Michigan Republicans look forward to next elections
Despite current Democratic majority, party members hope for drastic changes in 2010 midterm elections
Casey Cheney
Issue date: 2/12/09 Section: Beyond
In 2010, the current Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm will be on her way out. At that point, Republicans will have their chance to regain power, a chance to change the color of Michigan from Democrat Blue to Republican Red, said Michigan Republican Research Coordinator Robert Wolfer.
But in Michigan's recent history, this has never proven to be an easy task for the Republican Party.
Such a persistent dominance by one party causes many voters to believe the Republican Party is dying, Wolfer said, though he disagrees.
"I really don't think that's the case," he said. "We need to look for new and inventive ways to tap into that dormant root. We're trying to get back on the right track."
Wolfer said the Michigan Democratic Pary has set the scene nicely for a Republican comeback.
"To a certain extent, they're going to have to explain what's happened in the state," Wolfer said, referring to the downturn.
He said voters are beginning to understand right-wing principles in light of Michigan's economic distress induced by a Democratic administration.
Nick De Leeuw, webmaster of the conservative blogging site RightMichigan.com, said emphasizing the consequences wrought by a Democratic majority in Michigan could be crucial to a Republican turnaround in the state.
"They've almost made the Republican's case for them," De Leeuw said.
He said while the nation as a whole experienced a net increase in jobs since 2002 when Granholm was elected governor, Michigan finds itself with 450,000 fewer, leading the nation in unemployment. The Democrats have done so poorly, no voter can buy into their policies, he said.
"If the Republicans can hold the Democrats accountable for what they've done, I think the voters will see," he said. They can't ignore a governor who is "completely tone deaf to the state of the economy," he said, refrencing Granholm's State of the State address.
In her address, Wolfer said, Granholm's proposed steps to improve the economy that the Republicans had proposed long before. Wolfer called this a positive sign for the Republican Party.
But in Michigan's recent history, this has never proven to be an easy task for the Republican Party.
Such a persistent dominance by one party causes many voters to believe the Republican Party is dying, Wolfer said, though he disagrees.
"I really don't think that's the case," he said. "We need to look for new and inventive ways to tap into that dormant root. We're trying to get back on the right track."
Wolfer said the Michigan Democratic Pary has set the scene nicely for a Republican comeback.
"To a certain extent, they're going to have to explain what's happened in the state," Wolfer said, referring to the downturn.
He said voters are beginning to understand right-wing principles in light of Michigan's economic distress induced by a Democratic administration.
Nick De Leeuw, webmaster of the conservative blogging site RightMichigan.com, said emphasizing the consequences wrought by a Democratic majority in Michigan could be crucial to a Republican turnaround in the state.
"They've almost made the Republican's case for them," De Leeuw said.
He said while the nation as a whole experienced a net increase in jobs since 2002 when Granholm was elected governor, Michigan finds itself with 450,000 fewer, leading the nation in unemployment. The Democrats have done so poorly, no voter can buy into their policies, he said.
"If the Republicans can hold the Democrats accountable for what they've done, I think the voters will see," he said. They can't ignore a governor who is "completely tone deaf to the state of the economy," he said, refrencing Granholm's State of the State address.
In her address, Wolfer said, Granholm's proposed steps to improve the economy that the Republicans had proposed long before. Wolfer called this a positive sign for the Republican Party.
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