Michigan’s Whitmer sends a message about the kind of state she wants to be

The new law amends the Elliott-Larsen Act, Michigan’s civil rights law, to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

In practical terms, that means everything from ensuring landlords can’t turn away LGBTQ renters to guaranteeing that employers can't fire workers in same-sex marriages.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has promoted himself as a warrior against the “woke” mob.

The Elliott-Larsen amendment is a Democratic bill signed by a Democratic governor.

But it's hard to watch and listen to Michigan’s Democrats and not sense a motive beyond political pragmatism at work.

This dynamic seems to be working to the advantage of Whitmer and the Democrats because the right-wing agenda alienates plenty of swing voters.