Posted on 09/30/2009 12:16:55 PM PDT by Steelfish
Michael Moore Makes Friends in GOP-Leaning Town
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS September 30, 2009
TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) -- Seated on a platform in a blocked-off street, the founder of the Traverse City Film Festival grinned as Mayor Michael Estes hailed him for boosting the local economy and cultural scene --''with almost no government assistance!''
Who was that free-market champion? Michael Moore.
Yes, THAT Michael Moore. The Oscar-winning firebrand whose ''Roger & Me'' attacked General Motors, whose ''Sicko'' extolled government-run health care. His latest film, ''Capitalism: A Love Story,'' which opens nationwide Friday, blames deregulation for the financial meltdown and shows Franklin D. Roosevelt advocating an expanded welfare state.
Yet here was Moore in his festival's fifth season, exchanging pleasantries with business and civic leaders in this largely Republican community, surrounded by fans offering hugs and handshakes.
''This guy is a great promoter, a great businessman. He's done so much for Traverse City, more than we can imagine,'' Estes said.
Moore, 55, is widely celebrated -- and reviled -- as a left-wing scourge of big business.
But in this resort town of 15,000 on Lake Michigan, a five-hour drive northwest of Detroit, his image is more complex. Since moving to the area six years ago, Moore has become a high-profile citizen and benefactor.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
I believe Estes is a democrat. The area is conservative, the city is not.
The “community” may be largely “Republican”, but that does not mean they’re clear-eyed conservatives.
Nor does it even mean that those local elites and “fans” kissing Moore’s prodigious ass were even Republicans to begin with.
More propaganda from the utterly worthless NY Times
Traverse city republican is the epitome of RINO for the most part.
The metropolitan Traverse City area is bluer than Obama’s lips. Step outside the city limits, that’s where the Republicans and Conservative-leaning folks live. Can’t afford to live IN town due to the taxes! That’s why I moved out a decade ago, I’d hate to think what it’s like these days.
Michael Moore is P.T. Barnum reincarnated.
“There’s one born every minute.”
If he really believed the propaganda he promotes, someone should force him to live by those standards. Until he does, he’s just another carney clown.
Reminds me of the Bill Hicks routine where he goes, "Oh he's going for that anti-marketing dollar. There's big money in that, we've done research."
Isn’t Michigan a liberal devastated state?
Michael Moore hasn’t told the truth in his life.
Yep the whole state is that way. Outside the city limits we’re a conservative state.
Will people like you ever learn that papers like the NY Times print crap and it should be questioned??
From the article:
‘’We share a desire to have our community thrive, improve the arts and culture, find ways to bring in more jobs,’’ Moore said in an interview. ‘’I really have more common ground with the Republicans in this area than the things we disagree on.’’
But he acknowledged some business and civic leaders were suspicious at first: ‘’They seemed to think I wanted to turn the place into the People’s Republic of Traverse City.’’
‘’I don’t like Michael Moore’s movies. I don’t like his message,’’ said Al Bonney, 65, a Rotary Charities board member. ‘’But I certainly like what he’s done for this town. The guy has shown he’s legit and honest and he believes in serving the community, so he’s OK by me.’’
IMHO, Moore would be ok with as lot of the republicans who still believe more in their community more than they do with trying to protect big business and the wealthy.
parsy, who agrees with some things Moore says and disbelieves others
Doesn’t Michael Moore have his own “charity” to promote “the arts” and such, that he is in complete control of. I bet he’s getting a huge tax write off for this.
What will be funny is when these people suddenly find themselves to be stars in Moore’s next movie.
Same way Hamas is buying off Beirut, or the Mob bought off Chicago.
No kidding.
I wonder how much of the $ he makes from his newest...er...endeavor is going to charity (and how much of it he’s gonna blow on Ring-Dings)?
Most republicans are not conservatives, so no they never learn.
Parsy who is a star on DU.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.