Bush visits Republican stronghold in Michigan

President Bush visited Grand Rapids yesterday, October 15, for a fundraiser. Grand Rapids is a heavily Republican area that has strong ties to his administration (through Bush, Cheney, and past Republicans). Bush also surprised deli-goers and met with local business leaders. At this meeting Bush spoke with great confidence and optimism about the economy, perhaps in an effort to boost voters' view of the McCain campaign without really mentioning the Republican presidential candidate. McCain raised money successfully from the Grand Rapids area, but recently a McCain supporter and chair of his 2000 local campaign has said that he is displeased with the Republican's campaign and is not supporting either candidate. Disappointed Michigan Republicans say that McCain is no longer about straight talk and has not conducted a respectful campaign.

On another note, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm was invited to tonight's debate at Hofstra University in New York by the Obama campaign and planned to attend. She was a Clinton supporter during the primaries and helped Senator Biden prepare for his debate against Governor Palin. McCain and Obama spoke only about domestic issues, mostly relating back to the country's current economic troubles. These domestic issues - the economy, jobs, healthcare, education - are what resonate the most with Michigan voters right now. Headlines seem to be declaring that McCain pressed Obama and put him on the defensive... but did McCain win on the issues? In Michigan, Obama has maintained a substantial lead since McCain's campaign left the state, and we will have to see if the polls change significantly in the next couple days.