Michael Moore Makes Friends in GOP-Leaning Town [Will Republicans Ever Learn?]

NYTimes ^ | September 30, 2009

[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.

[buffyt]

I MM is so anti Capitalism why does it cost money to go see his movies? Why aren’t they all FREE? why does he accept paychecks for them?

[This I Wonder32460]

Are you trying to say that Michael Moore is a closet capitalist who believes he should be able to make money for making films? Isn’t strange that those who hate capitalism the most, are usually the ones who benefit from it the most?

[Darren McCarty]

Traverse City itself is center-left. Heavily Democrat or RINO. Bill Milliken was from there to give an idea. It's not a conservative town.

Grand Traverse County is conservative.

[Fast Ed97]

I always thought Traverse City is overrated. My old boss used to love to go up there for weekends. I guess its for the outdoor types. Outside of boating and water recreation, there is not much to do to justify a vacation there. I guess because of its remote location they have a hard time finding culinary talent even for the upscale tourists, the restaurants serve rather bland uninspired food.

But, the people are nice, and its got a "cute" feel to it.

Nonetheless, I find it interesting that a radical leftist like Moore would find such comfort there, there is like no "diversity" whatsoever.