Biden Meeting With Democratic Governors About Reelection Run

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Facts

  • US Pres. Joe Biden was set Wednesday to meet with several Democratic governors to discuss his reelection campaign amid growing concerns about his capacity to stay in the race following last week’s debate with former Pres. Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee.1
  • Among the nine who traveled to the White House were Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore. Multiple other governors will join virtually.2
  • Biden’s debate performance caused concern among elected Democrats, donors, and the media, with Rep. Lloyd Doggett (Texas) on Tuesday becoming the first Democratic lawmaker to publicly call on the 81-year-old to withdraw.3
  • Wednesday’s meeting will allow Biden to give concerned governors a face-to-face answer on how he plans to keep his campaign afloat. The governors also reportedly want Biden to do more to reassure the public of his electoral viability.2
  • Biden reportedly doubled down Wednesday on his commitment to stay in the race, telling staffers, 'I am running.' The White House press secretary squashed rumors Biden was considering pulling out, and VP Kamala Harris also told staffers she's fully behind her running mate.4
  • Despite concerns about his age, Biden attributed his poor debate performance to jet lag, claiming he was “traveling around the world a couple of times” before the event. He'll give his first public interview since the debate Friday when he's scheduled to tape a sit-down with ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos.5

Sources: 1New York Times, 2ABC News, 3CBS, 4NBC and 5BBC News.

Narratives

  • Democratic narrative, as provided by Baltimore Sun. While Biden has exhibited normal signs of aging, it's important for Democrats to unite around him and focus all their efforts on preventing a second Trump term. Biden's administration has pushed many policies that help the American people, and his party can’t betray him now. Biden will be the Democratic nominee, and all resources should be devoted to helping him, not replacing him.
  • Republican narrative, as provided by American Conservative. Biden’s cognitive decline has been obvious for years, yet the Democrats refused to hold a legitimate primary, denying voters the opportunity to select a new candidate. Now, they're looking to replace Biden in a secretive process involving party insiders and governors. After years of claiming to fight for democracy, the Democratic Party seems to have cast it aside.
  • Narrative C, as provided by Time. It's about time Democrats put their strong personal affinity for Biden aside and acknowledge that it's time for a new leader. Biden’s debate performance confirmed the uncomfortable truth about his mental decline, and polls show he's unlikely to beat Trump. Democrats stood behind Biden as long as they could, but it's time to move on with a new nominee.

Predictions