Michigan? We're going to lose MICHIGAN?

[Hamlette]

is that possible? Or are they talking about voter fraud?

I'm terribly worried about this election but Michigan is not on my radar. . . or just barely on my radar.

I know there are tons of religious nut cases in Michigan, home of religious nut case Amway. But TURN RED? Really?

Talk me down.

[GoesTo11]

1. Great post!

[Overseas]

97. Not so. Doesn't reveal source is editorial by EJ Dione and Chris Cilizza until

farther down the line. I don't like big ambiguous concern posts that don't even have the courtesy to give their sources. Why not say simply that "EJ Dionne and Chris Cilizza are saying Michigan will be a battleground state, and I thought we would clearly win Michigan. I'm worried about that." Then your readers will know what your concern is founded upon.

Instead of that, an urgent panicky question is asked. OMG, talk me down! A really vague hyperbolic concern post with no sourcing.

Yet many sincere people respond with latest poll data showing we lead in Michigan.

Then others share their explanations for what could possibly account for results contrary to those we have all seen, because obviously, having made such a strong declaration, the poster must be referring to some new data we haven't seen yet.

There are several exchanges including those who ask about the source of the writer's concern. And finally, way down the thread, Hamlette finally reveals the source of concern:

It isn't the MSM, it's EJ Dionne and Chris Cilizza (sp)

who say it will be the battleground state this year, like Ohio last time and FL in 2000.

[PBS Poll-435]

2. Not possible

2004 was the year of the religious nutcase according to the Chinese calendar.

[endthewar]

18. That's not behavior we can believe in

:rofl:

Alright, I've gotta come up with a new line. This one is getting kind of stale. :-)

[PBS Poll-435]

36. How about....

"You are not fooling anyone....TROLL."

:P

[endthewar]

38. Nah, don't want to accuse you of being a troll

You turn Texas blue yet? Check the national polls to see all of the great work I've done turning Massachusetts blue. :-)

[PBS Poll-435]

39. I must say Texas is a little tricky, but I am working on it.

And as for Mass....GOOD FOR YOU!

:P

[Hippo_Tron]

99. The problem with Texas is it's so damn big and expensive

Jon Cornyn would be well on his way to being an ex-Senator if he represented a smaller and slightly less red state.

[MichiganVote]

3. Its the economy in Michigan.....and yes I've been warning you all for months that Mi. is dicey.

[AndyTiedye]

16. But Why Would The Crap Economy Help the REPUBLICANS Who Broke IT?!?!??

[knitter4democracy]

31. Because we have a Dem governor.

Many are blaming her and therefore Dems as well.

Obama's not helped himself here, either, what with the primary debacle and a couple of snippy comments on an earlier visit this summer that got a lot of airtime.

[MichiganVote]

37. Obama is not here enough. Its that simple. It's going to take a lot of work to

get voters enthused about either candidate. On the up side, I drive the highway every day and I DO NOT see the number of republican bumper stickers I saw in 2000 and 2004.

But I also do not see the Obama stickers much either.

[knitter4democracy]

48. There are more in our area.

Here in Battle Creek, I'm seeing Obama stickers and signs far more than I would've expected and far more than I saw Kerry stuff in 2004. If those are any indicator, we actually might win Calhoun County.

[WCGreen]

84. I loved Batle Creek....

It was such a cute town...

[krkaufman]

53. Let's not lay the primary "debacle" at Obama's feet, OK?

Of all the parties responsible for stirring the ire of Michiganders in regards to the Michigan primary, Obama is LEAST to blame.

That said, the Dem governor has an effect, plus the animosity revolving around the Kwame Kilpatrick situation.

[knitter4democracy]

58. People do blame him, though.

He refused to campaign here, but now he's coming around and asking for money. That leaves a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths. I've heard Dems here say they're not sure about the guy. I'm just saying--how would you feel being treated like that, regardless of the reason?

[Levgreee]

60. sounds like the legacy of Hillary's smears on Obama....

[knitter4democracy]

73. In part, that's true.

He didn't help his case, though, by how he handled his first few visits here.

