Whitmer releases official statement after Trump shooting

https://www.wlns.com/news/whitmer-releases-official-statement-after-trump-shooting/

40 comments

  1. >“The shooting of former President Trump was a disgusting act of violence that caps off an alarming, years-long trend in our politics. There have been incidents we all know: a shooting at a practice for the Congressional baseball game, the plot to kidnap and kill me, the storming of the Capitol, and an in-home assault on the former Speaker of the House’s husband.

    >“Behind all these incidents is rhetoric. We have seen calls to hate, harm, or jail political opponents. Violent conspiracies from the seediest corners of the internet have become incorporated into stump speeches. We have lost the plot when it comes to the way we talk to each other and about each other.

    >“No matter your age, you have been impacted by this trend. This vitriol has infiltrated our lives. It’s broken relationships and marriages; friendships and families. Almost everyone can think of someone they don’t talk to anymore because of politics. I’ve met with Michiganders across the state who are living these consequences every day. There’s just a deep-rooted sense of anger and distrust.

    >“I’m also thinking of our kids. First-time voters in this year’s election were born in 2006. Think of what they have seen. Imagine what they must think about our politics. Is it a hopeful, inspiring arena where you can argue passionately for what you believe in? No. For much of their lives, politics has been dark, defined by worsening rhetoric and violence. It is no surprise that they remain cynical or pessimistic about the future. We need their passion and energy to move us forward, but we risk extinguishing it with our words and actions.

    >“We know that even at its best, American politics is contentious. We are a proud, opinionated people with strong feelings about our respective visions for the country. It is one of our greatest strengths. But we must remember that while we stand on different sides of the aisle, we all want the same things. Our kids go to the same schools. We shop at the same stores. We live in the same towns and cities. If you love your country, you love your countrymen and women. That’s the deal.

    >“We should heed the words of President Lincoln who reminded us that, “We are not enemies, but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.” He was right. We can argue but we must center our common humanity. We must. We cannot forget the values that make us strong. We are a shining beacon of democracy and freedom in the world because we settle our stark differences at the ballot box. That’s what we do.

    >“I am a fundamentally optimistic, hopeful person. I remain that way because I know, in my core, that we are a nation of good, kind people. We got ourselves here, and we can get ourselves out. It begins and ends with us. We all have a role to play. We all choose whether to jump into an argument and make it personal, bitter, or extreme. We choose how we treat those we disagree with whether it’s on Facebook or in-person. We choose the news we consume—content that riles us up, fed to us by an algorithm designed to keep us scrolling. We choose these things.

    >“Instead, let’s choose to move forward, together. Let’s chart a better path for our politics. If you see unproductive words designed to tear us apart, call them out, no matter who they come from. Hold each other accountable, even in our own party. Let’s show our kids that the nation they will inherit is one worthy of their love. Call a relative you haven’t spoken to in a while and let them know you love them. Put the phone down and talk to your neighbors. Because this starts and ends with us—all of us.”

    >Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, July 14, 2024

  2. Sorry, i will stop hating the people who think my loved ones shouldn’t exist when they stop coming after the ones I love. Not a moment sooner. Civil rights are not up for debate.

  3. She’s right and I’m glad she’s calling out the issue and not being partisan about it. Some of the responses in this sub concern me. She made a good response

    The is the part that is a glaring issue and it’s both sides being attacked now. Our environment needs to cool down 

    “There have been incidents we all know: a shooting at a practice for the Congressional baseball game, the plot to kidnap and kill me, the storming of the Capitol, and an in-home assault on the former Speaker of the House’s husband. “

  4. This is low-key fascinating.

    I said as soon as I learned about what had happened that Whitmer is now the candidate the Democratic Party needs to nominate at the convention. (I had her as my 3rd-favorite prior).

    Whitmer is the only remaining winning card left to play, in my opinion, as she too was the victim of violent extremism. (The interrupted plot to kidnap/torture/kill her).

    Nominating Whitmer allows the messaging, that should be coming from both parties now, to condemn violent extremism. And makes plain to all voters that both parties can be, and are, victims of violent extremism.

    She brings “balance to the force” as it were… and she’s the only D candidate who can.

    Couple that with her potential to galvanize female voters (including young female voters and independent female voters in swing states)…

    And she gives you an actual chance to win this race.

    I’m not sure any other candidate does.

    Getting back to what’s fascinating… is she and her camp senses the same political opportunity I sensed. And you can see it here in this statement.

    It’s a signal, to me anyway, that she may be realizing this is her once-in-a-lifetime political moment.

    This may be her chance to be the Democratic Party’s nominee for President.

    At this point I’m convinced she should be… and that she should emerge from the convention as the D nominee. I hope that’s what we’ll see happen.

  7. If the DNC was serious about stopping fascism in its tracks, she would be our nominee. She’s faced MAGA lunatics head-on without flinching and has the heart, mind, and soul to lead our nation — not to mention, she’s incredibly popular in a critical swing state.

  8. >“The shooting of former President Trump was a disgusting act of violence that caps off an alarming, years-long trend in our politics. There have been incidents we all know: a shooting at a practice for the Congressional baseball game, the plot to kidnap and kill me, the storming of the Capitol, and an in-home assault on the former Speaker of the House’s husband.

