Michigan voters find themselves in the spotlight in the days running up to the Feb. 28 presidential primary. And that could be bad news for TV viewers.
Mitt Romney's willingness to pour millions of dollars into negative advertising helped him defeat Newt Gingrich in Florida's primary earlier this year. Will he do the same in Michigan now that he finds himself trailing Rick Santorum?
The Santorum campaign clearly thinks so, based on the ad they are airing in the state. If so, voters will be treated to an onslaught of nastiness that may well turn them off about both candidates. One consolation is that it will all be over on Feb. 29.
Showing posts with label Michigan Presidential Primary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Michigan Presidential Primary. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Monday, February 13, 2012
Michigan Presidential Primary -- Now It's for Dems Too
The Feb. 28 Michigan presidential primary is getting more interesting compared to just a few weeks ago.
For one thing, Michigan Democrats are now being encouraged to participate. The primary, created by the majority Republicans in the Legislature, will cost taxpayers $10 million. Michigan Democrats had argued that in tough economic times, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the nominating process and urged both parties to hold caucuses instead. Michigan Democrats have scheduled their caucuses for nominating President Obama for May 5.
The Republicans refused to go along, and to disguise the fact that the $10 million primary contest is just for their party, added President Obama's name to the ballot against the wishes of the MDP. If the president asked his name to be removed, there was a chance his name would not be on the ballot in November because of the way Republicans wrote the law.
Since party rules don't allow people to participate in two nominating contests, there was a chance people who voted in February wouldn't be able to participate in the party's own caucuses in May. So earlier this month, the Michigan Democratic Party changed its rules so that its members are free to participate in both the primary and the May 5 caucuses. But since it is a closed primary, voters must request either a Democratic or Republican ballot.
That requirement may deter some people from crossing over and voting in the other party's primary, which is definitely not something the MDP is advocating. But the temptation to do so may be greater for some people now that Michigan native Mitt Romney seems to be losing his commanding position in the race.
On Monday (Feb. 13, 2012), for example a new poll out from ARG shows Rick Santorum with a six-point lead over Romney in Michigan.
People like a horserace so it's possible people will be drawn to vote in that primary, especially since they know they can still support President Obama in May.
For one thing, Michigan Democrats are now being encouraged to participate. The primary, created by the majority Republicans in the Legislature, will cost taxpayers $10 million. Michigan Democrats had argued that in tough economic times, taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the nominating process and urged both parties to hold caucuses instead. Michigan Democrats have scheduled their caucuses for nominating President Obama for May 5.
The Republicans refused to go along, and to disguise the fact that the $10 million primary contest is just for their party, added President Obama's name to the ballot against the wishes of the MDP. If the president asked his name to be removed, there was a chance his name would not be on the ballot in November because of the way Republicans wrote the law.
Since party rules don't allow people to participate in two nominating contests, there was a chance people who voted in February wouldn't be able to participate in the party's own caucuses in May. So earlier this month, the Michigan Democratic Party changed its rules so that its members are free to participate in both the primary and the May 5 caucuses. But since it is a closed primary, voters must request either a Democratic or Republican ballot.
That requirement may deter some people from crossing over and voting in the other party's primary, which is definitely not something the MDP is advocating. But the temptation to do so may be greater for some people now that Michigan native Mitt Romney seems to be losing his commanding position in the race.
On Monday (Feb. 13, 2012), for example a new poll out from ARG shows Rick Santorum with a six-point lead over Romney in Michigan.
People like a horserace so it's possible people will be drawn to vote in that primary, especially since they know they can still support President Obama in May.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Piggy-Back Primary Bill Is Out
Michigan Liberal has the news that a version of a primary re-do bill has been released in Lansing.
It would move the May school election to combine it with a new presidential primary.
It would move the May school election to combine it with a new presidential primary.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Not So Fast -- Republicans Were Part of This, Too
A Livingston Press and Argus editorial in editions for Sunday (March 16, 2008) is getting all indignant about the taxpayers' money spent for Michigan's January 15 primary and how it all went "for naught."
Not so fast. Let's not forget that Republicans wanted that primary moved up, too. They wanted Michigan to violate their national party's rules. They were willing to be penalized for it, and they were. The difference is that the GOP nominee already is decided so the penalty -- half of the delegates -- is not relevant.
