Governor Jennifer Granholm on John McCain: 'They want a change in the White House. They don't want a third Bush term'
By John Amato Monday Jun 16, 2008 11:02am
I heart Granholm. When have I ever said that? She's an incredible communicator who really captures the mood of the country and blue collar workers after living under the Conservative agenda for almost eight years. In the few minutes she had on The Situation Room Monday---Governor Granholm quickly and easily deconstructed McCain's talking points on every economic issue Wolf brought up. I guess after all was said and done it comes down to one word: "McSame." Michigan is lucky to have her.
Download | play 
Download | play (h/t billw)
GRANHOLM: I'll tell you what blue collar American wants. They want a change in the White House. They don't want a third Bush term. Here in Michigan, in small towns across our state, where we have seen jobs go on a slow boat to China, on the Internet to India, or on a fast track to Mexico, we want to make sure that we have an investment, a manufacturing policy in this country that supports our job providers so we can keep jobs here. Bush and McCain will further the unfair trade policies that have hurt states like Michigan.
People are mad in Michigan. We're mad that the Bush administration has stood idly by while we have lost almost 400,000 jobs since Bush became president.
Can you imagine that, Wolf? Four hundred thousand jobs. That's our own version of Hurricane Katrina, only it's {trickled out} over the past seven and a half years. So we need a change in the White House. That's what people are mad at. They're mad at a White House that has not paid attention to middle America.
I can imagine it. Michigan is not the only state that has been devastated by the Bush doctrine. I love the way she made sure to incorporate the "trickle down" principals of Conservatism in her response to McCain's camp. For McCain to say that Obama is out of touch with blue collar working Americans is laughable since he has stood side by side with the conservative agenda that has been an utter failure for our country. I will say that the White House has paid attention to the fat cats on wall street. They certainly have made a killing while Bush has been in office. That's why we will constantly hear screams of "Obama is a socialist---run for the hills," by the Saturday morning zombie stock show guests on FOX.
BLITZER: Well, we've been telling our viewers Michigan has got the highest unemployment rate in the country now. Serious economic problems, as you well know better than anyone in your state.
Here's what John McCain says -- as bad as it is in Michigan right now, if Obama's president, guess what? It could get a whole lot worse. Listen to McCain.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCAIN: I believe that there are stark differences between myself and Senator Obama, whether it be he wants to raise taxes, I want to lower them.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: And he says everyone in Michigan, indeed across the country, would have higher taxes. He says given the hard economic times, this is about the worst time to go ahead and raise everyone's taxes.
What do you say to that charge?
GRANHOLM: Well, I don't know if he's been reading the economic plan, but the Obama plan has significant middle class, working class tax cuts. In fact, there was a national study that is a neutral study which said that average Americans, middle class Americans, would see three times as much of a tax break under Obama than they would under McCain.
I mean, the bottom line is, McCain, I'm not sure what his education policy is. I'm not sure what his energy policy is. But Barack Obama came to Michigan today, to Flint, Michigan, which is the heart of the auto industry. The reason why Michigan's economy is so challenged because of this massive contraction in our automotive sector.
So he came right to the heart of the auto industry. And what he said is that he is going to invest $150 billion in an entire energy sector of this country, creating jobs, millions of jobs in energy. That, for a state like Michigan, is hugely important to hear. He had specific plans for us.
BLITZER: All right. I guess what McCain is suggesting is that if you start raising taxes, even for wealthy Americans, families making more than $200,000 or $250,000 a year, and you start increasing capital gains taxes, and other taxes related to investments, that's going to hurt the aggregate, the overall U.S. economy. And it will further make it difficult for job creation and everything else you want in Michigan.
GRANHOLM: Well, the whole point that Barack Obama was making is that you have to make strategic investments in the areas that you know will grow jobs. He said that he would eliminate capital gains taxes on those entrepreneurs, the kind of jobs we want to create. But the very, very, very wealthiest, they can afford to contribute to the investment in our country to allow people to be able to go to college.
Every economist will tell you that the smartest economic development strategy is making sure you have a skilled work force for those employers. And that's exactly what Barack Obama's plan is.
BLITZER: McCain's really been hitting Obama hard over the past few days about those so-called "bitter" comments he made during the primary against Hillary Clinton. Listen to this latest -- this latest statement that McCain made just today.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MCCAIN: I won't tell them that in small towns across America and in Pennsylvania, that they are bitter or angry about their economic conditions, so therefore they embrace religion and the Second Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. I will never do that.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
BLITZER: All right. Do you want to respond to that? Because he's suggesting that Obama is simply out of touch with blue collar working Americans.
GRANHOLM: I'll tell you what blue collar American wants. They want a change in the White House. They don't want a third Bush term.
Here in Michigan, in small towns across our state, where we have seen jobs go on a slow boat to China, on the Internet to India, or on a fast track to Mexico, we want to make sure that we have an investment, a manufacturing policy in this country that supports our job providers so we can keep jobs here. Bush and McCain will further the unfair trade policies that have hurt states like Michigan.
People are mad in Michigan. We're mad that the Bush administration has stood idly by while we have lost almost 400,000 jobs since Bush became president.
Can you imagine that, Wolf? Four hundred thousand jobs. That's our own version of Hurricane Katrina, only it's trickled out over the past seven and a half years. So we need a change in the White House. That's what people are mad at. They're mad at a White House that has not paid attention to middle America.
BLITZER: How big of a deal is it that Senator Obama's going to have a special guest in Michigan with him later tonight. The former vice president of the United States, Al Gore, will be in your beautiful state to make this ringing endorsement.
