Michigan Exit Polls Show A Very Unhappy GOP Electorate
By Nicole Belle Tuesday Jan 15, 2008 8:00am
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As MSNBC's Norah O'Donnell says, this information can't make the White House very happy, which frankly, is alright by me. A stunning 70% of Republican voters (the right graph shows that less than 1 in 10 voters in the GOP primary was a registered Democrat) in the Michigan primary characterized the economy as either "Not so good" or "Poor". How's that for a repudiation of Republican economic policies? Ouch.
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Of course they're unhappy. Look who's been in office for the last seven years?
Time for some GOPers to come to their senses and cross party lines!!!
This is stil only a trial run for the November election. Diebold can't make a clean sweep either. That would make it too obvious.
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A Very Unhappy GOP Electorate
I find myself VERY pleased at their dissatisfaction and discomfort and I can only wish them so much more of the same in the years and decades to come.
Talk about reaping what you sow.
Why should anyone be happy? That just shows most of them are human and still alive.
Actually, in Michigan, dissatisfaction with the economy is directed at Democratic economic policies and Jennifer Granholm, which is wrong, but which makes sense in the context of our "one state recession," which allows them to blame her instead of national trends.
While I agree the economy is in the tank (except for the uber rich), let's keep things in perspective: Michigan has the worst economy in the nation, and a Democratic governor is in charge. The blame for Michigan's economic woes go deeper than W.
Investors dumped stocks after an overnight sell-off on Wall Street and on news that Citigroup Inc. had lost nearly $10 billion in the fourth quarter as it wrote down mountains of bad mortgage assets -- the latest fallout from the credit crisis.
"American financial mismanagement has brought us to this economic meltdown," said Francis Lun, a general manager at Fulbright Securities in Hong Kong.
AP - 1 minute ago
WASHINGTON - Higher costs for energy and food last year pushed inflation up by the largest amount in 17 years, even though prices generally remained tame outside of those two areas. Meanwhile, industrial output was flat in December, more evidence of a significant slowdown in the economy.
Demand going down-Costs going up.
The worst scenario.
Romney knew that. That's how he won -- empty promises to help Michigan through "economic stimulus." Which in GOP-speak means reckless deregulation and more tax cuts for the rich. Not really a recipe for an economic turnaround, but at least it showed Mittens cared enough to bullsh*t them.
That looks a lot like a breakdown of Bush's approval rating. Top 1% of income families think things are excellent. There's 30% of regular people who don't realize how horrible things actually are. And finally the 68% who can't seem to figure out why their lives are so shitty, but at least we're 'safer'?
Joementum @ 10:
Did he mention bailouts by foreign dollars keeping the US mess afloat?
NeedsMoreCowbell @ 7:
From your comment I'm gleaning that you're saying it's a Democrat's fault. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Basically, that's faulty logic. If we want to see why Michigan is in a pit all by itself we need look no further than the American auto industry.
The Relpublicans blind loyalty to Bush has bit them on their ass. They, in essence, destroyed their party. Wing-nuts are imploding, and the party faithful know it.
L.A. Confidential @ 12:
Nah. I guess he figures Ron Paul has that issue covered.
Joementum @ 15:
Everythings beautiful when your net worth is approaching $190 Million.
"this information can’t make the White House very happy"
i don't think the white house cares one whit what the american public's opinion is on any subject. why would they care about this one?
L.A. Confidential @ 9:
What was so special about 17 years ago?
Oh, yeah; GHWBush was President.
Michigan's economy has been absolutely devastated by free trade agreements; the misery cuts across party lines.
But will repukes as a bloc do anything about it country wide. Also remember that Michigan is one of the hardest hit industrial areas - as a result of bush and his thieves.
Does anyone have the number for turnout by party?
I'd be interested in hearing how many voted Dem as opposed to Repug.
That is far more informative than who each voted for.
Bedwetting authoritarian cultists on the march. Mitt isn't Reagany hair enough. Huck isn't rapture bunny enough. Rudy and Paul aren't tax cutty enough. Fred isn't Pajamas Media talking pointy enough. Hunter isn't Tancredoy enough
Ex-Canuck @ 20:
I'd prefer they didn't attempt to fix things, as their solutions (more tax cuts, anyone?) tend to make things worse. I'm encouraging my Repuke friends to give up and stay home on election day.
Only the 'Phony Republicans' are unhappy with the economy.
Yet they're still Republican.
Oh, PUHLEEEEEEZ. You're talking about MICHIGAN!!!! The place has been in massive decline since the Carter Administration - OF COURSE they're going to say the economy sucks - heck - something like 1/6 of Detroit HAS GONE FERAL. Just go to: http://www.detroitblog.org/ and have a look for yourself.
The Republicans are evil Evil EVIL, but really people, talk about unthinking propaganda. Please get a clue.
