AP writer Kathy Barks Hoffman says that if you're a woman who hasn't made up your mind about whether to vote for Dick DeVos or Jennifer Granholm, you can expect to be targeted by both campaigns in the final days before the election.
Pollster Ed Sarpolus of Lansing-based EPIC-MRA says that female voters are more open to campaign messages in the closing days of the election because they typically make up their minds late and are less likely to vote along party lines than male voters.
Read Undecided women being wooed in final weeks of governor's race at the TC Record-Eagle and also see Women voters key to race for governor - Most prefer Granholm, but some say it's time for change from WZZM TV-13. You may also want to check out the Michigan League of Women Voters web site as well.
17 Comments
That is an interesting article and while I can't speak to being a female voter in this election, I would agree that the expectations placed on Governor Granholm were unrealistic. Having to clean up after Engler, attempt to cooperate with a Republican controlled legislature and all the while facing outsourcing and trade agreements that devastated the auto industry and manufacturing. That is one tough job.
All things considered I think she did an admirable job and deserves another term. Even if you don't think so, I wouldn't want to see Dick DeVos in Lansing forcing school vouchers on MI, limiting stem cell research and doing anything in his power to restrict abortion rights. Those aren't what the state needs right now and I'm willing to bet that Governor Granholm is the one who most Michiganders can relate to. She has about an 8% lead now and if all of her supporters come out to vote she will win this thing.
I agree that is am interesting article, although I have a problem with political prognosticators pinning elections on certain groups of people, and after the exit polls during the 2004 presidential election, I take each one with a grain of salt. I think this somes down to Granholms record and she hasnt produced what she promised. I agree that changing the subject from the economy to abortion is just a distraction from what really matters to Michiganders. Lets face it, no Governor is going to ban abortion, this is a National issue and will be played out in Washington, not Lansing. I think evos will win the election, I think that enough voters are ready for a new direction in Michigan and turn out will be what decides this election, not specific groups of voters. I will be voting for Devos.
Joshua, I agree with you about the group de jour that the political pundits like to throw around; NASCAR moms/dads, NFL Uncles, etc. Sure, there are key groups that play a more important role in different elections, but I agree that the effect is probably overstated.
As for the Governor's race, I don't see abortion as a distraction; it is a real issue that reflects Dick DeVos' overall positions and philosophy, one that is way out there to the right. And judging by the rumblings in South Dakota, a governor can influence abortion on a national level by filing a case instate in hopes the Supreme court will hear it. Now, it's fine if you want to be pro-life, but Dick DeVos is a lot more than that and he scares me. Although I agree with you about the importance of turnout if the polls are any indicator of that, it looks like MI wants to stick with Governor Granholm.
I think Granholm has done a great job of painting Devos as extreme on abortion but I dont think that is a fair assessment. I think it is extreme to support partial-birth abortion and that is something that Granhol has done on record. The bottom line is no matter what a Governor or congress in a state does, this is a decision that will ultimatly be made by the Nation, either by the Supreme Court or by the Congress in federal legislation. Right now Roe vs Wade is the law of the land and until that is changed, this is nothing more than politics. We need to look at what is going on with Michigan jobs, our economy, and our education system. These are things that can and will be directly effected by a Governor, and that is what I am making my decision on.
I agree that the economy and education are the most important issues however if some extremist (from either end of the political spectrum) had a genius economic plan, I still wouldn't vote for him/her . . . because of their overall philosophy.
That is how I see it, and in this case, the DeVos economic plan is far from genius. He continues to focus on the SBT, which has already been addressed and the repeal was accelerated to next year. Governor Granholm supported eliminating the SBT, but not without figuring out a way to replace the lost revenue. DeVos' economic plan hinges on something that has already been dealt with and that Granholm supports. Only he hasn't presented a plan for making up the revenue or making cuts to non-vital areas like say education, healthcare, emergency services.
Sorry to focus again on abortion, but there are means to encroach on Roe through state laws and I'm sure DeVos would pursue them. Even more of a concern to me is DeVos' opposition to stem cell research. This is obviously a huge issue nationwide and I'm with Granholm on it; to help find cures for diseases and maybe even bring some biotech/medical research jobs to MI.
As I mentioned in my first post, IMO Granholm has faced tremendous circumstances during her first term and although not blatantly evident, it appears things are turning around. As MI continues to decrease its dependence on the auto industry things will improve and I realize that is easy for me to say, but I believe that will happen . . . under Governor Granholm.
Well we agree on one thing, there is an extreme view on abortion and she is already in office and she hasnt had to go to extreme measures to have what she believes because as I have already stated, Roe is settled law.