GRANHOLM: Well, if you're making that announcement, I can't confirm. But if it were true that Al Gore was coming here, I could tell you that it is a great statement.
We in Michigan want to reinvent Michigan. We want to rebuild a clean, green state where technology and green technology and alternative energy and renewable energy is the sector of growth for job creation to replace those lost manufacturing jobs. And I tell you, if you look at what Al Gore has done in elevating the dialogue about climate change and in taking action, he will tell you that this is -- yes, it's good for the planet, but it's also good for the economy and for jobs. And that's where Michigan stands right there.
BLITZER: Michigan's going to be very busy over these next few months. A battleground state.
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Too bad she cant be VP
For once I'm proud to live in Michigan. Jenny rocks!
"Governor Jennifer"?
Is she 6?
Does Wolf look like he's getting tired of carrying water for his corporate masters to you?
I don't dispute the Gov., but the main reason the American auto companies and their workers are hurting is that Detroit has refused to stop turning out crappy cars.
You love Granholm?
You've not been lucky enough to live in The Great Lakes State.
She's equally to blame for the fiasco, as is Former Gov. Engler, Bush, and the whole of the Michigan Legislature.
Michigan is my home state, and what this administration has done to it and all the other states (in other ways) is criminal.
I have seriously been thinking of moving out of this country if Grampa steals the office, as did his predecessor. THIS is what fascism feels like; it crept up on us over a period of 7 years, and it is relentlessly suffocating us.
I'm tired of corporations having more rights than me, having welfare when they don't deserve it, owning the media, vacuuming out our pockets by artificially raising energy prices...the list goes on and on.
"Hurt" doesn't describe my own personal situation: It's just intolerable. I couldn't stand another republican in office.
I admit that I don't know that much about her, but has there been any talk of Granholm as a VP candidate? She seems really well-spoken and she would help clear the rift between the Obama campaign and the Michigan voters who feel disenfranchised by the Democratic Party. She would also help strengthen the women votes that everyone says Obama would get if he picked Clinton or Sebelius as his vp.
Just a thought.
I dont understand how the republicans in 8 years did so much damage. Maybe the democrats are weak. From what I understand in the senate is that 60 votes mean you basically cant be filibustered. Could someone tell me if that was the case? The republicans had more then 60 votes each time to pass these idiotic laws? Right now the democrats have more votes then the republicans but not the 60 required. How come they cant get anything done? Unless the repubs did have 60 votes to basically have power of the senate at the peak of the bush administration.
I really think the republicans lost this. The democrats didnt win this. Our party is weak. The republicans no matter how dumb there views are, at least they are a strong party and get the laws they think are right passed. We cant even make headway on any topics right now without getting to 60 votes.
Why do I feel like I am watching this once great country crumble before my eyes?
Anyways my main question is: At the peak of Bush power did the republicans have 60 or more votes in the senate? They did a ton of damage and I havent found any source that would tell me this info.
I'm all for Obama and all, I just fear that he'll be as ineffectual as our Canadian Governor has been.
Splendid rhetorical talk, and no show...
She got my vote twice, but sadly, Jenny's let me down.
Craig @ 8:
She's a Canuck.
Lollimom @ 7:
Memo to Americans looking to come into Canada: You better support a party early and you better support it with vigor. We're dealing with our own little mini Bush in Stephen Harper and the revitalized Conservatives, and the only reason he hasn't been ousted is due to our Liberal Party being in embarrassing shambles.
Craig @ 8:
No can do. She was born in Canada and is, therefore, constitutionally ineligible. Sad.
j @ 3:
Why do you ask? Are you looking for a date?
Le Roi Est Mort @ 6:
Engler and dubyah are one in the same. Engler took a flourishing state economy and slowly destroyed it with his reckless economic polices. dubyah did the same thing to the Country.
McCain would be a third Bush term and Obama is for change.... never heard that one before.
A Democratic governor in a Democratic state blaming a Republican president for her inability to improve a situation she promised to improve. Never heard that one either
A May 2008 Michigan State University poll marked Granholm's approval rating at 20%.
Impressive woman. With her leading the way, Michigan is in the bag for Obama. Done deal.
jmike @ 13:
When are you guys going to change that?
"Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me:
I lift my lamp beside the golden door.
Oh, and make sure to tell them that they can't be President. I mean, we love immigrants and all, but come on."
Hypocrites.
I'll play a bit of devil's advocate. What did Bill Clinton do to help create manufacturing jobs in the US, keep companies from outsourcing, and stop business from using Mexico as their dirty little factories? Not much. Nobody's cared much about Michigan or blue collar jobs -- be they Democrats or Republicans -- over the past two decades. Also, Ford, GM, and Chrysler have shot themselves in the tires by designing the wrong cars for today's $4.50 gas reality (and gas will only get more expensive), so the US manufactures have doomed Michigan's blue collar workers through bad management and inferior engineering. The working man gets screwed no matter who is power. Bill Clinton and Bushco would love to turn all the hard working blue collar people into burger flippers, FedEx couriers, and Starbucks baristas.
hey, you know who else sucks?
DEMOCRATS!!
http://www.batesvilleheraldtribune.com/statenews/cnhinsall_story_1691015...
Craig @ 8:
She was born in Canada.
VietVet8666 @ 5:
I agree that they used to but have you driven one lately? If you want to send the profits to overseas companies, you are part od the problem.
Lone Rogue @ 12:
I didn't say Canada, BTW.
