Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer skipped President Joe Biden’s low-key visit to Michigan Thursday, instead opting to make beer in Kalamazoo.
Biden made two subdued stops in Saginaw, first to putt golf balls with a black father and his son:
From @reidepstein pool report from a Saginaw, Mich., golf course. “Both President Biden and HJ sunk their putts.” pic.twitter.com/PBseyfZFCd
— Ken Thomas (@KThomasDC) March 14, 2024
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“President Biden and the Colemans putted together inside the clubhouse and talked about golf, faith, their family, and their hopes for the future. Both President Biden and HJ sunk their putts,” according to the White House pool report.
He later appeared on the front porch of two gay men and addressed a handful of organizers:
President Biden just held a brief campaign event at the Saginaw home of City Councilman Bill Ostash and Saginaw Public Schools board member Kevin Rooker. Impossible for most reporters to hear what Biden told those gathered on the porch #potus pic.twitter.com/q06gRgIX7c
— Paul Egan (@paulegan4) March 14, 2024
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Reporters were kept away from the funeral-like event and out of earshot of the conversation, according to this video:
Biden meeting with local organizers and supporters at a campaign meeting in Saginaw, Michigan #AFP pic.twitter.com/gkueYNvQEM
— Aurelia End (@AureliaEndAFP) March 14, 2024
A rumored Biden replacement — Gretchen Whitmer — was making beer in a blue blazer and black leather skirt 150 miles away:
You know me for rolling up my sleeves to get to work, and today, I took that literally. The team at Bell’s welcomed me with open arms and open taps so I could help brew up something special using Michigan-grown hops and peaches. Cheers! pic.twitter.com/Qavgq7OlBc
— Governor Gretchen Whitmer (@GovWhitmer) March 14, 2024
Today, I rolled up my sleeves to help Bell’s brew a special ‘Governor’s Whitbier’ made from Michigan-grown hops and peaches,” Whitmer posted on X. “Brewers like Bell’s are what makes us the Great Beer State, so let’s raise a glass to Michigan’s breweries!”
Biden is struggling in the state, according to recent polling.
New Quinnipiac MICHIGAN poll
AMONG 18-34 year olds
Biden
🟩 Favorable 28%
🟥 Unfavorable 62%Trump
🟩 Favorable 39%
🟥 Unfavorable 53%Whitmer
🟩 Favorable 53%
🟥 Unfavorable 30%— umichvoter 🏳️🌈 (@umichvoter) March 14, 2024
A new Quinnipiac poll of Michigan 18-34 year olds found Biden suffering just a 28 percent approval rating and a 62 percent disapproval rating. Trump is found more favorably by the age demographic.