[magellan]

Who do you want to see as Michigan's next governor: Virg Bernero, tough guy democrat and mayor of Lansing, or tech entrepreneur and venture capitalist (nerd) Rick Snyder of Ann Arbor?

I actually like both and think this might be one of Michigan's best gubernatorial elections in recent memory.

Bernero is loved by Michigan unions, but is also supported by a lot of business owners in Lansing, including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce. He also gained notoriety for slamming congress in Washington for dragging their feet on giving loans to save the automakers (which many are now saying may have saved the entire U.S. economy from implosion).

Snyder is a moderate Republican and a huge supporter of business/entrepreneurship, but also strongly believes in re-strengthening Michigan's urban areas, consolidating governments, mass transit and environmentalism.

Peter Luke lays out a pretty good post-primary analysis:

What's next for Rick Snyder, Virg Bernero in race to be Michigan's governor | MLive.com

Their websites:

http://www.votevirg.com/

http://www.rickformichigan.com/

*If your vote was "other," please provide more details.

[michmoldman]

I will probably vote for Snyder again, but I like them both. Like I said in another post....I will not be dissapointed in the least if Bernaro wins. And totally agree with you Megellan...this will be a great..close race, maybe one of the best ever. I do however think Rick will end up being the winner.

[Coldjensens]

I think that Snyder has a very good chance. People are sick of politics as usual and politicians in general. Snyder offers a variation from both. While Bernero offers more of the same party driven agenda based politicking that people are fed up with.

If Snyder is elected, it will probably be as much or more due to support from democrats and independants, than the traditional republican powerbase. It is my understanding that many to most conservative republicans are not real happy about him, but a lot of democrats like him a great deal.

I am just concerned that he will get to lansing and look around and say "Ok now what do I do?" I think that he will be readily influenced by experienced politicians who will lead him around by the nose. Snyder and his situation remind me in many ways of Arnold Swartzenegger.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I think that Snyder has a very good chance. People are sick of politics as usual and politicians in general. Snyder offers a variation from both. While Bernero offers more of the same party driven agenda based politicking that people are fed up with.

If Snyder is elected, it will probably be as much or more due to support from democrats and independants, than the traditional republican powerbase. It is my understanding that many to most conservative republicans are not real happy about him, but a lot of democrats like him a great deal.

As an example, Michigan Right to Live is not endorsing him for governor. They did endorse Cox, who lost by about 13%, which tells me people (Repubs) don't see it being a big "Michigan" issue.

Personally I didn't even know Bernero existed until a few days before the primary. Snyder has been campaigning over here in WM quite a bit, going all the way back to winter I believe (and I see Snyder signs around a lot, but we're in suburban Republican area).

[michmoldman]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

I think that Snyder has a very good chance. People are sick of politics as usual and politicians in general. Snyder offers a variation from both. While Bernero offers more of the same party driven agenda based politicking that people are fed up with.

If Snyder is elected, it will probably be as much or more due to support from democrats and independants, than the traditional republican powerbase. It is my understanding that many to most conservative republicans are not real happy about him, but a lot of democrats like him a great deal.

I am just concerned that he will get to lansing and look around and say "Ok now what do I do?" I think that he will be readily influenced by experienced politicians who will lead him around by the nose. Snyder and his situation remind me in many ways of Arnold Swartzenegger.

You are right in that Bernero is your stereotypical politician. This is why Snyder will most likely win. He reminds you more of someones grandpa then a politician.

[Coldjensens]

Originally Posted by magellan

As an example, Michigan Right to Live is not endorsing him for governor. They did endorse Cox, who lost by about 13%, which tells me people (Repubs) don't see it being a big "Michigan" issue.

Or Perhaps they do not see it as being a critical issue for gubernatorial candidates at this time. The Governor is not going to have a lot of impact on right to life issues. Besides, I think that people are so fed up with politicians who say whatever they think will make them popular during campaigns and then just go back to doing the same old thing as all their predecessors, that what position a candidate asserts during a campaign is irrelevant. Perhaps people are starting to look more at the candidate's background than at soudbites.

[Bhaalspawn]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Or Perhaps they do not see it as being a critical issue for gubernatorial candidates at this time.

Snyder only won with a mere plurality of the votes with the anti-abortion candidates dividing the rest of the votes. Had the primary consisted of Snyder v. one single anti-abortion candidate he very well might not have won the primary.

The Governor is not going to have a lot of impact on right to life issues.

I doubt that would prevent abortion opponents from regarding it as a very important issue.

[Wonderful Jellal]

A nerd governor ? That would be interesting to see that !

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

Or Perhaps they do not see it as being a critical issue for gubernatorial candidates at this time. The Governor is not going to have a lot of impact on right to life issues. Besides, I think that people are so fed up with politicians who say whatever they think will make them popular during campaigns and then just go back to doing the same old thing as all their predecessors, that what position a candidate asserts during a campaign is irrelevant. Perhaps people are starting to look more at the candidate's background than at soudbites.

That's what I meant. The governor has very little, if any, impact on abortion laws in the State.

So it's either one of a couple of things, Republicans who voted for Snyder in the primary saw past that issue, didn't know his stand on the issue, or were actually Democrats voting on the Republican ticket to keep Hoekstra and/or Cox out of the running. I know there were a lot of Democrats (a lot!) in Grand Rapids "gaming" the primary, aimed at the congressional seats.

[magellan]

Originally Posted by Bhaalspawn

Snyder only won with a mere plurality of the votes with the anti-abortion candidates dividing the rest of the votes. Had the primary consisted of Snyder v. one single anti-abortion candidate he very well might not have won the primary.

Maybe, but that is such a hypothetical situation, that it's not relevant.