Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told NPR she does not think Democrats are overemphasizing inclusivity but admitted the party's messaging can be “too obtuse” for some voters. She compared targeted policy focus to saving a rainforest rather than rejecting other forests and stressed that Democrats are a “big tent.” Whitmer urged more listening and engagement so voters can see themselves in the party’s message, and noted this communication gap is a real pitfall.
Whitmer Says Democrats Aren't Overly Inclusive, But Messaging Can Be 'Too Obtuse'
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been considered a potential Democratic presidential candidate.(Getty Images)
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told NPR that she does not believe the Democratic Party is overly focused on inclusivity, but she acknowledged the party’s messaging can sometimes be “too obtuse” for voters to see themselves in it.
Interview Highlights
Speaking with NPR Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep, Whitmer pushed back on the idea that Democrats have “tilted the playing field” by prioritizing inclusivity. She used a simple analogy to make her point: “When you say, 'Let's save the rainforest,' it doesn't mean you say, I hate all the other forests, right? It's recognizing a unique vulnerability.”
Gretchen Whitmer defended her party's inclusive outreach, saying the party is a "big tent."
“Democrats are a big tent. We want everyone to be successful. It's not picking and choosing. It's not a zero-sum game where I only win if you lose. Everyone can get ahead. And that's got to be our mindset. And that's why I'm a Democrat.”
At the same time, Whitmer conceded a communication problem: “Sometimes, maybe our message is too obtuse for people. And we have to really have those interactions where people feel like, yeah, you matter, too.” When Inskeep pressed her to clarify “obtuse,” she said the party often speaks in such general terms that some voters cannot see themselves in the messaging and called that a pitfall.
Listening and Engagement
Whitmer emphasized the importance of listening to different communities: “You're not learning if you're not listening.” She urged more direct engagement so targeted priorities do not come across as exclusionary or abstract.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer faced backlash for meeting with President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in April.
Political Context
The governor has been mentioned as a potential Democratic presidential contender for 2028 and was at one point discussed as a possible replacement for President Joe Biden ahead of the 2024 election. Whitmer also drew criticism from some Democrats after she participated in an Oval Office meeting with former President Donald Trump in April, an encounter that generated intra-party backlash.
The remarks illustrate an ongoing internal debate within the Democratic Party about balancing targeted policy priorities with broad, accessible messaging that allows voters from varied backgrounds to feel included.
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