(WWJ) Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden says Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's handling of the coronavirus pandemic has been "incredible."
Speaking at the United Auto Workers Region 1 headquarters in Warren on Wednesday, the former Vice President pointed to Whitmer, a fellow Democrat, as he proclaimed: "If you're wondering what responsible, strong executive leadership looks like in COVID-19, just look at this executive right here."
Calling Whitmer "one of the best and brightest most hard-working governors around," Biden said. "Governor, you've done an incredible job steering the people of Michigan through a turbulent time. Much of it is brought on by Donald Trump's lack of leadership."
He continued, "You've been rock-solid, governor. You've listened to the experts and led with science, and you've put the needs of the people who were hurting first, helping them get through this crisis."
Biden didn't miss a chance to take some digs at his political opponent, President Donald Trump, condemning what he framed as Trump's downplaying of the virus crisis.
"Meanwhile, on the day that we hit 190,000 dead in the United States because of COVID-19," Biden said, "we just learned from Washington Post columnist Bob Woodward that the President of the United States admitted on tape that he knew that COVID-19 had passed through the air. He knew how deadly it was...,much more deadly than the flu. He knew and purposely played it down."
Biden was referring to claims in a new book by Woodward in which the journalist claims Trump labeled the virus "deadly" back in February, a month before Michigan reported its first COVID-19 cases. It's alleged that Trump told Woodward he minimized the danger the virus presented, according to the Associated Press.
"(President Trump) knowingly lied about the threat it posed to the county for months," Biden said. "He had the information, he knew how dangerous it was. Now as this deadly disease ripped through our nation, he failed to do his job on purpose," Biden accused the POTUS, calling Trump's failings "a life and death betrayal of the American people."
Biden's pro-Whitmer comments come the same day the Michigan Supreme Court is hearing arguments challenging the governor's use of emergency powers during the pandemic.
Opponents claim Whitmer is overstepping her authority by continuing to extend the State of Emergency, even as the numbers of COVID-19 cases remain much lower than at the height of the pandemic. The court is not expected to announce a ruling in the case today.
While Biden and Whitmer have not known each other long, Biden referred to Whitmer as his "friend," on Wednesday. The two did meet a couple of months ago while Biden was vetting the governor as a possible running mate.
