Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer struck a theme of unity as she delivered the Democratic Party's response to Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night.
Speaking from her daughters' high school in East Lansing, Whitmer decribed action by Democratic leaders across the country on a number of issues around which the divided party can coalesce, including improvements to infrastructure, worker benefits and education.
She touted bipartisan compromise, spotlighting Democratic governors working across the political aisle on issues like expanding Medicaid, noting she did the same as a senator in the Michigan Legislature. She also blamed Congressional Republicans for failing to pick up bills with bipartisan support.
"We're capable of great things when we work together," Whitmer said. "We cannot forget that despite the dishonesty and division of the last few years, and that we heard tonight from the president of the United States, that together we have boundless potential."
On health care — which can be a divisive issue for Democrats as two leading presidential primary candidates push for a single-payer system — Whitmer, who has close ties to Blue Cross Blue Shield, focused on efforts to shore up the Affordable Care Act.
"Every Democrat running for president has a plan to expand health care for all Americans," she added. "They may have different plans but the goal is the same."
She also briefly touched on the president's impeachment trial, with a final vote set for Wednesday in the Senate.
"The truth matters, facts matter and no one should be above the law," she said. "It's not what those senators say tomorrow it's about what they do that matters. Remember: listen to what people say but watch what they do."
Watch the full speech:
