Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has come under fire from conservatives who say her stay-at-home rules are too strict, but she said Wednesday that her state has a "unique crisis on our hands" that "demands a unique solution."
"Michigan has the third-most COVID-19 cases in the nation right now," the Democrat governor said on NBC News' "3rd Hour of Today." "Unless it's a life-sustaining activity, we're asking people to stay home, to do their part, and for a couple more weeks to really buckle down. We're seeing our curve start to flatten but we all have to continue doing our part."
Whitmer's comments came as a protest organized by the Michigan Conservative Coalition was staging "Operation Gridlock" in Lansing, bringing protesters in to surround the Michigan Capitol Building with a traffic jam to show their disagreement with her "Stay Safe, Stay Home."
Some of the rules being protested include permitting the sale of lottery tickets at stores larger than 50,000 square feet, but not paint or gardening tools, and forbidding state residents from going to their cottages in the northern part of the state while allowing non-residents in.
Also on Wednesday, Whitmer told NBC's Craig Melvin that she's not focusing on national politics after he asked her if she'd accept a spot as Joe Biden's running mate.
"I think the world of Joe Biden and I'm fortunate to have my name considered along with an incredible group of female leaders across this country," she said. "I'm confident no matter who he chooses we're going to have a strong ticket that is really focused on the right things and preparing this country for the challenges that we face.”