Canadians better watch out for themselves or they'll lose everything they rightly deserve with the taxes they pay.
I don't understand how "conservatives" get into office (and what is so conservative about them? What aren't they called radical regressives???)
The USA has turned into a corrupt, back-stabbing corporation, and the trickle-down effect to The People is too often best described as "dog eat dog."
j @ 3:
Hey, she's Governor of a state. You're just some dillweed on the Internet.
You don't even have a fucking vowel in your name!
I wish all the spokesfolks for Obama would watch how Howard Dean does it. He disagrees with the premise right out out of the box, or says No, that's not right. Bang. Then he says this is what is really happening or this is what the truth is. He pivots from any subject to say that McCain is a Bush third term. He explains in bullet points, then repeats until he is cut off. Subject verb object. Short sentences. Who else is this clear and on point? John Edwards. Sen. Kennedy. Gov. Gregoire of Washington. Gen. Wes Clark. Who isn't? John Kerry.
Michigan is going down the tubes and the mainstream media force its governor to defend Obama against content-free personal attacks by McIdiot. Setting the stage for a campaign season of no substance, CNN strikes again.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 6:
rethugs have been in control in ALL the states, INCLUDING Michigan. So please explain to me how she is responsible for the Godawful job situation there.
I'll bet you cant. youre just parroting the rethug party line, troll!
Northern Trombonist @ 17:
You're not up to date, pal. We don't want any more "teeming masses" invading our shores - we want them to stay in their own damn countries so we can outsource all our jobs to them to enrich our wonderful corporations. Oh, but we'll take all your technology professionals and white collar executives, though.
But we still don't want no damn furrner as President (unless it's a conservative, then we'll scream loudly about it.)
slippy hussein toad @ 23:
I think you missed the point. The intention post 3, I believe, was to show how "Governor Jennifer" is actually a demeaning and dismissive title. Why such a nasty attack on the poster because he/she came to the defense of the Governor?
Rosanne @ 26:
Republican? I voted for this woman TWICE, and I will still NEVER vote for a republican. Never ever.
Shut the fuck up, you horrid bitch. Si quæris peninsulam amœnam, circumspice!
princess @ 16:
They also rated herr dubyah with the same low marks. In fact, dubyah was rated "poor" by 53 percent, while Granholm earned a similar rating from 44 percent. Go figure, you happened to leave that out. Impressive man. With herr dubyah leading the way, the presidency is in the bag for McGrampa. Done deal.
Michigan here, I like Granholm, she is very capable. She has done well in an extremely difficult situation.
She was a very effective Attorney General who handed the Republican Legislators theirs heads when they messed with her.
She was born in Canada so she cannot be VP, too bad, she would be an otherwise excellent choice.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 11:
CANUCK??!! Hey, troll. Have a little respect for a woman who is so much more intelligent and successful than you! Not only are you a troll, you are a sexist PIG!
Matt in Texas @ 27:
It also shows that your Constitution doesn't trust democracy, even as the flag-wavers among you never shut up about it. Think about it: What if most Americans WANTED as President someone who was born elsewhere? Nope, you can't have that. Your forefathers knew best.
Rosanne @ 32:
I'm only a Troll in the sense that I live south of the Mackinaw Bridge. I was born in Saginaw, MI. I've lived in my beloved State for all of my 24 years.
Go choke on some delicious Mackinac Island fudge, you revolting blockhead.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 29:
OK, dead king, I'll bite: what does the latin phrase at the end of your post mean?
I wonder if Democrats are going to "change" the WH like they "changed" the Congress.
NAFTA was the official beginning-of-the-end for the automotive/trucking industry (thank you for working for what republicans wanted, Bill Clinton).
The republicans in the USA effectively removed fair import taxes for goods coming into our country from overseas or Mexico. This has effectively crippled manufacturing within the USA. Nobody can compete with the unfair advantage that foreigners and their products were given in the USA (its called corporate welfare, not "free trade").
Big Oil and its monopoly on energy control and its distribution network squash alternative energy development.
And as somebody above said, don't kid yourself on what comes out of Detroit nowadays: Theeir products are no longer "crap" (yes, yes, everybody has a horror story, as do I about the import I used to own).
To Matt in TX:
It's our state motto. "If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you."
On the Shield, is found "Tuebor," or: "I will defend."
j @ 3:
I copied her last name on to the title and it didn't appear when I uploaded...My bad...I'll fix it now..
kep306 @ 1:
Even if she hadnt been born in Canada, the fact that she's a woman would guarantee a loss for Obama. To expect white males to vote for a black man AND a woman is just expecting too much from them. Obama must give them somebody they WOULD vote for; someone like themselves - ie a white male. There are plenty of good men to choose a vp from. For Obama to chose a woman running mate would be to throw the election to insane mccain. WE CANT AFFORD ANOTHER BUSH TERM!!
FINALLY !
We're getting some trolls in here to slap around like rented mules.
Republicans seem to be misunderstimating just how much America really, really hates George W. Bush, his fascist party and their destructive policies. They think Americans are just angry at politicians in general like they've always been. Yes, Americans still hate politicians like the old days, but the Bush administration is just off the charts. Bush has been a uniter all right, he has united liberals, conservatives and indies into compltely rejecting his warped view of Ameirca's future.
It's pretty clear who has been in charge and is largely to blame for the economic downfall we have seen since Jan 2001. EVERYONE is feeling the pain and the culprits cannot hide.
So please, quit with the attacks on the messengers like Gov Granholm and prepare for the wrath to come. It's inevitable, you may as well lay back and enjoy it.
