Articles of Interest 5-15-08
May 15, 2008
173 Day until Election Day
MORNING UPDATE:
ARTICLE OF INTEREST 2.0…Today the Articles of Interest gets an upgrade and becomes more streamlined. The popularity of my AOIs has grown to the point that we need to knock down a wall and expand. Each day you will receive via e-mail my MORNING UPDATE and REST OF THE STORY along with the Top 10 hottest news stories and commentary from across Michigan and around the country.
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EDWARDS ENDORSEMENT…Another out-of-touch, wealthy, elite trial lawyer endorses Obama; where’s the news?” Anuzis asked. “Both Obama and Edwards have gone out of their way to thumb their noses at Michigan voters, refusing to campaign during the state’s presidential primary. Both Obama and Edwards have drawn a bull’s-eye on the backs of Michigan’s homegrown auto industry and its workers with their continual call for onerous regulations that will bankrupt our local economy and send even more jobs overseas. Both Obama and Edwards, in relatively short order, have racked up two of the most extreme liberal voting records in the U.S. Senate. There is not much here that Michigan working families can relate to.
OBAMA IN MICHIGAN…spinning his answers to critical questions and proposing massive government spending that will cost taxpayers billions. Granholm tried to tax Michigan out of a recession. It didn’t work then…it won’t work now.
OBAMA is wrong for Michigan.
MISSISSIPPI CONGRESSIONAL RACE…WHAT DOES IT MEAN…it’s a wake up call…the Democrat ran as a pro-life, pro-gun, anti-tax conservative…and won. They also ran with no party designation, which allowed them to outspend the Republican and win as ‘the conservative’. See Congressman Tom Cole’s statement below...it’s worth noting he said “voters remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general”.
CBS MICHIGAN MATTERS…I taped "Michigan Matters" with Carol Cain, which will air this weekend. "Michigan Matters" airs Saturday on CBS Detroit at 11 a.m. and is repeated on Sunday on CW 50 at 11:00 a.m.
THE REST OF THE STORY:
NRCC Chairman Tom Cole released the following statement following the results of the special election runoff in Mississippi's 1st Congressional District:
“We are disappointed in tonight's election results. Though the NRCC, RNC and Mississippi Republicans made a major effort to retain this seat, we came up short.
Tonight's election highlights two significant challenges Republicans must overcome this November. First, Republicans must be prepared to campaign against Democrat challengers who are running as conservatives, even as they try to join a liberal Democrat majority. Though the Democrats' task will be more difficult in a November election, the fact is they have pulled off two special election victories with this strategy, and it should be a concern to all Republicans.
Second, the political environment is such that voters remain pessimistic about the direction of the country and the Republican Party in general. Therefore, Republicans must undertake bold efforts to define a forward-looking agenda that offers the kind of positive change voters are looking for. This is something we can do in cooperation with our presidential nominee, but time is short.
I encourage all Republican candidates, whether incumbents or challengers, to take stock of their campaigns and position themselves for challenging campaigns this fall by building the financial resources and grassroots networks that offer them the opportunity and ability to communicate, energize and turn out voters this election."
Saul Anuzis
TODAY’S TOP STORIES
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/POLITICS01/805150376
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Obama sorry for 'sweetie' remark
Video of candidate using word to describe local reporter a hit on YouTube, stirs debate.
The Detroit News
STERLING HEIGHTS -- Barack Obama came to Michigan to make nice with the auto industry. He left apologizing for what some online call his "sweetie problem."
For the second time in a month, the Illinois senator referred to a woman as a "sweetie." In April, it was a factory worker in Pennsylvania. Wednesday, it was Peggy Agar, a persistent WXYZ-TV reporter who asked what he'd do to "help the American auto workers" as Obama toured the Chrysler Stamping Plant in Sterling Heights.
Obama's response -- "hold on one second, sweetie" -- instantly became a cyber-sensation, with video of the exchange attracting more than 9,000 hits in a few hours on YouTube and prompting debate on the New York Times Web site and political blogs such as Wonkette.
http://www.wwj.com/pages/2192024.php?
Posted: Thursday, 15 May 2008 5:21AM
Clinton Claims Mich., Fla. Votes Give Her Primary Lead
New York (AP) -- Hillary Clinton says she'll stay in the presidential race until the final primaries next month, despite Barack Obama's steady lead.
Her campaign also is promoting the claim that Clinton now leads in the popular vote if the disputed contests in Michigan and Florida are counted.
Democratic leaders vowed not to award any nomination delegates in either state because they moved their primaries up in violation of party rules.
Obama picks up 2 Michigan superdelegates while in state
5/14/2008, 6:40 p.m. EDT
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Two previously uncommitted Michigan superdelegates have endorsed Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama.
Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano announced his decision Wednesday after meeting with Obama, who is in the state campaigning.
Obama also picked up the endorsement of College Democrats of America President Lauren Wolfe of Royal Oak.
http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS01/805150442/1003/NEWS
Mayor speaks after council's removal vote
BY ERIC D. LAWRENCE • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • May 15, 2008
In his first public appearance since Detroit City Council approved an effort to remove him from office, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick made light of his predicament.
