Bernero, Snyder to face off in November
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero smiles at the crowd during his speech after his opponent, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives Andy Dillon, D-Redford, conceded his run as the Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tuesday night in Detroit at the Atheneum Suite Hotel, 1000 Brush St.
Tweet
It was an uphill battle, but with the right message and a few well-timed advertisements, early underdogs Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder gained the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor, respectively, in Tuesday’s primary election.
During his victory speech in Detroit on Tuesday, Bernero pledged to continue to fight for the working citizens of Michigan and refused to tone down his feisty attitude, which earned him the title of America’s “Angriest Mayor” when he publicly defended Michigan’s automakers during its 2009 crisis.
“Even though we were outspent, the people fought for the people’s agenda and they achieved victory,” Bernero said. “Despite all the clutter of six other gubernatorial candidates running hard, voters heard our message loud and clear.”
After receiving word of his opponents’ concessions, Snyder spoke of his dream for a reinvented Michigan to an excited crowd at his party in Ypsilanti.
“It is time to start looking to the future, out the windshield, and stop looking through the rear view mirror,” Snyder said. “It’s the era of innovation, it’s Michigan 3.0. And what is that era? It’s bringing the entrepreneurial spirit back, that innovation, that spirit of innovation that’s in each one of us.”
Photo: Ann Arbor businessman ...
Gallery: Gubernatorial Primaries ...
Video: Mike Cox 2010
Video: Virg Bernero 2010 ...
Video: Andy Dillon 2010 ...
With all said and done, analysts predict the race to be Michigan’s next governor could change hands numerous times as the candidates continue their campaigns.
One angry mayor
After announcing his candidacy in early February, Bernero faced what seemed like an impossible combination: low name recognition and scant funds to promote his message. He faced another Democratic gubernatorial hopeful, Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford. The latter candidate, according to a March poll from Lansing-based polling firm EPIC-MRA, began the two-man race with name recognition rates 19 percent higher and support numbers 7 percent higher than Bernero’s.
Despite low initial support from Michiganders, endorsements from interest groups began to trickle in. Bernero gained support from unions, environmental groups and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights groups, among others.
In the campaign’s final weeks, while polls showed Bernero trailing Dillon by 10 percent and Bernero struggled with fundraising that had barely topped $740,000, the Genesee County Democratic Committee, or GCDC, organized a $2.25 million pro-Bernero advertising campaign that attacked Dillon’s alleged record of job exportation and anti-abortion stances. The group’s spent millions were financed in part by other independent groups, and were fervently spent leading up to Tuesday’s primary, said Jack Minroe, chair of GCDC.
“We are not anti-Dillon, but we did endorse Bernero, and in that capacity, we were happy to sponsor some issues ads,” Minroe said. “Bernero effectively represented the views of a traditional Democratic value much more than the speaker.”
With support from the GCDC, a poll conducted by EPIC-MRA a week before the election showed Dillon dipping in support and Bernero launching to a sudden 8 percent lead. The trend continued, and he shattered Dillon in the elections, winning 59 percent of the vote to Dillon’s 41 percent.
“If it were not for the TV advertising that was done through Genesee County Democratic Committee, I don’t think Bernero ever would have gotten into the lead over Dillon,” said Bernie Porn, president of EPIC-MRA.
His victory demonstrates that the people of Michigan are just as fed up with politicians and the lack of results from Legislature as he is, Bernero said.
“We heard from the lobbyists and they all told us why we couldn’t win,” Bernero said in a speech at his election result watch party. “But … it’s the people that decide elections, not the pundits or the pollsters. … Come to find out, the people are every bit as angry as I am.”
One tough nerd
A former CEO of Gateway Inc., and co-founder of Ann Arbor microtechnology firm Ardesta, Snyder is a political outsider.
He never had run for public office and never worked a campaign trail. But he did have more than $6 million dollars in the bank and a need to spend. Coining a catchy slogan, “One Tough Nerd,” Snyder first appeared on TV in February during the Super Bowl. Outspending his four GOP contenders by millions of dollars, he slowly built name recognition among voters.