Northern Trombonist @ 33:
Actually, they did. They gave us the means to change the Constitution (any part of it) through peaceful, legislative means - amendments. After all, the
Constitution in its original form only applied to white male landowners. (Kinda makes ya wonder about all those "strict constructionist" types, no?) The fact that we still have certain requirements for office holders is more of a reflection on us than it is on the founding fathers. We just haven't had the desire or need to change these requirements, so it hasn't been done. Doesn't mean it can't be done.
wheyghey @ 36:
Sorry but you gotta wonder how long it will be til: "Withdrawal from Iraq is off the table..."
Le Roi Est Mort @ 34:
rethug troll
dennis @ 16:
I take trolls don't know how to read, from the article you linked her approval rating is 55+%.... not 20%.
The figure you cited is about the people who think she is doing an excellent job, not just a good job, 40% disapprove of her governorship.
Obviously your lack of reading and comprehension skill is only surpassed by your intellectual dishonesty.
Impressive troll... not.
What has she done to get the 400,000 jobs back besides blame w?
We all know w is a disaster but where are the solutions?
Enough with the blame game and time to step up and do something.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 38:
Thanks!
Wolf Blitzer and some of the other news personalities on cable won't care about job loss until we have a nice, well-spoken Indian gentleman or woman reading the news from a studio in Delhi, where the help works cheaper, the technicians have no union, and the networks can work the talent as many hours as possible.
Sounds far-fatched, but did you ever think that you would be speaking to someone a half a world away to get the bug out of your computer? Now it's commonplace.
wheyghey @ 36:
Even an empty White House with cobwebs and peeling lead paint would be a welcome 'change' over what we've got now.
Rosanne @ 44:
earl @ 43:
Sorry, but McSame aint winning in November.
More clearly:
Roseanne (that conjures a wretched image…),
I’m voting for Obama. I voted for Granholm. My parents are both Union (UAW, CWA) workers. What more do you want, you dolt?
Engler destroyed the Michigan governmental infrastructure. Then the manufacturing sector turned really dire. Gov. Granholm has had two terms to straighten out the mess and has yet to get Michiganders back to the starting line. She has had to deal with a bankrupt state, an economy that discriminates against American manufacturing and a small group of die hard Republican legislators that stall every attempt at movement. Watch and learn folks. What is happening here in Michigan will be repeated on the national level should Obama win. It will take commitment and patience from the nation if we are ever to undo the damage that has been done.
CrooksandLiars.Com needs to wake up. John Amato needs to wake up. Obama will be just as bad as McCain! Why didn't CrooksandLiars.Com post about Obama sucking up to AIPAC?! Do you know who bankrolled his campaign? The Wall Street Boys did!
Wake up! Democrats = Republicans!
Please do not censor this post, you have censored my posts before! Let the truth be told!
The Exotic Chico Hussein Escuela @ 51:
Certainly hope not. Eight years of unending disaster is enough.
"People are mad in Michigan. We’re mad that the Bush administration has stood idly by while we have lost almost 400,000 jobs since Bush became president".
This is an untrue statement!!
Actually the Bush administration has been actively involved in all kinds of legislation to help Corporations do exactly what they have done to MI.
They do it under the guise of "Free Trade". NAFTA, CAFTA, and any other Free Trade agreements benefit only Corporations at the expense of the working class.
So don't say they stood by idly and watched.... they helped.....just not the right people!
American Native @ 54:
I'll bet AIPAC has Amato by the balls as well.
Governor Granholm you are one impressive lady. If only you had a clone and she/he lived in NY... I'd love to have you as governor here.
toosinbeymen @ 58:
Take her. Please.
American Native @ 54:
Wha? Have you been asleep for the last 8 years? You're either blind, crazy or a rethugnican shill.
The Dude @ 45:
Also, Michiganders give Gov. Jennifer Granholm low marks of approval that rival those of President Bush. Both were rated "good" or "excellent" by 20 percent of those surveyed.
I don't know where you read that her approval rating was 55%+, The Dude. Unless you a re quoting where hers was toward the beginning of her term. Bush's nationally was at 67%, but her approval rating has fallen much lower than has Bush's. Not that I'm at all expecting it, but in a normal civil discussion you'd owe me an apology.
Might the people in Michigan be...bitter?
I live in Michigan, and I'm a democrat, but Jennifer Granholm is NO LEADER. She's spineless and lets our Repug Senate get EVERYTHING they want. Currently, the list is pharmaceutical immunity from lawsuits, more permits for coal plants, millions of TONS OF CANADIAN GARBAGE in OUR GREAT WASTE STATE!!! She won't even remove an embattled, lying mayor!!! She sucks!! Oh yeah, they're allowing a new oil refinery to be built right on the banks of the Lake St. Clair that feeds into the Detroit River etc...
Kathy in St. louis @ 48:
Why DON'T we outsource our news people? Anybody can read a teleprompter. Actual investigative reporting is dead anyway.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 6:
I have lived in Michigan my whole life, and you don't know what the hell you are talking about.
Equally to blame? The repukes controlled both houses of the legislature for the last 26 years! Engler was governor for twelve, and she had to work with the wingnuts her first 4 years in office.
Now, even though the people gave the democrats massive victories statewide in 2006, she still has to deal with a senate "majority?" leader (the republican bastards only got 46% of the popular vote in statewide senate races) who (like all repukes) torpedoes any initiatives that will help the people.
