Conventional political wisdom about ballot proposals says that they’re almost always an uphill battle. The “no” side has an advantage with an electorate that often looks on change with skepticism. So says Robert Kolt, whose Okemos-based Kolt Communications specializes in advertising. (He also teaches at Michigan State University.) But, he adds, that’s not to say […]
Ad campaign leaves voters, experts unimpressed
Posted inPeter Luke: Eye on the Capitol
Voters endorse a ‘simmer down’ approach to state’s challenges
By a 47-41 margin, respondents in Marketing Resource Group’s fall poll said Michigan was on the right track. The plus 6-point spread in the biannual survey was the largest recorded by the Lansing firm since March 2003, three months into Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s first term. Three months into Gov. Rick Snyder’s term in March 2010, […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Lessons for the day: Voters show wisdom; Snyder gains
It was a close election, one with many cross currents surging under the surface vote count. In the aftermath, everybody will be asking “who won and who lost?” More important is looking into what the wins and the losses really mean. I suggest these takeaways: * Michigan voters continue to be plenty sane and sensible. Despite $150 […]
Posted inMichigan Government
In Marquette, Detroit, voters opine on process
Michigan’s a big place, with nearly 10 million citizens who have varying views on what is good politics and what isn’t. Bridge sent contributors Taylor Trammell and Christie Bleck to the northern (Marquette) and southern (Detroit) margins of the state to collect voters’ views on Election Day: Marquette – voter information “I seemed to get […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Of the 15 highest-income metropolitan areas in the United States, 14 are in high-cost coastal areas. The other one, clocking in at number 12 with a median household income about 23 percent above the national average, is the Minneapolis-St Paul MSA with its low low Midwestern prices.” http://www.slate.com/blogs/moneybox/ 2012/11/06/minneapolis_research_says_you_should_move_to_the_twin_cities.html * The secret history of one of […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
Guest column: Rise in whooping cough puts Michigan babies at risk
By Cynthia Williams/Michigan Education Special Services Association Think about the last time you coughed – or the last time someone coughed near you. Did you notice a runny nose? Sneezing? These common symptoms could indicate a common cold. Or they could stem from whooping cough, a life-threatening disease that’s on the rise in the United […]
Posted inLand O Links
Land O Links
“Knowledge is not a passion from without the mind, but an active exertion of the inward strength, vigor and power of the mind, displaying itself from within” — Ralph Cudworth, 17th century English philosopher. * ProPublica gives a grand tour of campaign finance laws over the last few decades. You probably won’t enjoy the tour stops […]
Posted inPhil's Column
Center for Michigan arms voters with info for Election 2012
This election is unlike any in my memory – that goes back a long way, since I’m 74. In addition to candidates for the state House of Representatives, justices of the state Supreme Court and various other local issues, there are six proposals on the ballot, five to amend the constitution and one a referendum […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad: Foul on pro-Prop 6 ad; no foul on anti-Prop 6 ad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Katie Explains” and “This Land” Who: The People Should Decide, Taxpayers Against Monopolies What: TV/Internet ads Truth Squad call: Foul on PSD ad; No foul on TAM ad Proposal 6 would require all new international bridges and tunnels built in the state to be pre-approved by voters statewide and in the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Bolger's re-election effort gets fouls from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: House 63 Who: Bill Farmer campaign, Jase Bolger campaign, Michigan Democratic Party What: TV, radio ads Truth Squad call: Fouls on Bolger TV and radio ads; No Fouls on other materials Farmer ad ‘Power’ The 30-second television advertisement from Democratic candidate Bill Farmer slams House Speaker Jase Bolger for his role […]
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