I actually lived in Michigan for a number of years. I don't disagree that the people of the state are traditional, but I also don't remember them electing Santorum-style Republicans, which is the way your post seems to read. The average elected Republican in Michigan was more like Gov. Engler, a pro-business fiscal conservative who was also pro-life, pro-gun, etc, but never really talked about it much, just signed all the right laws.
If Rudy promises no new federal gun laws and conservative judges, and runs on fiscal issues and foreign policy, he seems an awfully lot like the type of Republican who wins in Michigan to me.
"If Rudy promises no new federal gun laws and conservative judges, and runs on fiscal issues and foreign policy, he seems an awfully lot like the type of Republican who wins in Michigan to me."
Most of the Republican base here are hunters and shooters. They will get mailers from the gun groups showing Rudy's record and statements on guns. They will not vote for him here.