Do you think you would be better off if Bush-clone Amway-heir Dick the "psycopath" Devos (Eric "Blackwater" Prince's brother-in-law) would have been elected? What would he have done? Oh yeah, massive tax cuts for multi-multi millionaire/billionaire trust fund brats like him and Bush. That sure has worked out well, hasn't it?
Name me one thing, just one thing she could of done as governor to stop the bleeding, once the Bush family crime syndicate put the northeast and Greal lakes region in their sites - in order to destroy the unions that existed there?
Frankly, I amazed she has managed to keep us afloat! I am also amazed at how many clueless people haven't figured that out yet!
Hey, Dennis. Your numbers correlate with the mood on the street, for certain. Even my tried and true democratic parents have a hard time saying anything good about Granholm. They've even donated to both of her gubernatorial campaigns!
And what is it with branding one a "troll"? Simply because one has a different perspective, they are then immediately ostracized for not towing the party line?
How despicable.
I'm watching several more American cities drown today or fight ON THEIR OWN, to stave off drowning. Another Bush term?!?! This country may not be able to handle another month of the Bush"league" Administration.
I'll refer you to the office of Speaker Dillon and Majority Leader Mike Bishop. I work in the Romney Building where the Gov's working office is located on the third floor, and I see this shit every single day. She's great talk, though.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 65:
Lollimom @ 7:
ditto..
62 years and when we had a Democratic leader in our state or federal ,the times where great ...
but when we had a repuck i ca'nt even tell you how bad my family suffered
Everybody's sensitive because we know the Repubicans like to send trolls out to liberal/progressive sites to stir things up. I can't say whether LeRoi is right to excoriate the Governor or not. I can say that it's a shame she's ineligible to be VP. Her record in Michigan may be arguable, but she is a good looking, intelligent, articulate woman. Blitzer seemed almost like he was interviewing her for the VP slot in Barack's behalf -- and, dammit, she nailed it!
You made me promises, promises, knowing I'd believe, promises promises you knew you'd never keep.
Helena Montana @ 62:
Helena! Don't say the B word. It's not polite!!
Michigan is my one great devotion. I consider myself to be a Michigander, even before considering myself to be an American.
I don't quite understand the great sense of loyalty to my home state, myself. But I can guarantee that I'm not a republican trying to muckrake. I'm simply one of the great many democrats who is disappointed in the grand talk and limited results of Jennifer Mulhern Granholm.
votingvet @ 70:
i don't live in michigan but i did live in the midwest until recently......from what i can see there has been somewhat of a exodus from michigan....why manufacturing jobs are declining...i feel corporations for many years have been waiting/planning to weaken large unions...they don't like people empowered. michigan is getting hit hard by the transition we are all in....i thought they should have been manufacturing electric/hybrid autos a while back. the auto industry model of 60-80's didn't compete with asia/europe..the u.s. automobile depreciated too much and required a lot maintenance relatively....so the industry blames the workers union and cost of healthcare....
Great job the Dem's have done the past two and a half years giving Bush Co all the slack they need to continue wreaking their havoc.
Maggie @ 53:
Slight correction: For her first term, she had to cope with a Republican state Senate AND Legislature, and damned if they were going to let her accomplish anything positive. She still has only one house on her side.
As far as an earlier comment about supporting domestic auto manufacturers and foreign automobile profits "going overseas", evidently you're not paying attention. Foreign automakers are virtually the only ones investing in plants in the US. Its the "Big 3" that are heading for the borders. American workers build Honda's, Toyota's, BMW's, Mercedes, Nissans, etc. Don't bet that your Ford was built here. There's a good chance you're wrong.
I'm not bashing the Big 3. They have intense pressure to maintain benefits, legacy costs for retirees, and many issues the other automakers don't have to deal with to the same extent. But please don't be so simple-minded. "Buy American"? When you buy tomatoes in January, do you check to see where they came from?
It's more complicated than that, and right now people just want jobs. People can't support any business, foreign or domestic (by, y'know, buying stuff) without cash.
christy @ 63:
seems to me the new refinery will be at Marathon oil {the only refinery in Michigan} and it is no where near Lake St. Claire or the Detroit river , if there is another one please let me know as I have worked in building refineries all over the country and would like a little extra money close to home
American Native @ 54:
Please elaborate as to how "Obama will be just as bad as McCain."
Every politician sucks up to AIPAC... Well, except maybe Jimmy Carter.
Who bankrolled who's campaign? Can you site CREDIBLE sources?
L.A. Confidential @ 75:
not easy when you don't have house majority....bush and co. has had everything stacked against the dems
CNN just reported a new poll, I believe it was WaPo....eighty-four percent of the country believes we are headed in the wrong direction...imagine that.
84%. Does that mean that Bush's approval rating is now in the teens? Why is he not being impeached at this very moment?
Pete @ 9:
No, the Repubicans didn't have a filibuster-proof majority; that's why we heard so much about their "nuclear option" a few years back.
My take on the philosophical differences on Dems vs. Repubicans is a bit biased since I've never voted for a non-Democrat my entire life, but Dems tend to be more open-minded about differences in race, religion, sexual orientation, etc. and they're typically more committed to equality and fair play. Repubicans, on the other hand, don't tolerate differences or dissenting opinions much and embrace a more "win at all costs," "everything is fair game" mentality. It's no coincidence that they're the "white male" party. So, of course, when you have one party that's much more inclusive of all different kinds of people, you're going to have a difficult time getting them to march in lockstep.
