Within minutes after President Joe Biden unexpectedly issued a letter announcing his withdrawal from the presidential race following weeks of criticism and speculation, Michigan Democrats hurriedly fired off social media posts praising him, while several Republicans demanded that he resign immediately.
Attorney General Dana Nessel, who had issued what many interpreted as a subtweet about Biden needing to resign, posted a magnanimous statement on social media Sunday afternoon comparing him to the nation’s first president
“President Biden will be remembered as one of the most successful and transformational presidents in U.S. history. His sacrifice of putting country before self makes him a modern-day George Washington,” she wrote.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who has been a co-chair of Biden’s reelection campaign and been on pundits’ short list of his potential replacements, slammed former President Donald Trump while lauding Biden.
“President Biden is a great public servant who knows better than anyone what it takes to defeat Donald Trump. His remarkable work to lower prescription drug costs, fix the damn roads, bring supply chains home, address climate change, and ensure America’s global leadership over decades will go down in history,” Whitmer said. “My job in this election will remain the same: doing everything I can to elect Democrats and stop Donald Trump, a convicted felon whose agenda of raising families’ costs, banning abortion nationwide, and abusing the power of the White House to settle his own scores is completely wrong for Michigan.”
U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) said that Biden “has dedicated his life in service to the American people. He has been a remarkable and effective president with historic accomplishments.
“Joe Biden will go down in history as one of America’s most effective presidents. Not only has he been an extraordinary leader with many accomplishments, but he has also shown the American people how to lead with honesty, decency and empathy. All Americans owe President Biden a debt a gratitude for his decades of service to the American people,” Kildee continued.
Kildee also “strongly” endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris.
“Democrats must immediately come together around Kamala Harris to defeat Donald Trump. Kamala Harris has already been elected and earned the trust of the American people, and she has served honorably as Vice President. She is uniquely qualified to serve as President of the United States,” he said. “Kamala Harris represents a new generation of leadership for our country, and I know she has what it takes to win in November.”
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), who chairs the Democratic U.S. Senate campaign effort, said Biden’s decision will help the party’s fight to keep control of the upper chamber.
“President Biden has been and will continue to serve as one of our country’s greatest presidents, achieving tremendous results on issues that matter most to American families, and leading with purpose, dignity and resolve. His decision unifies our party and ensures Democrats are in the strongest possible position to defend our Senate majority,” Peters said.
U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) wrote that Biden has “done more for MI during his presidency than any other president in my lifetime. In the past three & a half years, we’ve fixed thousands of roads & bridges, boosted manufacturing, brought jobs home, lowered the cost of prescription drugs & tackled the climate crisis.”
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lavora Barnes said that “in the face of devastating loss and hardship, he has been a model to the nation of what it means to lead with grace, empathy, and kindness.
BREAKING: President Joe Biden bows out of reelection campaign
“President Biden has always been there for Michigan, and Michigan Democrats will always be grateful for his vision of a country that sets aside its differences and finds hope in a brighter future, together. Mr. President, you have been our fearless leader, our friend, and an incredible public servant — and we can never thank you enough,” she said.
Some Republicans dispensed with the niceties and blasted Biden in their initial statements.
“Once again, the Democrats have proven they put power ahead of our nation’s best interest. They are more concerned about the November elections than Biden being unable to do his job,” said Dr. Sherry O’Donnell, a GOP candidate for U.S. Senate. “He should not be just stepping aside from the Presidential race, but he should also be resigning. As a physician, I am appalled he is still going to be in the Oval Office for another six months.”
Michigan GOP Chair Pete Hoekstra simply retweeted Trump’s social media post slamming Biden:
“Crooked Joe Biden was not fit to run for President, and is certainly not fit to serve – And never was! He only attained the position of President by lies, Fake News, and not leaving his Basement. All those around him, including his Doctor and the Media, knew that he wasn’t capable of being President, and he wasn’t – And now, look what he’s done to our Country, with millions of people coming across our Border, totally unchecked and unvetted, many from prisons, mental institutions, and record numbers of terrorists. We will suffer greatly because of his presidency, but we will remedy the damage he has done very quickly. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
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