Biden unites allies in effort to ease post-debate tensions

US President Joe Biden met with Democratic Party governors behind closed doors on Wednesday to address tensions within the party following his underwhelming debate performance against former President Donald Trump. Nearly all of the country’s 23 Democratic governors attended the meeting, either in person or virtually. Among them were potential replacements for Biden if he were to drop out of the campaign, such as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The meeting was not initiated by the White House but was a result of a call from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who also chairs the Democratic Governors Association, to discuss the debate. Some governors have publicly expressed concerns about Biden’s health and see the meeting as an opportunity for a candid discussion. Others, like Governor Wes Moore of Maryland, have shown their unwavering support for Biden.

The meeting generated high expectations within the Democratic Party, with even major donors like John Morgan expressing interest in the outcome. In particular, Morgan highlighted the success of Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, urging the president’s campaign to pay attention to his proposals. Overall, the meeting was seen as a crucial opportunity for the party leaders to discuss important issues and show their support for President Biden.