Newsom Defends Harris, Praises Biden-Harris Administration Record

California Gov. Gavin Newsom defended Vice President Kamala Harris and her policies ahead of the Democratic National Convention, highlighting her record of accomplishment in the Biden administration and downplaying concerns about her lack of media interviews and policy substance.

California Governor Gavin Newsom has come to the defense of Vice President Kamala Harris, highlighting her record of accomplishment in the Biden administration and downplaying concerns about her lack of media interviews and policy substance.

Newsom, who has known Harris for nearly 30 years, delivered California's delegates to Harris on Tuesday, ceremoniously putting her over the top for the Democratic presidential nomination. In an interview with Fox News, Newsom expressed his support for Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

Newsom Defends Harris, Praises Biden-Harris Administration Record

"We've been polarized and traumatized. The last three and a half years have been difficult. The last five, six, seven years," Newsom said, pointing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Trump administration. "We had 14.8% unemployment in April of 2020. We lost 154,000 manufacturing jobs during the Trump years. We're just coming out of this recession; we're finally taming inflation."

Newsom added that there is a "fresh air of progress" within the Democratic Party compared to a "stale air of normalcy" and a "stale air of the past represented in Donald Trump."

Newsom Defends Harris, Praises Biden-Harris Administration Record

However, when pressed by Fox News anchor Bret Baier on Harris' lack of media interviews and lack of policy substance on her campaign website, Newsom downplayed the concerns, saying, "This is a convention. This is about why and what. Karl Rove said it best today. In an op-ed, he says there's plenty of time for policy details…we have ceded [a] tremendous amount of economic opportunity across this country. And she has the opportunity tonight to turn the page on the past, to your point, legitimate point, and talk about a compelling future where everyone feels good."

Newsom also defended Harris' record as a prosecutor in California, saying that she has a record of accomplishment as part of the Biden-Harris administration.

Newsom Defends Harris, Praises Biden-Harris Administration Record

"We've seen inflation tamed down to 2.9%. No one's denying the inflation scars. No one's denied what's happened around the world, with a few exceptions around the globe as it relates to the impacts of COVID in supply chains, a war in Ukraine, and the impact that had on the global economy. But no country has done better, and no investments have been made comparable anywhere in the world as profound and meaningful as the industrial policies that have been ceded by the Biden-Harris administration."

Newsom's comments come as the Democratic National Convention is set to kick off in Chicago, where Harris is expected to accept the presidential nomination. The convention is expected to be a key moment for Harris, as she seeks to introduce herself to voters and lay out her vision for the country.

Newsom Defends Harris, Praises Biden-Harris Administration Record