Link doesn't work.
Tweakerbell @ 26:
Now you're oversimplifying in the other direction.
Are the 30% who think the economy is alright, the same 30% who think Bush is doing a good job? And if so, can they be found, medicated and helped?
I posted this before, but that shill Ms. Jay Newton-Smith from Time said on CNN (I believe it was) that the republics still had an out, they could claim the current economic woes were holdover from the last years of Bill Clinton and the obstructionism of the democrats in not making deep tax cuts to stimulate the economy. (!?) I nearly feel out of my chair when I heard this. Main Stream Media to the rescue of the repukes! I am not surprised to hear it, but to paraphrase the old Massachusetts joke about corrupt New Hampshire highway cops, I am not surprised they're bought, I'm just surprised how obvious they are.
L.A. Confidential @ 8:
I heard on msnbc this morning that Citibank wrote off 18 billion.................either way.........it's comin.This one will make the last one courtesy of Ronnie.......look like a picnic.
that's more than the GNP of Iceland.
Good! Now maybe the fuckers realize there are more imortant stakes in an election than whether or not a woman can get an abortion or whether or not two gay guys can marry eachother! Sad as it is to say, Americans only get smarter only as the amount of bread they can put on their tables dwindles!
A prosperous America is usually a fat, arrogant, self righteous place where the rich are encouraged to pick the pockets of the poor and religious fundies are encouraged to dump their religious nonsense on the rest of us freely!
SO, Michigan Republicans...you asked for Bush, you got him, you suckers! Give him a holler on the phone, since he was the candidate you thought you could 'have a beer with' no time like the present, eh?
Tweakerbell @ 26:
Agreed, however the BushCo LLC trickle-down-economy is the knife in the back of all middle class in this country.
Because of BushCo LLC we now have a Supreme Court that believes the Constitution was created to protect the wealthy from democracy.
There is no doubt that Michigan's economy is just about as bad as it could be. And there is plenty of blame to go around at the state level of politics; the previous gov. (Engler) pretty well gutted everything to get an administration appointment under Bush, and the current gov. (Granholm) has not played the cards dealt to her very well. This is compounded by an amazingly incompetent state legislature on both sides of the aisle.
Michigan is something of a canary in the national mineshaft, and it always has been. A lot of America's success have been driven by Michigan's natural resources and manufacturing. (all those lovely East Coast brownstones, that rock was mined in Northern Michigan) At the turn of the 20th Century, Time called Detroit the future of America. One could make a pretty argument that it was a true statement, for good and ill.
This talk of a "one state recession" is true on the surface, but what happens in Michigan does not, historically or generally, stay in Michigan. The incompetence of the Big Three is abundantly clear, but how many other American companies behave in exactly the same way, i.e. concerned with short-term profit over long-term sustainability.
I'm suggesting that we all take a long look at Michigan, because it will either be the harbinger of things to come nationally, or it will provide some of the answers for avoiding Michigan's predicament.
To Symes, voter turnout was excruciatingly low. In some case around 10% (no doubt fueled by the bungling of the Democratic Primary). The last time i saw numbers it was roughly 450,000 on the Democratic side and 730,000 on the Republican side...that represented about 85% of precincts reporting.
Finally, there is a dangerous and growing resentment against the Democratic Party right now. 17 electoral votes going Red in November is no laughing matter. (the fault, at least perceived, for that is spread pretty evenly between the MDP, the DNC, and Sen. Clinton)
My guess is that the neocons have been and are thinking well beyond 2008 with their direction of the disastrous Bush/Cheney regime. The ultimate goal is to create an environment for fascism to flourish. Fear, chaos, "starved" state and federal governments, inflation, recession, xenophobia, religious fervor, a worthless dollar. Think 1930's Germany.
Cantor de Mambo @ 36:
And like Germany, we will soon be facing food and fuel shortages.
Cassandra on Oil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c91TPrsZrwc
A cartoon that makes the point well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ulxe1ie-vEY
now remember, these current republicans aren't acting in the tradition of reagan republicanism (according to Rush and Hannity). So once these republicans start acting like reagan, then all will be wonderful in the cosmos.
jackpine savage @ 35:
At long last, some sane talk about Michigan. I'm so sick of all the puking over my state. Check it out people. Coming to a state near you. The system is unsustainable and we need to change. I drive in a long traffic jam every day back and forth from my job in the wealthy northern Detroit suburbs. I'd much rather ride a train. The Big 3 ought to consider retooling to make trains. We need a greener economy. The problems in Michigan are the problems with the U.S. Michigan, and especially my beloved Detroit, are the laboratories where the future is getting worked out.
1% think it's excellent. Top 1% in income have seen a windfall the last seven years.
