G4G Talking points for 10/11

[SharonRB]

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11 (27 Days until Victory 2006)

- The stakes of this debate were very high for Dick DeVos, and once again he was “disappointing.” DeVos offered angry attacks, not answers. DeVos would not give straight answers to direct questions -- Michigan citizens still don’t know what DeVos will cut in order to fill a $1 billion gap in the budget. Education? Health care? Police and fire services?

- Dick DeVos attacked the Governor because he is desperate to improve his poll numbers. Governor Granholm tells the truth, period. It is DeVos who has been loose with the truth by trying to mislead Michigan. It is a fact that his family had significant control of the health care company Alterra. It is a fact that DeVos eliminated jobs in Michigan and created jobs overseas. It is a fact that Amway got a $19 million “middle of the night” tax break after DeVos gave over a million dollars in political contributions to Republicans. DeVos’ claim that the Governor cut funding for public education is untrue – she increased state funding for K-12 education to record levels.

- Health care: Governor Granholm has a clear plan to make health care affordable and accessible for everyone in Michigan. DeVos has no plan to improve health care coverage, other than to say “Good Luck, get a job, and maybe you’ll get lucky enough to get insurance.”

- Governor Granholm showed that she is a leader who fights for Michigan citizens every day. The Governor has set in motion the most comprehensive economic plan in the nation – she knows that we can’t turn around the auto industry over night, but she has taken aggressive action to get our economy back on track and bring new jobs and new industries to Michigan.

- DeVos is not the solution to Michigan’s economic program, he’s part of the problem: He blames Governor Granholm for Michigan’s economics problems, when it is his own support for Bush economics policies that are sending our jobs overseas. Michigan simply can’t trust him.

- Share your opinions on the debate in these online polls and forums:
http://www.wilx.com/
http://www.wjr.com/
http://www.woodtv.com/Global/category.asp?C=44955&nav=menu44_13
http://freep.typepad.com/comments/2006/10/reaction_from_t.html


Headlines from Around the State

The Detroit Free Press: What the voters said
After the second gubernatorial debate, some voters who watched said they remain behind their candidate while others made up their minds while watching. Some said they are as undecided as ever… Adam B. Jones: Hometown: Sterling Heights. Age: 20. Occupation: Part-time security guard and physics student at Wayne State University. Before debate: Undecided. After debate: Supporting Granholm. "She addressed the issues that I had been worried about." On who came across as the stronger leader: "Granholm definitely came across as the stronger leader. She was very cool and composed." On the economy: "Granholm laid out her plan very clearly. ... DeVos didn't really talk much about his plans." Overall reaction: "I didn't get the impression that DeVos had any plans. And I definitely thought Granholm was the person to go with."
Click here to read the full article... http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061011/NEWS06/610110429/1008

Battle Creek Enquirer Letter: How will DeVos get tough on lobbyists?
I recently read that Dick DeVos wants to get tough on lobbyists, if elected. I find that very interesting, considering his past association with lobbyists. Dick and Betsy DeVos held a huge fundraiser in 2004 on one of the family yachts. The guest list included lobbyist extraordinaire Jack Abramoff and indicted Congressman Tom DeLay… Please consider voting again for Gov. Granholm, the one that really cares about Michigan.
Click here to read the full letter...http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061010/OPINION03/610100303/1014/OPINION