[FVZA_Colonel]

71. How can that many people really be blaming him if he's up by anywhere from 4 to 9 points.

[knitter4democracy]

74. He'd be up by more, though.

I'm sure Dems have mostly forgiven him by now and will definitely vote for him, but for our independents on Dem calling lists who get the mailers and phone calls begging for money, I think more would be pro-Obama if he came up here more often and really addressed the primary debacle when he did get here.

[krkaufman]

94. "he refused to campaign here"

My point is that it is unfortunate that people are so misinformed as to exactly what went down in Michigan, and people continue to blame Obama and/or the DNC. Just as with your "he refused to campaign here" statement. The agreement was that NO ONE would campaign in Michigan, because Michigan had broached the national DNC agreement on the order of primaries. Obama is not in any way individually responsible for Michigan's decision, nor the response by the DNC.

Sadly, it appears that far too many people are uninformed and it is the nature of the beast that it is contagious.

[blue_onyx]

77. I remember a poll from months ago that showed....

more people blamed the economy on Bush than Granholm. Also, yesterday a new poll showed Granholm with a 50% approval rating, higher than usual...especially considering the economy here.

[knitter4democracy]

81. Thank goodness.

I've heard a lot of negative about her lately, which surprises me, given that the Republicans in the legistlature have stymied any and all possibilities for fixing Michigan.

[blue_onyx]

83. Yeah, it's nice to hear good news

The problem for Granholm is the news doesn't cover all the games the Republicans in the House (particularly Mike Bishop) play. So people just say, "Hey, nothing is happen so must be the Governor's fault." I think her helping move the process of Kilpatrick leaving office along probably helped her in the poll.

[MichiganVote]

34. Because the people of Michigan are equal opportunity 'screw you Washington' voters

He who has the most supporters vote wins the game in Michigan.

[mrcheerful]

30. I agree with you I been watching all of michigans blogs and

slowly but surely the liberal voice is being silenced by the wingnut loud braying jackasses. Even strong liberal leaning bloggers are starting to repeat the right lies. They are finding themselves in dead end jobs with little health care then blame the poor for having better health care then they have.

So any debates lapse into why me and not them arguements where even the disabled are seen as low life free loaders to lazy to work. SSI folks are getting nut checks, seems a news paper ran an article about how it was easier to get an SSI check if one has a mental condition then if one had a health problem. The wingnuts claimed they saw people walk into a SS building claiming mental health was keeping them from working and walking out of the building with a SSI check in hand. No debunking happened.

When one see's a blogger that time after time has done their best to debunk this crap start repeating right wingnut crap, all one needs to do is pack up and leave city or state for work 24 hours after they leave. Then you take into account michigans hidden racism, every city in michigan has a black side of town and a white side, though the outer edges are being "invaded" by non whites. Michigan turning red wouldn't surprise me, it happened in 1969 when michigan voted for Nixon.

[MichiganVote]

40. Nobody walks into SS and walks out w/an SSI check. I know, I work in that area.

The only way Obama would win in a landslide in Michigan is if or when Michiganders are more pissed off than they are concerned with racial issues.

Michigan residents who have not left the state, who continue to live and maybe work here, are tired. We have had a recession in Michigan for over 7 years. So, only one thing is for sure among Michigan residents as a result of the last few days economic upheaval.

It is this...welcome now, to the United States of Michigan.

[Labors of Hercules]

51. Wow, that's one sardonic screenname ya got there...

your just one giant happy pill, aren't you? :P :pals:

[mrcheerful]

64. After what I been through these last few weeks what can I say, I'm tired of

the people I know from michigan and Ohio repeating the crap, Obama is a muslim that took the oath of office on the Koran who won't wear a flag pin has a muslim flag in his office and has no real experince on running the government. Yet Mcshitforbrains and Moose lady from alaska are both experinced and will change all of Michigan and Ohio's problems.

Meanwhile, everything is the poor caused all of this weeks problems for Wall st, if they had only paid their bills an didn't take out loans on houses they couldn't afford, Wall st would be in great shape. So it's our duty as good american tax payers to bail out Wall st and billionares. Facts be damned these people believe these things just as sure as they believe they can buy a place in the after life.

