Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said any vote not for Joe Biden in the upcoming Democratic primary effectively supports Donald Trump.
When asked about leaders like Rashida Tlaib pushing Democrats to vote “uncommitted” to protest Biden’s actions in Gaza, Whitmer acknowledged the pain felt in Michigan’s Arab/Muslim and Jewish communities over the conflict.
“One of the tests of what is going to happen in November could come in this primary on Tuesday,” Dana Bash said. “And the question is, how deep Democratic divisions are over a lot of issues, the biggest of which I think in your state is the war in Gaza. Some of the leaders, very vocal, respected leaders inside your state, Rashida Tlaib is one of them, they’re pushing Democrats to vote uncommitted on Tuesday, instead of voting for President Biden, in order to send a message and to protest what the president is doing. This is a real serious campaign by people like Rashida Tlaib and others.”
Gov. @gretchenwhitmer tells @DanaBashCNN “I'm not sure what we're going to see on Tuesday” amid a push by some Democrats to vote “uncommitted” in Michigan’s primary to protest President Biden’s handling of the war in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/bQF7ugXnOh
— State of the Union (@CNNSOTU) February 25, 2024
“How many uncommitted votes do you think we’re going to see on Tuesday?” she asked. “How worried are you?”
She argued another Trump term would be devastating domestically and foreign policy-wise, as he promoted a Muslim ban.
“Well, I’m not sure what we’re going to see on Tuesday, to tell you the truth. I can tell you this, that Michigan has been so fortunate to be the home of a robust Arab, Muslim, Palestinian community and a robust Jewish community. We have lived in harmony as neighbors for decades. And there’s a lot of pain all across all of these communities because of what’s happening halfway around the world,” Whitmer said.
While understanding the pain, Whitmer encouraged affirmatively voting for Biden, saying the primary stakes are high.
She vowed to continue building bridges across communities important to both Michigan and Biden.
“I know that we have got this primary, and we will see differences of opinion. I just want to make the case, though, that it’s important not to lose sight of the fact that any vote that’s not cast for Joe Biden supports a second Trump term. A second Trump term would be devastating, not just on fundamental rights, not just on our democracy here at home, but also when it comes to foreign policy,” she added.
“This was a man who promoted a Muslim ban. This is, I think, a very high-stakes moment. I am encouraging people to cast an affirmative vote for President Biden. I understand the pain that people are feeling. And I will continue to work to build bridges with folks in all of these communities, because they’re all important to me, they’re all important to Michigan, and I know they’re all important to President Biden as well.”
