Much like in 2016, the 2020 election is expected to hinge on a small handful of states, Michigan among them.
In the election's final days, one of the state's most famous residents, actor Jeff Daniels, has teamed up with author Don Winslow to create a video that appeals to the hearts and minds of his fellow Michiganders to encourage them to vote for Joe Biden.
And when it comes to Donald Trump, the video pulls no punches, doling out a blistering rebuke of the President.
Don Winslow Films | Jeff Daniels - #AmericaNeedsMichiganyoutu.be
Daniels grew up and still lives in the small town of Chelsea, Michigan, about 60 miles west of Detroit.
In the video, Daniels opens the video by speaking about the hardy spirit of the people of Michigan and the dark times they're currently suffering through, especially in the state's struggling agricultural and industrial sectors.
"We're hurting in Michigan right now: in our factories, on our farms, in our hearts. In Michigan, we don't pound our chests and blow our own horns. We just get the job done. We suit up, show up and get to work."
Then, without ever speaking the President's name, Daniels delivers a blistering indictment of Donald Trump over images of a nurse fighting the pandemic, a U.S. military member reuniting with his child, and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who the President has repeatedly attacked in the media and in his speeches.
"Here in Michigan, we don't believe in paying off porn stars to keep their mouths shut about who we really are and we don't think much of a man who disrespects women. In fact, we don't think he's much of a man at all."
The video closes with Daniels saying that his home state "deserves" a president like Joe Biden before confirming that he voted for Biden in the election.
On Twitter, the video drew widespread praise from people all over the country.
Wow. This is one hell of a video from @donwinslow & @Jeff_Daniels. Please Watch. Please Share. For Michigan.… https://t.co/U87GvvGxRw— Nick Knudsen (@Nick Knudsen) 1603837839.0
Jeff Daniels for the win... https://t.co/iHnBwLBgNo— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@Rex Chapman🏇🏼) 1603837311.0
This is so haunting and powerful! Hands down our favorite video 🔥 Share this everywhere!! #AmericaNeedsMichigan… https://t.co/NMF3vpJBhx— Eleven Films (@Eleven Films) 1603835636.0
I don't talk about politics in public. I just don't. But this week, the stakes are too high to remain silent, eve… https://t.co/T9xs9mYe52— Steve Hamilton (@Steve Hamilton) 1603836043.0
@donwinslow @Jeff_Daniels Wow, i love this.— Matthew Dowd (@Matthew Dowd) 1603844992.0
Never been so proud of my friend JEFF DANIELS. He knows Michigan. He IS Michigan. And with this incredible video he… https://t.co/z0EXWtowRf— Billy Ray (@Billy Ray) 1603837321.0
This says it as clearly as I’ve seen. #AmericaNeedsMichigan https://t.co/MaX4Gv3E1k— Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1603838170.0
@donwinslow @Jeff_Daniels Phenomenal, Mr. Winslow. Thank you, Jeff Daniels! #Vote— 💙 Lolo 💙 Get Vaccinated! (@💙 Lolo 💙 Get Vaccinated!) 1603836126.0
Biden currently leads Donald Trump in the polls by an average of eight points in Michigan, which was one of three states that swung the 2016 election to Donald Trump.