Gore, Obama and Granholm by wizardkitten
As the editor, I try pretty hard to keep the tone on Absolute Michigan as non-partisan as possible.
When I read Obama Reaches Out to Michigan Voters in the Washington Independent, I realized that as a result, we probably side-step a lot of significant news ... and also some vital discussion for the future of this state. You should check the article out, as it pretty plainly outlines the challenge the next President (Democrat, Republican or otherwise) will face in revitalizing Michigan and other old-line industrial states.
The focus of the candidate's 2 day visit was mainly on the economy and education. Obama's speech at Kettering University in Flint addressed the severe economic plight of the region and proposed education and investment in new technologies as the pathway to renewed prosperity. In Detroit, Obama received the endorsement of Al Gore. This was a surprise to (as Newsweek noted) exactly no one. What was (to the writer) mildly interesting was the choice of Michigan as the location (something that has been questioned by others in the media). From Newsweek (which includes video of Gore's slightly less than electric speech):
Obama is obsessed with Michigan because, unlike Florida, it's a must-win state--and winning there is hardly a sure thing at this point. In Tropicana country, Obama currently trails McCain by an average of 8.3 points. That's a difficult hill to climb, which is why Obama campaign manager David Plouffe has designed his boss's electoral strategy around losing Florida (like John Kerry) in November. The problem is, Obama can't afford to drop Michigan's 17 electoral votes (which Kerry won) as well. Recent Michigan polls are rare, but the three taken since May 19 show McCain with an average lead of 1.6 percent.
The Detroit Free Press had a cool 360 degree panorama from the Joe Louis Arena. For more pictures, check out wizardkitten's Barack Obama Detroit Joe Louis 6/16/08 slideshow (set) and you might also enjoy this Obama slideshow for Monday & Tuesday (Jun 16 & 17, 2008) which is mostly photos from his visit to Flint and Detroit.
We'll close with a video from the rally at the Joe, and also a link to the Michigan Republican Party's YouTube production attacking Obama for slighting Michigan:
We'll post a John McCain & Michigan feature when he makes his first big trip.
2 Comments
That Freep panorama is SO COOL. Everyone make sure to check it out.
Thanks for the link!
My son, Robert Wolowski has returned from a remote village in Zambia, in central providence where he served as a Peace Corps volunteer for over two years. I will really enjoy seeing him. Currently, he is with his friends celebrating his accomplishments and the good friends that he made while he was in the peace corps aquaculture service. He accomplished the task of integrating his members (tribesmen-businessmen-able to live their lives in a more adequate way. More funds through learning how not to be cheated, marketing, business principles, and caring about others was number 1 on their agenda. I have not heard one thing on the TV about a young man from Michigan, prior Warren Con graduate who returned. He also acquired a community development grant, received it from Zambian council, planned, drew the prints, hired a contractor, bought the materials, hired a safety-security person, and built and finished a project that consisted of a Community center-Medical clinic-Educational Center and a library. He was the first to accomplish such a thing—in the La La village there is no electricity, only clay huts. Prior; when Robert arrived. He loves the people of the village, and of Zambia. Although his misses his team of businessmen, he is happy to be home with his friends.
Robert graduated from MI state u-where he worked through college to pay tuition, and living expenses. I am very proud of my son and what he has accomplished. He is safely home. Why doesn’t anyone know-hear about this person, grandson of Howard Luscomb? Son of Marilyn Bardill and Stanislaw Wolowski?
Marilyn Bardill-Harrison Twp, MI mjbardill@hotmail.com
Post a Comment