Poll: Michigan Republican Primary for Governor

Wonder what you would find if you frisked the latest Rasmussen Report poll regarding the Michigan GOP Primary for governor?

Answer: U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra continues to lead the group of Republican gubernatorial hopefuls in Michigan.

Rasmussen reports:

Source: Rasmussen Report.

The latest Rasmussen Reports survey in the state shows nearly one-out-of-three primary voters (32%) still undecided.

Businessman Rick Snyder has 14% support this month, down four points from a month ago, while state Attorney General Mike Cox again earns 13% of the vote. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard edges up to nine percent (9%). Five percent (5%) of primary voters prefer some other candidate.

Thirty-six percent (36%) of GOP conservatives in the state favor Hoekstra, while 38% of self-designated liberals in the party prefer Snyder. Moderates have no clear favorite.

The GOP may benefit from the fact that a Democrat is currently Governor of the state at a time when just 6% rate the economy as good or excellent. According to a recent Associated Press report, Michigan has had the highest unemployment rate in the country for the past four years, with a 14.1 percent rate in March. Most Michigan voters also want to repeal the recently-passed national health care plan.

According to the latest Rasmussen Report survey (above) of 481 likely Republican Primary voters, it is clear that U.S. Rep. Hoekstra is currently the GOP favorite, but will his momentum carry into the month of August? It will be interesting to see since the U.S. Congress has an approval rating of 23% and – thanks to Democrats – many Americans seem skeptical about national politicians.

After finally making an appearance in the poll numbers in March – thanks to his ‘One Tough Nerd‘ Super Bowl advertisement – Businessman Rick Snyder‘s numbers appear to be falling back toward the rest of the Republican candidates (Mike Bouchard and Mike Cox).

Mike Bouchard – who Frisk A Liberal.com endorses – just released his first state-wide television advertisement last Thursday (April 22, 2010), so it will be interesting to see how it will affect his numbers in next month’s poll. Will it give him a boost of political momentum similar to Rick Snyder’s? I guess only time will tell. In the meantime, you can donate to his campaign by clicking here.

Overall, at the end of the day it will not be about the poll numbers… It will be about which candidate can grab the enthusiasm of Michiganders to get them out and vote in the August 3rd Primary?

As for Republicans versus Democrats though? Republicans still maintain a slight edge over Democrats according to the latest Rasmussen Report:

Source: Rasmussen Report.

A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in Michigan finds an unnamed generic Republican candidate for governor picking up 41% of the vote, while an unnamed generic Democratic candidate earns 36% support. Five percent (5%) prefer some other candidate in the race, while 18% of likely voters in the state remain undecided.

[...]

Male voters favor the Republican candidate by 13 points, while the candidates break even among female voters.

Voters not affiliated with either of the major parties prefer the Republican by a 36% to 16% margin, but over one-third (35%) of these voters are still undecided.

Although the Republican Party still maintains the lead in Michigan, we cannot start slacking now. 2010 is the year to turn Michigan back into a red-state!

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The First Michigan Republican Gubernatorial Debate

GOP Gubernatorial Debate.

Wonder what you would find if you frisked the first Michigan Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Debate?

Answer: Great discourse about cutting Michigan’s budget and taxes mixed with some political fireworks.

The State News reports:

The early focus of the debate was fostering a better business climate in Michigan, which Bouchard said revolved around lowering and simplifying taxes for citizens and companies.

“Our taxpayers, our citizens have left,” Bouchard said. “We cannot ask them for more because they cannot give it. We’re sending them across the border every time we ask.”

Cox, the Michigan Attorney General since 2002, said the state needs to expand tax breaks similar to the system devised in 2008 to bring more film businesses to Michigan.

[...]

When the debate shifted to the recently passed health care legislation and its impact on Michigan, the candidates found a common ground.

Hoekstra, a vocal opponent in Washington, D.C., said “Obamacare” needed to be scrapped.

Cox, who championed his lawsuit against the federal government challenging the constitutionality of a federal health care mandate, said he would “undo the lack of focus on cost.”

