What to know about Biden’s postdebate meeting with governors
President Biden is expected to meet Wednesday with a group of Democratic governors in a closed-door meeting at the White House.
It marks his latest effort to reassure supporters of his ability to win the November election following last week’s lackluster debate performance against former President Trump. The incumbent is facing increased concerns within the Democratic Party over his ability to beat Trump in November and carry out another four years in the Oval Office.
In the public sphere, Democratic governors have presented a united front for Biden, recognizing he had a bad debate while stressing the importance of choosing him over Trump.
Here’s what to know about Biden’s scheduled meeting with Democratic governors.
When and where is it?
Biden’s meeting with Democratic governors will take place at 6:30 p.m. EDT Wednesday at the Roosevelt Room in the White House. The meeting is closed to the press, according to the White House.
Who will be there?
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the chair of the Democratic Governors Association, will be at the White House for the meeting, joined by California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, their offices confirmed to The Hill.
Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Delaware Gov. John Carney will also be at the White House for the meeting, according to a source familiar.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy will be attending over Zoom, The Hill confirmed. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper will also be a virtual attendee, according to WNCN in Raleigh.
“Democratic governors are proud to be some of the President’s closest partners and allies on the campaign trail,” Walz said in a statement to The Hill, adding, “The president has worked side by side with us to deliver for the people of our states and we’re looking forward to talking with him today.”
What’s on the agenda?
The White House on Tuesday did not preview what Biden plans to discuss to the governors, but press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted, “I think they’ll be important. They’ll hear from him. He’ll hear from them.
A Biden campaign official said Wednesday’s meeting will “discuss the 2024 race and the urgency of defeating Donald Trump.”
“Democratic governors are some of the President and Vice President’s most proactive and vocal supporters because they’ve seen how the Biden-Harris Administration’s accomplishments are directly benefiting their residents,” the official told The Hill.
What governors have said so far
CNN reported Tuesday that Democratic governors held a call Monday without Biden, and a national Democratic official familiar with the call told The Hill it was organized by Walz.
The call only consisted of governors, and the Biden-Harris team was aware it took place, the official added.
Pritzker told CNN on Tuesday he had not yet spoken to Biden following the debate and suggested he would like to hear more from the incumbent.
“When you come off a bad debate, you need to remind people why you’re the right guy to elect,” Pritzker said. “I’d like to see more. There’s no doubt about it.”
Newsom, whose name has repeatedly been brought up as a potential replacement nominee should Biden step down, called the talk of replacing Biden “unhelpful and unnecessary” last week.
“I am old fashioned, but on the substance Joe Biden won the debate last night. That is what matters to me,” Newsom wrote in a Biden campaign fundraising pitch Friday, adding, “We aren’t going to turn our backs because of one performance. What kind of party does that?”
Beshear, one of the most popular governors in the country, said this week he will support Biden’s reelection bid as long as he remains the Democratic candidate.
“The debate performance was rough. It was a very bad night for the president, but he is still the candidate. Only he can make decisions about his future candidacy, so as long as he continues to be in the race, I support him,” Beshear told reporters in a clip posted by CBS affiliate WLKY.
When asked if he has given any thought to replacing Biden, the Kentucky governor avoided directly answering the question and, when pressed again, he said, “It’s flattering when people mention your name in something like that, but I think it’s a reflection of all the good things going on in Kentucky.”
Moore poured cold water over the prospect of Biden dropping out of the race and said he would not pursue the Democratic nomination should he do so.
“Joe Biden is our nominee. Joe Biden is our leader. And Joe Biden has earned and Joe Biden deserves the confidence, the respect, and frankly, the partnership that we now have to provide to him,” Moore told CBS News’s “Face the Nation” this week.
Whitmer, who has been considered among the top potential replacements for Biden, said she is “proud to support” Biden as the party’s nominee and is “100 percent” behind him.
Alex Gangitano and Julia Manchester contributed.
Updated at 12:50 p.m.
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