Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has suggested that it would be beneficial for President Joe Biden to speak more openly about abortion rights, emphasizing the need for people to recognize him as a president committed to “fighting” for these rights. In an interview with CBS News’ “Face the Nation” anchor Margaret Brennan, Whitmer expressed her belief that Biden, despite being of Catholic faith, should address the topic more frequently.
Governor Whitmer, who serves as the co-chair for Biden’s re-election campaign, highlighted a key tenet of Biden’s belief system, stating that he recognizes the decision on abortion is one that should be made by women, in consultation with their families and healthcare professionals. She asserted that Biden is committed to fighting to ensure that American women have the ability to make decisions about their reproductive rights.
When questioned by Brennan about whether Biden should personally take on the role of messenger for this cause, Whitmer responded, “I don’t think it would hurt.” She argued that people want to see their president actively engaged in advocating for their rights and suggested that employing more “blunt language” on the issue could be helpful.
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The discussion about Biden’s approach to abortion was initiated by Whitmer’s earlier comments during the interview, where she expressed confidence in Biden’s pledge to oppose any national abortion ban. Brennan probed Whitmer on whether she considers this pledge a legitimate promise to voters, especially given Biden’s relatively limited discussion of the topic.
As the second Catholic president in U.S. history, Biden’s faith has been a subject of scrutiny, particularly concerning issues such as abortion and transgender rights that stand in contrast to the stance of the Catholic Church. Despite conservative Catholic bishops expressing concerns about Biden’s support for abortion access, he has not shied away from addressing Republican attacks on abortion.
In light of the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, Democrats view abortion access as a critical voter issue for the upcoming 2024 elections. Governor Whitmer believes that the topic of abortion has mobilized voters, including those not traditionally aligned with Democrats, contributing to her support as a governor who staunchly advocates for abortion rights.