[Flying Dream Blues]

89. Oh and don't forget it was "Clinton who wanted more poor people to have houses and so forced

the banks to offer mortgages to them" So it's not just the poor, but the Clintons... a repuke two-fer!
:puke:

[SharonAnn]

67. And don' forget racism in Michigan. There's some there.

[knitter4democracy]

75. More than some.

Especially in the rural areas.

[MichiganVote]

80. I think that most of that crap is among the older voters, 60's, 70"s.

[earthside]

4. Marist Poll

Released today: Obama up by nine points.

[Rowdyboy]

25. Same poll had Obama up 57-35% among Michigan independants....

Another poll today showed Michigan at 50-41. I'm not worried, McCain/Palin isn't an acceptable alternative.

[grannie4peace]

5. if conyers has anything to do with it , we won't :):):)

[safeinOhio]

6. Thats the west side of the state

The east has more balance. Plus the east side has more voters.

[NMDemDist2]

7. huh? BHO is ahead 50-41 as of today on Hardball n/t

[Bonn1997]

17. BHO? That's a new one

[NMDemDist2]

44. I'm a lazy typist

sue me

:hide:

[shaniqua6392]

8. Obama is 9 points ahead here right now!!

I don't know anyone in my family or circle of friends who is voting for McSame.

[demokatgurrl]

9. Michigan is now 48:45 Obama:McBush

according to electoral-vote.com

[AlCzervik]

10. look here now-

Marist: Ohio Tied, Obama Leads in Michigan, Pennsylvania
New polls from Marist College in three key battleground states:

Ohio: Obama 44%, McCain 44%

Michigan: Obama 50%, McCain 41%

Pennsylvania: Obama 45%, McCain 42%
http://politicalwire.com/archives/2008/09/19/marist_ohio_tied_obama_leads_in_michigan_pennsylvania.html

now breath.

[blondeatlast]

11. ELECTION fraud. They will challenge every voter they can challenge to create ELECTION fraud. nt

[KamaAina]

43. They're even buying lists of foreclosures for this purpose

never mind that people may still be living in their houses while foreclosure proceedings are going on. :grr: :banghead:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=3481019&mesg_id=3481019

More evidence that repukes really don't believe in democracy, because when ordinary people actually vote, they lose. :eyes:

[blondeatlast]

46. Yup, I actually posted that last week too but my thread dropped like a rock. Long

as the word gets out there, I don't care.

Soulless bastards. :mad:

[HockeyMom]

12. Republicans are saying

New York is in striking distance for McCain. Wanna buy a bridge?

[Cha]

19. lieberman saying Washington State will surprise

everyone and go for mccain:wow:

[RoccoR5955]

28. And what, prey tell, does LIEberman say for his home state, CT???

I suppose he thinks McAncient is a shoe in, or he would be pushing him there.
The senator from CT is delirious.

[Cha]

33. I'm wondering if lieberman dares show his

flabby face in Connecticut on the campaign trail now that you mention it.

He should get pelted be rotten tomatoes like they use to do it.

[Chan790]

90. No...he does not.

I've got my tomatoes at the ready though. SOB can't hide forever.

Edit: I've got a rail for him too.

[FVZA_Colonel]

70. I'm pretty sure Obama has pulled ahead by several points in recent days.

How much is it exactly?

[RoccoR5955]

24. There are only 3 Republicans in NY saying that...

They are patients in psychiatric institutions.

[unfrigginreal]

13. Nope

We're up all over including Michigan. The MSM are always lagging indicators. When a poll like Marist, well rtespected, puts you on top, believe it.

[Pirate Smile]

14. There have been two polls out today showing Obama with the largest leads in MI so far this year.

The Hardball tools don't know what they are talking about. The female reporter was with the McCain campaign so she saw lots of support for Palin/McCain. Well, no kidding - when you go to a Palin/McCain rally, you run into a lot of Republicans.

