Pressure is mounting on President Joe Biden to take a cognitive test. This comes after his disastrous performance at the CNN presidential debate and widespread fears in his party of a defeat at the polls.
One of the persons urging him to take the test is Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Interestingly, she is one of his potential replacements.
An Awful Debate Performance
The Democratic Party is in a panic right now, thanks to President Biden’s poor showing at the CNN presidential debate on June 27, 2024.
At numerous points in the debate, Biden struggled through his answers while Trump mocked him for his incoherence. The debate ended up casting doubts in the minds of his voters and leaving his party with a huge challenge to surmount.
Calls to Resign
It didn’t take long after the debate for leading political figures in his party to call for his resignation. So far, nine House Democrats have supported this call. One of them is Rep Lloyd Doggett, a senior lawmaker from Austin, Texas.
“I am hopeful that he will make the painful and difficult decision to withdraw,” said Doggett in a statement. Besides Democrats, many Independents are worried about a Biden second term.
Calls to Undergo a Cognitive Test
Other leading political figures have been more gracious, deciding instead of an unconditional resignation that the President take a cognitive test. Among those calling for the test are Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Nikki Haley, a former GOP presidential candidate.
However, many were surprised to see Michigan Governor Whitmer join the chorus of voices. Notably, she is one of the politicians touted as Biden’s possible replacement.
Whitmer Made the Call During an Interview Session
In an interview with CNN’s Abby Philip, Gretchen Whitmer was confronted about her idea of the test. “I don’t think that it would hurt,” the second-term governor responded.
While she voiced her displeasure at the widespread calls for Biden to step aside, she admitted to Biden’s poor debate performance. “[The debate was] not a great success,” she added.
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Whitmer Made a Case for the President
On the show, Whitmer put up a passionate defense for the president, reminding viewers of his dedication to the job. “He shows up every day and fights for the American public,” she reminded the public.
Furthermore, she pledged her support for the president’s re-election bid. “We have a field, and unless one person, Joe Biden, makes an alternative decision, this is the field, and we’ve got to go,” she added.
Biden Over Trump
Still on the show, Whitmer declared that Biden “cares about other people than he cares about himself.”
She then presented a contrast between President Biden and his rival, Donald Trump. “…and that’s why I think this moment where we have Donald Trump, who’s been convicted of 34 felonies, who cares only about Donald Trump, we can’t lose sight of how high these stakes are,” she reasoned.
A Distraction?
On another occasion, Whitmer, speaking to the press, called the mounting demands for Biden’s resignation a distraction. She urged fellow Democrats to focus on what’s more important – the threat of Donald Trump.
“We are spending a lot of energy not on Donald Trump and the existential threat before us, and that gives me a great deal of concern,” she lamented.
Whitmer Denies Eyeing Biden’s Position
Also, the Michigan governor had something to say about the speculations about Biden’s replacements. She advised against any talks about a Biden replacement and, by implication, denied any interest in taking the position.
“I understand that some are playing fantasy football and want to just pick a couple of random leaders that they like across the country,” she stated. “That’s just not how this works,” she concluded.
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She Reveals That Trump Might Target Her
Whitmer was one of the fiercest opponents of Donald Trump while he was president. Arising from that, the press asked her whether she was concerned about possible retribution from him if he won the elections.
Whitmer responded by saying that she is aware that the former president keeps a black book with names of Republicans and “probably a lot of Democrats on it too.”
A New Supreme Court Ruling Worried Whitmer
Still, regarding Donald Trump, Whitmer expressed concern about a recent Supreme Court ruling that granted presidents immunity for official acts.
“I think everyone who is critical or has a mind of their own should be concerned about someone who is willing to abuse power and misuse it,” she said, referring to Trump. Furthermore, she stated that the new Supreme Court ruling “could be a scary time if Donald Trump is back in the White House.”
Whitmer Debunks News of Friction With Biden
Governor Whitmer also denied reports of a face-off with the President. Shortly after the CNN presidential debate, news made the rounds that Whitmer had advised the president to step down from the race.
According to the reports, she said this to the president behind closed doors. Whitmer has denied the reports and, to the president’s relief, vowed her total support for a Biden second term.
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