US: Whitmer touts Biden, rips Trump on virus response

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spoke during opening night of Democrats' virtual minating convention Monday, touting Joe Biden's work to rescue auto industry and saying he would rally country to fight coronavirus and t deny it like US President Donald Trump has.  goverr addressed a national audience from a United Auto Workers hall in Lansing.

Whitmer reminded viewers of country's last ecomic crisis — Great Recession — and credited Biden, n vice president, for joining with President Barack Obama to save auto sector with a federal bailout. Those workers, she said, have helped more than a decade later to make protective equipment for doctors and nurses during COVID-19 pandemic.

"Over past few months, we learned what's essential — rising to challenge, t denying it. We've learned who is essential, too," goverr said, "t just wealthiest among us. t a president who fights his fellow Americans rar than fight virus that's killing us and our ecomy. It's people who put ir own health at risk to care for rest of us."

In her five-minute speech, she continued to criticize Trump administration for its lack of a "national strategy" to combat COVID-19, saying everyone who needs a test should get one for free and kids and educators should have adequate funding to safely return to school.

Biden and his running mate, California Sen. Kamala Harris, "will lead by example," Whitmer said. "Science, t politics or ego, will drive ir decisions. y kw health of our people goes hand in hand with strength of our ecomy."