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John Engler's legacy is best with the farm club. This really started in 1982 and capped in 1998 which was our best year. We did catch two major breaks in 84(Reagan and Blanchard's taxes) and 98(Fieger) that hurt the dems badly. Term limits was another major factor. If you look at the dems bench, it's weak. They only have a few machines going that are strong, and all are limited to some degree.

Many top dems are also OLD. Conyers, Kildee, Dingell, and both Levins are all over 68. On the GOP side, there's Mike Rogers and Candice Miller which are the two most mentioned. Mike Cox and Terri Land both won statewide. All four are A-Team and there's geographical balance. Land is from West MI, Cox and Miller from Tri-County, and Rogers from Central/SE.

I would not bet against Rogers - ever. He's got almost everything going for him.
1. Navy vet and FBI background - Very pro-military and always has been, not just election purposes. He's served. His dad served. His brother is there now.
2. Family business background.
3. Outgoing and is a great speaker(Speaking is his advantage over Candice Miller, her advantage is winning statewide with the best margin ever)
3. Popular with his base - No 2a problems, tax problems, or life issue problems.
4. Wins tough races - 2000 against Byrum(An A team candidate)
5. Can win in dem and swing areas. He won the Washtenaw part of the 8th(2000 borders) and won Shiawassee(Swing) both in 00 and 02(as well as a State Senator). In 2002, he won Democrat Stronghold - Ingham County with 58% He won Meridian Twp, Lansing City and Lansing Twp. He only lost the city of East Lansing. People like him.
6. Strong campaigner - He won't take a race off. The 8th district is still a marginal district.