subplots in the Michigan coronation: your predictions, please.

[Iverson]

From where I sit, there's a sense in the air that John Kerry has Michigan sewn up. It is not merely the rhetoric of inevitability, nor is it merely the predictable endorsement from Gov. Granholm, joined soon after by Sens. Levin and Stabenow. It not even the union endorsements, bolstered by a Gephardt endorsement (although with the UAW still conspicuously absent). The scent of coronation comes from other candidates - at least the ones approved for media coverage - reducing their Michigan efforts to a token presence.

If we can safely agree that in Michigan it's all over except the pageantry, what else then?

- Who else will get Michigan delegates, and why do you say so?
- Will Sharpton get a bounce for being the only candidate to show up in Detroit?
- Will Amway Country (that's the west side of the state) go for Dean or Clark or Edwards?
- Will Kucinich even be mentioned in newspapers outside of Flint and Ann Arbor?
- Will turnout be high or low or in-between?

America wants to know!
:donut:

[dno]

1. Two online votes for Clark!

We live in Michigan just north of Detroit. My wife and I used the new online voting system. Two votes for The best man to do the job!
I hope people in MI can see thru the media hype and help Clark get elected.

[Iverson]

3. thanks for getting us started, neighbor

Have another coffee.
:donut:

[susanna]

13. Make that four...

Husband and I did, too (online for Clark). We're in Detroit. :-)

[5thGenDemocrat]

25. Make that six

Polly and I both voted online for Clark as well.
John
City of Saginaw, Precinct 14-2.

[iowapeacechief]

2. Kucinich WILL be in Detroit today--and Livonia, Dearborn, Ferndale

from http://www.kucinich.us/schedule.php :


Saturday, February 7

Livonia, Michigan
9:45 - 10:10 a.m. ET
Meeting
UAW Local 182
15603 Plymouth Road
Campaign Coordinator: Bob Alexander, [phone]

Dearborn, Michigan
10:30 - 10:50 a.m. ET
Meeting
Dearborn Center for the Arts
17801 Michigan Avenue
Campaign Coordinator: Bob Alexander, [phone]

Dearborn, Michigan
10:55 - 11:10 a.m. ET
Meeting
Ford UAW Local 245
1226 Monroe Street
Campaign Coordinator: Bob Alexander, [phone]

Detroit, Michigan
11:25 - 11:40 a.m. ET
Meeting
Chase Library
17731 W. Seven Mile Road
Campaign Coordinator: Bob Alexander, [phone]

Ferndale, Michigan
12:00 Noon - 12:15 p.m. ET
Meeting
Ferndale Public Library
222 E. 9 Mile Road
Campaign Coordinator: Bob Alexander, [phone]
<...>

All items subject to change. More details will be posted as soon as available. For media inquiries, please contact William Rivers Pitt, Press Secretary at [e-mail], [phone].

[Iverson]

7. thanks!

I have some friends who may want to make it to Ferndale. I'll pass that along.
:donut:

[BeatleBoot]

4. I think turnout will be higher than normal

Kerry wins.

Dean does better than expectations, comes in second followed by Edwards...

:donut:

[Iverson]

9. cool. keep going.

Are you willing to risk a prediction of 4,5, & 6?
:donut:

[BeatleBoot]

11. Nope.

I'll leave it at that.

But I will add that I think Dean may surprise everyone today.

[Robb]

18. I have the same prediction

Surprisingly (to the media, anyhoo) strong showing in Michigan, and a win in Wisconsin. Should do well in WA as well. :shrug:

[buckeye1]

5. Well...

Here is hoping Clark gets some. Too bad Dean quit. You are probably right,but I find the term coronation in poor taste. No one will be "coronated". This is the Democratic election of our nominee. A losing candidate in the primaries can never beat Bush. The turnout will be high,Dems are excited and want to participate. Its going to be a good year for the Democrats. We really want to win.

[Iverson]

6. be calm

I'm sure that some readers will find the expression "Amway country" also in poor taste.
Coronation was intended as figurative, not literal, and was in reaction to the news media's treatment of the caucus.
Thanks for the comments!
:donut:

[booksenkatz]

8. Two absentee votes for Clark from this Plymouth-Canton household

And let me add that I drive all over the western suburbs of Detroit 5 days a week. I've seen exactly two bumperstickers, both were for Clark, and both were in Livonia. There's no passion for ANYONE at this time that I've been able to see, which is why those two Clark bumperstickers really stood out.

I've gotten a phone recording from Granholm for Kerry, one from Kerry, and a live person from Dean for America.

It's hard to say who G.R. will go for. Most Michiganders I've met think those of us with southern accents are quaint and cute, but I'm not sure they would entrust us with running the country, LOL, so maybe Clark will gain from that out west...??

It'll be interesting to see the results.

[Iverson]

10. ah, the computer calls.

We've gotten a few. My wife also got a call from a live person, but when she said "I'm a Green," they got off the phone faster than you can say Jack Robinson.
:donut:

[bain_sidhe]

24. This Plymouth household heading out

as soon as our hair dries! Just two of us, cause they won't let the dogs and cats vote...

Howdy, neighbor!

[Iverson]

12. a kick before it's too late!

:donut:

[jayfish]

14. I Will Be Casting My Vote For...

Clark as soon as I'm out of the shower. Anyone else going to the 1st Ward 17th Precinct?

Jay

[Iverson]

16. thanks and question

You didn't post from the shower, did you? Risky business, that.
:donut:

[MAlibdem]

15. Here's the subplot

Kerry wins all the delegates, no one else clears 15%

[Iverson]

17. whoa!

Who's on second?
:donut:

[NWHarkness]

19. We voted in Ferndale

Turnout was very good, we had to wait in line to get ballots.

I talked to county commissioner Dave Coulter. he said that turnout had been strong all morning, and that it was his impression that the support for Dean was higher than expected.

[Iverson]

21. Coulter is a good guy.

I'd trust his estimates as reliable.
:donut:

[adadem]

20. I live in scAmway country

Hdqters less than a mile from my house. City of Grand Rapids typically goes Dem. In '00 Gore received 40 some percent of the vote in Ada, home of scAmway and me.

Reports so far that turnout in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas is huge. Kerry will easliy carry our area, calls were running 80% for Kerry. Volunteers, even Republican supporters, for Kerry all over. I'd be shocked if Kerry doesn't carry Kent County.

[Iverson]

22. Many thanks.

Glad to hear what's up across the state. I called a buddy in Royal Oak, but he hasn't called back yet. The post before yours, from Ferndale, is in the same area.

Anybody hear from othe parts of the state?

:donut:

[adadem]

23. Heard from a friend

who lives near 12 Oaks Mall...Novi? He said turnout was heavy there too.

[Upfront]

26. Dean

got two votes and I hope lots more.