A small group of Democratic governors on Wednesday extended their support for President Joe Biden following a White House meeting after a subpar performance against Republican candidate and former President Donald Trump in the presidential debate.
Speaking outside the White House with The Hill, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz recalled, “The feedback was, we are all looking for the path to win. All the governors agree with that, president Biden agreed with that.” New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Maryland Governor Wes Moore were also there.
He added saying, “A path to victory in November is the number one priority and that’s the number one priority of the president.”
Walz acknowledged that while it had been a “bad performance” at first place during his interview with The Hill he said Biden was capable of being president.
President Biden’s campaign announced today that all participants in an over 20-governor meeting—both virtually and in person– “reiterated their shared commitment” to supporting him in 2024. According to the campaign, this is seen as seeking their input on defeating Trump while they continue to collaborate or emphasizing their desire for Democrats across our nation who occupy positions of power including congressional delegations, state legislatures and governorships. Another rising star on democratic circles who has been associated as a potential replacement for Biden is Moore.
He said at a press conference following yesterday’s governors’ discussion: “We wanted him to know we have his back too. He has had ours since forever.” Hochul later added that they had promised “to back up” Biden during discussions with other leaders of states. In a separate statement from X last night, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer noted that she believes “Joe Biden has won our nomination,” adding, “he’s here to compete.”
As part of President Biden’s efforts to clean up damage caused by his poor debate performance, he also met with governors at the White House. Nevertheless, even though some democratic operatives, former staff members, and two current representatives of the House from the democratic side have urged him to step aside, the President insists that he will continue his campaign.
Biden also spoke with Democratic congressional leadership, including Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, as part of the campaign’s damage control efforts. While Representative Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) admitted that they are “taking time to seriously consider the best strategy for Democrats to win this election” because “when your current strategy isn’t working, it’s rarely the right decision to double down.”
Meantime, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre heartily debunked rumors of a possible Biden withdrawal from politics.
“Is President Biden considering stepping down in the race?” reporters asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre during her daily news conference.
“Nope. That’s not true. Also I think you heard that directly from folks on this team,” she responded in what turned out to be a series of Wall Street Journal questioning her further on this issue
“Given the groundswell of concern from fellow Democrats, from donors, from supporters, doesn’t he owe it to the American public to reflect on whether he should step down?” she was ask again.
Jean-Pierre said that he had done this twice by now and described the events of that night, saying how much comprehension he had and it was not his best night either.
‘It is absolutely right for people to ask such questions, but we mustn’t forget about his track record and what he has achieved. We must not forget what he has been able to do for Americans in close to four years,’ she added.