    >“Behind all these incidents is rhetoric. We have seen calls to hate, harm, or jail political opponents. Violent conspiracies from the seediest corners of the internet have become incorporated into stump speeches. We have lost the plot when it comes to the way we talk to each other and about each other.

    The entire statement is worth reading with real insight. She is demonstrating her ability to be “presidential.”

  9. Democrats are missing a golden opportunity here.

    She’s one of the only female democratic politicians that hasn’t been targeted by a national campaign to tag her as “shrill, hysterical, bitchy, frumpy, emotional, etc.” and all the other sexist tags Republicans tag female politicians with.

    Make no mistake, the GOP will spend the next 4 years making sure those labels are associated with her too.

  10. Here is the BIG BIG problem. A certain political group is all about hate, discrimination, taking away people rights, and hurting people. They actually campaign on it and some followers really ask questions like “How many elections are we going to let them steal before we kill these people? When do we get to start using guns?” Look it up, the vid is out there. When that was said there was no “Let’s hold up a bit. There was no call for unity from the leaders of that party, none. After Jan 6th, when people were ready to hang politicians there was no “There is no room for violence in America politics, that’s not the American way.” Well, there are a lot of people in that party that do think it’s the American way.

    When the plot on Whitmer was brought to light there was no “Hey, that’s not how we do things, we do it at the ballot box. That’s not the American way.”

    When the husband of Nancy Pelosi was hit in the head with a hammer Trump said he would “stand up to crazy Nancy Pelosi“ if reelected president, asking a crowd of supporters, “How’s her husband doing by the way?” and saying a “wall around her house” didn’t do a “[good job](https://x.com/therecount/status/1707871579097469074?s=20)” of protecting her 82-year-old husband from an intruder who fractured his skull with a hammer during a break-in last year—prompting laughter from the crowd. Laughter from the crowd? What? Really? That’s funny to you? An 82 year old man getting hit in the head is funny to you? How is that funny?

    A certain party doesn’t play or fight fair. They are bullies through and through, they always have been. They just want more for themselves and less for everyone else and they will lie, cheat, steal, and use violence to get it. Get out a pen and paper and start keeping track next to your desk on what each party does and says when it comes to violence against other people.

    I hate these people for what they do to other people. I would never hurt them but I know that if they hated me as much as I hate them they wouldn’t think 2 seconds to put the hurt on me if they feel it was justified in their mind and if they don’t feel justified yet, give them a minute to come up with a reason.

    So no, I’m not into letting their BS slide till they change their ways, which they won’t. They are going to claim unity for about 2 weeks and then it’ll be back to same old same old and violence will be right back at THEIR table again.

  12. Big Gretch letting us all know she’s ready for the call-up to the Show

  14. Sounds like she’d make one heck of a presidential candidate.

  17. I proudly voted for Whitmer twice and will proudly do so again if/when she runs for President

  18. sure would like to have this lady on the ballot instead of Biden.

  21. Wow, a Presidential response. It’s been so long since I’ve seen one of these.

  22. This is actually the tone that should be struck. And it sounds…Presidential….

  26. Reasonable political statement and probably smart move for her.

    But.

    For me, it is less about rhetoric that was normal prior to Trump but rhetoric that is his personal responsibility. I dont condone or support violence or celebrate an assassin but I for one refuse to apologize for vigorously opposing and exposing a self-declared dictator wannabe in America. And I shouldn’t be asked to do so.

  27. Tactful, sharp, honest, and stern. Well done, Whitmer.

  29. I’m glad she wants to stay in Michigan for her love of her state, but damn, I wish the rest of the party could have convinced her a couple years ago to realize that she needs to step up for the White House. It needs her really bad, but it’s way too late now. Should have started a long time ago instead of planning on the (uncertain) next one.

  30. She needs to replace Biden. She would absolutely destroy Trump. Waiting until 2028 to run someone new is a disastrous choice for democrats. Time to push the old man into early retirement. You could raise PLENTY of money in 4 months Gretch!

  32. I would live for Biden to drop out saying his mission for his remaining time in power us to make America safe again- work to reduce gun violence as his sole focus allowing others to run. He could carry his head high as it would be a noble cause to focus and bow out on

  33. I am 47 years old, the son of a history professor, educated and well-traveled. We have not been “a shining beacon of democracy and freedom to the world” in my lifetime. I understand the rhetoric, but we’re living in the death throes of empire. It only gets worse from here.

  34. Please put your hand up to replace Joe Biden.

    We need to you Gretchen!

  35. Whitmer is right – hate-driven politics are destroying this country. Violent rhetoric and actions will only produce more violence. We need national leaders who respect the dignity, value and humanity of all Americans – not just their fan base.

  37. I’m a big fan of Whitmer but she really missed the mark in trying to unite left/right like she did.

    We **do not** want the same things. At all.

  38. I’m just gonna write whitmers name in. Both candidates are racist, women abusing garbage. I’m gonna vote with my morals. If the country burns, so be it, I’ll toast marshmallows before I sink with the ship.

    Fuck em both. Turns out fatalism is freeing.

  39. I can only hope in an alternate universe that Whitmer is the voice of the party. If I lived in that universe, I’d be much more inclined to think that Dems would be much happier than what we are currently stuck with.

  40. Look at me we need our equal attention cake to democrats

Leave a Reply