Following a crucial meeting at the White House, several leading Democratic governors have voiced their unwavering support for President Joe Biden, asserting his fitness for office despite concerns raised by his recent debate performance.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, speaking to reporters after the closed-door meeting with Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and nearly every Democratic governor, emphasized the president’s capability. “Yes, fit for office,” Walz affirmed, acknowledging the adverse impact of Biden’s debate performance but maintaining his belief in Biden’s leadership.
The meeting, aimed at addressing fears about Biden’s ability to lead and his capacity to take on Donald Trump in the upcoming election, saw candid discussions about the state of the campaign. Maryland Governor Wes Moore and New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined Walz in underscoring their support for Biden.
Moore, regarded as a rising star in the Democratic Party, described the session as “honest” and “candid,” noting that the governors provided frank feedback. “We were honest about the feedback we were getting and the concerns we are hearing from people,” Moore said. He reiterated that the governors pledged their support to Biden, recognizing the high stakes of the election.
Hochul echoed this sentiment, stating, “President Joe Biden is in it to win it. We pledged our support to him because the stakes could not be higher.”
The show of confidence from the governors comes as Biden faces mounting pressure from within his party to step aside. Some Democratic lawmakers have voiced concerns that Biden’s presence at the top of the ticket could jeopardize the party’s chances in the election.
The meeting followed a call led by Walz earlier in the week, where some governors expressed surprise at not having heard from Biden regarding his debate performance. Governors Gavin Newsom of California and Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, who are speculated to be potential contenders should Biden step down, were present at the meeting but did not address the press.
In a statement to CNN, Newsom said, “I 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.” Whitmer also voiced her support on social media, stating, “@JoeBiden is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him.”
The Biden campaign, in a readout of the meeting, reiterated the president’s commitment to defeating Donald Trump in the upcoming election and highlighted the shared determination of all participants to ensure a victory for Biden and Harris in November.
