DeVos raps Granholm at GOP rally

Grand Rapids Press ^ | 6-9-05 | Steve Harmon

[Dan from Michigan]

DeVos raps Granholm at GOP rally
Thursday, June 09, 2005
By Steven Harmon
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS -- Dick DeVos signaled his opposition to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's two cornerstone economic platforms Wednesday, and assailed the state Democratic Party chairman for comments he made about DeVos' business experience.

DeVos, meeting with GOP activists for the first time since declaring he would run for governor last week, was a special guest at the Kent County Republicans' spring reception at the Louis Benton Steak House downtown.

Nearly 300 local activists showed up for the event to get an early glimpse of the former Alticor CEO's newly launched campaign. DeVos, whose Fortune 500 family is one of the GOP's top national donors, rallied the troops for five minutes before heading off to the eighth-grade graduation for his son, Ryan.

In comments before his meeting with activists, DeVos said he had "concerns" the governor's $2 billion bond proposal would "mortgage our children's future away. We have to do that with great, great care. I want to be sure we're diligent, the choices are sound."

DeVos, who plans on officially starting his campaign "later this year," said he would raise specific points about the bond proposal as his campaign message shaped up.

DeVos also hinted that Granholm's Single Business Tax cut proposal would be a campaign issue.

"It's unfortunate that we find tax policy picking winners and losers," he said. "It's a very dangerous policy. We've got to be encouraging all businesses to be the best we can be."

Granholm was in Grand Rapids on Wednesday promoting her $2 billion bond proposal, which she says will create thousands of jobs.

DeVos also called it "extremely unfortunate" state Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer criticized him for outsourcing thousands of jobs to China as CEO of Alticor, formerly Amway.

"It's unfortunate that Mark Brewer has taken the low road, already throwing out personal attacks," DeVos said. "It's not a time to attack. It's a time we need to be challenging the status quo."

DeVos would not respond directly to Brewer's charge, saying he would do so at another time.

"Sure, we'll deal with that," he said. "We will have details. That one's easy, I guarantee it."

In remarks to activists, DeVos beseeched them to get active in the upcoming election. And he said he was not in the race for personal reasons.

"We're not here because we have some political agenda," he said. "We're here because Republicans' philosophies are extremely important for the future of the state and country."

DeVos' business background was a key selling point for most of the activists.

"It's a perfect opportunity to have someone like Dick DeVos, a businessman who knows what it takes to run a successful enterprise," said Tim Hanson, of Kentwood.

Bee Isselhardt, who was honored Wednesday by the Gerald R. Ford Women's Club for 42 years of political activism, said DeVos will do well in a campaign.

"I'm not sure many people, if they had that kind of money, would work as hard as Dick," she said. I like that about him."

[MIhomeschooler]

Listening to Frank Beckman (WJR Detroit) earlier in the week talking to Oakland County head L. Brooks Patterson, I was astounded to discover that Michigan is the only state in the Union that employs (no pun intended) the Single Business Tax.

[hermgem]

Have been eagerly waiting for success stories following Granholms visit to Japan in order to persuade a Japanese automobile manufacturer to settle in Michigan instead the U.S. South.
Granholm might want to ask herself why her State is one of the very few ones still shrinking along with a population decline.
Voters in spite of attacks of outsourcing will sooner or later ask Granholm along with her entrenched Democratic Party politicians why she is unable or incapable to provide a positive business climate and environment in Michigan to attract new operations.
Plenty of skilled, but unemployed labor is there.
Sorry to say the problem is unwillingness to adapt to changes: it's called lack of local leadership.
Sufferers remain those that hope in vain for better employment times to come.
Will they react at election time, or continue to listen to rhetoric?