Battlegrounders
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MICHIGAN: PSYCHED [David Hogberg 10/27 05:23 PM]

I love capitalism! Without capitalism, no internet, no email, and so no one would have answered my call about Michigan. And, boy, I received some good emails. Thank you all.

I’ve split them into two posts, this one that focuses on the ‘ground game,” and the other that examines more technical aspects. These are overwhelmingly positive, which is good given the news that the Arab-American community will not be going for Bush this time.

Here’s what some readers see on the ground:

“Verity” writes:

Michigan is definitely winnable for Bush. I base this on ground-level observations. the Bush signs outnumber Kerry up [in Saginaw]. Saginaw is by Flint… my take would be that [Flint] would be Democratic, but I am not sure on that. My last return trip took me on a rural detour of Michigan, as 94W was deadlocked. Bush signs along about 120 miles of highway 12 outnumbered Kerry signs, 100 to 1!…Finally, add to all of this the fact that Devils' night is on Sunday before the election! Thus, the heavily Democratic voting Detroiters will still be recovering from the annual mess (or in jail for causing it), and not at the polls!

Another reader writes:

The Republican “get out the vote” effort is actually organized here, unlike 2000. The Kerry support is less than enthusiastic. While there aren't any public polls that show Bush's support increasing among black voters, the support for Kerry continues to be described as lukewarm. Indications are similar among union members.

And this from another reader:

In blue-collar Genesee County where I have several friends, the feeling in the air isn't good for Bush. But imagine my surprise when my friend in Flint (I prefer people refer to it as the birthplace of GM rather than mention the fat guy's name) told me that she called to get Bush/Cheney signs for her and a couple friends and they said they had limits on how many they could hand to one person because they were running out. I've lived in Flint, and it is not Republicanland. This could be bad procurement on the part of the local party. Or maybe it's something else. (Sign-stealing aside.)

Chad Stoner notes,

Remember too that Kerry stated to a Mich. crowd that he "loved" Buckeye football. Then made some lame fumble and to boos from the crowd said something about " those big M's".

Perhaps most ominously for Kerry,

There are plenty of black pastors urging their congregations to vote pro-life and pro-family values. They may not be endorsing Bush outright, but they are beginning to see that the Democratic Party is not pro-family, pro-life or pro-Christian.

This is all anecdotal, but it is encouraging.