The presidential election season is shaping up to be a contentious one for local voters, as both Republicans and Democrats have said Michigan will be a key state in determining the next U.S. president.
Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus said last weekend at the Michigan Republican Party State Convention that Michigan will be a battleground state with a close call vote.
“We win Michigan, (and) it’s lights out, and we’ve got a Mitt Romney presidency,” he said.
Curtis Audette, communications director for the MSU College Democrats, said he also considers Michigan a battleground state, but expects President Barack Obama will come out on top.
Obama’s support and Romney’s opposition to the auto industry bailouts could become the contentious issue for Michigan voters, as it is a central part of the Michigan workforce, Audette said.
Many Michiganders support the auto bailouts and might see Romney less favorably because of his stance, political science professor Corwin Smidt said.
Smidt added that although the presidential race might not end up being competitive, other smaller elections might be. He said there is considerable partisanship among Michigan’s candidates for the U.S. Senate, which could shape up to be a strong competition.
Priebus said he was optimistic about Romney winning in Michigan because of the state’s Republican leanings following the 2010 elections. Republicans gained control of the Legislature two years ago, which Priebus said will be a big boost for Romney come November.
Smidt said Romney also has a connection with Gov. Rick Snyder, who has supported Romney for president and also been rumored to be Romney’s vice-presidential pick.
Romney, who grew up in Michigan, is trying to connect with voters from his home state after narrowly winning the Michigan primary in February.
Romney’s talk about his Michigan upbringing does not necessarily give him an advantage, but it does give him something to talk about in Michigan, Smidt said.
But Audette isn’t so sure that strategy works, saying Romney hasn’t lived here recently enough to justify saying so.
“The more and more he talks like that, the more voters will find out it’s more of a lie,” he said.
Smidt said if Obama does not win Michigan, he will struggle to win overall. He said Michigan has voted for a Democratic candidate for more than 20 years, and current polls show Obama consistently in the lead, if by a small margin.
“People think Michigan is a potential swing state, but it seems like the way Obama’s been polling, if he’s having troubles here, he’s having troubles (overall),” he said.
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