Whitmer's Change of Heart??

[Barney Reinberg]

“I do understand the motivation behind the tariffs, and I can tell you here’s where President Trump and I do agree”, she said.  “We do need to make more stuff in America-More cars and chips, more steel and ships.  We do need fair trade”.  Governor Gretchen Whitmer

I’ve had a difficult time trying to understand the motivation(s) behind Whitmer’s sudden acceptance of Trump’s 2024 election win.  Seemly overnight Whitmer is more than willing to work with him to bring business, jobs and industry to Michigan. 

Just a few short months ago, Whitmer was seen as a “top of the ticket” candidate to run against Trump in the past election.  Whitmer’s name was always coming up to fill a cabinet spot in Biden’s administration.  Now our Governor is standing side by side in agreement with Trump.

Life must be a little uncomfortable for Whitmer.  There are many in her party who believe that anything Trump’s in favor of, we’re against.  Texas Rep. Jasmine Crockett spends little time on legislation and a considerable amount of time on resistance to Trump and his agenda.  Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer says it the Democratic Party’s “job” is to weaken the president’s popularity. Popular far left Democrats Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are out on their (organic crowds only) fight “the oligarchs” tour.  The oligarchs being President Trump and Elon Musk. 

Stepping too far away from the Democratic left line of resistance has its own set of consequences.  Sen. John Fetterman is currently caught in the cross hairs of his party.  “Anonymous disgruntled staffers” have called Fetterman’s mental health into question and the left is running with these unconfirmed allegations.  Fetterman has been open and candid about his health struggles.  He feels the “hit” piece is due to his unwillingness to go along with a government shutdown and his stance on Iseral.  Either way, Fetterman will likely get primaried in 2028, should he decide to run.

Washington DC is filled with Trump resistance, but Michigan has some of its own.  Namely, Attorney General Dana Nessel.  Chief law enforcer of the Whitmer administration.  Nessel spends a lot of her time suing the Trump Administration or signing onto amicus briefs with other States against Trump policy.  It must be difficult to want to work with Trump while AG Nessel is filing suits against him.  I guess one day you stand beside him and the next you hide your face behind a binder.

It's not all bad news for Whitmer on the Democratic side of the aisle.  She could have one individual who would support her efforts to work with Trump.  That person being ESPN’s reporter Stephen A Smith.  He’s a moderate Democratic voice who is making the media rounds and always having to answer the question “are you running for president?”  Smith recently commented on Rep. Jasmine Crockett and her putting resistance before legislature.  “When I hear Jasmine Crockett talking about how ‘I’m against all things and everything Trump’, is that legislating? Isn’t it an obligation that you have to come up with something?” Smith asked.  “If the other party is in office, you have to go from thinking that you’re going to get what you want if your party was in the White House and instead transitioning to ‘how can I work with the other party to get some of what I want?  Because I know I’m not going to get most of what I want because they won the election.’

Has Whitmer’s strategy been Stephen A Smith’s advice to Jasmine Crockett? Work with Trump to get what you can?  Whitmer’s term as Governor ends January 1, 2027, so there is little the “far left” can do politically.  No fear of a primary, but possibly an “unnamed disgruntled source” could stir things up.

Maybe she believes many Democratic voters are moderate and is trying to appeal to them.  These voters may see the benefits of working with President Trump. A larger moderate voting based will quell the discontented minority far left voters. Or there’s always the chance she is doing what she thinks is right and is willing to die on this hill.

Personally, I think she’s just a political animal and goes whichever way the wind is blowing.  She’s all for economic prosperity, at least that is what she says.  She has made four trips to Washington DC to promote Michigan to bring industry to this State.  She could help Muskegon and not have to leave her desk.

The Little River Band of Ottawa Indians own the land that was formally The Great Lakes Downs racetrack.  With a pen and her signature, she could clear the way for casino/resort on that parcel of land.  A much-needed economic boost for the City of Muskegon.  But that is a bridge too far for Whitmer. 

Whitmer faces little to no political backlash if she approves of the casino.  She can make a “deal” that proves she’ll work with anyone to bring economic prosperity to a community.  She can call it her own.  She does not need to stand by Trump to make this happen.  Instead, she would rather hide behind her binder.

 

 

 

[Freedom Seeker]

Good points, Barney. I agree with the "political animal blowing which ever way the wind blows ...." Also interesting build up and use of Michigan's military facilities and makes me wonder if Trump or Whitmer is the motivation?

I wish the gretch would just sign for LB in Muskegon.  What's her hold up now?

[Barney Reinberg]

The hold up?  Well, that's an article I was going to write.  Alot of research on my part.  FOIA request sent to the Governor had a 350.00 bill attached to it.  I got little to no response from local politicians on the subject.  In a nutshell, a group of Ottawa Indians (from Kent County) claim they are a tribe and want to opportunity of build a casino.  Currently, the Band are members of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and are part of the Manistee Band.  They appealed to the US Department of Interior to give them tribal status.  They have been turned down twice and Whitmer want them to take a look at it for a third time.  The Department of Interior declined this request.

There is also a potential "issue" with a Muskegon casino being bult on "off reservation" property.

I did email the Governor (after the Trump visit) about signing off on the property.  I sent it over a week ago and have yet to hear a response.

Thanks for your comments 

[Barney Reinberg]

As far the Air Base.  My son is in the National Guard.  He thinks it a great that the air base will remain open.  He's sad to see the A-10's go.  He loved seeing them on the target range while deployed to Syria.  But because the Guard leaves an air base does not mean it's not being used.  Fort Custer in Battle Creek is used for more than military exercises.

[XLFD]

Whitmer is following the lead of CA Governor Gavin Newsome, moderating herself in an attempt to cover up a couple of terms of pure progressivism in administrative actions.  Just remember what she did during COVID to hobble the state and her failure to fix the damn roads, opting instead to engage in spending mega-capital in failed (or doomed to fail) corporate welfare projects.

Trump policies are likely going to accomplish what corporate welfare couldn't, so all she has to do is step out of the way, hide behind those binders, and quit distributing communion wafers, as the state benefits from investments without having to give out billions of $$ in taxpayer money.

[Barney Reinberg]

It's been a while since I looked into this issue.  If memory serves me correctly, The Little River Band is funding the project.  It does seem to me that Fruitport Township had a comparatively small stake as well or was willing to invest in the project.  But certainly, The Little River Band is not looking for a communion wafer.

Thanks for the comment

[stump]

The way I look at is the Democrats have to get on the Trump train even if its on the back car or be left at the station. Most are so far to the left even the left is is looking to buy a ticket to get on board.