Thanks DK,
I was born and raised in our shared city and i share your feelings about how people look at us. I wish that our state and local governance would spend less time wringing their hands about how bad things are and more time realizing that we are perfectly positioned to, once again, lead this country in a new direction.
For now, i suppose that we represent America's consumer economy quite well: use it up and throw it away...and then snicker about it.
We complain about not having new industries, but i live in the middle of a class 3+ windzone and the highest unemployment levels in the State. There isn't a windmill to be seen, nor any talk of bringing/starting a wind energy company.
empy @ 40:
In times of war they always do.
jackpine savage @ 41:
Great point, I would think that the U.P. would be a profitable place for a few windfarms.
Folks, get used to it. Our condition in America is going to get worse and that meant people have no choice because the elections are preplanned.
Your next president is Hillary Clinton. The MSM is not too pleased but they have no choice.
The long awaited tribulation is at hand. The world is going to be in calamity.
Either stay home or vote your conscience.
IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE.
EZ @ 44:
in that case fuck em all ill save my gas and clinton can lick my ass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So as Michigan goes, so goes the USA?
Interesting point - and it makes sense if you look at history. I'll keep my eye on that - thanks! And good luck Michiganers (-ites?)
mccain is just batshit crazy and old huck is just batshit enhanced!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Discrimination was evident yesterday at MSNBC. They were asking questions first Obama or Clinton and pushed Edwards for last.
And that too, Clinton had the audacity to interrupt.
She lacks ethics.
Chris Mathews exalted Clinton after the debate. I was not impressed by Clinton at all. I think Obama is better than Clinton. This primary should have been between Edwards and Obama. Mathews, you need to hold your tongue and let the people decide. Folks, ban NBC and MSNBC.
Where is Brokow on this one?
Folks, cancel out that primary results from Vegas and MI. This election is tampered by the media.
Weaseldog @ 37:
Yeah, I want to get one or two of these as soon as I can afford it. VAWTs are more efficient in low to the ground turbulent wind areas. HAWTs are meant more for open spaces and some distance off the ground.
What I see happening to oil is that eventually we'll just have to stop using it for energy. About the only thing that would be burned for energy would be alcohols (ethanol, butanol), fats (such as biodiesel), and natural gas from bio sources.
As for plastics, most of these will be replaced with bio sources and nanotechnology instead of petrol sources. However, some things will still need oil to be produced (such as asphalt, vulcanized rubber, oil for machinery, etc.). But fortunately crude oil can be produced by biowaste (there has been processes developed in the past 5-10 years to make it from poultry guts and pig/human feces) which will probably become cheaper than ground source oil when that runs out.
And yeah, the switch to improved technology needs to happen now. Hubbert predicted that we'd hit peak oil in 1990-95, but you have to remember that in his day things were much more inefficient than now (cars had much lower gas mileage, batteries leaked acid if you left them in an electronic device for several months, buildings weren't insulated as well, and household appliances hogged energy, etc.). Improvements in technology bought us another 15-20 years, but unfortunately, much of that time was squandered.
Romney would have finished in 4th place, without the roughly 25% crossover vote!
Those crossover voters abandoned Romney as soon as they voted for him! They're (crossover voters) helping put a weak clown in the run against any Demo that will beat him hands down in Nov.
Check this one: Edward's polling results compared to Clinton & Obama.
The media is terrified of Edwards.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/01/14/the-polls-you-wont-hear-much-about/
Radically Moderate @ 43:
Great point, I would think that the U.P. would be a profitable place for a few windfarms.
The U.P. is, in fact, the area i'm talking about. Sault St. Marie Ontario has a massive farm (120+ windmills). Nothing here. Its a damned stupid shame. With the wind and the public mentality, this would also be a good place to focus on selling residential units too. A good many people already have camps or homes that are nearly off the grid. Folks up here are just like that. Even the Republicans. There's no shame in going to the food co-op wearing your camo ballcap and driving a hulking pickup truck.
Bud @ 46:
Michiganders. Thanks, we'll need it.
Good points, Blue Buddha. I want one of those helical turbines too.
Another factor to consider in regards to Hubbard's predictions is that he made them before there was a serious move towards deep water drilling. But that, and the opening up of Africa, will only put off the inevitable for a while.
You're spot on about plastics. And while i don't want to start a pot debate, Henry Ford could use hemp to make auto body panels in the mid-30's. It would be nice to see livestock go back to grass feeding and use some of our agricultural land for hemp production, with the intent to turn it into plastics. Cut down fertilizer/pesticide use, tillage, and perhaps establish a mostly self-sufficient manufacturing base.
ShouldBeWorking @ 13:
Good observation. Big 3 management and the UAW were both in denial way too long about changes needed to deal with global competition.
I doubt the accuracy of that number. I did crossover and voted for Romney (per Kos). If I'd been asked at my polling place, I would have acted like a clueless republican.
