Massachusetts governor encourages Biden to 'carefully evaluate' whether he can beat Trump

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey became the first Democratic governor on Friday to encourage President Joe Biden to "carefully evaluate" whether he was the party's best chance at beating former President Donald Trump.

Several dozen Democratic governors, including Healey, met with the president in a roundtable on Wednesday to discuss the best path forward after his debate performance last week. Although most came out of the meeting appearing more confident in his ability to lead the country, Healey's comment comes as cracks appear in Democratic support for Biden.

The governor said she would be supportive of whatever Biden decided to do, and would remain focused on beating Trump, but urged the president to listen to the public.

“I know he agrees this is the most important election of our lifetimes," Healey said of Biden in a statement to CNN. "The best way forward right now is a decision for the president to make. Over the coming days, I urge him to listen to the American people and carefully evaluate whether he remains our best hope to defeat Donald Trump."

Biden has attempted to dispel the discontent over his debate performance, and concerns regarding his mental and physical ability to lead the country for another four years, by hitting the campaign trail and claiming he was exhausted from traveling internationally in June. But some remain skeptical after the president said he needs to get more sleep and work fewer hours, according to the New York Times.

Healey's concern also comes after two House Democrats called for the president to drop out of the race this week. If Biden does eventually withdraw, Democrats can hold an open convention in August, which has not been used to pick a nominee since the 1960s, Forbes reported. 

If an open convention does occur, all delegates that have been pledged to support Biden would be up for grabs.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just the News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.