Michigan Governor's Race

**Pam** · April-08-18, 08:00 AM

I guess we should talk about it. Here's an interview with Shri Thanedar. I liked what he had to say.

https://youtu.be/RVEWLqFP85g

**Jimaz** · April-08-18, 11:57 AM

Thanks, Pam.

Shri2018.com

**Lowell** · April-09-18, 01:02 PM

The announced Dem candidates are an interesting mix, maybe a picture of what America is becoming. But is the Michigan electorate broad-minded enough/ready to elect one--an African American William Cobbs, a South Asian immigrant Sri Thanedar, an Arab-American Abdul El-Sayed and a woman Gretchen Whitmer?

Unless there is some skeleton in her closet that we don't know about, I believe it is Gretchen Whitmer's to lose. She a known pubic figure, solid on key Dem issues, has political experience and, like it or not, being a woman carries a 4-5% bonus edge.

Among the seven announced Republicans, it will likely come down to contest between Lt. Gov. Calley and Attorney Gen. Shuette. Both will have to grovel for the activist TEA party-Trumper faction which could damage the winner in the general election. As you may recall Snyder won from field of four where the other three groveled for and split up the TEA party vote leaving Snyder with the winning margin with the rest of the Republicans.

**aj3647** · April-10-18, 08:35 AM

Originally Posted by Lowell

Unless there is some skeleton in her closet that we don't know about, I believe it is Gretchen Whitmer's to lose. She a known pubic figure, solid on key Dem issues, has political experience and, like it or not, being a woman carries a 4-5% bonus edge.

She spoke at Hash Bash to express her support for marijuana legalization. Another point in her favor. Legalize it, regulate it, tax it, everyone wins.

**Pam** · April-10-18, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by aj3647

She spoke at Hash Bash to express her support for marijuana legalization. Another point in her favor. Legalize it, regulate it, tax it, everyone wins.

The other Dem. candidates also support it:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...rum/107696346/

**aj3647** · April-10-18, 02:45 PM

Originally Posted by Pam

The other Dem. candidates also support it:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...rum/107696346/

Yes, and I'm heartened to see that marijuana legalization is becoming a universally-accepted position now for at least one of the two major political parties in Michigan. That would have been unthinkable even 8 years ago.

And yes, all the Democratic candidates support it. However, as Lowell pointed out, the nomination is Whitmer's to lose. Provided she doesn't commit some major gaffe, she'll be the Democratic nominee.

**Pam** · April-10-18, 06:51 PM

I'm not making any predictions. So far I don't see massive enthusiasm for any of these folks. I don't know if we are going to get any debates on TV but here are a couple of forums I found on YT. Haven't had a chance to watch them yet myself.

https://youtu.be/PaiNiT5TFYE

https://youtu.be/qjrI1YENQgE

**K-slice** · April-11-18, 07:20 PM

As a reasonable conservative Democrat, I would hate to see Whitmer get the nod. She seems to be running the HRC 2.0 campaign and will likely loose out against the current republican frontrunners.

It's all party insiders, identity politics, and big left wing donors with her.

**Pam** · April-12-18, 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by K-slice

As a reasonable conservative Democrat, I would hate to see Whitmer get the nod. She seems to be running the HRC 2.0 campaign and will likely loose out against the current republican frontrunners.

It's all party insiders, identity politics, and big left wing donors with her.

Yes, Hillary lost to Bernie and then to Trump in Michigan so anybody perceived as another Hillary won't be a shoe-in. On the other hand, I don't think Synder is popular, so any people with ties to him won't have it easy either.

This article about Whitmer concerned me:

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/ne...pac/110652722/

Top executives at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are asking employees to donate to Democrat Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign for governor, according to a new fundraiser invitation obtained by The Detroit News.

**aj3647** · April-12-18, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by K-slice

As a reasonable conservative Democrat, I would hate to see Whitmer get the nod. She seems to be running the HRC 2.0 campaign and will likely loose out against the current republican frontrunners.

It's all party insiders, identity politics, and big left wing donors with her.

1) She's HRC in style perhaps, but she most certainly is not saddled with the same personal baggage that weighed down Hillary [[emails, marriage to Bill, etc.).
2) 2018 will be a Democratic wave year.
3) Republicans in Michigan will be weighed down by the Flint disaster. And Trump.
4) Marijuana legalization on the Michigan ballot will further energize Democratic voters.

If this election were held back in 2016, I'd give the edge to Schuette. He would have rode Trump's coattails to victory. But this year? I'd bet heavily on Whitmer.

**Pam** · April-13-18, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by aj3647

1) She's HRC in style perhaps, but she most certainly is not saddled with the same personal baggage that weighed down Hillary [[emails, marriage to Bill, etc.).
2) 2018 will be a Democratic wave year.
3) Republicans in Michigan will be weighed down by the Flint disaster. And Trump.
4) Marijuana legalization on the Michigan ballot will further energize Democratic voters.

If this election were held back in 2016, I'd give the edge to Schuette. He would have rode Trump's coattails to victory. But this year? I'd bet heavily on Whitmer.

She doesn't have Hillary style scandals but she is still a corporate money backed candidate. The former Bernie voters might prefer Dr. El-Sayed or Shri Thanedar who aren't taking corporate money.

**aj3647** · April-13-18, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Pam

She doesn't have Hillary style scandals but she is still a corporate money backed candidate. The former Bernie voters might prefer Dr. El-Sayed or Shri Thanedar who aren't taking corporate money.

