Michigan Governor

[Nym90]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

DeVos

In four years of Granholm, we've had no plan except "Cool Cities" and blaming John Engler or Bush.

And you think Mr. DeVos would have a better plan, do you? He endorsed Granholms economic plan for god sakes!

When did he endorse her plan?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

My calling her a Canadian was in reference to the fact that she's as socialistic as one, not that she's still a Canadian.

[Nym90]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

My calling her a Canadian was in reference to the fact that she's as socialistic as one, not that she's still a Canadian.

Ok, but given the spending cuts that have been enacted to balance the budget under her tenure, without raising taxes, that still doesn't really seem like an accurate description. You are entitled to your opinion.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

My calling her a Canadian was in reference to the fact that she's as socialistic as one, not that she's still a Canadian.

Ok, but given the spending cuts that have been enacted to balance the budget under her tenure, without raising taxes, that still doesn't really seem like an accurate description. You are entitled to your opinion.

What spending cuts has she made besides killing the MEAP test money, and not spending any money on fixing our roads (worst in the country)--speaking of roads, why don't we have ANY toll roads at all, or regulations as to truck weights--but that's not her fault--it's been like that for years.

My biggest problem w/ Granholm was the fact that she was all snuggled up w/ Detroit's Mayor Kilpatrick (until he had his 20 scandals)--anyone who is/was on his side is just foolish (speaking of him--how on EARTH did he get re-elected?).

The only county that Granholm has that's valuable is Wayne--and due to her "friendship" w/ Kwame--she may lose more than she expected there.  Not to mention that whatever small liberal part of Grand Rapids will now go to DeVos.  The only way I can honestly see her as beating him is playing the Amway card, which to some, will work, but others will seem like mud-slinging.

[Flying Dog]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

My calling her a Canadian was in reference to the fact that she's as socialistic as one, not that she's still a Canadian.

Ok, but given the spending cuts that have been enacted to balance the budget under her tenure, without raising taxes, that still doesn't really seem like an accurate description. You are entitled to your opinion.

What spending cuts has she made besides killing the MEAP test money, and not spending any money on fixing our roads (worst in the country)--speaking of roads, why don't we have ANY toll roads at all, or regulations as to truck weights--but that's not her fault--it's been like that for years.

My biggest problem w/ Granholm was the fact that she was all snuggled up w/ Detroit's Mayor Kilpatrick (until he had his 20 scandals)--anyone who is/was on his side is just foolish (speaking of him--how on EARTH did he get re-elected?).

The only county that Granholm has that's valuable is Wayne--and due to her "friendship" w/ Kwame--she may lose more than she expected there.  Not to mention that whatever small liberal part of Grand Rapids will now go to DeVos.  The only way I can honestly see her as beating him is playing the Amway card, which to some, will work, but others will seem like mud-slinging.

Granholm actually reenstated the MEAP money. I think the roads are tolarable and that if they are the worst in the country then we have a pretty good road system. I hate Kilpatrick but his get-out-the-vote effort is remarkable. that is how he won reelection. Granholm has Detroit, Inner Grand rRapids, Ann Arbor. I think whatever loses granholm has in wayne county will be offsett by her strong preformance in southwest michigan (the economy is well off their). Flint, saginAW and midland will revert to their dem roots and vote for her.

[Republican Michigander]

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I can see Flint and Saginaw, but Midland's about 57% Republican. I assume you mean Bay City.

[Flying Dog]

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I can see Flint and Saginaw, but Midland's about 57% Republican. I assume you mean Bay City.

I should have been more specific. The city of midland, not the county. And bay city.

[Republican Michigander]

City of Midland (Midland County)
56.55% Bush (04)
57.49% Bush (2000)
57.98% Posthumus

There IS a small part of Midland that is democrat over in Bay County, but that's one precinct.

[Flying Dog]

City of Midland (Midland County)
56.55% Bush (04)
57.49% Bush (2000)
57.98% Posthumus

There IS a small part of Midland that is democrat over in Bay County, but that's one precinct.

I stand corrected. I was wrong. Thanks for the info.

[Nym90]

I don't like Kilpatrick either, but a big turnout in Detroit is crucial for any Democrat in a close race.

The roads are a lot better than they were under Engler. Does anyone remember how God-awful I-94 used to be right near and just east of Metro Airport before the recent reconstruction? A lot of Detroit area freeways were in horrible shape, but especially that one.

Engler really neglected Southeast Michigan, especially Detroit, for 12 years.

