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The comment stunned even seasoned political observers. While Biden later attempted to clarify his remarks, the underlying implication was painfully obvious — an accidental but revealing separation of “poor kids” from “white kids,” as if the two were mutually exclusive categories.
Fast forward to 2024, and now Governor Newsom appears to be testing out his own variation of this political malpractice.
There is no indication that Newsom is suffering from cognitive decline. However, he has recently begun presenting himself as intellectually limited — a strategy that raises eyebrows given his elite background and privileged upbringing. Newsom has lately leaned heavily on claims of dyslexia, even bristling when critics describe him as “illiterate,” despite his own repeated public statements reinforcing that perception.
While promoting a book many critics suspect he neither wrote nor carefully read, Newsom made a stop in Atlanta — a city with a Black mayor and a large Black voting base. It was there that the California governor attempted to craft a deeply awkward “everyman” narrative.
Standing alongside Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Newsom delivered remarks that immediately set social media ablaze.
“I’m just trying to impress upon you, I’m like you,” Newsom said. “I’m no better than you. You know, I’m a 960 SAT guy. And you know, I’m not trying to offend anyone, you know, trying to act all there if you got 940, but literally a 960 SAT guy.”
If that weren’t uncomfortable enough, Newsom doubled down.
“You’ve never seen me read a speech, because I cannot read a speech,” he continued. “Maybe the wrong business to be in. Uh, you know, my dyslexia — I haven’t overcome dyslexia. I’m living with it.”
As Newsom spoke, Mayor Dickens appeared to laugh politely — a familiar reaction reminiscent of how Democratic officials often responded when Biden went off script.
The attempt to appear relatable by portraying oneself as academically limited is a risky gambit under any circumstances. Doing so in front of minority audiences only magnifies the optics problem.
The presidency is not a sympathy contest. World leaders will not pause for emotional reassurance. Russia will not adjust strategy over Ukraine because a president struggles to read briefings. Kim Jong Un will not dismantle nuclear weapons out of compassion. The CIA does not issue intelligence reports with training wheels.
Americans expect competence — not excuses.
Former President Donald Trump is routinely mocked for challenging political opponents to IQ tests, yet Newsom receives soft coverage after essentially admitting he cannot read prepared material.
But the racial implications are where this episode truly explodes.
Newsom’s remarks instantly reminded many voters of Biden’s “poor kids” moment — and the reaction online was swift and unforgiving. Critics accused the governor of pandering, condescension, and recycling a strategy Democrats hoped voters had forgotten.
History suggests the media response will depend entirely on political convenience. During the 2020 primary, Democrats initially allowed Biden’s gaffes to circulate — until progressive candidates like Bernie Sanders began gaining traction. At that point, coverage shifted dramatically to protect the establishment candidate.
If Newsom becomes the media-approved option in 2028, this episode will fade quickly. If a more disruptive figure like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threatens party control, expect Newsom’s “960 SAT” moment to be memory-holed.
Until then, Democrats appear content recycling the same tired playbook — hoping voters won’t notice that the party claiming to represent “the future” keeps repeating the same embarrassing mistakes from the past.
