“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.