In an April 11 interview, Los Gatos Town Councilmember Rob Moore—who was seeking a delegate spot on the guest list at the Democratic National Convention—said unless something “drastic” shifted, he expected President Joe Biden to continue seeking reelection.
Since then, there were several key developments: Moore secured his place at the Chicago event; Donald Trump survived an assassination attempt; and, on Sunday—after a dismal debate performance and a series of gaffes—Joe Biden announced he was dropping out of the race.
“A lot has changed over the past few months,” Moore said in a telephone interview. “I think that Joe Biden has made a very courageous decision today.”
Just a couple hours earlier, Biden posted his decision on Twitter, with a photo of a letter in which he talked up accomplishments like passing climate change legalization and reducing drug costs of seniors, while expressing his “heartfelt appreciation” to the American people for trusting him with the top job in the land.
This followed reports that Biden was still trying to hang on—such as a front page story in the New York Times which said an “ill” president was “stewing” over calls for him to step aside, and hurt by former president Barack Obama not speaking up for him.
‘It is going to be fascinating’
—Los Gatos Town Councilmember Rob Moore
Moore, the youngest member of Los Gatos Town Council, will now have the opportunity to vote for the Democrats pit against Trump, who is currently leading by a healthy margin, according to many polls.
But the overall thrust of the campaign has not changed, added Moore, who was already serving as a state delegate.
“I think that this election will be the most consequential election of my lifetime, without a doubt,” he said back in April, criticizing Trump. “I think he does not have respect for the rule of law.”
On Sunday, Moore returned to this refrain.
“What I care most about is defeating the existential threat that Donald Trump poses to our country,” he said, noting he believes running Vice President Kamala Harris will be the Democratic Party’s best shot at retaining the White House.
However, he doesn’t think she should be a shoo-in.
“I don’t think it should just be a coronation,” he said, explaining he’d like to see a process play out that allows people to make their case for who the new leader should be. “I haven’t endorsed anyone, but I believe that the nominee will be Kamala Harris.”
In his view, this will inject some positive energy into the race.
“It is going to be fascinating,” he said.
Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Kamala Harris all made separate fundraising stops at the home of a Microsoft executive in Los Gatos over the past few years.
Moore says Silicon Valley big wigs had been threatening to withhold future donations if Biden stayed in the race.
Former Saratoga councilmember Rishi Kumar will also be a delegate at the DNC.
He been publicly calling for Biden to step down for months—including on CNN.
Writing on Twitter Sunday, Kumar saluted Biden’s determination and commended him for “prioritizing the country and the party” over his own ambition.
“The Democratic Party now needs to do damage control,” said Kumar, who has endorsed Gavin Newsom. “Let the best candidate emerge!”
