Gretchen Whitmer Chooses the Bear
Michigan’s governor talks extremism, reproductive rights, and why she’s not afraid to face her enemies—even the ones who tried to kidnap her.
My dream has always been to bring you more video content, and today, that dream comes true with a very special interview on Chip Chat, a new series that I’ve been wanting to do FOR YEARS where I eat chips with my favorite people, and bring you along with me. But this isn’t just any interview—this one is with the woman who flipped Michigan, battled a global pandemic, faced down an armed militia, and still had time to chat with me about chips and democracy. Yes, I’m talking about none other than Governor Gretchen Whitmer!
We kicked things off with the question everyone really wants to know: What’s her favorite chip? Turns out, it’s BetterMade, straight from Detroit. Naturally, we opened a can on camera, because what’s a political interview without a little snack? Also if anyone wants any, I have a 24-pack at home that I need help eating! As we crunched away, the conversation shifted to the big issues—reproductive rights, the rise of armed militias, and how Democrats could better engage with men who feel abandoned by the party. It was the perfect blend of salty snacks and serious talk.
Now, if you’ve ever wondered how Whitmer handles opposition, here’s a masterclass: When talking about reproductive rights, she shared how she sat across from Republican women who didn’t even vote for her, but still knocked on doors to protect abortion rights. It was a level of diplomacy I can only aspire to when someone cuts in line.
And of course, we had to address the very real and terrifying kidnapping plot she faced. It’s hard to imagine, but instead of responding with anger or fear, Whitmer approached it with an incredible sense of curiosity. She actually wanted to sit down with one of the men involved, not to forgive, but to understand the mindset behind such a dangerous and extreme act.
We also dove into something close to my heart: how the Democratic Party can better speak to men, especially those who feel like the party’s left them behind. Whitmer acknowledged that while the other side is doing a great job of connecting with men, they're mostly just stoking anger. Her approach? Solve problems, create jobs, and show that there’s a path forward for everyone—even the disaffected dudes stuck in the manosphere (which, yes, I had to explain to her).
Oh, and because you know I couldn’t resist, I asked: Would she rather be stuck in the woods with Donald Trump or a bear? She chose the bear, obviously—because you can reason with a bear.
I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I loved putting it together for you! Your subscription made it possible, so a huge thank you for being such a crucial part of the work I’m able to do. Your support means EVERYTHING and allows me to keep bringing you content that matters! You can check out the full interview on Chip Chat where we dive deep, share some laughs, and yes, eat a lot of chips. Please subscribe to my channel and comment so that our video reaches more people!
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