President Biden Seeks Support from Democratic Governors Amid Debate Fallout

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
02/07/2024 20h29

In the aftermath of a rocky debate performance last week, President Joe Biden has reached out to Democratic governors in an effort to regain solid support within his party. The meeting, likely to be held virtually, is set to take place on Wednesday, according to anonymous sources familiar with the President's plans.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that Biden intends to engage with Democratic governors and also hold calls with party leaders in Congress. The President's decision to meet with governors comes after they had previously requested a discussion, expressing concerns about his performance in the debate.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, revealed that during the previous call, governors highlighted what they believed was a poor debate showing and sought answers about the administration's plans. Walz expects Wednesday's meeting to address similar concerns raised by the governors.

The meeting with Democratic governors and congressional leaders indicates President Biden's determination to alleviate worries among some Democrats about his candidacy. Skepticism has emerged, particularly following his raspy and halting performance during the debate in Atlanta last week.

While Biden publicly criticized the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity in a Monday night statement, his subsequent schedule was focused on non-political activities. This included plans to host July 4 celebrations at the White House for the upcoming holiday.

Democratic Representative Lloyd Doggett of Texas went a step further on Tuesday by calling for Biden to withdraw from the race, adding to the doubts expressed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi questioned whether Biden's debate performance was an isolated incident or indicative of a larger issue.

Despite these concerns, Biden's campaign team has been downplaying the significance of his debate performance in private meetings and memos with donors, strategists, and party insiders. They firmly believe that the President can overcome any setbacks and maintain his long-term chances for success in the November elections.

It should be noted that not all Democratic governors are expected to participate in the meeting. In Kansas, Governor Laura Kelly's office did not confirm her attendance, but a spokesperson referred to a statement she made after the debate, where she expressed her support for Biden and his character.

The outcome of Wednesday's meeting with Democratic governors will play a crucial role in determining whether President Biden can consolidate support within his party and address the concerns raised over his debate performance. As the campaign progresses, Biden's ability to rally his party's top leaders will be key in his bid to secure the presidency in November.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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