Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D-MI) explained her reticence to serve as President Joe Biden’s running mate and took a dig at Gov. Kristi Noem (R-SD) for a story the Republican governor included in her new book.
During a sitdown with the Michigan Advance, the Democratic governor said, “No. 1, I’ve never executed an animal.” The comment was likely a jab at Noem for including a story in her book about shooting a 14-month-old dog because it was “dangerous.” Noem’s account sparked outrage, prompting Whitmer to make a promise as she prepares to release her own book on July 9. She reassured Michigan that “there are no stories like that in my book. “
“But obviously, the process is such that if you’re putting your name on something, you better be able to back everything up in it. And so I take that seriously both as a mom, as a human being, as a governor, and as a lawyer,” the Michigan governor said.
Whitmer also explained a spot on Biden’s vice presidential short list “was never something that I was auditioning for.” At one point, Whitmer said she “asked to be taken out of consideration” entirely.
“It was when the Midland flooding happened,” Whitmer noted, remembering the May 2020 disaster that devastated Michigan. “I was feeling very overwhelmed that I needed to lead through a pandemic and then through this incredible challenge in going through that intensive [vice presidential vetting] process, too.”
Whitmer said that at the time, she told Biden she didn’t want to be on his short list anymore, but she agreed to stay on only after his urging.
“I asked to be taken out, and the president asked me to stay in,” she said. “And after 24 hours, I agreed to stay in the process.”
Whitmer said she was “happy” Biden did not ask her to be vice president, adding, “My whole family was very relieved that he didn’t ask me to be his running mate.”
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When asked if she would consider taking a post in the Biden administration, should Biden win reelection, Whitmer said no.
“I’m going to stay in my position as governor until the end of my term,” the governor said. Whitmer’s term doesn’t end until two years after the next president begins his term in the White House.