El-Sayed and Thanedar are going to split the progressive vote. Most of it will go to Thenedar because he's more visible, but El-Sayed will probably siphon off 10% or so.

**Canadian Visitor** · April-13-18, 05:14 PM

What's disappointing about Whitmer to me, having looked at her website is that she doesn't have very many clear views or stands on issues.

She has a few, like being pro-minimum wage hike and pro-paid leave.

But on many issues she falls back on empty rhetoric and blurry sounding double-speak.

Little question she'd be an improvement on the current occupant of the office and likely the contemporary Republican candidate.

But that's hardly a high bar.

I found Dr. El-Sayed's site much more interesting.

Not merely for its progressivism, but his willingness to be specific.

I appreciate politicians who can make clear promises to which they can be held accountable, and who demonstrate an advanced understanding of the issues.

That said, she is the clear front-runner for the Dems and unless she trips something awful, it seems its hers to lose.

**Pam** · April-16-18, 12:35 PM

Articles have been appearing claiming Shri is a "fake progressive". I don't know if this is true or part of an organized smear campaign. I wonder if we will see attack ads from the other candidates next?

https://theintercept.com/2018/04/06/...rs-republican/

**Pam** · April-18-18, 06:56 PM

Apparently there was a debate this week. Here's the crappy coverage channel 4 had on it:

https://youtu.be/wOwGscd3sIQ

I guess it's just not as important as car accidents, fires, lost puppies or what's hot on Twitter.

**Pam** · April-18-18, 07:12 PM

Interview with Dr. El-Sayed

https://youtu.be/R08X67uTv6w

**coracle** · April-20-18, 03:50 PM

Unfortunately one of the several people that have put themselves forward [[so far) to be our next Govenor will win. I definately don’t want Dr. El-Sayed or Shri Thanedar to be my Govenor but I hope one of them is the successful Democrat Candidate. I would like a Mike Duggan type Candidate - “a doer” rather than a talker.

**Pam** · April-20-18, 07:27 PM

Originally Posted by coracle

. I would like a Mike Duggan type Candidate - “a doer” rather than a talker.

Do any of the Repubs. fit that description? I have no idea what the Lt. Gov. has been doing for the last 8 years. I guess he got to keep Synder's chair warm when he was on yet another trade mission. Did any of those trips actually create jobs here?

**Richard** · April-20-18, 08:00 PM

His trip to China did spurn some downtown flip building investments with Did Kinda in away help during the bankruptcy.

Not sure on the jobs aspect,but I do not really see the big three sitting down with the Chinese in relation to manufacturing in Detroit,as a warm and fuzzy moment.

Having said that,

Encouraged by the low price of real estate and the high level of advanced engineering talent, dozens of Chinese auto companies and suppliers are opening plants and offices in and around the Motor City, where they hope to one day sell cars to US buyers.

https://m.csmonitor.com/USA/2013/122...-auto-industry

With a search of Chinese investment in Detroit,it would appear that it was a productive trip.

**coracle** · April-20-18, 08:11 PM

Originally Posted by Pam

Do any of the Repubs. fit that description?

I don’t think they do. I think they’re part of our Michigan “swamp”. Maybe Mike Duggan will make a run for it when his term finishes in Detroit and show them how to get stuff done.

**Pam** · May-12-18, 08:06 AM

There was another forum.

http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/...from_both.html

**Jimaz** · June-21-18, 12:11 PM

I'm starting to receive some mailings from Republican candidates that make minimal or even zero reference to their party name. One contained an image of smiling, conspicuously diverse constituents — something previously more likely to be found in Democratic brochures.

What else could this mean but some internal self doubt about the viability of their Republican brand?

Sometimes it's the information that is omitted that reveals the truth.

**Jimaz** · June-25-18, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Jimaz

I'm starting to receive some mailings from Republican candidates that make minimal or even zero reference to their party name. One contained an image of smiling, conspicuously diverse constituents — something previously more likely to be found in Democratic brochures.

What else could this mean but some internal self doubt about the viability of their Republican brand?

Sometimes it's the information that is omitted that reveals the truth.

That wasn't intended as bait but the absence of any response to it here seems to confirm this phenomenon of Republican self doubt.

Is Donald Trump the cause of the Republican Party jumping the shark?

**Richard** · June-26-18, 01:44 PM

Or maybe the republicans do not feel the need to beat thier chests in order to get a point across,in case you have not noticed the days of I am Dem or Repub so you must vote for me are waning,and the last election showed us people are more interested in voting for who they feel will do a better job and voting outside of thier party.

It can be twisted to them distancing themselves because of the current administration but most are smart enough to see through that.

I think people are tired of the whole I am democrat and will do nothing for you while in office but you are obligated to vote for me because I am democrat.

Or vice versa with republican.

It should be based on the merits and not party,and like they say,results count,everything else is just filler.

With the exception of the socllist party,they can just make everybody's life easier by moving to the socialist country of their choice and be happy in the misery.

**coracle** · June-26-18, 03:58 PM

[QUOTE=Jimaz;551419]That wasn't intended as bait but the absence of any response to it here seems to confirm this phenomenon of Republican self doubt.[/QUOTE
There is no need to go political when their opponents will be associated with such “greats” as Maxipad Waters and Pencil Neck Schitt et al, while they can claim their support for TRUMP and MAGA.