I think most people would agree that Michigan isn’t the most fun state to be in right now, especially if you’re out of a job or trying to find one after graduation. Obviously, this means that the gubernatorial race is red hot, with tons and tons of advertisements that either say, “Keep me and I’ll help turn Michigan around!” (for Granholm) or, “Elect me and I’ll help turn Michigan around!” (for DeVos).
Obviously Michigan’s problems aren’t going to be magically solved by this election and there are plenty of things that need changing, but who are you going to vote for (or, for non-residents, who would you vote for) and why?
I’m voting for DeVos. He can’t possibly be worse than Granholm. Ol’ Jenny sat around doing nothing until election season came around, then suddenly became concerned about job loss. Sorry, babe. Too little, too late.
Yeah, but I can’t possibly vote for DeVos in good faith. It truly is the lesser of two evils in this case. Granholm hasn’t really don’t a whole lot. Detroit still has no mass transit. College is expensive. They’re not using the educational advantage.
This race makes me irritable (I know, who could tell?) because Granholm has pretty thoroughly alienated me…but I don’t like the things DeVos is focusing on, either. My sun pretty much rises on sets on higher ed issues, and neither of them get it as far as I am concerned.
I may grudgingly vote for Granholm, or leave that part of the ballot unvoted.
I am a core Democrat and I know Jenny fairly well. You can’t speak on such familar terms, Diceman, unless she knows you by name.
First of all, a little bias, maybe a gut feeling - Bouchard and DeVos are slick business-types that have no experience or knowlege to be Governor or Senator. Richard DeVos has had considerable amount of business in Michigan but it is by no means exceptional. What did he learn from Amway, Windquest, Alticor, and Quixar? Nothing, unless you can prove me wrong.
Jennifer Granholm has had proven results before the election campaign. Governor Granholm went to Japan to bring jobs to Michigan. Google will build facilities in Ann Arbor. Part of the reason is Larry Page is a alum of U of M, but part of the reason is the efforts of Jennifer Granhom. A candiate with a political science degree, a juris doctorate, and experience as Attorney General of Michigan, that alone seperates her from DeVos.
Jenny was a principal behind the “Cool Cities” initiative. Bring jobs to cities, bring people to cities, bring buildings, vitalitity, create vibrant urban centers. Ann Arbor is becoming a Cool City. Google is moving to Ann Arbor and new condos are being built. Jennifer Granholm has the experience, the ideas, and the enthusiasm to bring the best to Michigan.
I can’t remember the last time a governer managed to drag his or her ass above the bridge as much as Granholm has. That alone makes me like her. She treats the UP as if it’s part of the state instead of some wasteland full of trees and pasties.
Ann Arbor already was a “Cool City.” When everyone jumped on that Florida book, Ann Arbor was held up as an icon of what Michigan wanted other cities to become.
I will grant you that Granholm inherited a pretty big f-ing mess when she took office. It would be hard to have a great performance given how Engler left things. However, I still haven’t loved some of her priorities.
I was a Granholm supporter in the last election but I am leaning toward DeVos this time around. Not in a “hooray for DeVos” way but more in a way of “We need someone to help Michigan’s economy” way. I have reservations about him but I think Michigan needs some tough love especially in creating jobs and dealing with unions, and helping small business and I think DeVos may be able to do more there. I have problems with some of his social policies but right now I am voting solely on economy and jobs. I hate some of his campaigning tactics though…I don’t think I will get any pleasure out of voting for him. Those of you who support Granholm will be glad to hear that people I vote for rarely get elected though (Granholm is about the only person I have ever voted for who won.) My vote seems to be the kiss of death in most elections.
Plus I am still holding a grudge against Granholm for turning down Grand Rapids’ free money for public transportation. I have yet to hear a good reason from her for that one, and “because Detroit wouldn’t get any money too” is not a good reason.
It really is a choice between two losers. It’s sad what has happened to politics on every level recently. My local government politics are even partisan to a prety good extreme, and in smaller municipalities that usually isn’t as much of a concern.
Anyhow, Granholm is what I like to call a political operative. She operates behind the scenes in some prety dirty pool ways, using her party’s clout and contacts to keep things she doesn’t want out from getting out. I almost liken it to GWB only with about 200x the subtlety. She was a very large influence in getting Mike Duggan, an attorney with no hospital experience, the CEO job at the Detroit Medical Center (I beleive it hinged on some bailout funding). This dude went from Detroit DA salary (paltry) to like 750K per year. And he’s hiring all of his political cronies and giving them six figure salaries to help run the hospital. It’s shameful, because Detroit needs high quality hospital care and I don’t think he’s helping.
DeVos, well, he started Amway. That says more about him than anything else, with the exception that he tells everyone how he’s going to save the state but won’t release any real “details” about it until after election. Yeah, and I bet the dog ate your campaign speech too, huh dipshit?
This thread reminded me to register to vote, since I’ll be back in Monroe County by the time the election rolls around. Based on my voting history, I’ll probably be voting for Granholm, but does anyone care to sum up any good reasons to vote for DeVos? (I’m 4000 miles away right now and don’t exactly have my finger on the pulse of Mitten politics.)
