Michigan Democrats are split on Whitmer's pledge to compromise with Republicans
Some Michigan Democratic leaders I spoke to at Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's State of State Wednesday told me the governor is "meeting the moment." A number of Democrats said her speech missed the mark.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer made clear Wednesday she’s comfortable reaching across the aisle.
Her willingness to do so is making some members of her own party uncomfortable.
The governor made direct appeals to Republicans on a number of issues last night. She stated a desire to work with them to boost housing, lower costs and cut red tape. She talked about solving the male gender gap in home buying and college enrollment. And she thanked U.S. House Republicans Lisa McClain and John James for their work supporting Macomb County’s Selfridge Air National Guard Base.
Whitmer said she spoke about supporting a fighter mission at the air base with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth Saturday in DC, where she ate dinner with Trump hours after Michigan Democrats met for their annual spring convention.
“Yes, I do hope to find common ground with President Trump and work with the Democratic Senate and Republican House on our shared priorities,” Whitmer said Wednesday during her remarks. “I’m not looking for fights, but I won’t back down from them either.”
Republican leaders I talk to seemed cautiously optimistic, while some liberal advocates, elected Democrats and their voters expressed disappointment. At the core of the discomfort within Michigan’s Democratic Party is the perceived corporate influence over party leaders and the debate over Israel’s war in Gaza.
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