With Biden Absent, His Rivals Pounce At California Gathering

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Democratic presidential hopefuls took rival Joe Biden's absence at a California state party gathering Saturday as a chance to take subtle digs at the former vice president and craft themselves as better positioned to bring Democrats into the future.

"Some say if we all just calm down, the Republicans will come to their senses," Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a clear reference to Biden's comments that the GOP may have an "epiphany" after President Donald Trump is gone. "But our country is in a crisis. The time for small ideas is over."

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Warren was one of 14 presidential contenders in San Francisco for a three-day gathering of the California Democratic Party, featuring thousands of fervent activists. Biden was the only big-name candidate to skip the gathering, opting instead to campaign in Ohio. That allowed Warren, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, California Sen. Kamala Harris and others a chance to grab the spotlight.

Swipe through a collection of photos below from the convention.

US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during the the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
A woman holds up signs as US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi takes the stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: An attendee carries an American flag during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential cadidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Campaign signs sit on chairs during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential cadidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Democratic presidential cadidate U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) prepares to speak during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential cadidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Supporters of Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) hold signs as he speaks during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential candidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
US philanthropist Tom Steyer speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
US philanthropist Tom Steyer speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Democratic presidential hopeful former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-TX) speaks during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several democratic presidential hopefuls are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Democratic presidential candidate former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper speaks during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential candidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) speaks during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential candidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 01: Democratic presidential candidate U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) speaks during the California Democrats 2019 State Convention at the Moscone Center on June 01, 2019 in San Francisco, California. Several Democratic presidential candidates are speaking at the California Democratic Convention that runs through Sunday. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Tulsi Gabbard speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate, mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Pete Buttigieg speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
A supporter of Democratic presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg cheers as he speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Supporters cheer for Democratic presidential candidate Eric Swalwell as he speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Eric Swalwell speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
A woman passes out Beto O'Rourke stickers during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Credit: Lincoln PD/Facebook
US Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi speaks during the the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Governor of California Gavin Newsom speaks during the the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren arrives to speak on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O'Rourke speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Amy Klobuchar speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Bernie Sanders supporter Ian Hoffermann boos a Democratic presidential candidate as they speak on-stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Jay Inslee speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
Democratic presidential candidate Cory Booker speaks during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco, California on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)
A woman holds up a sign showing support for Democratic presidential candidate for Elizabeth Warren as she speaks on stage during the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at Moscone Center in San Francisco on June 1, 2019. (Photo by Josh Edelson / AFP) (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images)

 

California has shifted its 2020 primary earlier on the calendar, to March 3, part of the Super Tuesday collection of contests, in hopes of giving the state more sway in choosing the party's nominee. California will offer the largest delegate haul, but it is a notoriously difficult state to campaign in, given its massive size and expensive media markets.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has endorsed Harris, downplayed the importance of Biden's absence.

"Joe Biden's very familiar to Californians. He spent a great deal of time in California," Newsom said, a remark that highlighted Biden's advantage when it comes to name recognition.

Warren's remarks served as the most direct jab at Biden, but 37-year-old South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg seemed to draw a contrast with the 76-year-old Biden when he said Democrats won't win if they bring more of the same to the 2020 contest.

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"The riskiest thing we can do is play it safe," Buttigieg declared. "There's no going back to normal."

Biden's backers have argued he's the party's best and safest choice to defeat Trump.

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Californian who remains at the bottom of the pack, also referenced Biden as he said "we don't need a crime bill — we need a hope bill." Biden has taken heat from some rivals for his support of a crime bill in the early 1990s that critics say spurred mass incarceration.

One of those rivals is Harris, though she made no direct or indirect references to Biden during her Saturday morning speech, instead highlighting her policy plans and bringing the crowd to its feet with calls to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump.

Harris received the prime spot of speaking first Saturday and sought to flex her home-state muscle by referencing her near-decade as a statewide elected official. Her campaign even emblazoned the official convention lanyards that thousands of Democrats wore all weekend with Harris's name.

"The thing I love about California Democrats is we are never afraid of a fight," she said. "And we know right now we've got a fight on our hands."

Warren and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker received perhaps the most enthusiastic response from the crowd, drawing people to their feet on multiple occasions. Warren reprised her "I've got a plan for that" slogan to raucous cheers as she pledged bold action on a variety of topics, including breaking up "big tech," a strong rebuke in the home of Silicon Valley.

"Some Democrats in Washington believe the only change we can get are tweaks and nudges — if they dream at all, they dream small," she said.

Booker was the only candidate to reference Friday's fatal shooting in Virginia Beach, Virginia, which left 12 people dead. Declaring he'd have plenty of time to talk about himself, he told the party that the election is about more than finding a "savior" and simply beating Trump.

"It can't be the call to beat Republicans. It must be the call to unite Americans in common cause and common purpose to tear down the injustices that still exist," he said.

Most candidates sought to bring California-specific elements into their speeches or burnish their liberal credentials. Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke slipped seamlessly between Spanish and English, a key move in a state with a large Hispanic population, while Washington Gov. Jay Inslee highlighted his fight to raise the minimum wage and enact aggressive policies to fight climate change.

But Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper took a different tack, eliciting boos when he declared "socialism is not the answer" to enacting progressive policies and beating Trump. Hickenlooper quickly highlighted the negative reaction on his Twitter account: "I know this message won't be popular with everyone in our party. But the stakes are too high. We cannot hand this election to Donald Trump."

Other candidates who spoke Saturday were New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand; Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Former Obama housing chief Julian Castro and former Maryland Rep. John Delaney were scheduled to speak Sunday after Sanders.

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