Correction: Tammam Alwan's name was spelled incorrectly in this story.

The State News put together a panel of students and professors to cut through the campaign rhetoric. The panel watched the hour-long debate between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and GOP challenger Dick DeVos, and then answered a series of questions.

Matt Moss

Telecommunication, information studies and media sophomore

Democrat

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I thought both candidates knew what kind of fire they were getting themselves into this time, as both of them were more prepared and looked more comfortable in a studio debate setting. Gov. Granholm was very humble and gave her right answers and was perfect with her timing. Mr. DeVos tried to burrow more stuff at her, but she knew how to respond. I would have liked to see both of the candidates talk about how they are going to specifically fix Michigan's economy, because they never like to go into real specifics."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Gov. Granholm really did a good job explaining a health care plan for the state of Michigan. When Mr. DeVos tried to throw stuff at her, she shut him down and really said it how it is. Gov. Granholm talked about how people have jobs and Michigan with her health care, and she wants to go work toward a universal plan."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"I believe Mr. DeVos showed more character in his debate, maybe because he felt better at home in Grand Rapids. Mr. DeVos did seem to get fired up after Gov. Granholm made some statements about President Bush, which were all true. Mr. DeVos claims he has talked to President Bush about the auto industry; the whole thing seems like a lie or a one-sided thing to me. Gov. Granholm knows what is going on with that, and Mr. DeVos should not of made those statements. Granholm capitalized once again."

Tamman Alwan

General management sophomore

Muslim Students' Association president

Independent

Voting For: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I would have liked to hear more about the issues. Not enough time was spent discussing the issues, though there were several calls to be more specific by those asking the questions as well as the candidates; however, more still should have been spent on them. DeVos was too vague about issues and not able to reply to requests to be more specific such as those on abortion, school vouchers and the economy; it would have been more helpful if he clearly represented his views. Mudslinging accusations of lying and differing on the facts were characteristic of the debate, which made it difficult to see the truth."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Granholm's best reply on many issues was her ability to answer questions regarding issues specifically and even cite programs while also being able to describe their progress and characteristics."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"DeVos was able to cite a few instances and aspects of Michigan, which are worse now than when Granholm first came into office. However, these citations were denied by Granholm."

Peter J. Spadafore

Social relations senior

James Madison College Student Senate president

Moderate

Voting For: Undecided

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"From DeVos: More poise and presence and more offense rather than defense."

"From Granholm: Fewer attacks on her opponent and more emphasis on her progress as governor."

"Both could have been more specific in conversation."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Economic growth takes time and is only a part of being governor. She also answered the immigration question very well."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"Are you better off today than you were four years ago?"

Dennis Bentley

Political science junior

MSU College Republicans

Conservative

Voting for: DeVos

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"Both candidates talk a lot about Michigan's future, but as a college student, I would like to know just how young people are going to fit in the future of Michigan's economy. What kinds of jobs can we expect to have in the next 20 years."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Jennifer Granholm's strongest points are politics and how the government functions. She is definitely a governor who believes government involvement is the solution to Michigan's problems.

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"DeVos' best arguments are rooted in business and economics. In his presentation, you can see that he understands how business grows and how they are operated. With the current state that Michigan's economy is in, I think we need a leader who understands economic growth and development; and Dick DeVos is clearly that kind of leader."

Chandra Allard

Political science and pre-law sophomore

MSU College Democrats

Democrat

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"More on environment, health care and more on education and a whole lot less about all the he said/she said (jargon) and lies."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"She was the only candidate to point out we should talk more about the environment and diversifying the economy. Her strongest point is her plan for replacement of the Single Business Tax. It needs to be fully replaced — and there is no reason to cut so much funding without a full and legitimate replacement plan."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"He has no valid point ever in this debate. He speaks like a robot, and I wonder who is behind pushing his buttons. It is certainly not the Michigan citizens. I am disgusted at how he dodges questions and lies to the voters. In reference to a question on Detroit and race, DeVos completely ignores the social issues important and unique to that city."

Bryan Ritchie

James Madison College associate professor

Moderate

Voting for: Undecided

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I wanted Dick DeVos to actually talk about his specific ideas. Simply stating he has 134 ideas doesn't help the debate. I wanted to see Jennifer Granholm understand better the root problem of the economic malaise. Unfair trade is a red herring."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Granholm was very good at redirecting the conversation to the issues as she saw them. It's still clear, however, that her plan is still too focused on jobs rather than economic overhaul first. Also her focus on unfair trade is just wrong."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"DeVos did a good job stating the problems, but did little to suggest what he'd do differently. I felt his style and substance was still very thin."

Brian Hejka

Chicano/Latino studies junior

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I would have liked to see the candidates address how they plan on invigorating economic and educational opportunities for the most needy in our state, from southwest Detroit to Houghton Lake."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Gov. Granholm's best response was that Dick DeVos was/is not the change he wanted/would like to see in the world. (Re: Business practices with China and exporting U.S. (Mich.) jobs)

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"That he supports Gov. Granholm in bringing more opportunities for alternative energy."

Ross Emmett

James Madison College associate professor

Voting for: Undecided

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"Would someone please say that governors don't create or eliminate jobs? Governors do provide leadership, however. And I don't see either candidate providing clear leadership."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"DeVos is not a job-maker. I expect most of us have trouble understanding how a smaller number of jobs means he created jobs."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"We need to fire the governor. The employer metaphor works well here."

Charles Ballard

Economics professor

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"We still have not had any discussion about (a) roads and transportation, (b) K-12 funding allocation, (c) affirmative action, to name a few. Some of this is the fault of the panelists, but I hope the next debate has more substance and less about whether TV ads are truthful!"

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"She says she will fully replace the revenues that will be lost when the Single Business Tax is eliminated. She is right on target. To paraphrase Robert Palmer, Mr. DeVos' plan to cut another $1 billion of taxes is 'simply irresponsible.'"

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"He said that with the single exception of partial-birth abortion, he would not change the abortion laws in Michigan. In light of his support from pro-life organizations who would like to change those laws much more substantially, that took some courage."

Gabriela Alcazar

Chicano/Latino studies freshman

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I would love to hear Dick DeVos give us more specific examples of his solutions to the economic problems in Michigan. Yes, he tells us the x-pg. plan is his Web site, but can HE tell us what they are?"

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"She had straight-to-the-point answers to how she is planning on fixing the economy, while her opponent stuck to more vague responses."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"His argument on alternative fuel."

Farhan Bhatti

First-year human medicine graduate student

Muslim Student Association

Voting for: Granholm

What would you have liked to hear or see from either candidate?

"I would have liked to hear Mr. DeVos offer specifics instead of dodging questions. He elaborated a bit more than the first debate, however, he still side-stepped important economic issues, including the full replacement of (Single Business Tax) revenues. It is unfortunate that Mr. DeVos continues to demagogue the issues."

What was Granholm's best argument or response?

"Her strength was in her economic vision. She offered specifics for how to move Michigan forward while explaining why things haven't gone as well as we would have hoped."

What was DeVos' best argument or response?

"DeVos gave a solid answer about retaining parental choice in schools while continuing to oppose vouchers. I hope he stays true to his word if elected."