Kamala Harris urged Democratic governors to support Biden as questions about his mental fitness escalated.

Internal Party Pressure Amid Debate Debacle

In the wake of a disastrous debate performance by then-President Joe Biden against Donald Trump in June 2024, former Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a blunt and profane message to Democratic governors gathered at the White House. According to a new book, Harris told those expressing unease about publicly backing Biden, "This is about saving our f–king democracy." The meeting, held on July 3, 2024, followed mounting concerns over Biden’s cognitive state and the viability of his campaign.

Biden’s debate showing sent shockwaves through the Democratic establishment. Advisors had argued for holding the early debate, believing it would project confidence. However, Biden’s performance—marked by visible fatigue and disorientation—sparked widespread worries that he would not be able to win re-election. Donald Trump seized on these doubts, while prominent figures, including actor George Clooney, joined calls for Biden to step aside. Ultimately, Biden withdrew from the race on July 21, with Harris taking over the ticket in a shortened campaign that ended in defeat.

Governors Split as Public Support for Biden Falters

In the high-stakes meeting, New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emerged publicly to declare their support for Biden. However, the book details that several key Democratic governors, including Gavin Newsom, J.B. Pritzker, Josh Shapiro, and Gretchen Whitmer—each seen as potential successors—declined to speak out for the president. Internally, many remained skeptical of Biden’s capacity to continue, and Hochul’s claim that all governors were united reportedly fueled frustration among the group.

Harris’s attempt to salvage Biden’s campaign by pressing the nation’s Democratic governors revealed the depth of the party’s internal unease. Despite public declarations of loyalty, fissures widened as the campaign crisis deepened. After Biden’s exit, Walz was chosen as Harris’s running mate, while other governors stayed out of the spotlight.

Congress Investigates Biden’s Mental Fitness and Autopen Use

Amid the campaign turmoil, scrutiny over Biden’s health mounted in Congress. Former White House physician Kevin O’Connor, who served as Biden’s doctor, requested a delay in his scheduled testimony before the House Oversight Committee, which is investigating the president’s mental fitness and the administration’s use of autopen signature technology. O’Connor’s legal team argued that physician-patient confidentiality must be respected, while committee chair James Comer accused the White House of "stonewalling." The panel insisted O’Connor must appear, allowing objections to individual questions but not a full delay.

Questions about White House decision-making continued as former top Biden aide Neera Tanden testified she authorized autopen signatures but had little direct contact with the president. This testimony fueled Republican concerns about who held true authority in the White House during Biden’s tenure, with Comer suggesting the president’s "obvious decline" necessitated further inquiry.

The episode highlights the intersection of political and personal scrutiny at the highest levels of government. As internal party tensions and congressional investigations escalated, Democrats faced the challenge of restoring public confidence and party unity in the aftermath of a tumultuous election season.