So when the Press and Argus goes to great lengths to claim that Michigan could have spent taxpayers' money on Livingston County needs instead of paying for the January primary, it overlooks one little fact:
Somebody still would have had to pay for the GOP primary.
I don't see one line of criticism in the Press and Argus editorial about taxpayers having to pay for the Republican primary. Not one.
So typical.
Not so fast. Let's not forget that Republicans wanted that primary moved up, too. They wanted Michigan to violate their national party's rules. They were willing to be penalized for it, and they were. The difference is that the GOP nominee already is decided so the penalty -- half of the delegates -- is not relevant.
So when the Press and Argus goes to great lengths to claim that Michigan could have spent taxpayers' money on Livingston County needs instead of paying for the January primary, it overlooks one little fact:
Somebody still would have had to pay for the GOP primary.
I don't see one line of criticism in the Press and Argus editorial about taxpayers having to pay for the Republican primary. Not one.
So typical.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Is Piggy-Back Primary a Live Option for Michigan?
Could a second Michigan presidential primary be piggy-backed onto a scheduled May 6 Michigan election on education issues?
It appears from at least one news report that such an option is being seriously considered. The Associated Press, in a story carried in the Lansing State Journal, reported that option on Friday (March 14, 2008).
The date of the scheduled May 6 election probably would be moved to accommodate the primary. But it seems like piggy-backing on top of an already planned election would save the Democrats some money.
Neither the Detroit News nor the Detroit Free Press report the piggy-back option in their stories on negotiations regarding a do-over primary.
But all three stories suggest time is running short.
It appears from at least one news report that such an option is being seriously considered. The Associated Press, in a story carried in the Lansing State Journal, reported that option on Friday (March 14, 2008).
The date of the scheduled May 6 election probably would be moved to accommodate the primary. But it seems like piggy-backing on top of an already planned election would save the Democrats some money.
Neither the Detroit News nor the Detroit Free Press report the piggy-back option in their stories on negotiations regarding a do-over primary.
But all three stories suggest time is running short.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Pressure on Michigan Likely to Escalate
The Democratic National Committee's dilemma over delegates from Michigan and Florida got pushed right back to the front burner late Tuesday (March 4, 2008) when Sen. Hillary Clinton won the Ohio primary.
Late in the evening, Clinton held a narrow lead in Texas over Sen. Barack Obama, but in her victory speech in Ohio, she did not sound like a candidate who planned to pull out of the race even if she lost in Texas.
Had Obama won both Ohio and Texas states, Michigan and Florida might have become less important.
But Clinton's showing means she will be continuing to insist that the party seat Michigan and Florida delegates. Obama will continue to oppose that, and some of his supporters will continue to insist on a do-over for Michigan.
Last Saturday, for example, I'm told that people demonstrated outside the state Central Committee meeting in support of a do-over primary. Some carried Obama signs, but a woman who described herself as with the Obama campaign said he was not supporting that idea.
In Florida, the Republican governor has said he would support a second primary.
I don't see it happening in Michigan.
Think about it. The state has just survived a terrible budget year in which important services had to be cut and taxes raised. Now we're going to turn around and spend $10 million for another primary? And Gov. Granholm is going to get the Republican-run state Senate to agree to that how?
Ain't happening.
So what it could come down to is who sits on the credentials committee at the Democratic National Convention.
Late in the evening, Clinton held a narrow lead in Texas over Sen. Barack Obama, but in her victory speech in Ohio, she did not sound like a candidate who planned to pull out of the race even if she lost in Texas.
Had Obama won both Ohio and Texas states, Michigan and Florida might have become less important.
But Clinton's showing means she will be continuing to insist that the party seat Michigan and Florida delegates. Obama will continue to oppose that, and some of his supporters will continue to insist on a do-over for Michigan.
Last Saturday, for example, I'm told that people demonstrated outside the state Central Committee meeting in support of a do-over primary. Some carried Obama signs, but a woman who described herself as with the Obama campaign said he was not supporting that idea.
In Florida, the Republican governor has said he would support a second primary.
I don't see it happening in Michigan.
Think about it. The state has just survived a terrible budget year in which important services had to be cut and taxes raised. Now we're going to turn around and spend $10 million for another primary? And Gov. Granholm is going to get the Republican-run state Senate to agree to that how?
Ain't happening.
So what it could come down to is who sits on the credentials committee at the Democratic National Convention.
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