Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Talks Swing State Strategy | Gov. JB Pritzker’s Tour of Chicago
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Welcome to the Cooper residence. Cooper McAllister. I'm surprised you put my name first. Come on in. From the brains behind the Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, CBS is excited to welcome back some beloved, familiar folks. I am so glad that you and Cece are here. And Georgie. Atta girl. It's a whole new chapter. Georgie and Mandy's first marriage premieres CBS Thursday, 8, 7 central and streaming on Paramount+.

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You're listening to Comedy Central. Hey, this is Ron Chang. The Daily Show is on break this week, but don't worry. We put together some special highlights for you to catch up on in case you missed them. We'll be back on September 10th. Until then, enjoy this episode. Welcome back to The Daily Show. My guest tonight is a two-term governor of Michigan and author of the best-selling book, True Gretch. Please welcome Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Welcome back.

Aren't they great? Aren't they great? All these people who love you who aren't even legally allowed to vote for you. You're a Michigander. I'm a Michigander. It dawned on me today, and this audience might not like this, but it dawned on me today that

One of the best parts of Chicago is the lake. And one of the best parts of Chicago is Michigan. Right, babe? I think one of the things people love about you is that you have grit and you seem tough. And you talk about this...

You talk about this in your book. You talk about as a kid, someone pushed you down, knocked your teeth out. Yeah. What age was that, that that happened? It was about eighth grade. It was church camp. So much violence can happen at church camp. And then throughout your life, even in the chambers while people are voting, you would pop your teeth out to mess with them, right? Yeah. We have a picture of what sometimes, I mean, this was in the book.

I love this. I mean, it's like, what is that? What is that picture? Where is that picture? That was in high school at some point. I used to play in the Gus Macker tournament, three-on-three basketball, and I was eating a Tootsie Roll on the way, and both my teeth came out. Okay. Before the game. It was a nice, you know, got in their brains. Is that...

That's a physical toughness, but now in politics, it feels a more emotional toughness. Is that right? Yeah, I think so. Yeah, yeah. You know, one of the nicknames I've earned over the last few years is Big Gretch. Yeah. And... Big Gretch.

My all-time new favorite nickname. It used to be Gravity Gretchen because I fall down a lot, hence the T. But during COVID, I talk about it in the book, but during COVID, when Donald Trump turned his ire to me because I observed there was not a national strategy when he told us he's not a shipping clerk, we need to go find masks ourselves. He got mad and so turned his attention to me and I started getting threats and all of that.

noise and at some point someone on my staff said you know that people are starting to call you Big Gretch right and I was like what is this well and we were listening to G Mac cash is Big Gretch song downstairs yeah uh so a whole rap song would written about you which is pretty cool it became a thing yeah you know right the people of Detroit bestowed this nickname on me because I was taking so much heat from the White House and uh doing what I could to save people and so this was

someone likened it to being bestowed a key to the city. Yes. When the people of Detroit give you a nickname like Big Gretch. Okay. On page two, the second page of your book, you talk about your grandmother, Nino, and how she said, always look for the positive in people. And I love this quote. It is, even the meanest person might have pretty eyes. Is that a way to govern? I mean, is that...

You know, a lot of people maybe sadly were introduced to you through the kidnapping story. Yeah. How do you see the positive in those people or in that situation? Can you? Well, they say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Right. So there's the positive. That's true.

You know, I've learned so much. And in the last six years, when you get tested, you see what you're capable of and what you're made of. And you also know who you can count on and who you can trust. And so there's a lesson in every tough story. Right. Yep, and there's... Yeah. Yeah.

You're the governor of the whole state. Your supporters love you, but there's people on the other side that maybe didn't vote for you that are still mad about some COVID restrictions, that are having a hard time paying their mortgage. How do you bridge the gap with them? How do you speak to them? What do you say? I think it's showing up. You know, I know that I don't have every person's lived experience. I'm learning when I'm asking, what can I do that will make your life better?

How do I govern in a way that gives you a path to prosperity or takes a barrier out of your way? I love to get around Michigan and ask that question. You know, if I'm lucky enough to get elected, what could I do for you?

And people are not shy to tell you when you ask. They will tell you things you never imagined. But over and over again, when you hear something that is recurring, you know this is a real problem that people, regardless of their politics, need me to solve. Fix the damn roads was the initial response. And that's why I'm so focused on infrastructure.

A brilliant platform, because as a Michigander, I've said that to my-- -Right. -To whoever's listening. And apparently you were listening. You put it on a bus and your bus was listening. I have to ask you this, 'cause I don't often get the opportunity to sit down with the governor of Michigan, but as a Michigander myself, I love our Great Lakes. I love that 20% of the world's freshwater is sitting amongst us. I've lived in Los Angeles. I've toured through Arizona.

They want our water, okay? And in all reality, what are you as governor doing to protect our Great Lakes? Is this important to you? Absolutely. So the Great Lakes, 21% of the world's fresh surface water. This is a big... I said 20, and she was like, it's 21, mother... You heard that. That's good.