Personally, that's why I'm a Democrat. The only way we'd get our politicians and constituents to overwhelmingly agree with each other the way Repubicans do is to become just as rigid ideoligically and be much less tolerant of our differences. And if that happened, I would no longer be a Democrat.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 68:
You don't have to refer me to anything! I have talked to them several times already!
But maybe you can ask the minority leader why he has a majority of Senate seats. That is fascism! Also, perhaps (since they won't answer my questions) why the repukes won 60% (9 out of 15) U.S. House seats when the bastards only got 42.6% of the popular vote statewide in 2006? I really want to know!
As far as Graholm goes, I wish she was more forceful, and her rigorous (stupidity) statewide curriculum mandate was an Orwellean overeach of GOP proportions; but she is galaxies better than the wingnut alternatives.
Pete @ 9:
No! The DLC republican lites sold out to corporate intersts too! Game, set, and match!
I'm sure once Barack takes the White House he'll have installed blacklight porch lights for that cool purple glowing effect.
how did the republicans have so much power and get their way:house/senate majority for six yrs.,signing statements bush loves these,filibuster/veto..the war provided the opening for them to take control.patriot act(s),homeland security..they were for a war that early on people thought we had to fight so they got what they wanted to fight the war on terror....if you disagreed you were less than patriotic they knew what they were doing this has been in the works for yrs....this was part of the plan to change to a global economy...where there is less rules,no unions,cheap labor,less regulation.....darwinian capitalism
JerryO @ 80:
Because Democrats are spineless pussies! Look who they want to be president. "Change we can believe in" my asshole! Obama supporters are fooling themselves if they think things are going to be any different.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 10:
If we could ever clean out the republican turds in the legislature and have a true democratic representation in government, we could really begin to clean up the mess. Unfortunately, thanks to Engler/GOP gerrymandering, we are going to have to get 75% of the vote to do it.
Even when they get blown-out they (repukes) win! Granholm should mention this everyday, everywhere she goes in Michigan, until the day she leaves office! I would! Remind the folks that these so called elected republican leaders, in fact did not win their elections! They were not even close! I am sick of this crap!
Le Roi Est Mort @ 10:
Leroy is dead?
I didna know he was even sick!
Michigan is lucky to have her but she inherited a state that was bankrupted by Republican governor John Engler. He poll numbers aren't all that great because as most people know the American public has a very very short memory. Obama will inherit many of the same problems created by Republican governance but on a much larger scale.
JerryO @ 80:
Yet 41% are set to vote for McSame! Am I missing something here? Who, just who are those 25% ers who hate the way things are, but are ready to support McBush! Can there really be 75 million morons in this country? Oh good grief!
Bud @ 86:
ysbaddaden @ 84:
You just had to work the word black into you comment. But, getting back to Jennifer, I'd marry her in a nanosecond (should she ever get divorced).
Sorry, "your" comment.
I despise Bush, but blaming him for the decline of Michigan is unfair. Not only was NAFTA enacted under Bill Clinton, but the ugly truth is that while the Big 3 shut down plant after plant, foreign auto makers are building new plants about as fast as they can.
It is much more accurate to blame Big 3 management and Big Labor (or, to drill down even deeper, to blame the adversarial nature that characterizes US labor relations).
It's management's fault that they a) didn't see and adapt to the real threat post by foreign auto makers; and b) knowingly sacrificed their long-term viability for short-term profit by giving the unions post-retirement medical benefits to minimize pay increases. It's the unions' fault for failing to see the obvious: damaging the long-term viability of one's employer damages the long-term viability of one's job.
Ron @ 21:
It's true that the quality of American cars (from the Big 3) has vastly improved. But my question is: Why is it that so many foreign brands build their cars in the US and the US carmakers, for the most part, do not??? You've got Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota, BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai, etc. while GM builds cars in Canada.
earl @ 91:
Dr Acula @ 95:
i think somewhat by design keep people buying new autos often and costly to maintain....i believe this country could have built a competitive auto they didn't want to...they could have been the hybrid game years ago........their decisions they made yrs. ago are finally seeing the karma
They can do up the Oval Office with oak wood paneling, lime green shag carpeting, lava lamps, and Barry White or Isaac Hayes playing in the background.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01f0ZA57X5g
Gore can be made Energy Super Hero w/o nominating him for VP.
Before you do anything ask - Can he carry his home state, Tennessee? He missed last time out.
olo @ 99:
I doubt it.
Have you seen the waistlines on most Tennesseeans?
olo @ 99:
oy, wrong thread. sorry.
I was so frustrated watching TV last night, when Gore was late getting to the podium. I could see that Granholm was making a speech I wanted to hear! And on every station the talking head guys were filling and killing time with repetitious blather-- heaven forbid that some B-list female Democratic politician should get a few minutes of national coverage!
"That’s why we will constantly hear screams of “Obama is a socialist—run for the hills,” by the Saturday morning zombie stock show guests on FOX."
and CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNBC, MSNBC, and even now on the Republican takeover of PBS and NPR.
karl @ 97:
While the Buscovite junta is in part responsible for the misery that exists in MI, it is nothing compared to the incompetence and myopia of the Big 3, who are hidebound by short term profits and shareholder return instead of focusing on products the public wants and needs.
Bob Lutz of GM called global warming "bullshit" and hybrid vehicles a "hoax." GM's "solution" is to make SUV hybrids like the Yukon (and having the chutzpah to call their repackaged turd "the green vehicle of the year") that get a stunning 20 MPG and to convert their current fleet to run on E-85---flex fuels are fine but definitely not the long term solution that is needed. But look out America! Here comes the Chevrolet Volt---the electric car they unshredded--that has no chance of success because it was introduced too late and had too little practical use for the majority of the public. Electric cars fulfill a limited niche market only---but I guess that GM isn't beyond a little greenwashing as a image of doing something today instead of securing their long term future.