Minor note: Since we don't register in Michigan, actually 0 voters in the GOP primary were registered Democrats.
"A stunning 70% of Republican voters (the right graph shows that less than 1 in 10 voters in the GOP primary was a registered Democrat) in the Michigan primary characterized the economy as either “Not so good” or “Poor”."
That's not necessarily correct. 68% of the people voting in the primary were Republican, and, coincidentally, 68% of all voters thought the economy was "not so good" or "poor," but there isn't enough info on those graphs to come to the conclusion that you did. We would need a poll asking only Republicans what they thought of the economy to come to the conclusion that 70% of them thought the economy was doing badly. Theoretically, it's possible that all of the "Not so good" or "Poor" votes came from independents and Democrats, while almost half of the Republicans could have thought things were "Excellent" or "Good."
It's important to realize that many people who voted with Republican ballots in Michigan are not actually Republicans. The Democratic ballot was basically meaningless because of a state penalty so a lot of people either voted Republican (Ron Paul in my case) or didn't vote at all.
There are a lot of people to "blame" for the struggling economy of Michigan, and the nation as a whole. One thing I can't understand though, is Michigan residents driving foreign cars. These are the first people to complain about a lack of jobs, being too clueless to realize it's because the industry they aren't supporting is crumbling.
Bud @ 46:
It's Michiganders!
As much as three weeks ago, i started getting emails that were worded differently (different sources) but saying the same thing: declare Republican party affiliation and vote for Romney (you could've also declared Democrat and still voted for a Republican).
I was bcc'd so i don't know how big the lists were, but i was getting duplicates from friends that aren't *mutual* AND from complete strangers. Who knows what affect if any this had on Romney's numbers, but at the very least it's obvious that some people (liberals) were motivated and organized in trying to get Romney a win here in Michigan.
Some are saying he won here because of the money he spent; but didn't he spend _way more_ in Iowa? He definitely spent more time there and expected to do better (there than here).
Others are saying MR beat McCain because he's a "Michigan boy", but that's not how Michiganders do things. We re-elected an unpopular Democrat incumbent (Canadian-born) governor because it was clear to most of us that her competitor, a successful Michigan business man (Dick DeVoss), would've been far *worse* than her.
In my opinion you can't compare Michigan's problems with that fate/future of the country. If you've got a city or a state that is completely dependent upon a single resource/industry, then yes, look at Michigan and learn something. But even the smallest regions of the country are FAR more diverse than Michigan is with the automotive industry.
I agree that our legislature is just fucking horrible; completely partisan, etc. It's embarrassing. But, a common discussion in Michigan: What could they, or the governor, really have ever done to affect the business and labor practices of the auto industry and UAW?
I don't care *what* your philosophy is on the 'correct' way to manage small business taxation, it's not going to save Michigan at this point. Pension and healthcare costs have eaten General Motors alive – and the governor is supposed to do what about this exactly?
DECADES of a greedy, short-sighted, powerful industry/lobby that fights regulation tooth and nail PLUS a United Auto Worker mindset of "give me paid holidays or give me death" means a long slow recovery process.
BARRY SANDERS IN 2012! hehe
EZ @ 51:
It's not just the media (who of course get their money from the corporations) its the corporations who are afraid of Edwards. He'd put labor back in the picture. Now corporations have cut the workers out of getting any benefit from the profits. It's all going to investors and corporate profits.
I live in Michigan. Republicans blame our Democratic Governor for the bad economy, not George Bush.
you think we're unhappy with bush, check this out!
Issue: Ugly American?
Europeans appear weary and wary of President Bush.
More than 5,500 Europeans told this to Harris Interactive in a poll conducted for the International Herald Tribune and a French television station. The survey showed that Mr. Bush's reputation is tanking.
The approval rating of President George W. Bush on an approval scale of zero to 100 in each of the five European countries surveyed is a single digit. Italy, 8 percent approve of Bush; the UK, 7 percent; Spain, 7 percent; Germany, 5 percent; France, 3 percent.
The same 5,500 respondents in the same five countries were also asked this question: "How much of a threat does the United States pose to peace among nations of the world?" In all five countries, majorities responded that the U.S. poses a, quote-unquote, "major threat to world peace."
http://www.mclaughlin.com/library/transcript.asp?id=635
Perhaps the bushies are angry Europe Rates Bush in the SINGLE DIGITS!! ROTFLMAO
Michigan is in a depression, so one would not expect Michigan voters to think much of the economy.
Every boom ends in a bust. The Clinton era stock bubble and the Bush jr. era housing bubble were part of the boom. The nasdaq dropped 76%. Housing is now in a depression. We are moving into the bust phase.
Michigan is not repudiating republican economic policies, but the easy money policy of the Central Bank, which created the 1990's boom and the housing bubble which followed it. You cannot separate republican from democrat. The bust is part of the boom.
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