For a state that was recently chastised for daring to buck the “all powerful” primary calendar, Michigan sure has become the darling of both leading presidential candidates in the last week. It must be the magnetic- like force of the swing state – and her 17 electoral votes – that has these two politicians stumping like mad. Democratic Presidential Contender Barack Obama has visited the state three times in the last nine days, and his rival Republican Hopeful John McCain showed Michigan to be a priority by making Sterling Heights his first post-convention stop last Friday.
Obama and his sidekick Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) will be stalking the halls of community colleges and high schools in Flint and Farmington Hills today (Monday) and tonight talking jobs and the economy. This is an opportunity to promote HOW’s economic recovery plan and ask them if they will bring jobs and profits to Michigan by restoring the ecology of the Great Lakes.
Between now and November the candidates for the top office are sure to visit Michigan and our region over and over as they vie to win our hearts and minds. It is a unique opportunity for those of us who want to see the Great Lakes and our region restored to its former glory by showing up at these stops and reminding McCain and Obama of the pledge they took during the primary season to support and fully fund restoration. It is also a chance to educate the same candidates on the sweeping economic changes that a full investment in the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Strategy would make. This region needs real leadership and we need to let them know that the hinge that our 144 electoral votes swings upon is the restoration of the Great Lakes.
Related posts:
- Winning Hearts and Minds
- Michigan Poised to Place Itself in the Thick of the Battle for the Presidency
- Local Party Officials Urge Candidates on Great Lakes
- Obama, Clinton Pick up the Gauntlet and Sign the Great Lakes Pledge
- McCain Signs Pledge, State Houses Demand Others Follow Suit