NEWS
Gov. Jennifer Granholm maintained her edge over Republican Dick DeVos in the final gubernatorial debate Monday, keeping an improved challenger at bay.
That's the consensus of an eight-person panel compiled by The State News to watch Michigan's third gubernatorial debate.
The panel is made up of four moderates, two Democrats, one Republican and one independent.
Although DeVos wasn't too specific about anything he said, his delivery and general performance significantly improved from the first debate, said Charles Ballard, an economics professor.
"This time he is almost as good as Granholm," he said.
Throwing punches in the air and chuckling throughout the evening, the panelists noted DeVos' choice to wear glasses, which reflected the TV studio's lights.
Ross Emmett, a James Madison associate professor, said they might have helped DeVos shy away from squinting to read papers on the podium, which he did several times throughout the first two debates.
"Maybe they are making sure he reads his notes," he said.
Although she said DeVos' delivery improved, Emily Mixter, a political science junior and secretary for the MSU College Democrats, noticed DeVos was slouching while answering questions.
Emmett said Granholm continually hit the point that DeVos couldn't explain where he would get an additional $1 billion to replace the $2 billion Single Business Tax.
But just because DeVos' performance improved didn't mean what he said held more substance, said Bill Donohue, a communication professor.
"It sounded like sound bites from his commercials," he said.
When both candidates addressed the need to create jobs in Michigan, neither were specific about what type of jobs should be created, noted Brandon Knight, an economics senior.
"They are very out of touch with what is going on," he said.