So, you know, I'm working hard to make sure that we protect the Great Lakes and we make Michigan a place where people move to for opportunities. So I would welcome you to come back to Michigan. Enjoy the lakes. And then maybe you and I can reenact the Klepper Pritzker bar crawl. Oh, that would be fun. I haven't gone drinking with Klepper, but I bet there might have been a bucket there where he was kind of like, you know...

There's a lot of energy for Kamala right now. There's a lot of momentum. I'm fearful, though. I'm fearful that Democrats aren't thinking a few steps ahead. Trump is throwing his tantrums. He's mad that she's doing well. But, you know, he's a competitor. He's going to pivot. He's going to come back with something. Are the Dems strategizing many steps ahead? I believe so, but what are you anticipating? Listen.

I mean, what? Am I... Are you kidding me? What's he gonna do in a couple of weeks? I mean, I think he's sitting at home watching the energy, the enthusiasm, the optimism that's gonna come out of this week, and I think it's gonna hurt his brain. Yeah, well, it is... It is hurting his brain. Okay. Okay.

Okay, let's hope that happens. Let's prepare for him to get his head on straight and stop throwing a tantrum like a four-year-old. He's acting like a four-year-old. Eventually, they calm down, and they figure out the weak spot. So I'm just hoping the Dems are... Are you in touch? You're a co-chair on Kamala's campaign? I am. I mean, how does that... Are you strategizing? Are you talking long-term? Well, I mean, this is...

Michigan is Michigan, right? There's Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan. These are the swingiest of states, and we are going to decide the outcome of this election. We got to show up. We got to do the work. We got to be in all 83 counties. We cannot write off a place because it looks Republican in past elections. We're going to show up, and we're going to pull people in because this is... Show up. You talk and hear a lot about your gratitude journal, which I love.

Be specific with what you're thankful for, what you do. But sometimes, do you ever just write down super annoying shit? You know? You've had some bad stuff that's happened. Do you ever just write down, well, this sucked. Today, people tried to f***ing kidnap me. It's tempting. It's tempting. But no, but there are some days where it says, my dog's my bed and tequila. Right. Yeah. You have that in here. Yeah. Um...

Let's talk about humor. You know, this is a comedy show. I grew up in a big family. No one ever said, I love you in my family, but you teased. You poked fun. And when I read and listened to your book, I loved the audio version as well. There's a lot of humor, and it just comes naturally for you. Is this something that is embedded in you from an early age as a kid? Is it something you've worked on? I think both my folks were really funny. And humor is a great way to...

I think relieve stress, diffuse a tough, tense situation if you can find a laugh. And my mother was kind of the queen of gallows humor. Even in the darkest days, she died of brain cancer. And even in the darkest days, she could find the light. She could make us laugh. And I think it's just such a powerful way to find common ground. That's why I love being on your show with you. I love that. Last thing.

You know, I told you that a couple weeks ago, my daughter, who's four, got pushed by another girl at camp and had a black eye, and I was really sad, and I was upset about it. And then I read your book, and I said, holy shit, my daughter is going to be the governor of Michigan. True Gretsch is available. Governor Gretchen Whitmer.

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Democrats could have picked any city to hold the convention, so why Chicago? Our own Jordan Klepper spent the day with a local to find out what Chicago has to offer.

Beautiful Chicago, my old term, where I spent nearly a decade doing improv comedy and posing like a hip-hop magician. But this isn't about me. It's about showing the exotic hotspot Chicago has to offer. And I've got a little help from a local billionaire. For Tour Guide, I'm here with Governor Jake B. Pritzker. We're going to see that Chicago is more than just Wrigley Field and a bunch of drunk folks in bars, right? There's culture here. What are we going to see?

We got blues. We got the lakefront. We got museums. I love it. We're a foodie town. We are going to get to that. I used to drink here. We got to get a drink. Let's go.

It saved my whole plate. It's perfect. To get in the right mood, we need a local delicacy. Malort is a Chicago special. So if you come to Chicago, I mean, if you want to be like Chicagoans, you got to have a Malort. Yes. It's a lovely liqueur made here in Chicago, and it tastes like it was made here in Chicago. It's unleaded. I love it. Cheers.

That's some of the best malort I've ever had. That's delicious. I have this aftertaste like I was sucking on the leg of a wet dog. It's DNC week. The convention is here in Chicago. Why Chicago? Well, you know, we've had more political conventions in Chicago than any other city in America. They haven't always gone great.

The demonstrators repeatedly tried to march on the site of the convention. Things have changed quite a lot. And there are protests at every convention. But the truth is that here in Chicago, we protect people's First Amendment rights, and we're going to put on one of the best conventions ever. We'll be right back.