As far as the economy goes and plans to improve things, we have Granholms track record and it isnt good, we are loosing a job every 20 minuites and our unemployment rate (7.1%) is the highest in the country and that is not all because of the Auto Industry.
As far as the SBT goes, I think he has covered this pretty well, he would replace it with a buisness tax that taxes profits and that doesnt penalize buisness for providing their workers with health care. Unlike Granholm who blames the legislature, Devos will work with the legislature to replace the SBT, as he said in the debates, he wont let the legislature go until this has been accomplished. Instead of empty promises he proposes real ideas that will help turn our economy around.
Michigan cannot afford four more years of the same blame everyone else game, its time to change and that is why I am voting for Devos.
you also stated that you agreed that education is an important issue, under Granholm she has cut funding for K-12 by over $250 per student in four years, our public college tuition has increased by double digits each of the past two years which is far above the national average. During her 2002 campaign she pledged not to cut education funding, we definatly need a change, not only for our economy but for our children.
STOP THE PHONE CALLS TO 248-691-0206! I am sick of the pre-election garbage and mud slinging. I am a grown person. I know how to read and make my own decisions. I do not need Michigan Women Voters or any other organization giving me their opinon! DO NOT CALL . . . DO NOT SEND E-MAIL . . . DO NOT SEND INFORMATION VIA US MAIL.
Dorothy Fox
Just to clarify the initial post about checking out the League of Women Voters of Michigan website - it's not just for women or women's issues! The LWV Voter Guide (in print or online) provides information on candidates for statewide office and on the 5 statewide ballot proposals. Check it out - http://www.lwvmi.org. More election information is also available at http://www.MichiganVoterPower.org.
Regarding comment #8 - please don't confuse the "Michigan Women Voters" who are making 'robo-calls' with the League of Women Voters.
The LWV is not affiliated in any way with "Michigan Women Voters" and does not make unsolicited phone calls.
The LWV neither supports nor opposes candidates for office and is completely nonpartisan.
"Voter Communication. Using every available means — phone, mail, Internet, radio, television, and face-to-face campaigning — EMILY’s List reaches out to women voters to motivate them to support pro-choice Democratic women and Democrats up and down the ticket. In the weeks leading up to election day, EMILY's List conducts a massive grassroots effort to get out our vote — and deliver victory for our women and all Democratic candidates!"
This is where the 'Robo-Calls' are comming from. There appears to be NO WAY to unsubscribe a phone number to pervent these annoying calls!
http://www.emilyslist.org/do/w.....Ggodty-40g
Joshua, the focus here is Michigan Women Voters and for many Michigan women "choice" really does matter. DeVos's opposition to stem cell research is another valid issue that many of us care about. Many Michigan Women voters will vote against DeVos because of those other issues that do matter.
As far as stem cell research, adult stem cells show more promise than embryonic stem cells, that is why there is more private funding for adult stem cell research, and why people are pushing the Government so hard for funding embryonic stem cell research. Investors are not rushing to put money into something that isnt going to bring a return. I dint think Devos is against adult stem cell research. But as for Granholm supporting partial birth abortions?? I refuse to vote for someone who supports that horrific procedure (even Harold Ford JR changed his mind on abortion after finding out what that procedure entails). I dont think it is fair for Granholm to lie abou Devoses stand on birth control, stem cell research, and abortion. I think voters should know the whole truth and make their decision based on that, not half truths and mudslinging.
Joshua, it was a simple statment. You stated above that changing the issues from the economy to abortion was simply a distraction to what matters to Michigan voters.
There "are" many other issues that are just as important to Michigan Voters and some especially important to Women Michigan voters.
Both sides are doing plenty of mudslinging and distorting of facts. I have done my homework and have been able to sort through the mudslinging and am basing my vote on whole truths. Thank you though for your concerns.
I still think it is a distraction from the main issue that Michigan is facing and that is jobs, the facts are what they are and are plain to see for everyone. Instead of discussing the issues that a Governor can have an impact on (Jobs) Granholm changed the subject to something that has already been decided on a national level, there is little a Governor can do to change a Supreme court ruling. It obvously was a good decision on her behalf to change the discussion as it will affect some votes.
Joshua... few are so ignorant to believe that state government has no impact on issues that are decided at national level. Perhaps Joshua, that is why Dick DeVos has almost soley based his campaign on the jobs\economic issues. If DeVos can win based soley on his jobs\economic package he can then work with the Republican Legislature to easly legislate "his" position on all of those other issues that don't seem to "matter" right now.
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