Michigan Political Week in Review: Sept 19-26
We’re almost at that point in the year when the mailers from candidates begin outnumbering the credit card offers and coupon books. Those glossy pieces of mail --- often funded by names you couldn’t discover if you tried --- are the beginning of the second-to-last leg of these races. Candidates are trying to define themselves, their opponents, and the issues before making their last appeals in the weeks ahead.
Outside of the mailbox, we are glad to see that Virg Bernero and Rick Snyder will be having a debate. When One Tough Nerd meets America’s Angriest Mayor, it should make for a good show and, hopefully, a bit more substance than we’ve seen so far.
Governor’s Race:
The big news this past week was the announcement that there would be a debate between the two gubernatorial candidates. This came after weeks of finger-pointing and a crashed campaign event. We’re glad to see they’ve found the time to work this out, but we hope that the inevitably constrictive rules which they have agreed to will not be too limiting in providing for a free flow of ideas and policy proposals.
On Thursday and Friday, each candidate (separately) addressed the Michigan Municipal League. This was an important opportunity to speak to the promise of sound urban planning, mass transit, energy efficiency, and community spaces. There was, indeed, talk on those issues and we were glad to hear it. Snyder is making “core cities” a major plank of his stump speech and Bernero raised the importance of green manufacturing in his remarks.
Meanwhile, Bernero is on the road citing movement in the polls in his favor and claiming the momentum. The debate is one possible momentum-shifter, but only in the event of a major gaffe on Snyder’s part, something he has not been prone to do in this campaign.
Other State Races:
Judging by some of the attack pieces coming out right now, no one from either party is feeling particularly comfortable. Accusations of “career politician” seem to flying particularly thick this cycle.
One candidate running for State Senate appears to be begging for a different kind of attack. John Pastor, the Republican running in the 6th State Senate District against incumbent Glenn Anderson, D-Westland, finally settled his lawsuit with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment after he refused to mitigate the damage to wetlands allegedly caused during a development project by his company. The complaint was initially filed in 2007.
In the race for Attorney General, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton (D) and Apellate Judge Bill Schuette (R), went after each other fiercely in their first, and probably only, debate. A transcript of the debate, at one point, literally reads: "(cacophony of men arguing)".
Across the state, candidates are attempting a final blitz of fundraisers to fund a final blitz of ads. This doesn’t mean the oldest form of campaigning --- knocking on doors --- is slowing down in the slightest. Candidates are out there with their teams of volunteers and staff. If you, personally, are trying to figure out how to balance finding time to get outside and exercise with practicing good civic engagement, look no further; just go volunteer to do some doors with your favorite candidate. Everyone appreciates an in-person conversation to a robo-call.
On the national scene:
A poll that came out on Tuesday in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District shows Republican Tim Walberg ahead of Democrat Mark Schauer by four points, a number that is solidly within the margin of error. Most notably, though, Schauer held a nine-point edge among independents, a key factor within his district. Any paragraph on Walberg, though, would not be complete without noting that he is a two-time member of the League of Conservation Voters “Dirty Dozen” list. Put another way, there are only 11 other candidates running for federal office who are as bad or worse than him on conservation issues. Given the status of the U.S. House and Senate, that is truly an accomplishment.
Speaking of conservation values, Michigan LCV went down to Washington, D.C. earlier this week to remind our own representatives in the administration, the House, and the Senate that we do not intend to give up on comprehensive climate legislation just because the Senate has. Please check out the blog post on my visit to D.C. and how we are working with our allies to press the issues that matter most for job creation and community health.
Coming up next…
Over the coming week, if you’d like a chance to see your candidate speaking, just look to the nearest party event or fundraiser. These next weeks are more crucial than ever for fundraising, as many individuals and groups are finally putting their reluctant chips on the table. Both donors and voters will also be watching closely for more numbers back from the gubernatorial campaigns and whether the negative ads against Snyder are making an impact.
As for Michigan LCV, please keep watching our blog for more endorsement announcements. Also, remember that our Candidate Tracker is the place for your day-by-day play-by-play of the governor’s race.
Until next week,
Ryan Werder, Michigan LCV Political Director