[Motown_Johnny]

15. Marist poll has Obama up by 9, all polls have Obama ahead here, if only slightly

[endthewar]

20. MI is definitely leaning toward Obama

However, the Detroit political machine is undergoing all sorts of chaos with the resignation of Kilpatrick. Had McCain chosen Romney, Michigan might truly be a toss-up. But since he chose Palin, Michigan should be in the clear.

[blue_onyx]

78. I don't think Romney would've changed a thing

He was born here and lived here until he was 18...that's it. It's been 40 years since he's been here or since his father was Governor. If he had served as Governor of Michigan (not Massachusetts) then he may have had an effect.

[hedgehog]

21. Time to send in Jim Webb!

[Motown_Johnny]

23. Nobody here cares much about Jim Webb.. Levin and Conyers mostly.. Stabenow a bit

[featherman]

22. ??? Who says we're losing Michigan?

Michigan has voted blue every election since the 1984 Reagan blowout. I expect it will again. But with the usual low single digit margin.

The media may have to pretend MI is a battleground state because the GOP is putting resources there along with the Kerry states of PA, NH and WI.

They have to play offense SOMEWHERE otherwise they'd just be playing defense in FL, CO, VA, NV, NC, MT, IN, ND, WV, etc.
Not a good strategy.

[Hamlette]

35. It isn't the MSM, it's EJ Dionne and Chris Cilizza (sp)

who say it will be the battleground state this year, like Ohio last time and FL in 2000.

[featherman]

42. Yeah, I read the E.J. article... but like I said, they gotta write about something

that the GOP is pinning it's hopes on... some kinda offense. So... more print filler for the news cycle. Not serious IMO although as I said MI usually polls and votes in the single digits so there you go... a "battleground".

McCain/Palin ain't winning Michigan

[still_one]

26. No we are not. Michigan had to be one of the worst states hit by the forclosure

crisis

After the financial fiasco, and the focus being redirected from lipstick on a pig to the economy, people are becoming aware of who really got them into this situation, and it was the republican deregulation phil graham/mccain philosophy

[RoccoR5955]

27. Whatcha been smokin?

It's the economy, stupid!
As long as the economy is in the crapper, and grandpa keeps saying things like he did today (the economic mess is Obama's fault) he will lose. Just get out the vote on election day, to make sure of it. It's in our hands now. If we get out the vote, we get our candidate in office. If we sit on our keisters, and only make sure that we alone vote, we get what we deserve, for being lazy.

[PerfectSage]

29. Obama MI Win percentage 83% at 538.com also O 51.5% M 46.2% vote split projection

MI has always been projected as blue always will be.

[AkFemDem]

32. Relax. The only way we lose it is if that lake spills over and sucks it all under.

[knitter4democracy]

49. Not necessarily.

We don't know what the massive demographics change has done to the state's voting numbers. We've lost a huge number of people here in the last few years, running away from foreclosed homes and no jobs. Much of the state is reddest red, but we usually go blue if Detroit goes blue. With the population loss in Detroit, the rest of the state might be more in play than usual.

I'm not saying we're lost, but I think we need to work harder to make sure we don't go for McCain. Remember, McCain won the primary here in 2000. There are a lot of Michigan Republicans who like him a lot. They have a decent machine here (controlled the state congress for many, many years until two years ago when we won back the House by a slim margin). We shouldn't dismiss that entirely.

[quakerboy]

41. Can we do away with "talk me down"

I love Rachel Maddow. But that is getting really old really really fast.

Appologies if that was not a reference. But I still have come to hate that phrase.

[grantcart]

62. I agree I think you should start a thread on it

I am guessing she may be the only pundit who actually reads DU lol

[Faygo Kid]

45. No way, and go Green, beat Notre Dame.

Just thought I would throw that into the mix here.

[knitter4democracy]

50. Whooo! Go State!

Sorry, can't help myself when I see Sparty. :)

[milkyway]

47. No.

[GreenEyedLefty]

52. I live in Oakland County, MI

Michigan has gone Dem for the last 4 elections (Kerry, Gore, Clinton, Clinton). Oakland County was blue for the last two elections (Kerry and Gore). I don't see that changing this time around. There's an electricity in the air that I haven't sensed in, well, ever.