Despite saturating the race with money, Snyder’s poll numbers lagged behind his competitors as the months wore on. In June, he trailed frontrunner Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox by 6 percent and runner-up U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, by 4 percent.
But for all the people suspicious of the “Nerd’s” nonexistent political record, there were others who welcomed him as a successful businessman with the right ideas to turn the state around. Snyder embraced his inexperience, accusing the other candidates of being “career politicians.”
At the last minute, voters flocked to Snyder, and he jumped to a three-way statistical tie in EPIC-MRA’s Republican poll in the race’s final week. On election night, Snyder pulled away, taking 36 percent of the vote, leaving Hoekstra and Cox with 27 percent and 23 percent, respectively.
Snyder’s anti-politician message of change helped him persuade many independents and Democrats to vote for him in the primary, and this gave him the needed edge over his opponents, Porn said.
“(Snyder’s) message was ‘I’m different. I’m not a politician,’” Porn said. “And while he was conveying that message … all the other candidates were in internal primary battles amongst themselves.”
His plan to create a successful future for Michigan pulled voters from all backgrounds, Snyder said.
“When we started a year or so ago, they said we had no chance,” Snyder said. “But we rallied together as a team. We made it work by having a vision, a plan and an attitude of action to reinvent Michigan.”
Looking to November
The general election will take place Nov. 2, giving Bernero and Snyder three months to outspend, out-debate and out-campaign one another.
Across Michigan, more than 1.5 million citizens cast their vote in the gubernatorial primaries. About 1 million of those votes went to one of the GOP candidates, whereas only half that number went to a Democratic one. The outpouring of voters turning in a GOP ballot combined with Snyder’s appeal across party lines will create a difficult fight for Bernero, Porn said.
“Snyder is the strongest Republican candidate in all of our polling prior to the primary,” Porn said. “Right now, I would say Bernero has an uphill battle.”
Despite Snyder’s early advantage, Bernero’s campaign message of fighting tirelessly to create a fairer state for the working man has broad appeal, Porn said.
“‘I’m mad as hell, and I’m not going to take it anymore,’” Porn said. “I think that’s the kind of campaign Bernero is going to run. (With) that kind of populous theme, I would not underestimate his potential.”
In addition to Bernero’s allure, Snyder is new to the political game and might make a mistake that would allow Bernero to pull to the lead, said Bill Ballenger, editor and publisher of newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.
“Nobody knows what kind of a candidate Snyder’s going to be,” Ballenger said. “This is the first time he has ever run in a general election against a Democrat, and he might make a mistake, a verbal gaffe or some mistake of strategy.”
Ultimately, the race for the capitol is wide open, Ballenger said.
“Three months in politics is an eternity,” Ballenger said. “Things could turn around very quickly. Right now, probably Snyder is pleased that he starts out with a lead, but you can’t take anything for granted.”
Commentary
Add your $0.02, go to the comment form or follow the comment feed
Patrick Bateman
(08/05/10 12:35am)Report
Was really hoping for snyder-dillon, 2 moderates who use common sense, not partisan rhetoric (who the hell cares about abortion in a recession?) I appreciate big labor, but it’s not a way to create jobs. Bernero talks about the jobs saved in his city, but Lansing is hardly a beacon of prosperity. My vote’s Rick. Snyder reminds me of Romney.
Matt
(08/05/10 6:47am)Report
I usually vote dem, but Snyder has my vote this go around. I really like the idea of having a non-politician with high-tech experience. The Ann Arbor economy is one of the few bright spots in the state, thanks in part to VC types like him. Economic growth, but without the lets-teach-religion-in-science-class nonsense of Devos… Sounds better than Virg’s 1950s idea of “more unions”…
Michael
(08/05/10 7:20am)Report
I’m for Virg! Yes a mixed bag, but a true Democrat and extremely LGBT friendly. I think he is very competitive against Snyder.
Matt
(08/05/10 8:16am)Report
Synder is from Ann Arbor, so I don’t think he is mister super intolerant. Plus, right now people need jobs. Jobs come from economic growth and new industries/ideas…not from people joining unions. People formed unions AFTER new industries were created to get a bigger slice of the pie…but, it also ultimately killd the goose that laid teh golden egg. We need more geese.
