Biden stokes Newsom presidential buzz at APEC event alongside California governor
by Naomi Lim, White House Reporter
November 15, 2023 11:50 PM
SAN FRANCISCO — President Joe Biden quipped about Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D-CA) presidential aspirations on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
"I want to talk about Gov. Newsom," Biden said Wednesday during a reception for APEC leaders. "I want to thank him. He's been one hell of a governor, man. As a matter of fact, he can be anything he wants. He can have the job I'm looking for."
While Newsom has been a vocal backer of Biden's 2024 reelection, he's also been accused of running a "shadow campaign" for president with his headline-grabbing domestic travel and high-profile international trips, including one last month to China. Newsom has played a prominent role at APEC, greeting Chinese President Xi Jinping at the airport and hosting a high-dollar fundraiser for Biden on Tuesday.
During his remarks, Biden also mentioned Vice President Kamala Harris, another San Francisco Bay Area native. While Newsom was the former mayor of San Francisco, Harris served as the city's district attorney before she became California's attorney general.
"I'm particularly grateful for the Bay Area for giving our great vice president the chance to become vice president," he said. "She's the best. She's an outstanding leader and a great partner."
Biden additionally told current San Francisco Mayor London Breed she had "the hardest job in American politics.”
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