Michigan Governor's Race

[Zacha341]

I hear you, of COURSE no one is per se advocating a Pol Pot as such but that could be the result. Often the end result of things is not what was planned [[or named).

Further, I AGREE most Americans are not interesting in the extremes right or left. That's what's most bizarre.

I am a centrist if I'm any label. Not feeling reactionary wings either side. And we're getting pulled along by the extremes promising us their variety of progress or regress.

No one in the United States is advocating for 'the next Pol Pot'.

Very few are advocating for the next Sweden, is a much more democratic country than the United States. [[speaking purely of frequency and quality of elections).

Some would like the US to end up a bit more like Canada, which outside of Japan is the among the least leftist countries in the developed world.

Discussing any US Democrat in the same breath as a Canadian Conservative is a stretch.

Comparing them w/Pol Pot is utterly bizarre and also has very little to do w/socialism in the social-welfare state sense of the term.

[Zacha341]

Well that's a point for some to take it as simply PP [[it was not, the posts derived from rather or not Whitmer is pushing progressive politics).

However, additionally I wrote a full post re. the Gilchrist selection post [[# 28).

And uh no, I've never listened to Jones/ Infowars. Sorry to bust that narrative.

I like how we went from Garlin Gilchrist being named as the Lt. Governor pick for Whitmer to suddenly sounding like these two will be the next Pol Pot. You gotta love the Alex Jones/Infowars riffraff.

[dtowncitylover]

Zacha, I see where you're coming from and I trust you don't listen to that POS. Glad you busted that narrative. Someone else would've made the leap in seriousness.

I just think Gilchrist and Whitmer are not extremes.

[Zacha341]

^^^ Hah! It's going to be an interesting run! Some are saying that she's sunk her ship as Detroiter's will not back Gilchrist who's not perceived as a strong candidate for LT. Course poli-tricks in the end can be hard to predict.

Then there are still others who say the Southeast Michigan vote is less important than before. We've got all of Michigan voting this one. Including the UP!

[Zacha341]

More info regarding the Whitmer/ Gilchrist run:

5 things to know about Garlin Gilchrist II, Democratic Lt. Gov. candidate

https://www.mlive.com/expo/news/erry...ut-garlin.html

https://www.bridgemi.com/detroit-jou...i-running-mate

[aj3647]

This is Jenny Granholm part III..... a bonus thought... The Republicans will keep the US House and Senate in November, and Trump gets re-elected in 2020... just sayin....

I shall remember to reply to this on November 7.

[Don K]

Oh FFS, nobody is talking about nationalizing the means of production.

Conservatives move the goalposts so often one can get whiplash trying to follow the goalposts. Start with the axiom that liberals really are all socialists, then begin babbling about Venezuela and Cuba, and how electing liberals will inevitably end up with gulags.

Well, no, actually we're talking about making the U.S. more like Denmark or Sweden.

But those are capitalist countries.

Then can we make American capitalism more like European capitalism with universal access to health care and affordable universities or training in the trades?

But that's socialism!!

Okay, then, I guess I want more socialism.

Venezuela! Cuba! Gulags in Alaska!

Repeat ad infinitum.

Seriously, the conservative definition of socialism is anything their corporate paymasters don't feel like paying for, like access to health care, a good education, clean air and water, not being killed by one's job, or roads that aren't falling apart.

[1953]

I've met Mr. Gilchrist and found him affable and intelligent, but too green to be a heartbeat away from governor, thanks. Also, I am not a big fan of his support for socialized medicine and MoveOn.org. I wish Ms. Whitmer had gone with someone either a tad older, or with more leadership and public service experience than Mr. Gilchrist.

1953

[Colombian Dan]

Oh FFS, nobody is talking about nationalizing the means of production.

Conservatives move the goalposts so often one can get whiplash trying to follow the goalposts. Start with the axiom that liberals really are all socialists, then begin babbling about Venezuela and Cuba, and how electing liberals will inevitably end up with gulags.

Well, no, actually we're talking about making the U.S. more like Denmark or Sweden.

But those are capitalist countries.

Then can we make American capitalism more like European capitalism with universal access to health care and affordable universities or training in the trades?

