Gov. Whitmer on Tudor Dixon – “She’ll put the Second Amendment before second graders every time”

During a spirited debate last night in Grand Rapids, Republican challenger Tudor Dixon and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer exchanged blows some issues – Dixon predictably blaming the Governor for what is world wide inflation, and Whitmer in turn pointing out Dixon’s support of drumpf seeking to overturn the 2020 election.

But it was on the more contentious issues of abortion rights and gun control that sparks really started to fly.

Dixon, who during her primary season earlier this year sought to outflank her GOP opponents on the abortion issue and said that she thought a 14 year old who had been raped should be forced to carry the resulting pregnancy to term, sought last night to soften her stance on the issue, trying to hide behind a proposed amendment to the State Constitution to protest that as Governor her personal opinions would count for little.

That exchange

“Each candidate was asked whether she would respect the outcome of the referendum that will appear on the November ballot in Michigan, in which voters will decide whether to insert language into the state constitution guaranteeing the right to abortion…

“It’s really ironic when Mrs. Dixon stands here and says she will accept the will of the people,” Whitmer shot back. “This is a candidate who still denies the outcome of the 2020 election.”…

… Asked by the debate’s moderator to specifically define her position on abortion, Dixon said she was “pro-life with exceptions for the life of the mother” and did not say whether she would allow prosecutions in cases of rape or incest. She then argued that she would not have much power over the issue if elected.”

Asked about earlier this year when the Republican Legislature of Michigan tried to reinstate a 1931 law banning all abortions the candidates had this exchange:

“A judge has already ruled in this case,” Dixon said. “The governor doesn’t have the choice to go around a judge or a constitutional amendment.”

Whitmer sharply disagreed that a governor’s hands are tied on the issue, noting that her lawsuit against the 1931 ban was what brought about the judge’s ruling.”

But it was on the issue of gun control that Gov. Whitmer landed her most telling blow:

“She’ll (Dixon) put the Second Amendment before second graders every time,” the governor said.”

Watch:

Brilliant line. Sad, true and impactful.

— L. LaPoo (@The_Real_Lippy) October 14, 2022

Yes, it should be part of a nationwide ad blitz.

And I can't wait to vote for Governor Whitmer on November 8th. Kids before guns!

— kellie mcmurray (@flipkid6) October 14, 2022

👍👍👍

Hitting the mark. Don't push the 2nd amendment over 2nd graders. pic.twitter.com/Em62KUKVZx

— Jonathan Abramson 🙏☮️ (@1AvgWhtMan) October 14, 2022

Yup

Dixon undoubtedly went into the debate last night hoping to close the gap between herself and the Governor who is leading substantially in the polls.

I think Whitmer’s smart messaging on reproductive rights will prove to be the factor that insures that instead the opposite will happen.