Inside Biden's governor huddle

Behind the scenes: Biden told the group of Democrats that he was "in it to win it" in November, a source briefed on the meeting told Axios.

• Biden also said he would do more off-script events with voters around the country in the coming weeks, the source said.
• "What we saw in there today was a guy ... that of us believed in the first time who could beat Donald Trump, and who did beat Donald Trump," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said at a press conference after the meeting.

But the governors were clear-eyed about the current political reality reflected by polls: Democrats, as it stands, are poised to lose the White House and potentially both chambers of Congress to Republicans in November.

• "We know, that as we're standing right here, we're behind," Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said at the press conference.
• Public polling following the debate has shown Biden falling behind former President Trump in the presidential horse race.

Zoom in: Governors gave "blunt" feedback to the president about concerns they are hearing about his age and fitness for office, the source briefed on the meeting said.

• But the president indicated "little wiggle room" in dropping out of the 2024 race, the source said.
• Vice President Kamala Harris participated in the meeting as well.

22 Democratic governors attended the meeting, either in person or virtually.

• The conversation was part of Biden and his aides' broader push to calm the nerves of party officials after the debate last week.
• Biden also recently spoke with Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).