‘You can’t sit this one out’: California gov. campaigns for Biden at Claflin

“I am proud of the work the Biden-Harris administration has done,” Newsom said at a stop in Orangeburg.

“You got these guys elected. You are responsible for this administration. Joe Biden would not be president of the United States except for what happened out here in South Carolina a little over three years ago,” he said.

Newsom spoke to a crowd of about 150 at Claflin University on Wednesday to promote Biden’s re-election campaign ahead of the state Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 3.

Newsom encouraged voters to focus on what’s working among the Biden-Harris administration’s policies, such as lower unemployment and inflation rates, job and business creation, stronger international alliances, federal spending on infrastructure and climate policy.

He also touted the administration’s $7 billion investment into historically Black colleges and universities across the nation, like Claflin.

Biden is campaigning on “wisdom and temperance” against “a guy who can’t control himself,” Newsom said.

The Biden-Harris administration’s goals contrast with Republican efforts to restrict abortion access, LGBTQ rights and diversity, equity and inclusion programs in higher and public education, including in South Carolina, he said.

He said the Republican Party and Trump campaign want to “put America in reverse.”

“That’s what’s on the other side of this election, as simple as this – it’s daylight and darkness. It’s a pretty simple choice this November,” he said.

Newsom criticized Florida Gov. Ron Desantis for his education policies, which he said target Black and LGBTQ education. Desantis ran unsuccessfully for the Republican nomination for president.

“Anti-woke means anti-Black,” Newsom said, to a positive response from the audience.

Newsom answered questions from Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack as well as three students at the event, held in the university’s Ernest A. Finney Jr. Auditorium.

Warmack said a primary concern for students is the cancelling of student debt. Half of the HBCU’s students are first-generation college students and 75% are attending with loans or grants, Warmack said.

Newsom said the Biden administration has canceled a total of $136 billion in debt for 3.7 million students with little support from congress.

“Biden is delivering on that promise,” Newsom said. “He’s committed, obviously, to do a lot more than $136 billion. I promise you, the Trump administration gets in for another term, he will do everything he can to claw that back.”

Biden is also looking for ways to lower college costs and will continue to work on the issue in a second term, Newsom said.

One student asked how the campaign will motivate first-time voters, as many college students will be old enough to vote for the first time in 2024.

Newsom said voting in the election – and Biden winning – is important for saving American democracy.

Former President Donald Trump “lost and he tried to wreck this country. He’s doing everything he can to light democracy on fire,” Newsom said.

If Trump is elected in November, Newsom believes he will attempt to remain in office at the end of his term.

“It is profound and consequential,” Newsom said. “I don’t want this to be the last election you can vote in.”

Young voters who feel cynical should remember the struggles to protect voting rights.

“You can’t sit this one out. You can’t take things for granted anymore. These guys are ruthless,” he said.

Sophomore political science student Tieria Albert asked Newsom about the Biden administration’s involvement in the war in Gaza.

The governor said he supports an end to the conflict and a two-state solution.

“The Palestinian people are not Hamas,” Newsom said.

Newsom told The T&D he doesn’t think the conflict will be a major hurdle for the Biden-Harris campaign ahead of the primary based on results in New Hampshire – where Biden won as a write-in candidate – but it remains to be seen what the impact will be on the general election.

He also said the situation could evolve before November given what he called a growing schism between the Biden administration and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Albert said she wished Newsom had been more direct about the administration’s actions rather than painting itself as the only alternative to Trump.

She believes Biden has made progress on student loan forgiveness and the economy, but is concerned about the administration’s support of what she called a genocide being committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Albert also said she’s glad the administration is reaching out to HBCUs and that students had a chance to have one-on-one interactions with Newsom, but feelings on campus about the Biden campaign are “mixed.”

“I do think it’s a battle of the lesser of two evils currently,” she said.

Senior psychology student Kyra Freeman, holding a Biden-Harris sign, called the event “very impactful.”

“Now we know more about what we need to do and what we need to prepare for and stuff,” Freeman said.

She plans to vote for Biden-Harris in the primary.

Newsom, who also appeared at events in Beaufort and Sumter on Wednesday, also discussed former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s run for the Republican presidential nomination.

Haley came in second to Trump in New Hampshire’s GOP primary.

“I’m glad your former governor is still in this race, because I think it’s now two against one,” he said. “Poor Trump’s getting hit on both sides now. It’s fantastic. I hope she stays in the whole time.”

Newsom still believes it will be a Trump-Biden race in November, which he called “about the easiest choice I’ve ever had to make in my life.”

“I’m so optimistic, I can’t tell you,” he said. “I know some people are a little pessimistic about November and I’m not pessimistic. You have the most damaged candidate in Donald Trump in my lifetime running for president who literally is going on campaign stops to the courthouse. Just think about that.”

“I think it’s going to be a glorious day on the third and even better in November,” he said.