Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) believes that President Joe Biden is still the best bet for the Democrats to defeat former President Donald Trump.
During an appearance on ABC’s “The View” Tuesday, the governor was asked if Biden is “doing enough to alleviate” concerns about his age, and if he is the best candidate to beat Trump.
“I think so, yes, and that’s why I’m a co-chair of the Biden-Harris re-election campaign,” Whitmer responded.
She added, “I take very seriously the importance of … saying, what can we do that’ll make your life better?”
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When asked if Vice President Kamala Harris should be the one to replace Biden if he chooses to step aside, Whitmer said, “She’s vice president for a reason. And so I think that would be the natural conclusion. And I would be eager to support her as well.”
Whitmer also rejected a report that she said Michigan was unwinnable for Biden.
Co-host Sunny Hostin asked, “You say Kamala is the heir apparent — would you run as her vice president?”
“I have never looked at opportunities in Washington, D.C., with a lot of excitement… I’ll never say never, but that’s not something that I am angling for,” Whitmer responded.\
Biden is facing growing calls to step aside after a disastrous debate performance, which raised fresh concerns about his age and whether he will be able to defeat Trump in the election.
Axios reported on Sunday at least four senior House Democrats said in a call with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) they believe Biden should step aside.
However, in a defiant letter on Monday, Biden said, “I want you to know that despite all the speculation in the press and elsewhere, I am firmly committed to staying in this race, to running this race to the end, and to beating Donald Trump.”
“I have had extensive conversations with the leadership of the party, elected officials, rank and file members, and most importantly, Democratic voters over these past 10 days or so,” he continued. “I have heard the concerns that people have — their good faith fears and worries about what is at stake in this election. I am not blind to them. Believe me.”
After noting he won the primary, Biden asked, “Do we now just say this process didn’t matter? That the voters don’t have a say?”
“I decline to do that. I feel a deep obligation to the faith and the trust the voters of the Democratic Party have placed in me to run this year. It was their decision to make. Not the press, not the pundits, not the big donors, not any selected group of individuals, no matter how well intentioned,” he continued. “The voters – and the voters alone – decide the nominee of the Democratic Party. How can we stand for democracy in our nation if we ignore it in our own party? I cannot do that. I will not do that.”