[tokenlib]

54. Whether we're up or down by a few points, who knows...just get us some blasted yard signs !!!!

Here in Lansing, MI we can't get a yard sign unless we steal one--no we won't do that. The local Obama office is begging and begging. Many of us unemployed and treading water can't afford the online cost plus shipping--so we wait for the shipments so we can get one for $2 to $5.

For all the posts about how you either see a lot of signs--or don't in a given community--keep it in mind, sometimes you can't get a sign even if you want one. And a hell of a lot of people want them and cannot get them here in the state capitol of all places...

[jody]

55. Over 70% of MI's congresspersons are very pro-gun or pro-gun. The perception that a candidate

supports banning semiautomatic firearms could cost votes in those congressional districts.

[D23MIURG23]

56. MI is a toss up, but I think we'll win it.

It didn't go to bush either time.

[jimlup]

57. Ann Arbor, Detroit and UP are blue

Ann Arbor is one of the deepest blue regions in the country but much of the rest of the state is red. Rural Michigan is reactionary for sure. The repuklian legislator has done everything they can to disenfrancize voters in the blue areas. They've passed new laws on registration and voter ID requirements.

We're working like crazy to hold Michigan despite these changes in the election laws. We'll hold Michigan but it will be tight!

[Two Americas]

76. just not true

The Democrats were competitive in almost every district in the midterms. The idea that everywhere other than Ann Arbor and Detroit are "red" is false, and reflects a prejudice that too many (suburban) Detroiters and A squared folks have about the rest of the state, and that is counter-productive and damaging to the success of the party in the state. Many, many rural districts in Michigan are 40-49% Democratic, and they are all trending Democratic now. Beyond that, you are ignoring Flint, Saginaw, Jackson, Lansing - but then Ann Arbor and suburban Detroiters do that a lot.

Our biggest political challenge in Michigan is the divide between rural and suburban and between the haves and the have nots. Gentrified city slicker liberalism works against the party and keeps putting wind back in the sails of the Republicans, and it is contradictory and oppositional to Michigan's strong Labor and Grange roots - real Democrats, traditional Democratic party ideals and principles, not whatever it is that is happening in Ann Arbor or Royal Oak.

[jimlup]

88. Didn't mean to offend but...

What I mean is that most of the rest of Michigan has fallen to the red. Repukes won the races, I've seen the map. Show me the data and I'll believe you but I have seen the map from 2006 and the repukes held strong in most if not all of rural Michigan. I'm not saying that there isn't a democratic base and I'm not saying places like Kalamazoo and Jackson aren't competitive but the repukes won them. That IS my point.

Ann Arbor is 80% blue. Detroit and its metro area are blue but not as deep. You are including much of the Detroit metro area in your counter point, and yes, I inadvertently left them out while thinking that "Detroit" was all I needed to say. I wish I had the map that was published in the paper after the 2006 midterms. Sorry if I offended you but if you remove Ann Arbor and Detroit(and metro area) from the state, it goes RED always and consistently.

I was registering voters (in Ann Arbor) and a woman from Saline who was visiting for Saturday breakfast and shopping told me:

"I'm voting for McCain. I'm afraid of them terrorists".

You can't tell me that this type of thinking doesn't dominate much of rural Michigan. I grew up in rural Michigan. I hope we can turn the tide somewhat this year, and yes, there exists a core democratic base but then you have to consider "them terrorists".

[blue_onyx]

96. If you remove the main urban areas in most states,

they would go red as well. It's not just a Michigan thing. Rural areas in most states are Republican. If you took Seattle out of Washington, it would probably go red too. I bet if you took NYC and it's surrounding suburbs out of New York, that state would at least be a "purple" state. You can find extremely conservative areas in almost any state. Metro Detroit is half the state's population so to remove it when discussing the state doesn't make sense. Yes, you are right that rural Michigan is conservative but I just think that's true of most states.