Snyder also agreed that health care needs to be reformed, but added he’s not sure if suing the federal government is the best course of action.

[...]

The debate often shifted back to Michigan’s economy, which all agreed needed an emphasis on building more jobs and encouraging college graduates to stay in the state.

“When I graduated, I knew there’d be a quality job waiting for me,” said Bouchard, an MSU alumnus.
“That is not the case today. Every day these problems aren’t fixed, another family, another child leaves this state, and that’s not acceptable. I will fix that. This must be about the next generation and not the next election.”

Overall, I thought it was an informative first debate and I had a great attending the event. Unfortunately, I was unable to find the debate posted on the internet, but I will keep looking and hopefully I will have it up on the blog for you within the near future.

Here’s my opinion on who won last night’s debate:

• Winner: Mike Bouchard – You could tell that he was well-versed on the issues, because he did not slip up, mumble, or stutter once throughout the intense debate. Also, he was able to relate to the viewers and quickly propose solutions – stemming from his past experience – that will eventually rebuild Michigan.
• 2nd: Tom George – He came into the debate as the underdog and I must admit that I underestimated him. When the moderator listed off the first question, he quickly jumped to his points using a lot of enthusiasm that made the other candidates seem quiet. Overall, he did a great job, but all his talks about having a Michigan Constitutional Convention tuned me out.
• 3rd: Pete Hoekstra/Rick Snyder - Going into the debate, I thought Hoekstra was going to do a great job, but he came across – in my opinion – as a so-so candidate. Perhaps it was just the debate setting, but he seemed dual and appeared to be a deer in the highlights as he gathered his thoughts at certain points during the debate. As for Snyder, I got really annoyed with his repetitive “career politicians” tagline. Granted, it was great to start off with that argument, but it got odd pretty quickly. Although he’s a successful businessman, it takes an experienced knowledge in government to work with both parties in order to get legislation passed. Also, the last two Republican candidates Michigan had running for governor against Jennifer Granholm were successful businessmen. Part of me cautiously asks: If Snyder wins the Republican Primary, will a third time be the charm?
• 4th: Mike Cox – Unfortunately there is something about Mike Cox that just radiates a negative vibe. He started off the debate doing quite well, but his constant reference back to his “62 page plan” got old. Personally, when I am at a debate, I want to get a sense of what each candidate is about. I do not want to go read a book online – using my free time – to find out if I ‘like’ a candidate or not. Overall, it was the constant attacks on the other candidates during the second half of the debate that put Cox into last place. Blogger evidence: Let’s not tear down the Republican Party before the primaries, because the Democrats will try to do plenty of that this fall.

Great debate! I cannot wait until the next one!

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Michigan GOP Gubernatorial Debate Tonight!

Wonder what you would find if you frisked the Fairchild Theatre on the campus of Michigan State University on April 21, 2010 at 7pm?

Answer: The first Michigan Republican Gubernatorial Candidates Debate!

…And you know your’s truly – Mac from FriskAliberal.com – will be there!

The Detroit News reports:

Five GOP candidates for governor — Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Attorney General Mike Cox, state Sen. Tom George of Kalamazoo, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder — will participate.

“This is a critical election and it is important residents across the state have a clear understanding of the vision and ideas each candidate has as they prepare to vote in August and November,” said Ron Weiser, chair of the Michigan Republican Party.

The candidates will respond to questions from a panel of reporters.

According to a document I received from the Michigan GOP, the debate will begin at 7pm and run to 8pm. It will also be broadcast live on WLNS (Lansing CBS affiliate). The moderators for the debate will be Dave Ackerly (from WLNS) and Kathy Barks Hoffman (from the Associated Press).

REMINDER: The debate is a ticketed event, and you must have a ticket for admission to the Theatre. If you didn’t receive your ticket in advance, you may pick it up at the MRP Ticket Will Call located in the lobby of the Theatre. Tickets are not transferable.

Updates will show up on Frisk A Liberal.com after the event!

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