President Biden convened with 20 Democratic governors on Wednesday night as both the White House and his reelection campaign seek to consolidate support following a challenging debate performance last week.
Among the governors present were Tim Walz of Minnesota, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association; Gavin Newsom of California; J.B. Pritzker of Illinois; Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan; Kathy Hochul of New York; Wes Moore of Maryland; John Carney of Delaware; Maura Healey of Massachusetts; Dan McKee of Rhode Island; and Andy Beshear of Kentucky. Others participated virtually.
“Yes, he’s fit for office,” Walz asserted to reporters outside the White House after the meeting. “None of us are denying Thursday night was a bad performance. It was a bad hit, if you will, but it doesn’t impact what I believe—that he’s delivering.”
Moore expressed that the governors were candid with President Biden about the feedback they’ve received regarding the debate.
“We were honest about the concerns that we were hearing from people,” Moore stated. “And we were also honest about the fact that, as the president continued to tell us and show us that he was all in, that we said we would stand with him.”
Hochul emphasized Biden’s commitment, saying, “He is in it to win it,” and that “all of us” pledged our support to him, acknowledging the high stakes.
“I feel very confident in his abilities,” Hochul added. “We talked about the plan and how he’s going to be very focused on issues that matter to Americans. I felt very confident coming out of this meeting as well.”
In a separate statement, Newsom said he heard three words from the President: “he’s all in. And so am I. Joe Biden’s had our back. Now it’s time to have his.”
During the meeting, three governors voiced “pointed, but not harsh” concerns about Biden’s electoral prospects in light of his debate performance. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, Maine Gov. Janet Mills, and New Mexico Gov. Michelle Luján Grisham questioned his ability to win their states, according to sources familiar with the meeting.
“The basic gist was, ‘You’re too old and it won’t fly in our states,’” one source said. The president, however, reiterated his intention to continue running despite the criticism.
The gathering occurred as Biden’s team strives to maintain support from Democratic governors and other elected officials after the debate. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas recently suggested that Biden should withdraw from the race, a notion the campaign quickly dismissed.
In an all-staff campaign call on Wednesday, Biden affirmed his commitment to the race. “I am running. I’m the nominee of the Democratic Party. No one’s pushing me out. I’m not leaving,” he declared, according to one source.
The meeting with governors was significant, as Biden had primarily relied on his top aides and advisers to reassure elected Democrats after the debate. Members of the Democratic Governors’ Association discussed their concerns in a call on Monday, expressing a desire for more direct outreach from Biden himself.
Before the Wednesday meeting, Hochul and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy were the only governors known to have spoken directly with Biden since the debate. Beshear remarked on Monday that although the debate performance was rough, he would continue to support Biden as long as he remains in the race.
Beshear, Pritzker, and Whitmer, who have been considered as potential replacements for Biden if he were to step down, co-headlined a fundraiser in Los Angeles for Biden last Thursday evening. The event provided a platform for potential future presidential candidates to connect with influential donors.
On “Face the Nation” Sunday, Moore reaffirmed his support for Biden, stating, “Joe Biden is our nominee. Joe Biden is our leader.”