President Biden’s determination to stay in the 2024 campaign was reaffirmed on Wednesday during a discussion with a group of Democratic governors. The governors raised concerns about the way forward following Mr. Biden’s lackluster debate performance last week.
After the meeting, Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York expressed her support, stating, “President Joe Biden is in it to win it, and all of us pledge our support to him.”
Chair of the Democratic Governors Association, Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, emphasized the importance of standing by President Biden, saying, “Our priority is to secure victory in November.”
The sentiment was echoed by Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, while Gov. Gavin Newsom of California affirmed his commitment to the President. Additionally, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan showed her support on social media.
The meeting concluded with Vice President Kamala Harris highlighting the threats posed by a potential victory of former President Donald J. Trump.
However, concerns were raised by some attendees who felt unsettled by Gov. Hochul’s statement pledging support to Mr. Biden without a formal ask for support. Several governors expressed concerns about the President’s performance in the debate.
Despite the concerns, the governors remain steadfast in their support for President Biden, recognizing the urgency of securing victory in November.
The governors, who have been strong supporters of President Biden, expressed their concerns and sought clarity on the future. They are deeply worried about the prospect of a second Trump administration.
Gov. Josh Green of Hawaii, a physician who led his state’s response to the pandemic, emphasized President Biden’s candid admission of exhaustion on the day of the debate. Despite this, the governors are eager to see the President in action to confirm his readiness for the race.
Chris Cameron contributed reporting.
