Gretchen Whitmer faces backlash as she denies 'Draft Gretch' campaign amid Biden replacement rumors

LANSING, MICHIGAN: Michigan Gov Gretchen Whitmer was among the top names as a possible replacement to President Joe Biden for the Democratic ticket amidst intensifying calls for the latter to drop out of the race.

A "Draft Gretchen" message gained prominence online, touting her as the best substitute to face Donald Trump in the upcoming presidential election. However, the Democrat denied any involvement in the "Draft Gretchen" campaign, according to a Politico report.

Over the weekend, she telephoned Biden campaign chair Jennifer O'Malley Dillon to ensure she was not behind the campaign that floated her name as a replacement to the 81-year-old incumbent and disagreed with reports of her allegedly warning Biden would not win Michigan.

"I am proud to support Joe Biden as our nominee and I am behind him 100 percent in the fight to defeat Donald Trump. Not only do I believe Joe can win Michigan, I know he can because he's got the receipts," Whitmer said in a statement issued on Monday, July 1.

Expert claims Gretchen Whitmer's chances to defeat Donald Trump is an uphill battle

The Michigan governor's name floated at the presidential election setting after Biden's lackluster debate performance heightened concerns about his age and mental acuity to be the party nominee.

Though she emerged as a top pic to step into the president's shoes ahead of the upcoming Democratic National Convention, it would be tough for her to defeat Trump in November, according to Tevi Troy, a former White House aide and Deputy secretary of Health and Human Services under George W Bush administration.

"She's doing the right thing in terms of denying that she's interested because she can't appear to be disloyal," Troy said of Whitmer's predicament in an interview with Fox News Digital.

He likened the situation to Cinderella at the ball, where people would make sure to position themselves at the door waiting for the opportune moment despite dancing through the night.

Whitmer, who won Michigan's gubernatorial election for a second term in 2022, securing a double-digit margin, has recently topped donor preference lists.

"She's a popular governor in a swing state," added Troy, a senior fellow at the Washington DC-based think tank Bipartisan Policy Center. So, she's got a lot of positive qualities, but at the same time, she's not truly vetted, and most of these people who could potentially face Trump or replace Biden are not fully vetted."

Whitmer made headlines for her rigorous restrictions in the Wolverine State during the Covid-19 pandemic and for enforcing the state's first LGBTQ+ Commission in 2023.

Internet dismisses Gretchen Whitmer as an unqualified replacement for Joe Biden

Netizens blasted Whitmer amidst growing speculation that she was grabbing the Democratic ticket despite her denial of the rumors.

"Screw that. just another evil democrat. she is awful," a user wrote.

"THe dems are just grasping at straws now. They have no one who would be a match for Trump," another opined.

"Isn’t she the lady who wouldn’t allow people to plant vegetables or flowers during COVID? And the lady who claimed MAGA Republicans tried to kidnap her? She’s insane…" added one user.

"Let’s just pretend it’s true then come to reality it’s based on desperation not quality. She couldn’t lead someone out of a paper bag," read another response.

"She was one of the worst governors in the nation during the early days of covid. She had everything completely locked down. Michigan business's were some of the slowest to return in the country and many never recovered," another person said.

"This woman is as bad as Gavin Newson…. their state is one big mess and the idea of them even being mentioned as running for POTUS is ludicrous!!!!" someone else argued.

"Whitmer and Newsome have ruined their states. Now they want to bring those failed strategies to all of us. Hard pass. Just shows the lack of bench strength within that party," a user commented below the Fox News article.

"Whitmer's job approval rating as Governor of Michigan is 30%... If Whitmer runs, Trump will win Michigan for sure...." added another user.

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