[5thGenDemocrat]

98. I live in Saginaw

Which is very, very blue. Saginaw Township, traditionally Republican, is also trending towards the Dems the past two election cycles.
Additionally, you forget to mention Flint (blue as it gets) and Bay City (a teeny bit more purplish recently, but still with a deep bluish tint).
John
Oh, and the Saginaw County Democratic Party HQ has lots of Obama yard signs -- $5 each. In fact, I've got a spare here in my living room. You see 'em all over Saginaw; they outnumber McCain signs probably ten to one.

[Zynx]

59. We're going to win Michigan. Stop worrying about it.

[codjh9]

61. Yahoo's composite poll has us up by 3% in MI right now (Sat. afternoon)

[Cosmic Charlie]

63. what is the true purpose of a post like this?

fear is an infection, why are you trying to pass out blankets covered in it?

Talk to the Hand.

[budkin]

65. LMAO! Get real.

[gmoney]

66. From parts of Michigan, you can see CANADA!

Ergo, national defense is their top priority.... and who needs a job with moose plentiful for the hunting!

[Jennicut]

68. Ah, I found the post! Read this Hamlette and cheer up.

http://www.topnews.in/usa/michigan-polls-obama-has-edge-over-mccain-21267
Obama has a lead over McLiar in alot of polls. Small but not insignificant.

[flowomo]

69. Michigan is in play.....

at least according to 538.com today:

"Two new polls in Michigan, from ARG and EPIC-MRA (for the Detroit News) also show a tight race, with Obama leads of 2 points and 1, respectively. Each of these polls have had a slight Republican lean so far, and so they are not necessarily inconsistent with other polling that gives Obama a slightly more comfortable margin. Still, for the reasons I outlined at TNR last week, I think Michigan comes attached with more X-factors than, say, Pennsylvania or Wisconsin, and remains Obama's most difficult defensive state."

http://www.fivethirtyeight.com/

[Hamlette]

86. yeah, but Nate still projects an Obama win in MI 84% of the time

one % point less than PA.

I've been watching CO and NH more closely. I guess I'll just have to worry about MI too. Maybe some volunteers from IL can help out, like we in Utah are helping in CO.

[RooseveltTruman]

72. Why Michigan is so up-for-grabs

What's also hurting Dems in Michigan is the unpopularity of the state Democratic party. Everywhere else across the nation, the Democratic parties of each state are experiencing a resurgence in strength. Even Republican Texas has seen it's Democratic party grow, along with hopes of taking back the state house.

However, Michigan is excluded from this trend. Michigan's economy is poor, and many view Gov. Jennifer Granholm as not doing enough to fix it (her approval is at 36% right about now). Also in play is Kwame Kilpatrick's corruption, indictment and resulting resignation. Not only is this a blow to the state Dem party, but also--unfortunately--will make Whites uneasy about voting in a Black man to the highest office of the land.

As many commentators have noted, Michigan's race relations are rather poisonous.

Michigan will be a close state, but my guess is Obama will win narrowly. McCain's best hope to win Michigan would have been to name Romney as his running mate--the only state (besides maybe Nevada) Romney would have been of help to. Obama will churn out the large Black population in Detroit (about 83%) and will win just enough suburban votes to give him narrow victory.

It's this same dynamic, though, that's helping Obama in Ohio. The state Republican party there is VERY unpopular, having just given the boot in '06 to corrupt Bob Taft, whose approval stood at 9% (seriously) and denied the governorship to corrupt, vote-stealing Secretary of State Ken Blackwell by a huge margin. If this were in the climate of 2004, McCain would likely be cleaning up in Ohio; Ohioans would see his "Straight Talk" and military credentials and likely line up to vote for him (not to mention that Obama typically has trouble with the "working class Whites"). But, thanks to the state party's corruption, Obama looks to have a strong fighting chance here. He likely would have been close anyway, thanks to the economy and the war, but with the "Republican" label being about 2x worse in Ohio than it is everywhere else, Obama's chance are doubly good.

[blue_onyx]

79. A few points.

Granholm had a 50% approval in the last poll I saw yesterday. That is higher than she has typical gotten lately but it may be because of her part in helping push Kilpatrick out of office. Also, Democrats did take back the Michigan house in 2006 and came close in many state senate races (third parties messed up up several races).