[Dave from Michigan]

I'm voting for DeVos, personally i'm not a big fan of him.  I think I may write in someone for the primary.  I think Granholm will win.  I wrote a huge post on it that no one read I will look for it later.


https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?topic=33960.0

[Cashcow]

Granholm has done an admirable job. It's a shame she can't take Detroit away from Kwame.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Granholm has done an admirable job. It's a shame she can't take Detroit away from Kwame.

What all are you referring to?

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Granholm moved out of Canada when she was 4 years old. The idea that she is Canadian is fairly preposterous. Yes, she is technically an immigrant, but she was quite young.

Excellent points about Amway. I can't respect anyone who made a fortune out of running a pyramid scheme like that.

My calling her a Canadian was in reference to the fact that she's as socialistic as one, not that she's still a Canadian.

Ok, but given the spending cuts that have been enacted to balance the budget under her tenure, without raising taxes, that still doesn't really seem like an accurate description. You are entitled to your opinion.

What spending cuts has she made besides killing the MEAP test money, and not spending any money on fixing our roads (worst in the country)--speaking of roads, why don't we have ANY toll roads at all, or regulations as to truck weights--but that's not her fault--it's been like that for years.

My biggest problem w/ Granholm was the fact that she was all snuggled up w/ Detroit's Mayor Kilpatrick (until he had his 20 scandals)--anyone who is/was on his side is just foolish (speaking of him--how on EARTH did he get re-elected?).

The only county that Granholm has that's valuable is Wayne--and due to her "friendship" w/ Kwame--she may lose more than she expected there.  Not to mention that whatever small liberal part of Grand Rapids will now go to DeVos.  The only way I can honestly see her as beating him is playing the Amway card, which to some, will work, but others will seem like mud-slinging.

Granholm actually reenstated the MEAP money. I think the roads are tolarable and that if they are the worst in the country then we have a pretty good road system. I hate Kilpatrick but his get-out-the-vote effort is remarkable. that is how he won reelection. Granholm has Detroit, Inner Grand rRapids, Ann Arbor. I think whatever loses granholm has in wayne county will be offsett by her strong preformance in southwest michigan (the economy is well off their). Flint, saginAW and midland will revert to their dem roots and vote for her.

But didn't she set to discontinue the money in a yr. or 2?
You think that we have a "pretty good road system"--there's more pot holes than road!--Honestly--this is not a joke--some of our roads are worse than dirt roads.  I doubt Granholm will get much of Grand Rapids--or SW MI for that matter.  Who cares what their economy is like there--look @ the last election resuslts:
she won (big [20000+]):
Bay
Calhoun
Eaton
Genesee
Ingham
Kalamazoo
Muskegon
Oakland
Saginaw
Washtenaw
Wayne

Posthumus won:
Allegan
Berrien
Jackson
Kent
Livingston
Macomb
Monroe
Ottawa
St. Clair
BUT--most of those were bigger than (50,000+) than Granholm's--not to mention he won MORE smaller counties.

[MaC]

looks pretty tied up right now.  A DeVos win isn't impossible, but it's also not likely.  Despite not doing anything good for the state, Granholm has name recognition and it's a left of center state she's working with.  DeVos on the other hand really has to deal with getting his name out there and getting his base to turn out as well as dealing with the fact he doesn't have any previous governing experience (which IMO it's a good thing).

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

There is no getting around the fact that Democrats own the vote in the most populous areas.  But lets not forget the UP.  Marquette is overwealmingly Democrat and many of the other counties in the far north go Democrat in most elections.  Even some of the rural counties that usually go Democrat can make a difference in a close race (Lake, Luce, Arinac, Gogebic, etc).  I don't, however, think it will be that close.  After all of the advertising on Governor Granholms side and the Democratic advantage going into '06, she will likely win with a decent margin.  With all of the ads Mr. DeVos is running, the best he seems to do is the mid forties.  With no ads run, the governor is in the mid forties.  When she runs ads, she will probably go to the upper forties and stay there.  The last days of the race will be stumping for that 2 or 3 point gap.  After the votes come in from the cities, I expect the governor to win.

Also, go to the Secretary of State's webpage and look at election results.  You will notice that the counties that have been recently won by Republicans in recent national or statewide elections have not been landslides for the Republican.  Some counties were won by President Bush in 2004 by no more people than could fill a large room.

I still feel that straight party voting will help the Governor, especially given the Democratic swing that appears to be going on this election cycle and in recent statewide elections across the state of Michigan.  We are not the same as other states (ie. Wyoming, Vermont) that have opposite parties win big.  If we were, there would have not been a push a few years back to eliminate straight party voting by Republicans who felt that it helped Democrats.

On another note, as I saw an ad tonight for Mr. DeVos on TV, I got the same feeling that I get when someone tries to sell me a used car. 

