California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a message for panicked Democrats — Biden actually won the debate, despite what the headlines, social media, and your family group chat might say.
Just look outside the debate itself.
In a fundraising attempt Friday, Newsom delivered his elevator spiel, noting he not only saw the debate Thursday night — he watched it live. And "on the substance, Joe Biden won the debate last night."
"That is what matters to me," Newsom said in a letter on behalf of the Democratic National Committee. He noted that Trump lied so often, he couldn't keep count — "I ran out of paper."
Newsom, often tied to presidential ambitions himself, implored Democrats, "Don’t look at 30 minutes — Look at the last three-and-a-half years under Joe Biden."
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"It's been a master class," he said, with more than 15 million jobs created, gun safety legislation, cheaper prescription drugs, and an infrastructure package to rebuild this country.
Joe Biden has delivered for Americans, said Newsom. Now, "we need to deliver for him in this moment — for him, and for Democrats everywhere."
"We're talking about the fate and future of our democracy, this country and the world. They all need us right now," he wrote.
Newsom added on X, formerly Twitter, that the Democratic National Committee has already raised $200,000 — and counting! — on Friday.
"Let’s post a huge number and scare the Trump campaign," he said.
Democrats were jolted out of complacency about President Joe Biden's age with his alarming performance during his first debate against Trump.
In the aftermath, Washington Post columnist Aaron Blake floated Newsom's name to help salvage the Democrats' chances in November.
Responding to Newsom on X, many users appeared to be thinking the same.
"Gavin is fundraising for when he takes over in a few weeks," wrote @TheKevinDalton.
"Gavin please save us run for president," wrote @FWABOT
'You deserve to run this race more than Biden does tbh," said @FinnBarber10.
"please run Gavin, please," pleaded @madsFEL Friday.