And Alan Mullaly of Ford finally admitted that they need to move away from building trucks and SUV's and move toward smaller cars---last week. Way to go, genius. You've had that information for about 5 years while Honda and Toyota smoked your ass.
Detroit has the knowledge and ability to be a world leader in automobile technology and innovation but they don't have the will because of their supersize egos and slavish devotion to short term profits. In the meantime, America pays for their foolishness while Europe and Japan rule the automotive world with innovative products the public willingly buys.
kerplunk @ 102:
Actually, that sounds like my kind of news show
Kind of a Meeting of the Minds crossed with Brain Eating.
Of course if it's on FOX, the zombie stock show guests would starve to death.
Democrats....Republicans.....what's the difference?? The American public has been getting screwed by both "parties" for decades. The Congress has been owned by corporations and thier lobbyists for just as long - the reason no one in Congress has really moved to stop Cheney and Bush is that they're all riding on the same Gravy Train!!
In a nation of 300 million that's supposed to be a "democracy," we should have many more political parties than we do. People of honesty, integrity and intelligence should be able to run for high office without having to be on the corporate dole. There should be actual choices and there should be elections that are not rigged.
What we actually have is closer to fascism - government of, by and for the corporations and a two party political system run by the Powers that Be. No one
"elected" (really appointed and installed) as US president in the current context can hope to change anything - as the Power resides not with the Elected Representatives of the People, but with those who control the wealth.
BMW h -- 5 years? The Big 3 have been sitting on their collective asses since the first oil shortage 35 years ago!
Whenever the govt (as infrequently as they do) say they're going to raise CAFE standards, they all whine - in unison - waaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh we don't have the technology.
They, and the oil giants (besides the reichwing) are the end of this country.
Bud @ 86:
You think that an Obama presidency will yield the same result as Bush? WOW WOW WOW
Dr Acula @ 95:
The boneheads in management at GM never saw a 4 ton vehicle they didn't like. I worked for a GM subsidiary for twenty years and I predicted way back when that fuel efficient cars were going to be necessary to stay competitive. So what does GM do? They go out and buy Hummer and increase production on Suburbans and pickups. Even though quality is way up in American car manufacturers vehicles, they are still years behind the curve on the super efficient vehicles needed for the future. And when you make lousy vehicles that need to be fixed daily, your customers will leave and not come back. And its not the workers fault in any way, shape, or form. Planned obsolescence was the word in management in the eighties. And it worked. They just didn't realize it was to be the company itself.
Dr. (terrorist fist jab) Matt @ 14:
Well that's creepy. I was referring to the headline, which omitted her last name. It has now been added.
every time I get my paycheck I see the unfairmess of the bush/conservatives way of thinking . Remember when the rethugs were so against welfare because it instititionalized not working all those cadillac mommas having more kids than they could afford just to get more out from the dole? Kinda funny really that all that was a myth but now what do I see that Mccrazy wants to give corporations even lesser of a tax burden because it helps spur growth ( yes of the executives at the top while the jobs go elsewhere) and to further lower taxes on investment ( wasn't Brazil a country that had an economy that only moved paper from point A to point B in the 80's that went over real well) and shift the tax burden to those in the "lower class" So, in a round about way the rethugs are against work but I quess welfare for those at the bottom ( or any program for that matter) is bad it'll just be repackaged and sold as good if it's for the wealthy or those at the top.
I do not think that the american public will see the light we are like the frog in the pot these changes have had 28 yrs to work their magic and we will soon be boiled and not even know it
Take it from me, Jennifer Granholm is no democrat.
She has shredded the environmental laws in Michigan and her Lt. Governor just flagrantly violated a whole boat load of Michigan and federal environmental laws to OK an unlined dump site with levels of dioxin that are far higher than at Love Canal and Times Beach.
Check out www.trwnews.net and www.dredgeitright.org for the views of her 'democratness' and love (for fouling) the environment.
She's a Jerry Ford loving moderate democrat. If it wasn't for who the Michigan GOP ran against her, she'd have been shown the door at the last election. She was 'better' than Dick DeVos, but not by much. We'd be in the same boat, just would have gotten there sooner with Slick Dick and the AmWay wrecking crew...
Snaps on the comebacks.
Blitzer is such a slut, he's just whoring himself to McCain and corporate America. HE comes across as almost desperate to catapult the GOPer propaganda talking points.
It kills me that the corporations want all the rights of a person, but are unwilling to accept even the smallest of responsibilities that attends personhood. They are parasitizing society, refusing to acknowledge that they have a debt to the American community. They enjoy all the things that taxes pay for, but are unwilling to shoulder the share or return anything back to the American community. It is strictly a oneway street with them, despite their endless self-congratulatory PR. That they are exporting jobs oversees just as fast as they possibly can is just one proof of their parasitic inclinations. Flint, Michigan is a perfect example. The place now looks like Beirut. This is what McCain stands for. This is what Blitzer and his ilk are prostituting themselves for and propagandizing on behalf of.
McCain is a pathetic joke. CNN is a pathetic joke. Blitzer is a bucket of fetid slime.
