DETROIT — Top Michigan Democrats were conspicuously absent from President Biden’s rally in the must-win swing state the night after his blunder-filled NATO press conference — with not a single congressional candidate up for election this year in attendance.
Warning up Friday night for Biden at Detroit’s Renaissance High School were Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Those aren’t exactly prominent names.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who’s denied reporting she said Biden’s deplorable debate performance last month made the state unwinnable for him, was not present — and she’s frequently been touted as a solid replacement for the top of the ticket. She’s reportedly busy visiting Idaho for the Sun Valley Conference, a financial summit where tech moguls and prominent businessmen network.
Democratic congressional candidates Curtis Hertel Jr. and Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who are in competitive races, were also absent. Hertel, running for the House in a Lansing-area district, has stayed silent on the Biden campaign since the president’s disastrous debate night.
Slotkin, the Democratic Senate candidate, recently took a subtle jab at Biden when she told donors her race was only possible because departing Sen. Debbie Stabenow was “doing a radical thing and passing the torch.”
Sen. Gary Peters expressed his confidence this week that Biden “absolutely” could triumph over former President Donald Trump and Democrats would keep control of the Senate — but didn’t show Friday night.
The prominent Democratic absences underscore the confusion in the state party, which has not shown unilateral support for the president.
Michigan Democrats’ subtle attacks on Biden have only increased in recent days.
State Attorney General Dana Nessel implied in a recent cryptic tweet that Biden should “pass the baton” just as 35-year-old soccer player Alex Morgan “gracefully accepted” she must after she was left off the American Olympic team this year.
None of the warmup speakers ever said simply “Vote for Joe Biden,” choosing instead to say “Vote for Democracy” or “Vote for Freedom.”
If one did suggest a vote to the crowd, it was always “Vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”
Attendees ahead of the event said they were hoping for a stronger showing than Biden put forth in last month’s debate.
“I’m hoping he’ll be better,” 21-year-old Akil told The Post. “He needs to talk about jobs and families. We need better there.”
“I agree the key is family and how he will improve our homes and everyday lives,” Asher, 20, added — both are members of Michigan College Democrats.
Following the rally, most attendees said the president did “much better” than he did in the debate and they fully expect him to win in November.
But the most unifying theme by far in the room was not support for the president — it was dislike for Donald Trump.
“Flush his ass down the f–king toilet,” retired union road worker George Evans told The Post. “And you can quote me on that. Biden is the ONLY choice for working Americans. There is no other.”
Anti-Israel activists protested Biden’s support of the Jewish state outside the event. “Biden, Biden, what do you say? How many kids have you killed today?” one shouted from a megaphone. A woman in the venue interrupted his speech to chant “Free Palestine” before security removed her.
Campaign officials say Biden has no other appearances scheduled in Michigan this month.
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