DEXTER, Mich. — Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer doubled down on the bizarre, new Democratic attack against Republicans — insisting Monday that GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump and his allies are “weird.”
Whitmer — who was rumored to be in the running as Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate on the Democratic ticket — explained the peculiar line of attack pioneered by Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota, whose recent description of “weird people on the other side” was an instant online hit with Dems.
“I think that my colleagues are pointing out the obvious … that the way they talk to people, the way they address people — it is bizarre. It’s weird,” Whitmer, 52, said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” Monday, before adding, “I also don’t want to diminish the fact, though, that it also presents a very real risk for us as a country.”
The no-frills messaging has also been adopted by Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Harris herself.
Whitmer has been aggressively campaigning on Harris’ behalf as a self-described “co-chair” in recent days, posting pro-Harris memes and making television appearances to support her.
The Governor, however, has repeatedly denied speculation that she will seek a vice presidential nomination.
Whitmer has shown much more willingness to stand alongside Harris, 59, than to openly support President Biden, 81, whose July rally in Detroit she skipped for a business conference.
On Sunday, Whitmer posted a meme showing a packed soccer stadium cheering on Harris and booing former President Trump, 79 — an apparent attempt to play into the gen-Z-oriented marketing of the campaign.
A day after Biden’s withdrawal from the race, Whitmer formally endorsed Harris, saying on X, “Vice President Harris has my full support and I’m proud to be co-chair of her campaign.”
The “co-chair” title seems to have carried over from the Biden campaign, which gave Whitmer the position.
On Monday, the Governor traveled to Pennsylvania to campaign alongside likely VP candidate Governor Josh Shapiro at a rally in support of Harris.
This followed a previous visit to New Hampshire, where she endorsed Harris as a defender of abortion rights.
Whitmer reiterated her support for Harris Monday morning on “Morning Joe” — as she also watered down any speculation she could be Harris’ running mate.
“I have communicated with everyone, including the campaign that I’ve made a commitment to serve out my term as Governor in Michigan,” said Whitmer.
“I can be an excellent ally to President Harris and I can be a great co-chair to the Harris campaign from my place as Governor.”
Governor Whitmer has also been traveling to promote her newly released autobiography, leading to speculation that while she is not likely a vice presidential pick in 2024, she could be using this moment to establish herself as a recognizable political personality to carry the torch for the Democrats in 2028.
In her interview with on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” Whitmer also advocated for all-female presidential tickets, saying, “two women on a ticket would be really exciting.”