Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has been touted as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential race.
However, a recent photograph published by the New York Times may have dented her prospects. The image, taken during her visit to the White House this week, has sparked a flurry of discussion and criticism.
Whitmer was in the nation's capital on Wednesday to deliver a policy speech and meet with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office to discuss Michigan's affairs. During her speech, she expressed support for some aspects of Trump's tariff policies, a stance that may not sit well with some Democrats. "Once the auto industry comes back to Michigan because Trump leveled the playing field with these tariffs, Republicans will never lose Michigan again," she said, adding, "Don't take my word on it, listen to Gretchen Whitmer, who now supports tariffs. Why? Because they work."
According to RedState, this stance is likely to ruffle feathers among Democrats who are keen to use tariffs as a weapon against Trump, disregarding any potential benefits.
The controversy deepened when Whitmer visited the White House. A photograph of her seemingly attempting to hide during the visit has drawn widespread attention and criticism. The image, which shows Whitmer with folders in front of her face, has been interpreted by many as an attempt to conceal her presence at the meeting with Trump.
The general consensus is that Whitmer's reaction was ill-judged. If she was indeed trying to hide her meeting with Trump, her actions have only served to draw more attention to it. Critics argue that she should have been more forthright about the meeting, emphasizing its importance and using it to bolster her credentials as a potential presidential candidate.
The narrative suggests that Whitmer believed the meeting would be private and was taken aback by the presence of the press. She also reportedly did not want to be seen as endorsing the executive orders signed by Trump during her visit. However, critics argue that she should have anticipated media coverage and been prepared to express her disagreement with Trump's actions openly, rather than attempting to hide.
Whitmer's actions have been interpreted by some as a sign of cowardice, reflecting a reluctance to let her Democratic base know about her meeting with Trump. This has been seen as symptomatic of a broader problem within the Democratic Party, which has painted itself into a corner with its vehement opposition to Trump, to the point where normal business interactions are viewed with suspicion.
Whitmer's presence at the White House has been described as a "disaster" by one Democratic operative who generally supports her. CNN senior reporter Edward-Isaac Dovere labeled the incident a "huge embarrassment," while CNN host Audie Cornish stated bluntly, "This does not look like the politics of resistance."
The photograph of Whitmer hiding has drawn particular ire. Critics have compared her actions to those of a child, and questioned whether she is hiding from the press or from the people of Michigan.
The incident has raised questions about the Democrats' credibility ahead of the 2028 presidential race. If Whitmer is indeed a potential candidate, her actions at the White House have done little to enhance her prospects.
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