Detroit - Two cars packed with excited, politically fueled MSU students headed east down Interstate 96 Friday to further support the Democratic ticket for the Nov. 5 election.
The students arrived at the Fox Theatre as former President Bill Clinton urged thousands of Detroit voters to unite behind Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jennifer Granholm.
“It was great we had the opportunity to attend and be a part of Michigan’s future,” said Nate Engle, president of the MSU Democrats.
“His message was very much that of Granholm trying to bring people together and Michigan together.”
Engle said seeing Clinton speak increased his optimism that Granholm will outbid Republican candidate Lt. Gov. Dick Posthumus to be the state’s next governor.
“Clinton brings energy to the race,” the urban and regional planning junior said. “Granholm has a tough race ahead of her and she knows it, but she’s electric. The importance of moving Michigan forward, not backward was emphasized by Clinton’s presence in Detroit last Friday.”
Jake Zimmerman, a history sophomore, also went along to see Clinton speak.
“He’s a fabulous speaker and Granholm is the epitome of everything the Democrats stand for,” he said.
Zimmerman said the Democrats have a great shot at getting all the highest statewide offices this year, making it the event all the more exciting.
“Clinton focused on unity and while all of our differences, whether they be religious or political or racial, are important. They don’t outweigh something that binds us all, which is our humanity,” Zimmerman said.
And Clinton told gatherers it was good to be back in Detroit, a heavily Democratic city in a very diverse Wayne County.
“Thank you for sticking with me all those years,” he said.
Clinton said he has no doubt that Granholm will be a great governor if she is elected.
“She will be articulate and charismatic and strong and competent, which is everything you want a governor to be,” he said.
With Clinton standing to the side, Granholm told the crowd the two of them were committed to celebrating Michigan’s diversity.
“For eight years, he showed us, through his actions and appointments, that our differences make us stronger together,” she said.
Still keeping his crowd appeal, Clinton joked: “I could have stood over there listening to her talk all night. I have a lot of practice listening to attractive, blonde-headed women.” He quickly added that he was referring to his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.
Before the rally, Clinton attended a fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit. Afterward, he was also planning to attend a fundraiser for 10th District congressional candidate Carl Marlinga in Warren.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
