When the hot-colored envelope from the public relations team arrived at the studio, there was something I just sensed — this had to be the "True Gretch" book.
At first blush, the 160-ish pages felt light. But as I dug in, I remembered that less is more. I was letting my bias of loving Barack Obama's "Dreams From My Father" cloud my judgment (for context, "Dreams" is nearly three times the length).
Sometimes we need soaring rhetoric. And sometimes, we need a laugh, a playlist, and an introduction.
Relatability is one of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's superpowers.
She uses her story to connect on issues that matter, making things "personal" not through aggression, but by reaching people in a way that even her opponents have to admit resonates.
Reasonableness is another strength.
On most issues, despite whatever some pundits (professional or passionate) might say, most people living their lives seem to look at her and go, "she's doing the best she can with the cards dealt."
As someone who's followed the local Michigan scene for awhile from my perch in Detroit, there were many stories in there that I remembered hearing about. But to the rest of America? They're new and important to know, especially as she inevitably transitions out of office due to term limits.
In "True Gretch" she shares everything from the youthful indiscretions most of us have had; to the deeply personal and tragic.
And it's clear she likes dogs — a green flag for me.
In this age of short attention spans, the book is quick, warm and approachable. In the few times I've very briefly talked with her over the years, so is she.
One of the keys to her consistently high approval rating here is on most issues she governs from the real center of where most Michiganders are at.
She is, in fact, a "happy warrior," and yes, I believe most voters want that.
Someone who is able to look at what's happening, laugh at it, and call out how dumb it can be sometimes — and step in when it's needed.
Things that "official" people hated, people out in the real world love about her. Whether it's Shark Week, or rolling with the moniker of "Big Gretch."
When insulted over stupid things, she can serve it back — and often better. We know she will stand up, and Michiganders have strongly supported Whitmer. She clobbered her Trumpist opponent in the last general election by 11 points.
To me, the only question if she seeks higher office at some point — is will the idea of Americans loving a woman in government, but not wanting to vote for them for the highest office — hold true?
Being that we're in the 2020s, not the 1920s, I sure as hell hope this country can decide elections on merits, not manhood.
Watching her rise has been colorful and at times inspiring. It's shown our best, and honestly, our worst from things like the absurd "blue dress" controversy to whacked out militia members trying to kill her.
The book takes you into these moments.
I'm curious to see in the coming months and years what America thinks. As I said, Whitmer is term limited as Governor of Michigan, so there has to be a next chapter.
Whether it's higher office — or a higher calling.
Either way, I can't help but think she will not drive into the sunset.
"True Gretch: What I've Learned About Life, Leadership, and Everything in Between" is out now wherever books are sold. If you can, consider getting it from a local bookstore.
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