Pete @ 9:
the part that you don't get is the part where our government actually works
until 1994, Congress had a cooperative tradition that allowed most legislation to pass by compromise between the parties on specific issues
after the repuglitards won control of Congress in 1994, they just gradually stopped cooperating with Democrats. The Democrats have continued to operate with the traditional willingness to compromise. Which allowed them to be pushed around by the uncooperative repuglitards.
when the repuglitards lost control of Congress, they lost their ability to bully the Democrats
Now the repuglitards refuse to cooperate, as some of the Democrats were willing to do in the past 14 years
the only problem for the repuglitards comes from the fact that America now sees the repuglitards as obstructionists, and the source of America's problems
we're gonna take about 15 senate seats from the repuglitards in november, and Congress is gonna ignore the whinny assed titty baby repuglitards for the next few years
Rosanne @ 40:
Troll or just an offensive, sexist moron? I can't decide.
You're absolutely right. Now isn't it about time for a Dem candidate to learn how to overcome this simplest of simple ruses? ...or just go down in flames again...
Gov Granholm isn't perfect, who is? But she has been saddled with an obstructionist Republican State House and Senate; a state raped, pillaged and neglected by Engler for two terms; and its major city -Detroit- endlessly run by corrupt fools that seem to have very little interest beyond short term greed and corporate welfare.
We are lucky to have her. But one person, even if Governor, can't turn the ship completely around in two terms. There's just too much to accomplish and too little help doing doing it.
NoGWBpolicyleftinplace @ 82:
I know no one will read this or care if they do, but the Pukes can win 60% of the seats with only 42.6% of the popular vote if people voted enough for the Pukes in the districts they won, but were drastically outvoted in the districts they lost.
Also, as a Michigander, I blame the vast, vast majority of our problems on the Republican legislature. They've blocked almost every proposal sent to them. They even caused the state to shut down in 2007 because a tax increase might be introduced. Granholm has worked her heiny off trying to get jobs for people here, but you can't replace 400K jobs overnight.
Wolf seems so good at repeating Republican talking points and in the case of the tax issue raised by McCain outright lies. He must know that McCain was lying and if he didn't know it he shouldn't be on the air.
Le Roi Est Mort @ 11:
I don't care. I'd totally do her.
I agree with Biggus Diggus completely. Bill Clinton did as much damage as Bush with his NAFTA signing in 1994, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which enabled massive consolidation of media outlets and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act in 1999 which all set the stage for Bush to go on a rampage against America. The surplus Bill left was used up in 5 minutes by Bush. If any state has a representative that supports free trade whether republican or democrat...you're fucked until you get rid of them. Michigan is a prime example of the loss of manufacturing that, unless you get it back by getting rid of all free traders in government and get manufacturing back, you and your kids will be flipping burgers or going to some war, if your 'lucky', till your in your graves.
Hasn't anyone noticed the democrats and republicans may play opposing political parties EXCEPT with regard to free trade the past 18 years? Wake up
Dr Acula @ 108:
Amen, brother. I was trying to be kind to them, but you are certainly right---the problem goes back a lot farther. The same American companies that invented automobile air conditioning, electric starters, mass production, automatic transmissions, and led the world for decades in innovation and design are now selfish and clueless money grubbers just like their friends the oil oligarchy. Good thing that Henry Ford and Henry Leland aren't alive today to see what mutant children descended from their good works.
Wolf Blitzer comes off as a corporatist blow-hard on a spin-twist for his trickle down taskmasters.
The Governer of Michigan is clear and articulate, emphatic and serious and factual and rational. She puts him in his place for sure.
The Exotic Chico Hussein Escuela @ 41:
This post is AWESOME. Specially your name, Chico.
Sure sounds like Wolf is the "WaterBoy" for the Republican Party.....
Goodness! Why aren't more Democrats like Jennifer Granholm?
freepatriot @ 116:
If they do, they will have to throw one back - Jerk Lieberman.
Kick his ass right out the door. Let him sit on the curb with his buddy "landslide" McSame and discuss the good ole' days of BushCo. corporate fascism.
I used to feel like you do but what I did was to watch C-span during times when they are arguing in support of bills that will cripple us but benefits corporate interests. You have to watch alternate media since we can't seem to get the truth through mainstream media because they answer to their corporate masters. One good source is to watch Democracy Now, INN, and GritTV which are aired on the FSTV channel. This will alleviate some of the frustration that you are feeling. Wolf (CNN) and the rest of the administration's mouthpiece media sources, may one day wake up and realize that their integrity as a journalist has been tarnished just because they want to continue getting a paycheck and is merely going along to get along.
Pete @ 9:
Well said Governor. Slap down all the stupid, repetitive Reslug bullshit.
On the question of impeachment, call Speaker Pelosi and tell her that this should be done. As far as support when it comes to passing legislation that would stop the abuses that has been occurring during the last 7 1/2 years, you have to understand that some of the democrats are republicans in sheep's clothing. It angers me when I read that some of these so called Democrats supports the Republican agenda when it comes to vote. I feel that they ought to declare themselves as Repubs and let a true Democrat hold that office. It is not the Democrats fault when they have to beg and plead other Democrats to support legislation when it comes to vote but that is what is happening. Democrats are not pussies but the Republicans know that if they can count on certain Democrats to support their causes..
Underground Pirate @ 109:
Amen to that .....nuff said
cf @ 125:
She is a democrat....with conviction and verve...unlike the ones that support the repubs...
PinkyLeftBrain @ 113:
Can we get another
A
M
E
N!
cf @ 126:
Don't usually do South Park but this was funny...thanks
ysbaddaden @ 98:
Widespread @ 94:
Yeah, it's so damaging to advance the living standards of working people.
Got anymore corporate suck-up bullshit talking points?
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