Ballenger Decries Personal Attacks & Hypocrisy
High Stakes for Michigan
In 2006 Election Outcome
“This is a big year for state government elections,” proclaimed political expert, Bill Ballenger, opening his October 17, 2006, remarks to the Eastside Republican Club Forum at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
The savvy observer said, “Two years ago in Michigan there were no races for the U.S. Senate, no races for State Senate, and no Michigan Constitutional offices on the ballot.” But in 2006, Ballenger explained, Michigan voters have a lot of choices to make.
Ballenger rapidly ticked off the decisions facing Michigan voters. In addition to 15 U.S. Congressional seats, and 110 State House seats, he said Michigan voters would soon elect 38 State Senators, two of the seven Michigan Supreme Court justices, eight education board members, 245 other judges, 699 county commissioners, and five ballot proposals.
Ballenger the Prolific Pundit
As a commentator, Ballenger is a prolific writer and analyst of the Michigan political landscape. Yet over the years, he has been the subject of stories written about him. In one such story, the Detroit News dubbed Ballenger "Michigan's undisputed Crown Prince of Pundits."
In addition to editing and publishing the "Inside Michigan Politics" newsletter, Ballenger is host of his own radio show, gives speeches, and is frequently quoted in the press.
Ballenger also fills Central Michigan University's Robert and Marjorie Griffin endowed chair in American government, named for two CMU alumni who established the endowed fund. At CMU he teaches a seminar course, "Michigan Politics and Public Policy," and coordinates special projects to increase awareness of state politics among students and the university community.
Born in Flint, Michigan, Ballenger is a former state representative, state senator, state racing commissioner, and director of the Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulation. Ballenger also served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health, Education & Welfare in the administration of Pres. Gerald R. Ford.
Ballenger holds a B.A. degree magna cum laude from Princeton University, and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government. As a visiting Adjunct Professor, he has taught at the University of Michigan/Flint; in both Lyman Briggs and Justin Morrill Colleges at Michigan State University; and in the public administration program of Western Michigan University.
|
Governor's Race
Ballenger noted that even with a World Series, “Everybody is focusing on the Governor's race.”
He explained that Dick DeVos started far behind because he was an unknown. “He had no name ID,” Ballenger said.
“At the outset, two of five potential voters didn't even know his name, and half of them didn't have an opinion about him,” he said.
Ballenger said, “That's why he started in February with television advertising.” The Governor's advertising didn't begin until August.
Remarking on the tenor of the campaign, Ballenger said, “In my 40 years in Michigan politics, I've never seen an incumbent run a campaign on such a negative note.”
“Incumbents usually run on their record,” he said. But looking at the Granholm strategy, he said, “I've never seen an incumbent run a campaign where the real core of the campaign is to belittle the opponent--it's personal.”
Ballenger noted that both candidates talk about the importance of business and employment as keys to a Michigan recovery. Yet, he noted, the Governor doesn't hesitate to attack one of the State's most successful businessmen.
“This is a governor who hasn't earned a dime in the private sector since she graduated from Harvard Law School,” he said.
Although most polls show him trailing by 7%, Ballenger said, “I think he can win.”
Ballenger, always the astute political historian, asked, “Thinking of the Detroit Tigers and politics, what happened in the past when the Tigers were in a World Series?”
“Both times,” he answered, “the incumbent Michigan governor lost his bid for re-election, and that was 1934 and 1940.
Ballenger noted, there are three weeks to go in the campaign, and DeVos has a savvy campaign team. “He is a candidate who will not be out-spent,” added Ballenger.
Race for U.S. Senate
Turning to the Senate race, Ballenger said, “Michael Bouchard is an outstanding candidate, but he hasn't found his message. I don't think Bouchard will win or lose on the trash argument.”
“Stabenow has been a weak Senator who has become a partisan hack, engaging in Party talking points,” he said. “She is not a leader, and no one in Washington thinks she is a leader.”
Ballenger said, “History shows it's almost impossible to defeat an incumbent U.S. Senator, and she has the financial advantage.”
He reminded the audience, “The last Senatorial upset was the victory of Republican Homer Ferguson who defeated an incumbent Democrat in 1942, and then was reelected in 1948.” Ballenger added, “He's the one who was labeled the 'Senator from General Motors.'” >>Remembering Grosse Pointe's Sen. Homer S. Ferguson.
Ballenger said the Bouchard/Stabenow debate was good for a start, but at least three debates should be held.
He said, “Debbie Stabenow is the biggest hypocrite who every came down the pike.”
“Six years ago, she pushed for more debates, and she now has a chance to take things to a higher level. Instead, she is playing games.”
He said, “It's a disgrace that public television botched their transmission of the only debate she agreed to hold.”
Other Michigan Races
Commenting on other races, Ballenger said, “Republicans hold a nine to six advantage in the U.S. Congressional delegation, and it will stay that way.”
In the Michigan legislature, Republicans now have a 59 to 48 edge, with three vacancies. While two or three more Democrats could win, Ballenger said, “There will be no Democrat majority--in fact, the GOP could actually gain seats.”
The Michigan Senate breakdown is 22 Republicans and 16 Democrats. Ballenger predicted, “The Democrats won't capture the Senate.”
Of Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, Ballenger said she will “cream” her opponent.
He reported that Republican Attorney General Mike Cox leads by 12 to 15% in the polls, and his opponent has no money to mount an effective challenge.
Ballot Proposals
Proposal 06-1 Ballenger called this the “lock box” proposal. Officially it is a Constitutional amendment to require money held in conservation/recreation funds to be used only for its intended purpose.
Proposal 06-2 is the ban on affirmative action in the public sector. This proposed Constitutional amendment would ban affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to groups or individuals based on race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin for public employment, education or contracting purposes.
Ballenger said he senses there are strong feelings on both sides, but he's found most people are planning to wait for the privacy of the polling booth to express their preference.
Proposal 06-3, Ballenger said, is a true referendum. It asks voters whether or not a law should be approved allowing establishment of a hunting season for mourning doves. To simplify, Ballenger said, “Vote 'no' to save the birds, or vote 'yes' to shoot the birds.”
Proposal 06-4 is another Constitutional amendment. This one would prohibit the State from taking private property by “eminent domain” for private purposes.
Proposal 06-5 is a citizen initiative designed to establish mandatory school funding levels to cover cost-of-living raises for teachers. Ballenger estimated this would cost taxpayers $565 million in the first year, $700 million in the second, etc. He said that both candidates for governor have expressed their opposition to it, and predicted a deluge of “vote no” advertising is coming.
