President Joe Biden met with a small and supportive group of Democratic governors this week to discuss the future of the 2024 Presidential race amidst speculation that Biden would not be the Democratic party’s nominee.
Unified Support for Biden’s Continued Run
In the aftermath of the meeting, the select group of top national Democrats expressed unified support for Biden’s continued run. Other Democrats outside of the small circle of Democratic governors have parted ways with the Biden campaign, calling on him to step aside and make way for a more fit candidate.
Focus on the Path to Victory
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said, “The feedback was, we are all looking for the path to win. All the governors agreed with that, and President Biden agreed with that. A path to victory in November is the number one priority, and that’s the number one priority of the president.”
Comparison to Support Needed During Pandemic
Walz said that “the governors have his back,” just as Biden continued to support the governors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Addressing Concerns About Debate Performance
The governors have continued to spin Biden’s problematic debate performance as just a bad night, one “bad performance,” according to Walz.
Strategy Session with Key Governors
New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Maryland Governor Wes Moore were also present at the strategy session, which reportedly had more than 20 governors in attendance, whether in person or virtually.
Partnership and Path to Victory
The reason for the meeting was for the Democratic leaders to strategize and discuss the partnership between the state leaders and the top Democrat in the county, as well as discuss the path to victory in November, as ultimately defeating former President Donald Trump is the chief aim of the party.
Emphasis on Electing Democrats Across the Board
Maintaining party victory in the White House is one thing, but it is not enough to implement Democratic priorities if co-partisans also do not win statewide and Congressional elections as well.
Biden Campaign Expresses Need to Elect Party Members Up and Down Ticket as Well
The Biden campaign emphasized, “The meeting also focused on the importance of electing Democrats up and down the ballot to deliver more Democratic governors and more Democratic majorities in Congress and statehouses across the country.”
Candid Discussion and Support
Maryland Governor Wes Moore told reporters that the governors present at the meeting were “honest” and “candid” with President Biden and the others present at the meeting. They did not gloss over the serious concerns they hold and are hearing from others in their political spheres.
Moore concluded, “We said we will stand with him. The president has always had our backs; we’re going to have his back as well.”
Pledged Support from Governors
New York Governor Hochul reiterated that all governors in attendance, more than 20, “pledged our support” to Biden’s continued reelection efforts. A top contender to run for president now or in 2028, Governor Gretchen Whitmer took to X to convey her takeaways. She wrote, “Joe Biden is our nominee. He is in it to win it, and I support him.”
Vice President Harris’s Role
Vice President Kamala Harris also attended the meeting and is currently the most likely choice to replace Biden if he should step aside. Harris spoke at the meeting, emphasizing the need for party unity in the current critical moment.
Criticism from Republicans
As the Democratic governors wrapped up their strategic meeting, the Republican Governors spokesman Courtney Alexander called the meeting “out of touch” and stated, “Democrats across the country, including Biden allies, are now openly advocating for President Biden to suspend his campaign, but Democrat governors are still in the denial stage of the grieving process.”
Generational Considerations and Future Strategy
While the Democratic governors might be standing united behind their elder statesman, many other Democrats of a newer generation are considering if the deferential and patient norms of the past are the best strategic position for the current day.
Rep. Seth Moulton, a Democrat from Massachusetts, stated that he is “Taking time to seriously consider the best strategy for Democrats to win this election. When your current strategy isn’t working, it’s rarely the right decision to double down. President Biden is not going to get younger.”