At the grand opening Wednesday night of the Detroit Police Department’s new Central District station, Kilpatrick told the assembled crowd of neighborhood residents, police officials and others that they probably had a better day than he had.
"This is the day the Lord has made," Kilpatrick said, opening with a passage from Psalms.
Kilpatrick also praised the city's current leadership.
Michigan Legislature approves Great Lakes compact
5/14/2008, 7:22 p.m. EDT
By DAVID EGGERT
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — After months of waiting, the Michigan Legislature on Wednesday unanimously approved a regional compact to prevent Great Lakes water from being sent to thirsty regions.
But the legislation will not head to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature until Democrats and Republicans resolve differences over large-scale water withdrawals from Michigan's lakes and waterways.
All eight states adjoining the Great Lakes must ratify the 2005 compact for it to take effect. It has been approved by four, and the Wisconsin Legislature was working to sign off Wednesday night. Congress also must give approval.
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/story.asp?S=8327112&nav=0Rce
McCain coming to Grand Rapids in July
Posted: May 14, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
Updated: May 14, 2008 11:39 PM EDT
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) -- David Dishaw of the Kent County Republican Party told 24 Hour News 8 Sen. John McCain is coming to Grand Rapids in July.
The stop will be part of a fundraising swing.
http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/POLITICS/805150371
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Cox won't skirt mayor issue
Even though he's called on Kilpatrick to quit, Cox will consult with gov on ouster bid if she asks.
Mike Wilkinson and Christine MacDonald / The Detroit News
Attorney General Mike Cox won't recuse himself if Gov. Jennifer Granholm seeks advice on whether to remove Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, even though Cox already has called for his resignation, a spokesman said Wednesday.
Granholm's office has said all ouster requests -- such as the one the City Council could forward next week -- will go to the attorney general for consultation. In March, after the mayor used a racial slur in his State of the City address, Cox said Kilpatrick is "not fit to be mayor anymore."
That was Cox's opinion on a civic matter, said spokesman Rusty Hills, and won't affect his ability to provide legal advice.
http://www.wwj.com/pages/2186359.php?
Posted: Wednesday, 14 May 2008 11:33AM
Mich. Jobless Rate Dipped in April
Lansing (AP) -- Michigan's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined in April.
The state said Wednesday the jobless rate was 6.9 percent last month. That's down from the March rate of 7.2 percent, which was the nation's highest.
Manufacturing jobs continued to be lost in Michigan. There were 11,000 fewer manufacturing jobs reported in April in part because of ongoing labor disputes involving auto companies.
The state had 7,000 fewer construction jobs last month.
Michigan reported job gains in government and professional and business services.
The national unemployment rate for April was 5 percent.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/POLITICS01/805150382
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Decision 2008
Obama pledges help for auto industry
Edwards endorses candidate at Grand Rapids rally
Gordon Trowbridge, Charlie Cain and Mark Hornbeck / The Detroit News
GRAND RAPIDS -- Sen. Barack Obama's first visit to Michigan in nearly a year included a high-profile endorsement from John Edwards and a pledge to fight for a rebound in Michigan's battered auto industry.
"We are taking steps in the right direction, and American automakers are on the move," Obama told a friendly crowd in Warren, where he unveiled a manufacturing agenda that includes billions of dollars in potential aid for the Detroit car companies.
Later, at a packed Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Obama vowed to make up for his long absence from the state. "We didn't have a chance to campaign here during the primary. I felt bad about it," said Obama, who removed his name from Michigan's ballot in the dispute over the January primary and hasn't appeared here since July.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080515/NEWS15/805150398
Obama makes play for auto industry
Edwards' endorsement caps a day of trying to soften last year's harsh words
BY KATHLEEN GRAY • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER • May 15, 2008
Barack Obama tried to make amends with the workers and leaders of Michigan's signature automotive industry on Wednesday after bashing it for most of the past year.
The auto industry is "taking steps in the right direction, but we have to do more. And they need a partner in the White House, and they will have one when I become president," said the Illinois senator, who is closing in on the Democratic presidential nomination.
He singled out General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and Chrysler LLC for making strides in the fuel efficiency of their vehicles.
http://www.wwj.com/pages/2186891.php?
Posted: Wednesday, 14 May 2008 1:10PM
Obama Makes Blue-Collar Pitch In Macomb County
Warren (WWJ) --
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, campaigning in a state that poses several problems for him in the fall, toured a Chrysler stamping plant before pledging to pump an extra $200 million a year into efforts to revitalize the nation's manufacturing sector.
One day after blue-collar workers overwhelmingly rejected him in West Virginia's presidential primary, Obama came to this auto-making suburb of Detroit to announce plans to create an "advanced manufacturing fund" to promote industries likely to keep jobs in the United States rather than see them move overseas.
The attention the Obama campaign is paying to general election states - Missouri on Tuesday and Michigan today - are signals that West Virginia is seen as a blip on his campaign radar, reports CBS News correspondent Dean Reynolds.
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