Townsend
(08/05/10 10:06am)Report
I’m sticking with Virg. Seems the SN, and other media outlets are really fawning over Snyder. The “One Tough Nerd” moniker is positive, compared to the “Angry” man moniker for Bernero. Plus, I think people may brush Bernero off as merely a local politician as opposed to Snyder, who once helmed a top Computer company…
… I just hope that, when the media stops fawning, how the People of Michigan can back a candidate (Snyder) who’s party (the Republicans), led to the Financial collapse? How you can be AGAINST the Dems whose top pol (Obama) fought off Republican desires to simply let GM fail; and where Obama had to come in, later, and fire GM’s CEO who followed failed principals, where, now, the end result is GM turning a profit and hiring 5,000 employees in struggling Michigan, alone, and where Snyder’s party supports tea party crazies, who now want to amend the 14th Amendment to bar native born (so called “anchor babies), kids who’s parents happen to be undocumented individuals (see: Hispanic)? … and these are just a few.
Let’s hope the smart people of Michigan actually THINK before they vote for an unknown guy just because he’s been painted as this hip, cool (yet nerdy) guy from Ann Arbor who, somehow, isn’t as bad as the crazies in the party he’s now carrying the banner for…. THINK people!
Matt
(08/05/10 11:13am)Report
The auto companies went bankrupt because the UAW bankrupted them. GE didn’t go bankrupt, Boeing didn’t, just Michigan companies stuck in the 1950s. No, you shouldn’t make 90 grand pushing a broom, with no-pay healthcare, and lifetime pension.
Elton
(08/05/10 11:36am)Report
Yeah, the Hummer and other brilliant tactical moves had nothing to do with GM’s downfall.
Sadly, GM executives have had their asses handed to them by their Japanese counterparts time after time. Unfortunately we’re about to watch it happen again with GM’s Volt.
KJ Green
(08/05/10 11:45am)Report
It would be easy to reply to @Townsend with sweeping generalizations about the political party to which Mayor Bernero is connected (like he did regarding Snyder). However, rather than go tit-for-tat I thought I would point out the funny irony (whether intended or not) in his/her comments.
Seems the SN, and other media outlets are really fawning over Snyder.
Gosh, when have we seen something like this before? Oh that’s right, we’ve been living it since well before the 2008 presidential election. How’s that vegetable garden going, Michelle?
The “One Tough Nerd” moniker is positive, compared to the “Angry” man moniker for Bernero.
The “Uniter” moniker for Obama was positive, compared to the “Angry” man moniker for McCain. Too bad Obama hasn’t delivered on the nickname.
Let’s hope the smart people of Michigan actually THINK before they vote for an unknown guy just because he’s been painted as this hip, cool (yet nerdy) guy from Ann Arbor who, somehow, isn’t as bad as the crazies in the party he’s now carrying the banner for…. THINK people!
Like they did when voting for the cool, hip, Obama?
Yes, think people. Don’t vote (for or against) on personality, party affiliation, or fleeting sound bites like those illuminated by Townsend above. Dig below the media caricatures of the candidates to truly understand what their positions are. In the case of the governor’s race, you have two candidates (and more) with differing visions on how to lift the state out of its malaise. We need policies that are going to create jobs, not just save jobs. Do your due diligence, or don’t vote!
^
(08/05/10 11:49am)Report
Sorry about the formatting above. The SN comment posting software does not appear to always handle single or double quotation marks properly.
PD@TOWNSEND
(08/05/10 12:24pm)Report
There is no possible way you are that blind. The State of Michigan is two things 1. run by Detroit and 2. run by unions. Detroit gets a massive amount of money from Lansing and the unions get the same. Anyone who denies this is a fool.
As for GM, screw em. GM has been arrogant for decades. We should have let that company collapse. They had so many worthless divisions, such as Saturn (never turned a profit EVER),
Hummer (just warmed over Tahoes),
Saab (who the hell likes these piles of junk, well not many people),
Pontiac (you can only rebrand something so much before it stinks like crap),
Opel (that Catera was brilliant)
GMC/Chevy Truck Divisions (why two? Oh, wait, GMC owners want to distance themselves from the “bad ass bowtie” thing),
and the 70’s and 80s cars all blew to high hell. They SUCKED. Ever drive a Chevy Caprice from the late 80s? You would be better off having two really fat people in a rickshaw pulled by a 90 year old with hip replacements and one lung.
