In anticipation of today’s gubernatorial debate, the Michigan Republican Party accused Democratic candidates Wednesday of avoiding earlier debates and dodging “the tough questions.”
Republican Party Chairman Rusty Hills posed 12 questions to Democrats for their first debate at 10:30 a.m. today at Northern Michigan University in Marquette. The questions include issues aimed at all three candidates, Jim Blanchard, David Bonior and Jennifer Granholm, as well as personal inquisitions.
“One of the three Democrats is going to be the nominee for what is the most important job in Michigan,” Hills said. “It seems to me there’s been a waffling on some of these issues and we ought to get down to the facts.”
Hills questioned Granholm’s claim of being “pro-teacher,” saying she failed to vote in seven straight school board elections.
Chris DeWitt, the attorney general’s campaign spokesman, said Hills’ allegations are misleading.
“Jennifer Granholm has been supported by teachers across the state including the endorsement from the Michigan Education Association,” DeWitt said. “There are clear differences between her educational beliefs compared to (Gov.) John Engler and (Lt. Gov.) Dick Posthumus and I’m very pleased that Rusty is helping us make the contrast between Jennifer and our current governor clearer.”
Hills also accused Granholm of supporting partial birth abortions because she is financially supported by EMILY’s List, a special interest group in support of pro-choice female candidates for office.
DeWitt said Granholm makes it no secret that she’s pro-choice.
Granholm wasn’t Hills’ only target - he also questioned Congressman Bonior’s lack of the word “congressman” from his television spots.
“Bonior, interestingly, has spent 24 years in Washington as a congressman,” Hills said. “I mean, that defines who he is. And yet, that kind of central fact has been missing in virtually all of his television advertisements.
“Why if you’ve done a job for 24 years wouldn’t you bring that to someone’s attention or at least mention it in passing?”
Bonior’s campaign could not be reached for comment.
Hills also took aim at former Gov. Blanchard’s campaign tactics.
“His focus has been on experience and I think it’s proper to ask what experience are you going to bring forward?” he said. “There are a lot of things about his term that still bear asking.”
Blanchard’s campaign also was unavailable for comment.
MSU Democrats President Nate Engle said “all three Democratic candidates are in tune with the mainstream voters of Michigan,” which has the Republicans worried.
“Michigan Democrats aren’t going to respond to false and laughable allegations,” he said of Hills’ comments. “The Republican party is obviously getting desperate.”
After today’s debate, the Democrats will meet once more July 22 in Southfield. The third and final debate for GOP candidates Posthumus and state Sen. John Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday in Emmet County in Michigan’s northern Lower Peninsula.
