Joe Biden worked to reassure nearly 200 mayors Tuesday that he was up to the challenges of a second term — just as a Colorado lawmaker became the first Democratic senator to publicly express doubts about the president’s electability.
Biden opened the 45 minute Zoom call with members of the Democratic Mayors Association by admitting he flubbed his debate against Donald Trump nearly two weeks ago.
“He acknowledged that he needs to do better and will do better,” San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria said in an interview, adding that the conversation was “very encouraging.”
Gloria and several other mayors on the call projected confidence in Biden even as Sen. Michael Bennett (D-Colo.) broke the post-debate silence that had enveloped his caucus by saying on CNN that Trump was on track to win by a potential “landslide.”
Still, many of the mayors’ own comments about the conversation struck a tone of somewhat anxious reassurance.
“I know there has been a lot of chatter about the President’s performance in the debate, and the President himself has said he had a bad debate,” Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson wrote in a letter to constituents describing the meeting. “Having spoken to the president just now, I can tell you he is ready, willing, and able to take on and defeat Donald Trump.”
Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg also tried to project calm, describing the 81-year-old president as having “a lot of strength” and “really good energy.”
“He was relaxed. He was strong, voice was strong. He would have gone longer, I’m sure,” Steinberg told POLITICO in an interview.
The mayors asked Biden questions about his plans for a second term. The president vowed to restore Roe v. Wade and protect democracy. He also listed his administration’s policy accomplishments in areas like housing, education and public safety.
“We’re going to make sure that we focus on the things that affect people in my city in Wilmington, Delaware, my hometown, as well as yours,” Biden told the mayors, according to a campaign spokesperson.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Boston Mayor Michelle We also released statements promising continued support for Biden.
Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego, who introduced Biden during the call as the head of the mayors’ group, said in a statement that their cities “have thrived” under the Democratic administration while former President Trump unleashed “chaos and fear” during his time in office.
Biden has spent the past few days telling Democrats he is the only one to beat Trump as several House members from his party asked him to show that he is still mentally and physically up to the job.
Before talking to the mayors, he delivered a forceful speech at the NATO summit in Washington.
Emily Ngo, Dustin Gardiner and Kelly Garrity contributed to this report.
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