A meeting between Democratic governors at the White House on Wednesday evening aimed to address concerns about President Joe Biden’s mental state and unite the party behind its leader. The sudden gathering, excluding Governor Tony Evers of Wisconsin, comes as speculation grows about the president’s ability to lead the party to victory in the upcoming election.
During the meeting, Governors Wes Moore of Maryland, Tim Walz of Minnesota, and Kathy Hochul of New York expressed their confidence in Biden’s leadership abilities, acknowledging concerns about his performance in last week’s presidential debate with former President Donald Trump. Moore and Walz stated that the meeting was “candid” and “feedback-driven,” with governors seeking to find a path to victory for Biden.
“We were honest about the concerns we were hearing from people,” Moore said, emphasizing the party’s struggles but expressing optimism about Biden’s chances of reelection. Walz added that governors are committed to supporting the president, stating, “The governors have his back.”
Hochul echoed her colleagues, declaring Biden “in it to win it” and pledging to rally behind the president. Other governors, including Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, voiced their support on social media, urging the party to get behind their nominee.
Newsom tweeted, “I heard three words from the President tonight — he’s all in. And so am I. [Joe Biden’s] had our back. Now it’s time to have his.” Whitmer echoed Newsom’s sentiments, stating, “[Joe Biden] is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him.”
Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina, whose state is crucial to securing a Biden victory, also weighed in, affirming his support for the president.
Trump secured a narrow victory in North Carolina in 2020. The former president has widened his lead by a substantial margin heading into July.
The Biden campaign celebrated the meeting as a success, citing the governors’ commitment to supporting the president and Vice President Harris.
The White House called the meeting in response to criticism of Biden’s debate performance, which sparked concerns among top Democratic strategists and officials about his ability to lead the party to victory.