But you have a hard time considering the EPA/Cali Regs, the DOT, and a mindblowing number of regulatory (unconstitutional legislators) bodies that impact car design. I would have thrown up my arms and said “f-it” if I had been strong-armed by the crooks in DC/Lansing and the unions. But all the same, it eventually comes a time when you have to stop. GM had to stop. When you use the same chassis to produce a mind-numbing number of bad vehicles for over two decades, it is time to stop. You have to.
As for undocumented aliens, i.e. illegals, what is the big deal about rallying to their cause? They are ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. ILLEGAL. Get a green card! Apply for LPN!
@Townsend
(08/05/10 1:33pm)Report
It is laughable to tout the auto bailout as a success. The argument that not bailing out the auto companies would be tantamount to shutting the industry down is disingenuous. Albeit painful, had the companies gone through a normal bankruptcy, something different would have risen from the process — namely, a leaner, more efficient organization(s). In addition, the rule of law would not have been destroyed in the process, trashing bondholders (including some pension funds many are so interested in protecting), randomly firing dealers, and delivering a gift to the unions which they did not deserve. The bailout was a sop to the unions, plain and simple, and akin to a banana republic business takeover.
You can also talk about the great success the new GM is having, but you conveniently omitted the fact that it still hasn’t grasped the fact that it needs to produce cars that consumers want at a competitive price point. All of the hullabaloo regarding the new Volt overlooks a few troubling details … like the fact that few people will buy it with or without the government subsidy (The Volt costs 8K more, with subsidy, and 15K more, without subsidy, than a 50MPG hybrid), the fact that it only gets 40 miles on a charge before the GASOLINE engine kicks in, and the fact that the gasoline engine in the Volt requires premium gasoline.
As much as the label “GM – Government Motors” is a bit of a pejorative, at least for now, it rings true.
Bob
(08/05/10 6:48pm)Report
First point: The UAW did not cause all the auto companies to go bankrupt, poor management of the companies did. The Big Three have had problems going back decades because they failed to respond to the market. People wanted fuel-efficient cars, and they just kept pumping out big gas guzzlers. Toyota and such stepped in to fill the void so they lost market share. And who gets the blame? The unions and the “overpaid” workers, not the decision makers who messed up in the first place.
Second: Why does everyone think a “non career politician” is so great to have in office. Being on the board of directors does not make you fit to run a state. Would being a governor count as relevant experience to be a CEO? Just because he managed to run a company doesn’t mean he’s cut out for government. He worked for a major tech company during the Dot-Com boom years. Of course the company was growing. A few years before the bubble burst, he got out and went into venture capital. Venture Capital doesn’t directly create jobs, it hands out money. You can’t run a state like you run a company.
Third: Despite the economy, social issues still matter. We don’t get a new governor as soon as the economy turns around. If the situation gets better over the next few years, what do you think politicians will focus on? Social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Snyder is anti-choice and anti-gay marriage. Hardly a “moderate”.
Matt
(08/05/10 7:48pm)Report
Yeah, lets get drunk and assemble brakes…but, don’t have to worry about losing my job because of insane UAW work rules. Or better yet, check out the sub pay BS…get paid 85% of full time to be laid off…yeah, the UAW had nothing to do with it…
http://www.layoffbenefits.com/gm/
PD
(08/06/10 2:55pm)Report
Matt, you are damn right it was poor management to let the unions take over the business.
_Third: Despite the economy, social issues still matter. We don’t get a new governor as soon as the economy turns around. If the situation gets better over the next few years, what do you think politicians will focus on? Social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Snyder is anti-choice and anti-gay marriage. Hardly a “moderate”. _
Whatever you use to define social issues, you probably could throw the economy in. Do not worry Matt, obama is hard at work to get federal funding for abortions and to strip the peoples right to define marriage (he has help from judges to help him out too).