Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer took a prime speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention, just before Vice President Kamala Harris’s acceptance speech. Whitmer used this opportunity to praise Harris, highlighting her as someone who understands the challenges of everyday Americans, is qualified to lead in a crisis, and can get stuff done.
Kamala Harris knows who she is fighting for, Whitmer said. She gets us. She sees us. She is us.
Whitmer contrasted Harris with former President Donald Trump, portraying him as out of touch and unfit to handle crises. She emphasized Harris’s toughness and ability to lead effectively, calling her “tough, tested, and a total badass.
Whitmer, who has been a strong defender of abortion rights and gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic, won her reelection in 2022 by a significant margin. This led to speculation about her potential role in national politics, especially when there were doubts about President Biden seeking reelection. However, Whitmer quickly announced her support for Harris and ruled out any interest in being her running mate.
Whitmer’s straightforward and effective style of governance is reflected in the choice of Harris’s running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who shares a similar approach. Both governors focus on practical initiatives, such as expanding Medicaid and providing free school meals, aimed at making tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Harris, now campaigning for president, is following a similar path. She has shifted her focus from ambitious reforms to more specific, achievable goals, like increasing funding for child care and controlling drug prices, which align with the practical, results-oriented politics championed by Whitmer and Walz.
Whitmer made it clear that she sees Harris as a Democrat who is committed to making a real difference in people’s lives, just as she and Walz have done in their respective states.
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