WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The Biden campaign is scrambling to reassure key allies President Joe Biden is fit for office after his debate performance kicked off a frenzy among Democrats.
Multiple governors, including Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, California Governor Gavin Newsom and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear have all traveled to D.C. to sit down with the president in person.
While publicly they are backing the president, Pritzker for one says he and the public need to hear more directly from the president.
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre says the president also held a call with top Democrats on Capitol Hill.
“They were strong conversations, that’s something the president told me and my team directly,” said Jean-Pierre.
For some the damage is already done.
“We have to have another choice,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas.).
Tuesday Texas Congressman Lloyd Doggett became the first sitting Democratic lawmaker to publicly call for the president to step aside.
He warns he’s not the only one with doubts after seeing the debate and is calling on others to speak out.
“We can’t afford that risk and we should be seeking a stronger alternative than we have from President Biden, despite his many accomplishments,” said Biden.
The DNC chair brushed off polling showing President Biden trailing Donald Trump and asked party members to pump the breaks and stay focused to beat Trump in November.
In Michigan, First Lady Jill Biden doubled down.
“Joe is the Democratic nominee and he is going to beat Donald Trump just like he did in 2020,” said Jill Biden.
That was the same message the president delivered on a campaign call Wednesday afternoon with staff, alongside Vice President Kamala Harris.