Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan missed an opportunity to address a contentious issue during a recent TV interview, declining to comment on whether President Donald Trump's threats against lawmakers have gone too far. The exchange occurred when host Chuck Stokes asked Duggan about Trump's accusations of "seditious behavior" against Democratic lawmakers, including Michigan Senator Elissa Slotkin.
Instead of responding directly to the question, Duggan sidestepped it, stating that he has avoided national debates and will not get involved in them. This response has become a pattern for Duggan during his campaign for governor as an independent, with many critics arguing that he is failing to take a stance on crucial issues.
The topic at hand is significant, given Trump's history of making inflammatory statements about his opponents. In a recent video, the president suggested that Slotkin and other lawmakers could be punished by death for their actions. This kind of rhetoric has sparked widespread condemnation, even from within Trump's own party.
Duggan's campaign has received substantial support from Republican donors and Trump supporters, including billionaires like Roger Penske and Ron Weiser. However, his refusal to condemn Trump's behavior raises questions about whether Duggan is willing to tolerate the administration's bigotry and intimidation tactics.
Critics argue that Duggan's stance on this issue is at odds with his previous criticism of Trump and his past support for Democrats. In 2016, Duggan mocked Trump's many bankruptcies and called him "the most phony party nominee" he'd ever seen. Since then, Duggan has been more cautious in his public statements, often focusing on issues unrelated to Trump.
The real question in this campaign may not be whether Duggan is a Democrat, Republican, or independent but rather whether Michigan voters will accept a governor who won't say where he stands when it really matters. Many voters are seeking leadership that can navigate the complexities of partisanship and take a clear stance on issues like Trump's behavior.
As the campaign continues, it remains to be seen how Duggan's stance on this issue will impact his chances with voters. Will Michigan residents accept a governor who is unwilling to speak out against the president's most extreme actions? Only time will tell.
Instead of responding directly to the question, Duggan sidestepped it, stating that he has avoided national debates and will not get involved in them. This response has become a pattern for Duggan during his campaign for governor as an independent, with many critics arguing that he is failing to take a stance on crucial issues.
The topic at hand is significant, given Trump's history of making inflammatory statements about his opponents. In a recent video, the president suggested that Slotkin and other lawmakers could be punished by death for their actions. This kind of rhetoric has sparked widespread condemnation, even from within Trump's own party.
Duggan's campaign has received substantial support from Republican donors and Trump supporters, including billionaires like Roger Penske and Ron Weiser. However, his refusal to condemn Trump's behavior raises questions about whether Duggan is willing to tolerate the administration's bigotry and intimidation tactics.
Critics argue that Duggan's stance on this issue is at odds with his previous criticism of Trump and his past support for Democrats. In 2016, Duggan mocked Trump's many bankruptcies and called him "the most phony party nominee" he'd ever seen. Since then, Duggan has been more cautious in his public statements, often focusing on issues unrelated to Trump.
The real question in this campaign may not be whether Duggan is a Democrat, Republican, or independent but rather whether Michigan voters will accept a governor who won't say where he stands when it really matters. Many voters are seeking leadership that can navigate the complexities of partisanship and take a clear stance on issues like Trump's behavior.
As the campaign continues, it remains to be seen how Duggan's stance on this issue will impact his chances with voters. Will Michigan residents accept a governor who is unwilling to speak out against the president's most extreme actions? Only time will tell.
I'm calling BS on Duggan's response! He dodged that question like it was a WWE match 
. If he's really worried about avoiding national debates, why did he take on the governor gig in the first place? It sounds like he's just trying to keep his donors happy while running from the tough stuff 
. Newsflash, Duggan: if you want to be a leader, you gotta take a stand – even if it's uncomfortable 
. The fact that Trump's threats are being taken seriously by most people is a major red flag 
. Can't we expect more from our elected officials? It seems like Duggan's playing it too safe and that's gonna cost him in the long run 
.
. Can't Duggan just say "nope, that's not cool" already? I mean, we've seen him roast Trump before, but now it's like he's all "oh, sorry, gotta stay neutral". That's just weak imo 
. The dude's trying to be all "I'm above the drama", but really he's just avoiding taking a stance on something that matters 
He's always been pretty sketchy about taking a clear stance on anything, let alone something as important as Trump's threatening behavior 
. He needs to take a stand on this kind of thing or risk losing the trust of the voters 
.