But that's socialism!!

Okay, then, I guess I want more socialism.

Venezuela! Cuba! Gulags in Alaska!

Repeat ad infinitum.

Seriously, the conservative definition of socialism is anything their corporate paymasters don't feel like paying for, like access to health care, a good education, clean air and water, not being killed by one's job, or roads that aren't falling apart.

And Sir Hillary was a representative of the working class? I'll take a known racist, bigot, and corporate thug any day over some fake, snotty, elitist like Hillary......

[Zacha341]

Yeah the Schuette camp must be elated or at worst a bit releived at this point!

I've met Mr. Gilchrist and found him affable and intelligent, but too green to be a heartbeat away from governor, thanks. Also, I am not a big fan of his support for socialized medicine and MoveOn.org. I wish Ms. Whitmer had gone with someone either a tad older, or with more leadership and public service experience than Mr. Gilchrist.

1953

[swingline]

Seriously, the conservative definition of socialism is anything their corporate paymasters don't feel like paying for, like access to health care, a good education, clean air and water, not being killed by one's job, or roads that aren't falling apart.

Bingo. Although it might be a little more accurate to say that it is a Republican definition of socialism. Most "actual conservatives" don't agree that "actual socialism" could provide any kind of workable political or economic policy, but they at least know what the term includes. Republicans on the other hand just use the term as a catch-all perjorative for any policy initiative generated by a liberal.

[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?

I received another mailing today from a Republican. It makes absolutely zero mention whatsoever of the Republican party name.

This has now become an unprecedented trend. I have never in my [[now long) life ever seen politicians this ashamed of their own party name.

What is going on and why is this not discussed?

[SammyS]

I received another mailing today from a Republican. It makes absolutely zero mention whatsoever of the Republican party name.

This has now become an unprecedented trend. I have never in my [[now long) life ever seen politicians this ashamed of their own party name.

What is going on and why is this not discussed?

But Michigan voted Trump.

[Jimaz]

But Michigan voted Trump.

But Brawndo's got what plants crave.

[EastsideAl]

I received another mailing today from a Republican. It makes absolutely zero mention whatsoever of the Republican party name.

This has now become an unprecedented trend. I have never in my [[now long) life ever seen politicians this ashamed of their own party name.

What is going on and why is this not discussed?

They are counting on committed GOP voters knowing that the candidate is a Republican, but they also know that outside of those circles Trump has made their party name poison. Especially in districts that lean Democratic or could potentially swing Democratic. So, it's better to try and run on whatever they think their own strengths may be [[or the perceived weakness of the other candidate) and try to attract some swing voters than to mention their detrimental party label.

[Jimaz]

I know that Republicans have been very adept at customizing ads to specific targets in electronic media but, for what it's worth, these USPS mailings appear to be classic untargeted bulk mailings.

So apparently it's not just me receiving these ads, it's indiscriminate.

They just seem to be afraid of mentioning their affiliation with the Republican party. This is very unusual for such a brazen party.

[Zacha341]

Well, not each and everyone of us did.

But Michigan voted Trump.

[SammyS]

Well, not each and everyone of us did.

Ok but why would the GOP be ashamed as implied?

[O3H]

I wonder which one will demand separation of the combined sewers
in places like Oakland County --- to preserve the FRESHWATER resources

[Zacha341]

Vote [[or don't vote) for who you desire I say. Just know that these days people are so divided personal attacks and harsh judgement is part of the deal.

Ok but why would the GOP be ashamed as implied?

[O3H]

Follow the money, not the promises. Money involves "influence".

[Cincinnati_Kid]

Follow the money, not the promises. Money involves "influence".

They ALL make promises, money or not. They know they can't or won't keep. "Vote for me, and I'll make everything right." B.S.

[gnome]

The Gilchrist choice makes for a problematic decision.

I believe you vote for the candidates that have the experience to get the job done. Just as you hire an experienced plumber or surgeon.

Gilchrist’s complete lack of legislative experience makes him a poor choice to possibly have to ascend to the highest political office in Michigan.

While I personally dislike The Republican candidates, they know how the committee system, appropriations and the bureaucracy work.

This will be a tough decision to make.