By Staff Reporter |

In a press gaggle on Wednesday, Governor Katie Hobbs revealed a semblance of doubt about President Joe Biden’s fitness for office.

Hobbs acknowledged that the ongoing concerns over Biden’s apparently diminished cognitive functions were exacerbated by his debate performance last month.  

“There’s so much on the line in this November’s election. From the president down to our state legislative races: our fundamental freedoms, our very democracy,” said Hobbs. “And I know that Arizonans have been concerned about the president’s age, and since the debate I think those concerns are even more top of mind. And I think the president has a lot to do to assure Arizonans and Americans, and I know that he knows that is his job over the coming weeks.”

When pressed as to whether her assessment meant a withdrawal of support for the president, or preference that he step aside for another to take his place, Hobbs reassured that Biden could fulfill presidential duties a second go around should he remain the candidate.

“Joe Biden can do the job, and that’s all I’m going to say about the situation,” said Hobbs. “It’s up to the president. He’s the nominee. There’s no indication that’s going to change.”

Hobbs indicated that she would still vote for Biden because the alternative, former President Donald Trump, was too poor a choice to consider.

“I have one vote in this election just like everyone else,” said Hobbs. “To me, the choice is abundantly clear: the guy who’s trying to uphold democracy, and the guy who’s trying to tear it down.”

Hobbs had an up close and personal opportunity to assess Biden last week. She and 20 other Democratic governors convened with the president in a private meeting, wherein Politico reported Biden advising that he’d been cleared in a medical checkup following the debate.

That private meeting reportedly focused on addressing governors’ concerns of Biden’s fitness for office, a sudden and unanticipated meeting arranged shortly after Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre avoided questions from the press about Biden’s last medical exam.

The governor refused to disclose additional details of the meeting.

The remarks signal a pivot from Hobbs’ initial response to Biden’s debate performance. In an interview with media last week, Hobbs had dismissed those concerns of his cognitive abilities by remarking that she wasn’t “a fan of debates” either, a reference to her refusing to debate with former GOP opponent Kari Lake during their 2022 gubernatorial race.

“As the president himself has said, don’t compare him to the Almighty, compare him to the alternative, and by that metric the choice is abundantly clear in this race,” said Hobbs.

Since taking office, Hobbs has dedicated a significant portion of her focus into securing a Democrat majority in both the Arizona House and Senate, raising millions for the effort. Some of those funds have come from Hobbs’ controversial inaugural fund. 

Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva announced late last week that he wanted Biden to drop out of the race, though should the president choose to stay he would support.

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