Granholm Leads, DeVos Improves in Michigan

Angus-Reid ^ | 3/11/06

[LdSentinal]

Angus Reid Global Scan) – Jennifer Granholm remains the top candidate in Michigan’s gubernatorial race, according to a poll by EPIC/MRA. 51 per cent of respondents in the Great Lake State would vote for the incumbent in a head-to-head contest against Republican Dick DeVos.

Granholm—a Democrat—was elected in the November 2002 election, defeating Republican challenger Dick Posthumus with 51 per cent of the vote.

Support for Granholm dropped by two points since January, while backing for DeVos—the former chief executive officer at Alticor and husband of former state Republican chairwoman Betsy DeVos—is now at 41 per cent, up five points.

Over the past three weeks, DeVos aired two television advertisements, which focus on unemployment and the economy. The Republican candidate discusses plant closings and the state’s financial problems, saying, "What they’re doing in Lansing just isn’t working. I believe as governor, I have to work for change. With a little new thinking, we will turn Michigan around."

Democratic Party spokesman Jason Moon criticized DeVos’ strategy, saying, "We think all the statements he made in those ads are false and misleading." The Democrats have created online commercials to refute DeVos.

The next gubernatorial election in the Great Lake State is scheduled for Nov. 7. Since 1943, Michigan has had five Republican and four Democratic heads of government.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Granholm is a fricking joke, although I can't talk since my Governor is the equally socialist Doyle.

[Cicero]

51% is not good for an incumbent governor. But she will have a lot of dead people voting for her, no doubt.

[Extremely Extreme Extremist]

Unfortunately, she'll win because of Detroit and the unions.

[scrabblehack]

Only 9 governors in 64 years? Let's see....Granholm, Engler, Blanchard, Milliken... (off the top of my head)

[quantim]

I'm optimistic.  Before socialist import Granholm, Governor Engler after three terms was term-limited out and the canuck got in thanks to a weak and pathetic RNC along with a tepid state party.

It's really rural/suburbs against the liberal ghettos of Detroit, and surrounding dump pits.  Like Conyers' district.  Ann Arbor is excepted as it's no ghetto, rather expensive, home to U-M and that is where the 'smart,' rich, liberals are that provide policy that lead to cities like Detroit only 40 miles away.  Ann Arbor is the mecca of elitism and enough to throw a statewide election.

So it gets back to voter turnout, and therefore leaders.  There are none.  The RNC is brain dead.  Granholm is an easy pick-off with some support.  Michigan IS NOT a blue state, but the dems have had a better run here lately.  I blame it on RINOs, corruption, welfare liberal mentality.

Bush Sr. won here, Reagan won here.  It is not a lost cause.

I'll go as far it's not even a state thing, the woes here are a fallout of a much bigger problem that started 40 years ago in Washington, and those chickens have come home to roost.

And for the record, the economy is BOOMING in Michigan, but only depending on where you are.  There is no other state that is so divided along party lines.

[jennyp]

Only 9 governors in 64 years? Let's see....Granholm, Engler, Blanchard, Milliken... (off the top of my head)

Milliken was governor for, IIRC, 28 years, so that does skew things a bit.

[Schwaeky]

don't forget (George) Romney.....

[Schwaeky]

I'm going out on a limb and going to put money that DeVos will win...

[ASA Vet]

George Romney. Milliken was his Lt. governor.

[ASA Vet]

Unless there's an AMWAY backlash.

[b359]

Granholm is the epitome of the know nothing, liberal lawyer, elitist mindset. Completely shallow and out or her league. Her most noteworthy accomplishment is her "cool city" initiative, laughable.

Combine Granholm's attributes with the WEAK republican legislature then add the entitlement pervasive attitude that grows stronger by the year, it's no wonder Michigan is in it's sorry economic position.

There are a lot of good people in this state who are really trying to resurrect the economy and living standards but everything they do is sucked dry by Detroit/Lansing politics and the unions.

[CalvaryJohn]

I wouldn't vote for an AMorrhoid.

[sergeantdave]

"51 per cent of respondents in the Great Lake State would vote for the incumbent ..."

I'm living with morons.

[Recovering Hermit]

"51 per cent of respondents in the Great Lake State would vote for the incumbent ..."

I'm living with morons.

You have just summed it all up in four words.

She knows that her constituency are morons...listening to her speak is like listening to a first grade teacher instructing her class.

[jennyp]

Wasn't he very liberal for a Republican though?

I think so. But what I REALLY remember about him was I got to shake his hand when I was 7. :-)

[scrabblehack]

http://www.answers.com/topic/list-of-governors-of-michigan

Harry Kelley January 1, 1943 January 1, 1947 R
Kim Sigler January 1, 1947 January 1, 1949 R
G. Mennen Williams January 1, 1949 January 1, 1961 D
John Swainson January 1, 1961 January 1, 1963 D
George W. Romney8 January 1, 1963 January 22, 1969 R
William Milliken January 22, 1969 January 1, 1983 R
James Blanchard January 1, 1983 January 1, 1991 D
John Engler January 1, 1991 January 1, 2003 R
Jennifer Granholm January 1, 2003 present D

It looks like some time between 1962 and 1982 Michigan went from 2 year terms to 4 year terms. Romney left office to become HUD secretary under Nixon.

[Schwaeky]

I presume that if you are on Freerepublic that you are a conservative or at least a Republican. . that said, I think that is very unworthy of anyone claiming to be a conservative to say such a derisive thing about a successful businessperson, in a company that is free of scandal such as Alticor (Amway, Quixtar)--a company that has improved the lives of millions through its business model--versus ripping off the consumer or its shareholders.. If we were talking about Ken Lay or Ed Whitacre, then there would be legitimate issue.

[Moleman]

I believe her saying is that she will ride Dick (Devose) all the way to victory.