A lot of people — me included, here — are saying that Romney should focus on his business credentials in Michigan. And I do think it’s basically sound advice. But it’s worth pointing out that in 2006, Dick DeVos ran for governor, pitching himself as a competent executive who can fix a bad economy. He lost a race that many Republicans thought was winnable. A lot of the same factors remain in play today: a crummy state economy, an ailing auto industry, a Democrat governor who seems to think she can tax Michigan out of its recession, etc. Maybe DeVos wasn’t a great candidate–he didn’t have any previous political experience, and Romney at least has been a governor. Maybe 2006 was just a lost year for Republicans no matter what, and the dynamic of a GOP primary in 2008 will be different. Then again, maybe Michiganders aren’t too keen on businessmen who run for office.