After calls for Biden to go, Dem governors say they "have his back"
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Left to right: Governors Wes Moore, of Maryland, Kathy Hochul, of New York, and Tim Walz, of Minnesota, speak to reporters after a meeting with President Biden at the White House on Wednesday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
President Biden won the public support of several Democratic governors who attended a meeting with him at the White House on Wednesday following his poorly received debate performance last week.
The big picture: With Biden facing growing pressure from some Democrats to abandon his re-election bid, the president held a meeting with all Democratic governors who attended either virtually or in person, including California's Gavin Newsom, New York's Kathy Hochul and Michigan's Gretchen Whitmer.
- Biden and his aides have attributed his June 27 debate performance to factors including a cold and jet lag, but Axios' Hans Nichols reports some state party officials and Democratic National Convention delegates have asked for more time to decide on whether he should lead their ticket.
Details: Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris discussed with the governors during the meeting "their continued partnership in this re-election campaign," according to an emailed campaign statement.
- The president "reiterated his determination to defeat the existential threat" of presumptive Republican nominee former President Trump in November's election and "sought the advice and expertise of Democratic governors," per the statement.
What they're saying: "We are all looking for the path to win — all the governors agree with that. President Biden agrees with that," said Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as he stood outside the White House alongside Hochul and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore.
- "He has had our backs through COVID … the governors have his back," Walz said.
- "We're working together just to make very, very clear that a path to victory in November is the No. 1 priority and that's the No. 1 priority of the president," Walz added. "The feedback was good. The conversation was honest."
Hochul said the governors "pledged our support" to Biden during the meeting.
Moore said Biden "was very clear that he's in this to win" and that he is "our nominee, the president is our party leader."
- He noted the governors were "honest about the feedback we're getting … and the concerns we're hearing from people," but added: "We're going to have his back … the results we've been able to see under this administration have been undeniable."
Whitmer said in a post to X that Biden "is our nominee. He is in it to win it and I support him."
More from Axios:
- Behind the Curtain: Democratic rage at Biden rises
- Scoop: Some DNC delegates want more time before nominating Biden
- ABC News shifts Biden's Stephanopoulos interview to Friday primetime
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and with further context.
