What Democrats Can Learn From Gretchen Whitmer
Digest
The episode begins with a discussion of the upcoming Vice Presidential selection process for the Democratic Party, highlighting the various candidates and their campaigns. It then features an interview with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, discussing her political career, her views on abortion rights, and her approach to governing. The episode also delves into comments made by JD Vance on a podcast about abortion, highlighting his views and the potential impact on the upcoming election. The episode emphasizes the importance of frontline reporting and discusses Donald Trump's position on abortion, highlighting his stance on returning the issue to the states and his shifting views over time. The episode explores the challenges Democrats face in promising to restore Roe v. Wade due to the Senate filibuster, and discusses potential alternative approaches. It also discusses the importance of making the stakes of campaigns tangible and realistic for voters, highlighting the need for candidates to deliver on their promises. The episode examines the success of female politicians in Michigan, exploring potential lessons for Democrats in the upcoming election. It also discusses the gendered dynamics of the upcoming election, particularly the masculine presentation of Donald Trump and JD Vance. The episode explores the widening gender gap among voters under 30, discussing potential reasons for the shift and its implications for the election. It emphasizes the importance of understanding why certain groups feel unincluded, particularly young men who feel disliked by the Democratic Party. Finally, the episode discusses Governor Whitmer's philosophy of meetings, highlighting her emphasis on respect, punctuality, and being present.
Outlines
The Veep Stakes and Abortion Rights
This episode discusses the upcoming Vice Presidential selection process for the Democratic Party, highlighting the various candidates and their campaigns. It also delves into the impact of abortion rights on the upcoming election, featuring an interview with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer and discussing comments made by JD Vance on a podcast about abortion.
Interview with Governor Gretchen Whitmer
This episode features an interview with Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, discussing her political career, her views on abortion rights, and her approach to governing.
The Importance of Frontline Reporting and Trump's Position on Abortion
This episode emphasizes the importance of frontline reporting and discusses Donald Trump's position on abortion, highlighting his stance on returning the issue to the states and his shifting views over time.
Challenges for Democrats and Tangible Stakes
This episode explores the challenges Democrats face in promising to restore Roe v. Wade due to the Senate filibuster, and discusses potential alternative approaches. It also discusses the importance of making the stakes of campaigns tangible and realistic for voters, highlighting the need for candidates to deliver on their promises.
Gender Dynamics and the Election
This episode examines the success of female politicians in Michigan, exploring potential lessons for Democrats in the upcoming election. It also discusses the gendered dynamics of the upcoming election, particularly the masculine presentation of Donald Trump and JD Vance.
Understanding Unincluded Groups and Governor Whitmer's Philosophy
This episode explores the widening gender gap among voters under 30, discussing potential reasons for the shift and its implications for the election. It emphasizes the importance of understanding why certain groups feel unincluded, particularly young men who feel disliked by the Democratic Party. Finally, the episode discusses Governor Whitmer's philosophy of meetings, highlighting her emphasis on respect, punctuality, and being present.
Keywords
Gretchen Whitmer
Gretchen Whitmer is the current governor of Michigan. She is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a prominent voice on abortion rights.
Roe v. Wade
Roe v. Wade was a landmark 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. The decision was overturned in 2022, leading to a resurgence of the abortion rights debate.
JD Vance
JD Vance is a Republican politician and author. He is running for the U.S. Senate in Ohio and has made controversial comments about abortion.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is a former president of the United States. He is a Republican and has been a vocal opponent of abortion rights.
Filibuster
The filibuster is a procedural tactic in the U.S. Senate that allows a single senator to block a vote on a bill. It has been a major obstacle to passing legislation on abortion rights.
Gender Gap
The gender gap refers to the difference in political views and voting patterns between men and women. It has been widening among young voters in recent years.
Q&A
What are some of the key arguments that Governor Whitmer has used in her campaigns on reproductive rights?
Governor Whitmer has argued that abortion is a personal decision that should be made by women, and that government should not interfere in this process. She has also emphasized the economic impact of abortion access, arguing that it is a crucial factor in women's ability to control their lives and futures.
How does Governor Whitmer approach disagreements with those who hold opposing views on abortion?
Governor Whitmer believes in finding common ground even with those who disagree with her. She acknowledges that pro-life beliefs are held sincerely, and she seeks to engage in dialogue and understand their perspectives. She believes that humanizing the issue can lead to greater understanding and potentially even common ground.
What are some of the challenges Democrats face in promising to restore Roe v. Wade?
Democrats face the challenge of the Senate filibuster, which makes it difficult to pass legislation with a simple majority. They also face the reality that the Supreme Court has already overturned Roe v. Wade, making it unlikely that a federal law could be passed to restore it.
What are some of the potential reasons for the widening gender gap among young voters?
Some potential reasons for the widening gender gap include the perception that the Democratic Party is not supportive of young men, the increasing focus on women's rights and empowerment, and the frustration of young men with economic and social challenges.
What is Governor Whitmer's philosophy of meetings?
Governor Whitmer believes in meetings that are respectful, punctual, and focused. She emphasizes the importance of being present and engaged, and she discourages distractions like phones. She believes that these principles are essential for effective leadership and decision-making.
Show Notes
Gretchen Whitmer is one of the names you often see on lists of Democratic V.P. contenders. She’s swatted that speculation down repeatedly, but the interest in her makes a lot of sense. Michigan is a must-win state for Democrats, and she has won the governorship of that state twice, by significant margins each time. She’s also long been one of the Democratic Party’s most talented and forthright messengers on abortion.
So I think Whitmer has a lot to teach Democrats right now, whether she’s Kamala Harris’s running mate or not. In this conversation we discuss how her 2018 campaign slogan to “fix the damn roads” has translated into a governing philosophy, how she talks about reproductive rights in a swing state, what Democrats can learn from the success of female politicians in Michigan, how she sees the gender politics of the presidential election this year and more.
Mentioned:
True Gretch by Gretchen Whitmer
“The Spartan: Why Gretchen Whitmer Has What It Takes for a White House Run” by Jennifer Palmieri
“America’s New Political War Pits Young Men Against Young Women” by Aaron Zitner and Andrew Restuccia
Book Recommendations:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Burn Book by Kara Swisher
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
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You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.
This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by our senior editor, Claire Gordon. Fact-checking by Michelle Harris, with Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Elias Isquith, Kristin Lin and Aman Sahota. Original music by Isaac Jones. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The executive producer of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser. Special thanks to Isaac Jones.
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