Leading Democrats in Michigan, including Governor Gretchen Whitmer, are canceling Biden’s campaign in a must-win swing state

DETROIT — Leading Michigan Democrats were conspicuously absent from President Biden’s rally in the must-win swing state the night after his botched NATO press conference – and not a single one of this year’s congressional candidates was in attendance.

On Friday evening, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan were present at Renaissance High School in Detroit to prepare for Biden. These are not exactly prominent names.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who denies claiming that Biden’s woeful performance at last month’s debate made the state unwinnable for him, was not in attendance — and she is frequently touted as a solid replacement candidate for the front-runner. She is reportedly busy visiting Idaho for the Sun Valley Conference, a financial summit where tech moguls and prominent business people network.

Also absent were Democratic congressional candidates Curtis Hertel Jr. and Elissa Slotkin, who are in contested races. Hertel, who is running for the House in a Lansing-area district, has not commented on the Biden campaign since the president’s disastrous debate night.

Slotkin, the Democratic Senate candidate, recently echoed Biden, telling donors that her candidacy was only possible because outgoing Senator Debbie Stabenow was “doing something radical and passing the torch.”

Senator Gary Peters expressed confidence this week that Biden could “absolutely” defeat former President Donald Trump and that Democrats could retain control of the Senate – but did not show any confidence on Friday evening.

The prominent absence of Democrats underscores the confusion within the state party, which has not shown unilateral support for the president.

The subtle attacks on Biden by Democrats in Michigan have only increased in recent days.

The state’s Attorney General, Dana Nessel, recently suggested in a cryptic tweet that Biden should “pass the baton,” just as 35-year-old soccer player Alex Morgan “graciously accepted” it after she was not selected for the U.S. Olympic team this year.

None of the speakers in the preliminary round simply said “Vote for Joe Biden,” but instead said “Vote for democracy” or “Vote for freedom.”

Whenever someone suggested a vote to the crowd, it was always: “Vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”

Participants said ahead of the event that they had hoped for a stronger showing than Biden showed at last month’s debate.

“I hope he gets better,” 21-year-old Akil told the Post. “He needs to talk about jobs and families. We need more of that.”

“I agree that the key is family and how it will improve our homes and our daily lives,” added Asher, 20, both of whom are members of the Michigan College Democrats.

After the rally, most attendees said the president had done “much better” than in the debate and were confident he would win in November.

But by far the most common theme in the room was not support for the president, but antipathy toward Donald Trump.

“Flush his ass down the damn toilet,” retired highway worker George Evans told the Post. “And you can quote that. Biden is the ONLY choice for working Americans. There is no other.”

Anti-Israel activists protested outside the event against Biden’s support of the Jewish state. “Biden, Biden, what are you saying? How many children have you killed today?” one shouted through a megaphone. A woman inside the venue interrupted his speech to chant “Free Palestine” before security removed her.

Campaign officials say Biden has no further appearances planned in Michigan this month.