President Joe Biden has invited all Democratic governors to meet on Wednesday, as he attempts to solidify support among his party’s top leaders after last week’s shaky debate performance. The discussion is likely to be mostly virtual, according to two people familiar with Biden’s plan, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a schedule that hasn’t yet been made public.
Quick Read
- Biden to meet Democratic governors for support: President Biden has invited Democratic governors to a mostly virtual meeting on Wednesday, aiming to solidify support after his shaky debate performance.
- Calming fears among Democrats: The meeting follows a previous call by Democratic governors and Biden’s efforts to address concerns about his campaign capabilities.
- Discussion on Supreme Court ruling and political strategy: Biden addressed the Supreme Court’s ruling on presidential immunity and planned business-as-usual activities, including July 4 celebrations at the White House.
- Reassuring party insiders: Despite calls for withdrawal, Biden’s campaign insists one bad debate won’t hurt his long-term chances, emphasizing stability and readiness for the election.
The Associated Press has the story:
Biden will meet Dem Governors Wednesday to shore up support after shaky debate
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
President Joe Biden has invited all Democratic governors to meet on Wednesday, as he attempts to solidify support among his party’s top leaders after last week’s shaky debate performance. The discussion is likely to be mostly virtual, according to two people familiar with Biden’s plan, who insisted on anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss a schedule that hasn’t yet been made public.
The meeting comes after Democratic governors held their own call previously and asked Biden to speak with them, according to three people with knowledge of the president’s schedule. Biden denounced the Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity on Monday night but had otherwise announced a largely politics-free and business-as-usual postdebate schedule — including planning to host July 4 celebrations at the White House for Thursday’s holiday.
The meeting is the strongest indication yet that Biden is attempting to calm fears among some Democrats, who worry he may not be up to continuing a campaign — much less defeat Donald Trump — following his sometimes raspy and halting performance during last week’s debate in Atlanta.
Texas Democratic Rep. Lloyd Doggett called Tuesday for Biden to formally withdraw from the race, and that followed former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying on MSNBC that it is fair to ask whether Biden’s debate showing was an anomaly or part of a larger pattern.
“I think it’s a legitimate question to say, is this an episode or is this a condition,” Pelosi said.
There is also no indication that the president is seriously considering stepping aside.
His campaign has downplayed the president’s political problems in a series of memos and private meetings with donors, strategists and party insiders, insisting that Biden can put one bad debate performance Biden him without hurting his long-term chances in November.
