Michael Barone‘s latest contribution to the Washington Examiner focuses on some surprising developments in the land of “victors valiant” and “conquering heroes” (or “armpit of the Midwest,” depending on your Big Ten affinities):
Standard political analysis would suggest that Michigan should have moved even farther toward the Democrats since 2008. In the deep recession Michigan has consistently been the nation?s number one unemployment state. And the federal government under the Obama administration bailed out General Motors and Chrysler, two of Michigan?s largest employers?although one might more accurately say that the Obama administration bailed out the United Auto Workers, Michigan?s largest private sector union.
But Michigan voters have been moving right, not left. A recent poll taken for the Detroit Free Press poll showed that only 43% of Michiganians support the Obama Democrats? health care bill and 53% are opposed. Most interestingly, 69% of those under 30 are opposed; they apparently have figured out that the bill would force them to pay more to subsidize insurance for their elders.
Moreover, Republicans have been consistently leading in the open race for Michigan?s governorship.
