I'm speaking of what will happen if Bush signs the AW ban.
As for Engler, he dealt with a Rat house from 91-94 and 96-98, as well as a media that hated his guts. He was very conservative fiscally and conservative on social issues as well(outside the death penalty which he opposed), especially on life issues. He signed CCW as well(as did Bush).
Carl Lenin is an aberration. He's been here for 25 years. Debbie Stabusall won because Spence ran a weak campaign and was left wing on immigration issues, and a moderate on other issues. Conservatives were lukewarm to him at best as well.
The last conservative to lose was Posthumus, which was expected to be a blowout. We got two conservative through anyway statewide. Mike Cox and Terri Land.
As for the areas I referenced, those are NOT republican areas.
Macomb - Swings, socially conservative, populist.
St Clair - Marginally GOP at best. Populist.
the UP North Michigan - Leans Dem, socially conservative, populist
Shiawasse - Elected dems for 20 years. Starting to shift. Social Conservative, populist
Eaton - Went for Tabor(Most right wing state rep) and Granholm.
Monroe - Swings, socially conservative and populist.