The nation is in the midst of one of the most closely watched Democratic Presidential primaries ever, yet Michigan is on the sidelines.  

A debate is raging whether Michigan should hold another presidential primary or caucus to restore its voice and call attention to the issues facing the state, or live by the rules!  What do you think?

Should the Democratic Party host a do-over caucus or primary in Michigan, or no?

Vote online here!

http://progressmichigan.org/primarypoll

Michigan's presidential primary show has ended. A few observations:

Spending for television advertisements is one metric we have to assess the impact of money in the process. By that measure, the candidate who spent the most won. That is consistent with 95% of Michigan elections.   Read More »

Many have endorsed the new primary date with the rational that "Michigan's issues" were on display in the national sphere, and that the media and candidates would have to start addressing the issues that are important to Michigan voters rather than just those important to New Hampshire and Iowa. The question is: did this really come to fruition? Did the candidates, Republican or Democrat, address real Michigan issues, or just give the same superficial stump speeches that would work in any state?
CNN, Fox News, and every other media outlet have been hammering Michigan for having the highest unemployment rate in the country, citing the legacy of the auto industry contractions of the past decade or so. And what happens after they mention the Big Three? Commercial break before the next story. The same goes for the candidates who campaigned here. John McCain and Mitt Romney got into a tussle over Romney's desire to bring auto jobs back and McCain's view that we need to create new jobs. Beyond that, silence. The rest of their speeches were simply modified stump speeches, the same things they said in South Carolina and New Hampshire.
Great Lakes protection? Urban sprawl? Education reform? Health care? Mortgage crisis? Where are these issues in the debates? Michigan, with its gorgeous environment threatened by urban expansion and falling lake levels, some of its schools among the worst in the nation, millions of uninsured, and thousands upon thousands who have already or are in danger of losing their homes, is more diverse than car company jobs. It will take a lot more than a snap primary to force candidates to address these controversial yet vital issues here.

-Tom Choske

Many have seen the Mitt Romney campaign ads in Michigan on the television, where he stands in a warehouse lamenting the growth of China and pledging to implement policies to keep the US as the 'world's only economic superpower'.

However, while he makes these statements, Bain Capital (the investment firm he found and led in a state other than Michigan) is doing the opposite. 3com, an established and respected American semiconductor manufacturer, has recently come on hard times. In a bid to gain more access to the American market and 3com's advanced technology, a group of Chinese investors came together in an attempt to take over the company. And, guess what company was partnering with them in this bid: the same Bain Capital.

When making a choice for president, or even for candidates, make sure you have the full story. Vote for people who stand up for America, in both word and deed. Romney has failed that test, and has failed the people of Michigan.

Referenced from the Financial Times

Much has been debated lately about the wisdom, timing and style of electing presidential candidates in the state of Michigan. Too much of the discussion has majored on minors: Who's running, Who's the blame, Primary or Caucus, or What process will favor our pet candidate.

Yet the bigger issues - the ones that will last far beyond the next few months are crying out for recognition. Roland Martin, CNN journalist, has taken the side of Michigan and Florida in insisting that the rest of the country should be able to participate in selecting our President. He says:

"Michigan, Florida and others have seen their state officials change the law to force their primaries to the top of the election calendar so that they might have a greater say in who is president. While these changes have created a huge mess for the campaigns - they are not sure exactly when the voting will take place - I must admit that I'm on the side of the states. It is grossly unfair for Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina to pretty much decide the presidency."

He goes on to say, "Iowa and New Hampshire residents want to keep saying it's about tradition. I think it's about money. The TV stations, newspapers, hotels, restaurants, sign companies and other businesses make a ton of dough off these candidates, and they don't want that cash cow to feed others."

I think Roland is right. A democratic government is supposed to be of the people, for the people and by the people. By virtue of this current process, we have developed a caste system - political haves and have nots.

It is time to break the power grab and make Democratic and Republican candidates run for the President of the United STATES. Not just Iowa and New Hampshire.

In the November 1st State News, columnist Leo Madarang wrote on why Mitt Romney was the 'right man' to be president. In it, he stated that Governor Romney's qualifications as a former CEO of Bain Capital and his gubernatorial accomplishments are the reasons he is the 'right man' to lead America.

However, there is another man in the race who was also a CEO and also a successful governor, plus an international player. This is Governor Bill Richardson. Toe-to-toe, he has many times more accomplishments than the entire Republican field put together. Under his stewardship, New Mexico balanced its budget five years in a row, and even grew its rainy day fund by over $4 billion. His tax cuts have been targeted to give low-income and middle-income people a break, and also to attract businesses small and large. His policies have created over 80,000 new jobs, lowering unemployment to the lowest it's been in 30 years. Richardson also has international experience, disarming dictators and saving lives.

The only thing Romney has that Richardson doesn't is a vague Michigan connection. However, if he is truly 'Michigan's son', then why did he move out? Where did he open up his company? Where was he when Michigan was going through hard times before? The answer is: not here. Now, when Michigan is useful to him in the campaign, he comes back pandering.

When making a decision for whom best to run the country, look at the facts. Don't get swayed by political pandering.

Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Richardson

This past week, Governor Jennifer Granholm signed legislation to move Michigan's presidential primaries up to January 15th. Already, there have been strong reactions to this in the media. Passing this legislation was a grievous mistake, and has bad ramifications for the State of Michigan, as well as the state of democracy.

Ever since the Senate passed this bill along party lines, there has been speculation as to what would happen if Michigan joined Florida in contesting the rules of the Democratic and Republican parties. Several candidates, including Clinton, Obama, Richardson, and Dodd, signed a pledge to not campaign in any state that violates caucus/primary guidelines. On the Republican side, Michigan may loose half of its delegates to the RNC due to this violation of their rules.

This legislation also has negative ramifications for the State's fiscal crisis. Normally, each party is required to pay for and host their own primary in whatever manner they see fit. However, now the responsibility is shifted to the State. Each polling precinct is now required to mobilize for these member-only elections. These costs will come out of the State's coffers. When looking in the hole of a $1 billion deficit, tacking on another $10-12 million is fiscally irresponsible, especially when these votes are not open to all citizens.

Changing our primary date will also impact democracy in this state. Already Michigan is struggling to be significant in national politics; by turning away candidates, it will only hurt our standing. Instead of welcoming all candidates and giving them an equal footing, voters will be ill-informed of the real choices they have. The less-well covered candidates, such as Governor Bill Richardson, will be at a disadvantage to the 'media rock stars' of Clinton and Obama.

Do not support this irresponsible crimp on democracy. Let your voice be heard in opposition to this horrible idea, and preserve the sanctity of democracy, and the contents of our bank accounts.

-Tom Choske
President, Spartans For Richardson