There's no city that has a better summer than the city of Chicago. This is like the Olympics for people who are not athletic. I know this doesn't sound exciting to you, but every delegation, 50 states, all day there are going to be meetings among Democrats about the party platform. You're right, that doesn't sound exciting.

You see what the RNC did? Hulk Hogan? They got Hulk Hogan, Kid Rock. How do you beat that? What are you going to get? The guys from Jackass? Honestly, this is going to be the most energetic convention that you've ever seen. Unfortunately, I've seen what their energetic convention can be like. Hillary Clinton is out there doing the Macarena like nobody's business. So I actually think this is one of the great moments in her story.

I wouldn't attach that to her story. Keep it in history. Chicago has been known for corruption in the past. Now, Republicans are criticizing Kamala for getting in through, as they would put it, inside maneuvers. How does the party square something like that?

Are you kidding? Donald Trump tried to steal an election. He has one insurrection. That's always going to be, you're going to tar him with that? Yes. And by the way, he says if he doesn't win this time, he's been cheated. I got to ask you, the governor, big question.

Is the bear a comedy or a drama? Okay, I don't know why it's in the comedy category, but I gotta say it's one of the best shows on TV. And it shows off Chicago. Let's go see some of the beautiful Chicago culture, shall we? Let's do it. All right, put it on the Pritzkers. Look at how you feel when you say it back into that. Okay, maybe we just hit one more bar before we get to that country. Would you do that? No. Yes.

You know, this empty bar takes me back to my improv days. The audience's response back then. - All right. - But you do it because you love it. - Okay. - Yeah. Cheers. Okay, museums. - Are we talking museums? - No, we're going to museums. We gotta do this. Let's see this town, this beautiful town.

Governor, a lot of culture here. So much good architecture in Chicago. It is. Well, you know, that started with the great Chicago fire, everything getting burned down, all the great architects and artists and entrepreneurs. I used to drink here. We've got to get a drink.

Let's see you again. You got a green line? Let's do it. Cheers. Cheers. Were you surprised about Biden stepping down? I was. I really was. It happened so fast. It was about noon on a Sunday. Oh, yeah, it was a Sunday. I remember that because I was in a church, not at a bar. I was at a church. And a lot of us...

were concerned about the direction of the election and whether Joe Biden was going to be able to be competitive because the polls weren't looking good. In this moment, are you in a text chain with other governors? Well, actually, there were governors talking. The governors push him out? No, no, no. You weren't nudging an old man? To be clear...

To be clear. They're like walking by him on the sidewalk, doing the governor shake over here. Listen, Joe Biden's tough. If anybody's going to nudge anybody, he's the one nudging somebody back. Oh, don't give me this. Look how tough he looks on a bike bullshit. He's a tough guy. He really is. And he understands politics better than most. And we don't have any time to waste. Kamala Harris is our vice president. We all voted for her.

So she's the one. And picking Tim Walz, I think he's actually the perfect pick. Immediately, of course, he's coming up with hashtags, you know, balls to the walls. That's the first thing you do? This is what my taxpayer money goes to? It was a Sunday. I'm paying for balls hashtags. I mean, maybe. Buy the drinks. Okay, I got it, I got it. Unbelievable. Enough of the distractions. Museum, where do we have to go?

Well, you gotta go to a museum of contemporary art. Of course. The Art Institute, it's got the beautiful lions in front. Don't forget the Field Museum, right? We've got the big diner. Natural history. There's culture in this town that you have to focus on. Oh my gosh, Red Rig they failed! I love it! We gotta go. Great history, let's do it. Let's do it. Oh my! Walking into a bit of Chicago history is intoxicating. I can smell the stale hot dogs and tears of defeat. Look at this. Huh?

Beautiful day to be here at Wrigley. Every day at Wrigley is beautiful. Yes. Okay, so no baseball today. No, but when this place is full, it is amazing. It seems to be setting up for a concert. This is America's pastime, watching other people do work while you sit on your ass.

Let's go roadies! Let's go roadies! Union roadies. Union roadies. Let's go union roadies. By the way, I have some parking tickets. Can you help me out with that? I cannot help you with those parking tickets. Sorry. I can buy you a beer. That's about all I can do. I'll take it. Okay.

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Welcome to the Cooper residence. Cooper McAllister. I'm surprised you put my name first. Come on in. From the brains behind the Big Bang Theory and Young Sheldon, CBS is excited to welcome back some beloved, familiar folks. I am so glad that you and Cece are here. And Georgie. Atta girl. It's a whole new chapter. Georgie and Mandy's first marriage premieres CBS Thursday, 8, 7 Central and streaming on Paramount+.

Hey there, fellow globetrotters and destination dreamers. If you're anything like us, you know that life's too short for boring toasters and towels. That's why we decided to ditch the traditional wedding registry and went with HoneyFund.com. Imagine your friends and family chipping in to send you on a dreamy exotic honeymoon. Practical? Check. Meaningful? Check.

Join the revolution at HoneyFund.com and start your adventure today.

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