In a closed-door meeting at the White House on Wednesday evening, more than 20 Democratic governors expressed their hopes to hear candidly from President Joe Biden about the path forward for his reelection campaign. Gathering amidst growing concerns over Biden's performance in the recent presidential debate, these governors sought clarity on how the president plans to communicate his message to the American public.

ABC News has confirmed the attendance of several prominent Democratic governors, including J.B. Pritzker of Illinois, Gavin Newsom of California, Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Kathy Hochul of New York, Tim Walz of Minnesota, Maura Healy of Massachusetts, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, and Wes Moore of Maryland. Other governors joined the meeting virtually, including Phil Murphy of New Jersey, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, Roy Cooper of North Carolina, Katie Hobbs of Arizona, and Jay Inslee of Washington.

However, Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers did not attend the meeting but plans to appear with President Biden at an event in Wisconsin on Friday. Ahead of the gathering, Beshear emphasized the need for a direct and candid conversation with the president, particularly regarding strategy and ensuring accurate information is conveyed to the public.

Amidst the speculation surrounding Biden's reelection campaign, J.B. Pritzker, who has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Biden in 2024, called for improved communication from the president. Pritzker stated that Biden must communicate more effectively in order to address concerns about his debate performance. He also expressed a desire to learn about the Biden campaign's strategy should the president decide to remain in the race.

The meeting follows a call held by Democratic governors on Monday, where they discussed Biden's performance in the debate. While some governors framed it as a general meeting that touched on the debate, a national Democratic official clarified that the call was not out of concern over Biden's performance but to "touch base" on the event.

Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, organized the call and confirmed the White House's awareness prior to its occurrence. Walz highlighted a range of topics covered during the call, including political races, natural disasters, and concerns about the debate's impact on the country and the upcoming election.

Notably, Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, a key campaign surrogate for Biden, suggested that the focus of the meeting would be less on policy and more on how Biden presents himself. Speaking on CNN, Clyburn emphasized the importance of the president's speech style and ability to respond to questions. He anticipated that the governors would closely consider Biden's demeanor and delivery during their discussions.

The meeting between President Biden and the Democratic governors underscores their desire for an open and candid conversation regarding the reelection campaign's strategy and communication. As the governors serve as prominent supporters of the Biden-Harris administration, they hope to address concerns and find ways to effectively deliver the president's message to the American public.