I don't think Michigan will be close...I'm guessing a 7-8% win. With our economy, I think Obama will finish stronger than Gore or Kerry did in 2000 or 2004. I also don't think Romney would've helped McCain. People, I think, overestimate the effect the Romney name has here.

[RooseveltTruman]

82. Hmmm...

Hmmm. I don't see how Michigan won't be close. John McCain is more popular there than other Republicans would be--Michigan was one of the states to give him a victory in 2000--and Obama is, quite bluntly, Black. Detroit and Michigan have FAMOUSLY poisonous race relations there. And this is one state where the economy could play to McCain's advantage, given that many people in Michigan blame the Democrats, in particular Granholm. Not to mention, Obama's push for higher fuel efficiency standards make him unpopular amongst Motor City bigwigs, who'll no doubt use their money to push against Obama...and, quite possibly, the workers under them will oppose Obama for fear of job loss.

I think Obama will win, but by a slim margin. Gore won by 5.14%, Kerry by 3.42%...my guess is Obama will DEFINITELY be less than Gore's margin and will more than likely be slightly less than Kerry's margin.

[blue_onyx]

85. But this isn't 2000

and this isn't the McCain from 2000. I believe his reputation has been very hurt by the his support of Bush's failed policies. Detroit has had race issues but they have gotten better and will continue to. The people who will have the biggest issue with race will be older voters, who are more likely to vote for McCain anyway.

I'm not so sure how the fuel standards will effect voters because I think people actually want higher fuel efficiency. If we didn't have high gas prices, I think this would be a bigger problem. The workers at the car companies realize they need to make more fuel efficient car now. Yeah, it will piss off the "bigwigs" but they would vote Republican even if it was Bush.

I still believe Obama will win strongly here....guess we'll just have to wait to see who's right :)

[Zhade]

87. ELECTION fraud, NOT voter fraud!

NT!

[saltpoint]

91. Michigan goes blue on November 4.

[Herman74]

92. We're Not Losing Michigan, and Obama has to Concentrate on states like Colorado, Ohio, etc...

...we need to focus on turning some red states blue, not keeping blue states blue.

Michigan won't go McCain, as it's known that he would be worse for the economy. Should people worry a bit about the state, send in Joe Biden to Flint and Detroit every now and then.

[tokenlib]

93. Obama can start a debate with McCain over another unemployment extension for hard hit states like MI

The initial 13 week extension is about up. The employment situation in Michigan has deteriorated further since the stimulus was passed. Such a focus on the economy would yet again put McCain on the defensive.. And it would appeal to over 10% of Michigan voters (and other rust belt voters)who are in the economic shit-can and are despondent and desparate. The congressional democrats had wanted a 26 week extension anyhow..

Michigan should go blue--but a little direct immediate offering of help to the hurting could go a long way to lock the state up..

[bkinsd]

95. Marist Poll has Obama ahead by 9 in Michigan

This is from a poll from September 19.

BARACK OBAMA LEADS JOHN MCCAIN BY 9 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN THE WAKE OF NATION’S ECONOMIC CRISIS:
In a survey conducted entirely after this week’s economic crisis hit, Senator Barack Obama leads Senator John McCain -- 50% to 41% -- among Michigan’s registered voters.

[progressiveforever]

100. I sincerely believe Obama will carry every state Kerry did

Started to say carry every state Kerry carried- but it would be hard to be taken serious---add to the mix Iowa, New Mexico and Colorado and the rest is gravy.

[BlooInBloo]

101. Uh, no we're not. Sheesh.

[DontBlameMe]

102. Unlikely.

Grand Rapids is the Repub stronghold, Detroit the more liberal area.

East Lansing, where I live, has a pretty good mix. So far, I've seen 2 McCain signs, 3 bumper stickers, total.

I've seen probably 30 Obama signs, probably 100+ bumper stickers. Even "regular" Republicans I know can't believe anyone would vote for the Grandpa/Caribou Barbie ticket.