Why Gretchen Whitmer's stock is rising with Team Biden

[RandySF]

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s rising profile during the coronavirus pandemic has boosted her stock with Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, with some allies making the case that she would make a perfect running mate for the former vice president.

Whitmer has been in the spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic fighting to get her state — which has the fourth most coronavirus infections in the country — the medical resources it needs.

Biden allies, including major donors and longtime advisers, say they like her combative approach to President Trump coupled with her calm, well-spoken demeanor.

Whitmer’s stock is also rising because she governs a state Democrats saw slip away in 2016. Biden scored a huge victory over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in the Michigan primary, and Democrats are desperate to win the state back in the 2020 general election.

“There’s been a lot of talk about her internally,” said one source close to the campaign. “She has impressed a lot of people the past few weeks.”



https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/491049-why-gretchen-whitmers-stock-is-rising-with-team-biden

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I like her a lot. I'm not sure she wants it, though. n/t

[denem]

2. Governor devotes less time to critical health emergency

to run for higher office? No on.

[The Magistrate]

3. Something Does Seem A Touch Off About It, Ma'am

A shame, though, because she does seem to have the right stuff in spades....

[jmowreader]

4. She'd have to campaign in a whole new way

Because of the coronavirus, the traditional campaign process where the two candidates stop doing everything and just give speech after speech to rally after rally will not happen this time.

My recommendation is for the campaign to send a pro-quality video camera and some LED lighting panels, an operator, a lighting person and a makeup artist to Lansing to create daily Five Minutes with Gretchen YouTube videos. She's smart and well-spoken, and could definitely pull it off while also working to solve the pandemic in Michigan.

And if Trump tries to exploit this? Shoot a video of a boy's hands tweeting on a phone taped to a golf club, put it on a monitor, have Gretchen point to it, and simply say "When President Trump isn't making things worse, this is what he's doing: Tweeting and golfing."

[ecstatic]

5. The timing doesn't work. We're in a global pandemic and Michigan

is currently number 3 in cases?

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

6. She is totally qualified for a higher office...

I’ve mentioned to my wife that if Governor Whitmer was the VP on the winning Democratic ticket she would probably be the first woman president in 2024.

She is my governor so I’m a little biased...I don’t think she’ll take the job if offered during this pandemic and she would be sorely missed but I’d wish her the best of luck.

Our Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist is a very capable replacement.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. She is a strong candidate

My suspicion is that anyone floated as the VP nominee is not the VP nominee because that is the historical trend. Gore, Quayle, Biden, even Cheney (selecting himself) were surprises.

If you don't like one of the former presidential candidates (Harris, Klobuchar, Warren) as the nominee because they remain also-rans, and if you don't like sitting governors because they are managing state crises, you have a wider, lesser known field.

My guess remains that Biden will not go for anyone other than those above, or former Senators and Governors. Representatives don't have the national C.V. or executive experience in government. And Biden will choose someone from government. I doubt very very much he would select someone from the field of business after the current Trump debacle. Business people have no business running governments.

So from my dim corner, unless someone can point to an outside-Senate, outside-sitting governor candidate, my gut remains on Amy.

[Dem4Life1102]

8. Experience doesn't matter in electoral politics.

And never has.

The selection needs to be someone who will enhance the ticket as much as possible. Someone that can help flip swing states, attract more progressive voters and energize the minority voters. There are several great choices to do that, both in and out of government at all levels. None of which should be disqualified based on experience. Any argument on experience will only benefit Trump.

[bucolic_frolic]

9. Good, then you and I are qualified

Where do we apply?

[Dem4Life1102]

10. If we could help flip a swing state, we are

And I've sure we would both be more competent than the current occupant of the Oval Office.

[Dopers_Greed]

11. Why are we so obsessed with pulling candidates out of critical offices in swing states?

If she became Vice President, there's a high probability a Repug would win her seat, causing even more suffering to the people of Michigan.

[honest.abe]

13. Wouldnt the Dem Lt Gov take over if Whitmer has to resign?

Would there be some sort of special election or would Lt Gov serve out her tenure?

[disndat]

12. and the winner of the VP contest is -

Dr. Jill Biden who meets all the Biden campaign criteria. LoL.

[flamingdem]

14. She would be GREAT!!

I'm impressed with Whitmer.

Biden/Whitmer 2020