Staff Reports
Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the darling of the Democratic Party in Michigan, must be quite the actress. Despite the rampant speculation about her being the Dems’ backup plan if Biden keels over, she insists she doesn’t enjoy seeing her name floated as a potential replacement. It’s hard to imagine anyone believing that a politician doesn’t crave the limelight, but hey, Hollywood’s got nothing on politics for its drama.
During a chatty pre-launch interview with the Associated Press, Whitmer was busy promoting her new memoir – the kind of vanity project one assumes is meant to keep her in the news. The memoir highlights her dubious honor of clashing with former President Donald Trump and the plot to kidnap her, a story she’s milked for all it’s worth. But don’t let the book promotion fool you into thinking she’s plotting a presidential bid just yet. She quashed the rumors that she would swoop in if the flailing Biden decided to bow out.
Whitmer complains about ‘distraction’ of speculation she could replace Biden ⬇️ Read more https://t.co/WBrCJErP6l
— Ailin Vilches (@AilinVilches) July 9, 2024
Whitmer calls the speculation a “distraction,” claiming she’s laser-focused on governing and campaigning for the Dem ticket. Funny how distractions always seem to find her just when she’s got a book to sell. Since Sleepy Joe’s dismal debate performance, whispers of Whitmer as a presidential replacement have become more than just idle chit-chat.
The governor, known for playing the victim card, previously made headlines back in 2013 when she ditched her Senate remarks to share a deeply personal story about being raped in college. This move catapulted her into the national spotlight, and since then, she’s been a champion for abortion access – a major Dem talking point, especially as Biden continues to fumble on just about every issue.
Biden, despite being a walking gaffe-machine, has reassured the American people that he’s sticking around for the 2024 race. Whitmer has been quick to defend him, attributing his debate flop to a rare off day, even though many might say he’s been a bit off for a while now. Whitmer chalked up the rumor that Biden can’t carry Michigan to a jab from a potential future opponent’s team – a classic case of passing the buck in political circles.
Despite the governor’s confident social media declarations, the truth remains that Michigan is very much in play. Biden is barely holding on with a razor-thin 0.8-point lead over Trump, according to recent polls. Whitmer can huff and puff all she wants, but with the election season heating up, it’s clear the Dems are in for a rocky road in the Rust Belt.
