California governor says 2024 election is ‘daylight and darkness’

Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack, left, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom at Ministers' Hall on Jan. 24. (Panther photo by Damaia Davis)

California Gov. Gavin Newsom visited Claflin's campus to advocate for the Biden-Harris administration ahead of South Carolina’s Feb. 3 Democratic presidential primary.

Newsom spoke to students and staff Jan. 24 in the university Ministers' Hall. He emphasized the importance of South Carolina being the first Democratic primary.

“You represent America and that’s why he thinks it should be the first in the nation primary to truly represent the people he wants to represent in this country,” Newsom said, “and he’s not taking you -- any of us -- for granted.”

He addressed the “stacking of stress” in past years, commenting on the lasting effects of the pandemic. Newsome praised the Biden administration's efforts to combat them.

“I want to make a case that the work the Biden-Harris administration has been doing in the last three years is nothing short of a masterclass,” Newsom said. “We are moving in the right direction.”

Claflin President Dr. Dwaun Warmack asked Newsom about the administration's student loan relief plans. Newsom delivered statistics achieved so far: 3.7 million students had loans forgiven in a $136 billion relief package, highlighting the $7 billion toward HBCUs.

“Biden is delivering on that promise,” Newsom said. “Trump administration if he gets a second term, will do everything he can to claw that back.”

He thanked South Carolina voters for Biden’s previous election. Newsom said Biden would not be president without South Carolina’s contribution in 2020, when the president won the S.C. primary.

“You got these guys elected,” Newsom said. “You are responsible for this administration.”

Newsom said loyalty matters in politics. He urged the audience to consider the statistics and move to re-elect Biden.

“Believe in President Biden’s character, his decency, his experiences, his wisdoms and temperance,” Newsom said. “And also believe he deserves to be re-elected as president of the United States.”

Comparing Biden to former President Donald Trump, Newsom said that Republicans like Trump are “on a cultural purge.”

“You have the most damaged candidate in Trump in my lifetime vs. an American president incumbent who’s coming out here at church, listing, two-way conversations and delivering on his promises,” Newsom said.

Newsom said the choice in November is clear, and he urged students and staff to vote. Things cannot be taken for granted this election season.

“It's daylight and darkness,” Newsom said, “pretty simple choice this November, but it's a profound and consequential choice.”

Speaking directly to the students, Newsom said they can change the world. He encouraged them to act, referencing historical figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Cesar Chavez and Mahatma Gandhi.

“The future is not something to experience; it's something that manifests,” Newsom said. “Each and every one of you is a leader in your own way; you don't have to be something to do something.”

Newsom again urged the crowd to back Biden in the Feb. 3 primary as well as the general election. He said he feels no pessimism looking forward to November.

“I think it's going to be a glorious day here on Feb. 3; it’s gonna be a more glorious day in November,” Newsom said. “The best is yet to come for the United States of America, and you are a huge part of that.”