Democratic governors affirm support for Biden after ‘candid’ conversation

Democratic governors are backing President Joe Biden after they convened a sudden meeting to share concerns and assess the party’s future with Biden as its leader.

On Wednesday evening, every Democratic governor across the country, except for Gov. Tony Evers (D-WI), met in person at the White House or virtually as concerns in the Democratic Party grow that the 81-year-old commander in chief’s mental state is compromised.

In remarks to reporters following the meeting, Govs. Wes Moore (D-MD), Tim Walz (D-MN), and Kathy Hochul (D-NY) expressed confidence in the president’s ability to lead the party.

“We were honest about the concerns we were hearing from people,” Moore said, admitting the Democratic Party is “behind” but expressing enthusiasm that Biden’s path to reelection is “real.” He also said the conversation was “candid.”

Walz added that “the feedback was we’re all looking for the path to win.” He told reporters, “The governors have his back.”

Hochul finished out the trio’s remarks to the media by saying Biden is “in it to win it!”

Govs. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) and Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI), both widely considered to be presidential “backups” for Biden, shared their support in statements on social media.

“I heard three words from the President tonight — he’s all in. And so am I,” Newsom said. The California governor urged his party to get behind their nominee, saying, “[Joe Biden’s] had our back. Now it’s time to have his.”

Whitmer fell in line with a similar message.

“[Joe Biden] is our nominee,” the Michigan Democrat posted on Wednesday. “He is in it to win it and I support him.”

Gov. Roy Cooper (D-NC), who governs a swing state that will be critical to securing a win for Biden this November, chimed in his support.

“[Biden] will be our nominee, and we’ll continue doing everything we can to deliver North Carolina for him,” Cooper said in a statement.

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 in its efforts to shore up support with key Democrats.

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“All participants reiterated their shared commitment to do everything possible to make sure President Biden and Vice President Harris beat Donald Trump in November,” the campaign said in a statement following the meeting.

The White House called the meeting after Biden came under fire for his performance during last week’s first presidential debate with former President Donald Trump. Top Democratic strategists and officials voiced concerns that the president is unable to lead their party to victory this November after a debate performance full of memory lapses, trailed-off sentences, and jumbled thoughts.