Just for the sake of arguement, I have yet to run accross anyone in my daily life who has said they are considering Mr. DeVos.  Not a single one.  But maybe that just says something about the company I keep.

By the way, I work in the public schools,  the MEAP scholarship is still in full effect.  It is set to be changed as the MEAP is eliminated for high school and replaced with the Merit Exam (ACT).  How it is to be changed is something that we are waiting for from the legislature more than the governor.

Someday, when I get around to it I will learn how to navigate this site better and do a few more things.  Everybody here seems nice and has interesting things to say.

I really don't see such a big advantage for Granholm w/ straight party voting (besides, didn't we get rid of that?).  Also, where is it that you live in MI?  Are most of the people you've talked to that dont' consider DeVos strong liberals, or fence people?

[Flying Dog]

rep base support 45-46%


dem base suppor 48-49%

[Nym90]

DeVos

In four years of Granholm, we've had no plan except "Cool Cities" and blaming John Engler or Bush.

The other states are adding jobs. We're losing them. It's time for a less government conservative here.

As someone who has worked in economic development in the state, I can say that Cool Cities has had a positive effect on the communities in which it has been implemented, though the overall effect of it won't be felt for several years in all liklihood. But it certainly has made a difference in helping communities to attract and retain young talent and avoid "brain drain".

[Nym90]

Straight ticket voting was still in effect in 2004 in Michigan; I don't recall it being eliminated. It still was possible to fill out the entire partisan portion of the ballot with one stroke of the pen (we use optical scan ballots here, not sure what system others might have).

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

DeVos

In four years of Granholm, we've had no plan except "Cool Cities" and blaming John Engler or Bush.

The other states are adding jobs. We're losing them. It's time for a less government conservative here.

As someone who has worked in economic development in the state, I can say that Cool Cities has had a positive effect on the communities in which it has been implemented, though the overall effect of it won't be felt for several years in all liklihood. But it certainly has made a difference in helping communities to attract and retain young talent and avoid "brain drain".

If all you can say is that Granholm got us some "Cool Cities," then isn't that kinda sad.  She hasn't done ANYTHING for Detroit (mostly our mayor's fault though).  A Governor should be doing more than making our state look "cool."

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

Straight ticket voting was still in effect in 2004 in Michigan; I don't recall it being eliminated. It still was possible to fill out the entire partisan portion of the ballot with one stroke of the pen (we use optical scan ballots here, not sure what system others might have).

You are correct--I went on MI court of appeals site and found McDonald v. S.O.S. of Michigan and S.O.S. won (for straight-party).  I think most of MI uses scan ballots, although we only got rid of the old lever one's here in Lincoln Park (Detroit Area) maybe 6-8 yrs. ago.

[Nym90]

DeVos

In four years of Granholm, we've had no plan except "Cool Cities" and blaming John Engler or Bush.

The other states are adding jobs. We're losing them. It's time for a less government conservative here.

As someone who has worked in economic development in the state, I can say that Cool Cities has had a positive effect on the communities in which it has been implemented, though the overall effect of it won't be felt for several years in all liklihood. But it certainly has made a difference in helping communities to attract and retain young talent and avoid "brain drain".

If all you can say is that Granholm got us some "Cool Cities," then isn't that kinda sad.  She hasn't done ANYTHING for Detroit (mostly our mayor's fault though).  A Governor should be doing more than making our state look "cool."

Well yes, clearly that in and of itself won't solve everything by any means, but my point was that it is not mere fluff as it might sound, and has had a definite impact.

[Queen Mum Inks.LWC]

DeVos

In four years of Granholm, we've had no plan except "Cool Cities" and blaming John Engler or Bush.

The other states are adding jobs. We're losing them. It's time for a less government conservative here.

As someone who has worked in economic development in the state, I can say that Cool Cities has had a positive effect on the communities in which it has been implemented, though the overall effect of it won't be felt for several years in all liklihood. But it certainly has made a difference in helping communities to attract and retain young talent and avoid "brain drain".

If all you can say is that Granholm got us some "Cool Cities," then isn't that kinda sad.  She hasn't done ANYTHING for Detroit (mostly our mayor's fault though).  A Governor should be doing more than making our state look "cool."

Well yes, clearly that in and of itself won't solve everything by any means, but my point was that it is not mere fluff as it might sound, and has had a definite impact.

OK, but in your point you never said what other good stuff she's done for us, so what has she done other than cool cities?

[Frodo]

Granholm will win re-election, and by a fairly solid margin as long as DeVos continues doing everything possible to torpedo his own candidacy.  If he somehow wises up in time, he will still lose but by a much closer margin.