Good discussion between Reshma Saujani and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in which she talks about what led to the viral awkwardness of her recent Oval Office meeting.
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Cowering in the corner always makes the bully go away... She absolutely should have made a scene. Now she’s on a PR campaign because she has personal ambitions.
Agreed. Perfect is the enemy of good enough. In this round of the prisoner's dilemma, we've learned what to expect from him in the next round. She won't make that mistake again. And anyone who was watching knows exactly what to expect. We should take every opportunity to expose his criminality.
Exactly! She’s my Governor, she went to DC to speak with Trump about our Great Lakes. He roped her into that White House crap she never wanted to be a part of. All you had to do was look at her face in those photos! Lordy she so wanted to be out of there.
She hasn't even admitted to screwing up, though. She's doubling down on the decision. We need people who have an unshakable backbone to lead. She's not it. And we need leaders who can read a room and learn from mistakes. I see no evidence of either.
Good point. I don't want to back a truck over her or anything for it. But you're right - I'd respect it more if she was like damn, if I had a do over. We have a long way to go until 2028, but I have to say Newsom and Big Gretch are flailing a bit and we don't have time for training wheels.
Newsom and Whitmer have taken themselves entirely out of contention for 28. At least for me. They seem to be doing okay as governors of the states, but they're not up to the task of going head to head with this regime. I had high hopes for both of them, but not anymore.
And then he says yes for the cameras and does nothing after, or worse, takes more emergency resources from MI as retribution for making him look like the asshole he is. Yeah, super smart.
I care about my state. The ice storm was horrific. She put aside the fact that it was in a very red area and asked for assistance. This is where you put aside differences because you work for ALL the people you represent.
If that’s what she was doing I admire her. I’m glad she explained it. I thought and even posted about her grouping her with Bill Maher and the rest of those who’ve recently capitulated to T’s dictatorship.
My friend in Ontario experienced the same ice storm and power was off for 3 days. They had a generator, but lost some huge branches off of their big Weeping Willow.
Given the criticism she’s faced from the far left recently, her approach is understandable. She’s navigating a difficult position, and while it may not be ideal, sometimes pragmatism takes precedence. It’s worth extending her a bit of grace. Some of her critics need to take a step back & STFU.
If you work with a fascist dictator in any way, you cannot put the people first. He may grant you a favor, but you are expected to support him unquestioningly in return. If you object when he kidnaps people from your state, the next time you won’t get help.
I refuse to allow the media to spin the optics of what happened at the White House into something to destroy this amazing woman. She went there for help and got played by an evil reality show. They planned to make her look bad, and the media obliged. Trump is evil, Gretchen is not.
Trying to bring aid to her constituents is noble and is exactly what she should have done if we were in normal political times. Not seeing the ambush coming shows a lack of political instincts on her part.
She absolutely did the right thing for Michiganders. I have friends up north who had to go sleep on cots at a church because the storm took their power out. Living without power in the freezing cold is deadly. I voted for her twice and have no issue with her going to the White House.
@gretchenwhitmor.bsky.social
You are amazing, thank you! Having to look at the despicable orange peel in the face is nothing I could do.
Thank you for supporting MI!
I call bullshit. You can not find common ground with a fascist. She says either you have a seat at the table or you're on the menu. Well, guess what Gretch? You crawled to the table and you were on the menu anyway. She has lost all my respect and all my support. And I say this as a Michigander.
Yeah, this smacks a teeny bit of Mika and Joe for me. And, I'm sorry to have to say this, but, did she get Mar A Lago face? I can't unsee all of these things. I suppose if you don't ask, you don't get, but did she have to go kiss the ring in person?
Trying to be fair, but this man just ditched FEMA. If NC is a no, why would MI be a yes? This is not a normal administration, Gretchen. Thought you were smarter.
Exactly! What is she supposed to do? She was put into one of trump's 'public exhibitions of power' for many reasons, none of her own making. I give her credit for her grace and effectiveness in taking care of business, under disgusting conditions.
She got no help anyway, and anyone who's even remotely paying attention should've been able to foresee that. She allowed herself to be used as a prop to the fascist regime for, checks news one more time, not a damn thing in return. Just like every one else Trump uses.
The Governor of Maine most certainly did go to Washington to ask for money! And Mills stating that was because she wasn't going to do something he wanted, not because there was major damage and citizens without power.
(2) Gretchen Whitmer had no other choice. You tell me where she was going to get the money for repairs? The Republicans in Michigan? Fat fucking chance! And if she didn't go, how do you think Northern Michigan would vote for Governor next year? Start thinking about the long game.
The two were dealing with different problems, it doesn’t make sense to compare them. Can you imagine how many of the voters on the fence over the price of eggs would fall to the dark side if they lived without power cause she refused to even ask Trump? Her defn of public service is spot on.
Could have been an email. She is trying to make herself more palatable to Republicans for a 2028 run by showing up to lick boots. Yooper republicans will not vote for her -ever- because something something “Freedumb”.
Could've been an email.
