Joe Biden will hold a meeting with Democratic governors at the White House on Wednesday night in an effort to reassure them after Biden’s disastrous debate with President Trump last Thursday, the White House announced on Tuesday. Democratic governors reportedly held a conference call on Monday and rejected a suggestion to meet with Kamala Harris, saying they needed to hear from Biden himself. The meeting will be a combination of on-site meetings and video conferencing.
California Governor Gavin Newsom plans to fly in to attend in person. After last week’s debacle at the Atlanta debate, Newsom expressed his loyal support for Biden in the spin room.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear told CNN on Tuesday that he wanted Biden to “tell us more about your performance.”
From the Kentucky Lantern:
Beshear noted on CNN that he and Brown, the daughter of late Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr., are both from Kentucky and are known for their Southern hospitality. Tao involves asking with concern how others are doing.
“When you meet someone, the first thing you ask is ‘How are you?’ Often we get too much information in the response,” Beshear said. “It’s something we’re used to talking about. Now, it’s part of our culture. So, I don’t think just saying, ‘Tell us more about your performance’ is an attack on the White House or the president — he’s a good man, a Good people.
Beshear’s comments came after the governor told reporters on Monday that he planned to support Biden, 81, as long as he remains in the presidential race.
The White House announced Tuesday night that Biden’s schedule for Wednesday includes meeting with Kamala Harris for a national security briefing and then lunch. A meeting with the governors is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. ET, followed by a Medal of Honor ceremony. (KJP briefs the media at 1:30.)
The Medal of Honor ceremony is Biden’s only public appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
11:30 a.m. The President receives the Presidential Daily Brief; the Vice President attends.
oval office
Behind closed doors
12:15 PM President and Vice President have lunch
President’s private dining room
Behind closed doors
4:45 p.m. President speaks at Medal of Honor ceremony at White House
East Hall
Pre-certified media and television collection
6:30 p.m. President meets with Democratic governors
Roosevelt Room
Behind closed doors
Briefing timetable
Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre holds a press conference at 1:30 p.m.
Excerpt from CBS News report:
President Joe Biden plans to hold a meeting with Democratic governors on Wednesday, CBS News has learned, as the White House and his reelection campaign work to solidify support for him after a poor performance in last week’s debate.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, will travel to the White House for the meeting. Some governors plan to attend in person, while others will attend virtually.
… The meeting with the governor was noteworthy because so far it has been primarily Mr. Biden’s top aides and advisers who have reached out to elected Democrats to reassure them after his debate performance. Members of the Democratic Governors Association reportedly held a conference call on Monday to discuss ongoing reactions to last week’s debate and widespread concerns among state CEOs that Mr. Biden has had little engagement with governors, especially during a campaign year. People schedule calls.
The Biden campaign had been trying to schedule a time for Vice President Harris to speak with governors, but the governors decided Monday they wanted to hear directly from the president.
“They want to hear from him directly before they stand up for him again,” a source familiar with the matter said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, widely considered a candidate to replace Biden, will attend:
some news from @Click_CA: Gov. Gavin Newsom will travel to the White House tomorrow for a governor’s meeting “and to stand with the president.”
—Christopher Caldelago (@ccadelago) July 3, 2024
Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers does not plan to attend the meeting:
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers did not participate in a conference call with Democratic governors yesterday and does not plan to participate in a conference call tomorrow, according to an Evers spokesman.
She said he tentatively plans to attend an event President Joe Biden is scheduled to hold in Madison on Friday. https://t.co/kL2TpX0jSj
— Molly Beck (@MollyBeck) July 2, 2024
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro will appear virtually at:
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro reportedly plans to join President Biden’s meeting with Democratic administration virtually @manuel_bonder
“Governor Shapiro will remain in Pennsylvania tomorrow to continue working with Democratic and Republican leaders in the Legislature to reach a budget agreement.”
— Julia Manchester (@JuliaMach) July 2, 2024
Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs will also:
renew: @governorhobbs She will participate in a (virtual) meeting with President Biden and governors on Wednesday, according to her office and campaign. https://t.co/ECZZf65ihf
— Stacy Chenger (@sbar Chenger) July 2, 2024
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker:
government. @JBPritzker He will join other Democratic governors in a meeting with President Joe Biden on Wednesday to discuss the debate drama that has engulfed the presidential race. Pritzker will attend virtually.
— Shia Kapos (@ShiaKapos) July 2, 2024
renew:Pritzker is now attending in person. Pritzker is one of the leading Democrats who, along with Newsom, has been considered a possible alternative to Biden if Kamala Harris is not accepted:
Just entered: Confirmed. Illinois @GovPritzker Meeting @JoeBiden Meeting with other Democratic governors in person at the White House Wednesday night after debate failure
— Lynn Sweet (@lynnsweet) July 3, 2024
Biden is trying to resist calls for him to drop out of the race to save Democrats from facing a crushing defeat in November.
