While President Joe Biden was eating quesadillas, touting his policy plans and rallying support for Democrats ahead of the midterm election, Gov. Gavin Newsom was nowhere to be found. Often, it’s common practice for governors in the same party — and sometimes opposing parties — to make time for the president when they stop in their state. So, what happened this time? Newsom was unable to meet with Biden during the president’s three-day trip to California this week because of scheduling conflicts, Newsom’s office said on Friday. Biden arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening and spent the day there Thursday to tout his infrastructure plan and rally support for Democrats running for office in Southern California, including LA mayoral candidate Karen Bass.On Thursday night, Biden attended a political fundraiser alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The president on Friday afternoon was scheduled to discuss lowering costs in Orange County before making his way to Oregon. Newsom last week said he hoped to spend time with the president.“I look forward to that,” Newsom told reporters last Friday. “I want to, the White House reached out. We’re already trying to compare our schedules.” On Friday, Newsom was scheduled to read to students at an elementary school in Sacramento for National Know Your Classmates Day. The details of the scheduling conflicts for Wednesday and Thursday were not clear. The governor did not have any public events on either day. “It’s a bit unusual, especially a governor on the ballot who doesn’t have a tough race,” NBC News political director Chuck Todd said. “I have to say, that makes it a head-scratcher.” Todd said he thinks Newsom did not want to get involved in the LA mayor’s race. “Gavin Newsom is personal friends with Bass’ opponent Rick Caruso. He’s tried to stay out of it, he’s tried to stay neutral, saying he’s friends with everybody,” Todd said. “I think it’s less national politics, it may be simple, local California, LA politics that kept him away from the president.”The president’s trip comes as speculation continues to swirl around Newsom’s political ambitions. Newsom has spent his reelection campaign funds in red states like Texas and Florida to criticize leadership in each.He’s also seriously challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is also seen as a future presidential candidate, to a televised debate. Yet, Newsom has repeatedly said he has no interest in running for president as he seeks another term as governor of California. Meanwhile, Biden last month publicly endorsed a California bill that would make it easier for farmworkers to unionize after Newsom indicated he would not sign the legislation. Weeks later, the governor ended up approving the legislation under special conditions. Biden’s trip to California this week was his second as president. Biden last visited the state in September of 2021 to campaign for the governor days ahead of Newsom’s recall election.
While President Joe Biden was eating quesadillas, touting his policy plans and rallying support for Democrats ahead of the midterm election, Gov. Gavin Newsom was nowhere to be found.
Often, it’s common practice for governors in the same party — and sometimes opposing parties — to make time for the president when they stop in their state.
So, what happened this time?
Newsom was unable to meet with Biden during the president’s three-day trip to California this week because of scheduling conflicts, Newsom’s office said on Friday.
Biden arrived in Los Angeles on Wednesday evening and spent the day there Thursday to tout his infrastructure plan and rally support for Democrats running for office in Southern California, including LA mayoral candidate Karen Bass.
On Thursday night, Biden attended a political fundraiser alongside House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The president on Friday afternoon was scheduled to discuss lowering costs in Orange County before making his way to Oregon.
Newsom last week said he hoped to spend time with the president.
“I look forward to that,” Newsom told reporters last Friday. “I want to, the White House reached out. We’re already trying to compare our schedules.”
On Friday, Newsom was scheduled to read to students at an elementary school in Sacramento for National Know Your Classmates Day. The details of the scheduling conflicts for Wednesday and Thursday were not clear. The governor did not have any public events on either day.
“It’s a bit unusual, especially a governor on the ballot who doesn’t have a tough race,” NBC News political director Chuck Todd said. “I have to say, that makes it a head-scratcher.”
Todd said he thinks Newsom did not want to get involved in the LA mayor’s race.
“Gavin Newsom is personal friends with Bass’ opponent Rick Caruso. He’s tried to stay out of it, he’s tried to stay neutral, saying he’s friends with everybody,” Todd said.
“I think it’s less national politics, it may be simple, local California, LA politics that kept him away from the president.”
The president’s trip comes as speculation continues to swirl around Newsom’s political ambitions. Newsom has spent his reelection campaign funds in red states like Texas and Florida to criticize leadership in each.
He’s also seriously challenged Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is also seen as a future presidential candidate, to a televised debate. Yet, Newsom has repeatedly said he has no interest in running for president as he seeks another term as governor of California.
Meanwhile, Biden last month publicly endorsed a California bill that would make it easier for farmworkers to unionize after Newsom indicated he would not sign the legislation. Weeks later, the governor ended up approving the legislation under special conditions.
Biden’s trip to California this week was his second as president. Biden last visited the state in September of 2021 to campaign for the governor days ahead of Newsom’s recall election.