Going hat-in-hand to ask Der Führer for something is weak.
And even if Der Führer agrees to your ask, he can and will take it away at anytime he wants.
ON A WHIM.
Asking your oppressor for help is an ego boost for him that will result in nothing for you in the end.
I wish that she wasn't term limited at this time! I don't however, agree with her latest tax plan to fix our roads by adding a 35% wholesale tax on cannabis products. I think that is a market killer that will just push people back to the black market instead.
I might be in the minority, but I’m really disappointed in her decision to do this - and I live in Michigan and voted for her. While I understand she had good intentions, she got played by the Trump regime and it only served to help normalize a fascist dictator. These are not normal times.
She needn't worry, it will be another's Democrat's day in the box sooner than later.
Pro tip: The "be kind" messages don't include being kind to Democrats, they've been exempted and it's open season! "Come one come all, so many Democrats to demean, so little time. Reminds me of "punch the hippie".
Some folks with summer homes found their roofs destroyed by fallen trees. No gas stations open to purchase gas for generators. Homeowners unable to reach trapped pets because of trees and power lines across roads. Motels filled to capacity with utility workers.
They still show the national news on TV every night south of Michigan- which is also flyover country.
There are so many commercials that we tape them. There are only about 15 minutes of actual program per half-hour of air time per network.
What a weak answer. She got played by them. Also, time and time again, people are nice to the orange beast, and he still stabs them in the back.. so what's to say he will even follow through with the "help" he promised her.
Trump does not respect women, he uses & abuses them & has been that way for decades. She likely stated her case, explained the disaster the people are facing etc but the fact is…it’s a blue state, she’s a strong woman and no matter what she said to solicit his help…
he doesn’t care.
It's a no for me. It wasn't awkwardness. It was weakness and allowing herself to be used as a prop. Her decision to stay after it became clear she had been manipulated was a choice she'll never live down. And after all that, what did she actually get for her state?
All america had to do was HONOUR it's constitution, specifically #Amendment14_3 that had DISQUALIFIED INSURECTIONIST TRAITOR Tdump,. Vampzz allGop since,all cabinet as soon as sworn in as they immediately aid an insurectionist.
End this disqualified illegitimate ILLEGAL PRESIDUNCY. #ENFORCE14_3
It's positively ludicrous to think about sociopathic misogynistic rapist would grant Michigan relief. It feels like groveling, and we all need leadership, not acquiescence.
Have no need to hear from Whitmer any longer. Who can trust her now after her getting caught trying to slick-slink around with fascists behind closed doors?
"I was doing it for my constituents" isn't a genuine excuse because plenty of other governors haven't and won't do that (see "Pritzker, JB")
What did we get?
What do you have to show for that groveling?
Did he follow through on whatever mercurial promise he made to help MI or are you just trusting him to pay up? 😂
Be sure to tell us what Michiganders got out of this & what/who you sacrificed to get it.
I doubt it was just your dignity.
Trump used the opportunity, as abusers will, to turn her visit into something it wasn't for his own benefit. He's always cunning and plotting. I don't blame her and I suspect neither do her constituents who know her well
Comments
If you work with a fascist dictator in any way, you cannot put the people first. He may grant you a favor, but you are expected to support him unquestioningly in return. If you object when he kidnaps people from your state, the next time you won’t get help.
And I say this as a fan of Whitmer.
Suppose your party !!!
You are amazing, thank you! Having to look at the despicable orange peel in the face is nothing I could do.
Thank you for supporting MI!
He demands loyalty, he doesn't give a single shit about anything or anyone else
https://www.petoskeynews.com/story/news/regional/2025/04/14/icstorm-recovery-continues-as-whitmer-seeks-presidential-emergency-declaration-for-northern-michigan/83088107007/#
Big Gretch could've, you know, told the 🟠🤡, "I'll see you in court!" like Janet Mills.
Going hat-in-hand to ask Der Führer for something is weak.
And even if Der Führer agrees to your ask, he can and will take it away at anytime he wants.
ON A WHIM.
Asking your oppressor for help is an ego boost for him that will result in nothing for you in the end.
She is lovely without the red lipstick.
Pro tip: The "be kind" messages don't include being kind to Democrats, they've been exempted and it's open season! "Come one come all, so many Democrats to demean, so little time. Reminds me of "punch the hippie".
I did not even know about the ice storm disaster in Michigan.
There are so many commercials that we tape them. There are only about 15 minutes of actual program per half-hour of air time per network.
he doesn’t care.
End this disqualified illegitimate ILLEGAL PRESIDUNCY. #ENFORCE14_3
She was going to DC to ask Trump for help.
"I was doing it for my constituents" isn't a genuine excuse because plenty of other governors haven't and won't do that (see "Pritzker, JB")
What do you have to show for that groveling?
Did he follow through on whatever mercurial promise he made to help MI or are you just trusting him to pay up? 😂
Be sure to tell us what Michiganders got out of this & what/who you sacrificed to get it.
I doubt it was just your dignity.