Source: Gov. Pritzker joined call with governors about Biden’s future

CHICAGO — Since his widely panned debate performance, prominent Democratic officials have mostly stood behind President Biden in public. But in private, skepticism is growing.

On Monday, Democratic governors discussed Biden on a call organized by Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. A source tells WGN-TV that Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker participated in the call. The call was first reported by CNN.

Among those who have gone public with their concerns is Rep. Mike Quigley (D-Illinois).

“President Biden has been one of the most successful presidents in my lifetime,” he said in a Tuesday interview on ‘CNN This Morning.’ “But obviously the debate night was more than a bad night, and that does have implications for all the elections that take place in November.”

Although Quigley is worried Biden might drag down Democrats running for Congress, he said it’s up to the president whether or not he should stop aside.

“This has to be President Biden’s decision and his decision alone,” he said.

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) on Tuesday became the first House Democrat to publicly urge Biden to remove himself from the 2024 race. Former Ohio congressman and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Ryan has stated the same. In a Newsweek op-ed , Ryan wrote: “I love America. I love our Party. I love Joe Biden. The Democratic Nominee in 2024 should be Kamala Harris.”

A new CNN poll finds Harris within striking distance of Republican Donald Trump. In a hypothetical matchup, 47 percent of voters back Trump while 45 percent Harris. And in that same poll, three-quarters of voters say Democrats would have a better shot winning with someone other than Biden at the top of the ticket.

There was strong pushback Tuesday from the White House.

“He had a cold and a bad night,” said Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre. “He understands that he’s not a young man, obviously, he said that. … He knows how to do the job and he knows how to do the job not because he says it because his record proves it.”

To shore up support among anxious party leaders, Biden plans to hold a meeting with Democratic governors on Wednesday, some in person and some virtually. He’s scheduled to do a network TV interview from the campaign trail on Friday.

The campaign and the Democratic National Committee report raising $264 million in the second quarter fundraising period, while former President Trump and Republicans raised $331 million.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.