, Newsom said, ‘It was more like a quick half-hour convention.’ He went on, ‘It’s as if one moment you’re reading a tweet and then, out of the blue, another tweet lands.’ His casual mention of the social media behemoth Twitter hinted at the prominent role digital platforms play in our lives today.
One of the podcast hosts chimed in, unable to hide his amusement, saying, ‘It’s indeed astonishing how swiftly it all transpired.’ The air was filled with a sense of surprise, albeit packaged with humor.
Adopting a more serious tone towards the end, Newsom added, ‘Indeed it’s quite astounding. But what’s truly remarkable is how everyone has come together in solidarity despite this change.’ His words underscore the resilience and unity of the members amidst unexpected shifts.
Newsom’s concluding remark, ‘It’s sincerely on another level,’ leaves a strong impression, reflecting the remarkable unity within the Democratic Party. While he did inject his sense of humor into this unexpected situation, the seriousness underlying his tone hints at his seasoned political acumen and insightful introspection.
?Wow. Gavin Newsom mocks the Democrats’ coronation of Kamala Harris:
Host: “How are you feeling about the switch?”
Newsom: “We went through a very open process, a very inclusive process. It was bottom-up, I don’t know if you know that. That’s what I’ve been told to say.” pic.twitter.com/yz9AVq2TN6
— Steve Cortes (@CortesSteve) August 24, 2024