Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

Analysis:

This story is based upon a media release sent out by a newly formed group in Grand Rapids, Black Elected Officials. From the information provided in the channel 8 story do you think viewers understand what the causes of the violence are and what this group plans to do about it? There is a summary of what the group plans on doing and it doesmention that a website is coming. What about the language that is used in framing this story? Half way through the story the reporter says “Vaughn realizes the winter months have chilled the summer’s flight on violence, examples seen in our July series highlighting the problem. One night, picked at random, that saw a stabbing, a shooting, a family birthday party turned brawl with knives.” The reporter doesn’t clarify what the July series that they did was about other than “random violence.” The story finishes with comments from the GR Police Department, but why weren’t other community-based violence prevention groups cited?

Story:

WOOD TV newsreader – They’re in it for the long hall. A group calling themselves Black Elected Officials, sent out a message today saying violence on Grand Rapids South East side is out of control. Now the group is launching an attack of its own. Brad Edwards is live in the news room, he spoke with one of the leaders today, Brad.

Reporter – Sick and tired of being sick and tired of singing the song of too much violence? A loose alliance now of leaders vows to fight the fight for the long hall citing staggering stats like 33 shootings on the South East side in 3 months last year. Now they say they’re launching a war on apathy. Christopher James Vaughn is one of the leaders signed on to the initiative in the fight, he says, for the long run.

James Vaughn – “we got to reach out to help them and we got ot solve the problem. Were not going to win on the system solving this problem. We got to get out there and roll up our sleeves and we gonna help solve this problem.”

Unidentified person – “But you realize you’re not going to solve anything by a press release?”

James Vaughn – “No, now a press release is to get everybody aware of what’s going on…”

Reporter – Vaughn realizes the winter months have chilled the summer’s flight on violence, examples seen in our July series highlighting the problem. One night, picked at random, that saw a stabbing, a shooting, a family birthday party turned brawl with knives. The biggest challenge, says Vaughn, is apathy. Kids who just don’t care.

James Vaughn – “…when youre looking at eyes and looking at face you realize that there is no hope and no purpose and no direction. They don’t, you know, tomorrow, they don’t care if tomorrow don’t come…”

Reporter – They’ve rallied community agencies in hopes of connecting troubled kids with the right help. They’re setting up a website, a phone line, working with ministers and parents. One example, getting the undereducated the needed training at places like M-TEC career development, education of course a key. Really you’ve heard it before but now they say…

James Vaughn – “yeah this is, we just said enough is enough. You know when you get sick and tired of being sick and tired of seeing the same thing happen over and over again…”

Reporter – We spoke with a lieutenant at the Grand Rapids Police Department, he says they support any effort to get more involvement. The biggest battle, the commissioner says, is making violence unacceptable, no longer tolerable in the community. Reporting live in the news room, Brad Edwards, 24 hour News 8.

Analysis:

This story relies heavily on celebrity voices, citing 4 Hollywood actors. One US Congressman is quoted and one Iraq War Veteran who opposes the war in Iraq. The story also cites a verteran who is for the war near the end of the article. Even though it is mentioned that the national group United for Peace and Justice was the main organizing body for the march, no one from that organization was sourced in the story. The story also does not provide any real reasons why people are opposed to the US war in Iraq, nor that recent polling shows about 70% of the American public wants the war to end. The story appeared on the front page of the GR Press, but it wasn’t the lead story and the Press did not cite local efforts tied to the march in DC.

Story:

WASHINGTON // Convinced this is their moment, tens of thousands marched Saturday in an anti-war demonstration linking military families, ordinary people and an icon of the Vietnam protest movement in a spirited call to get out of Iraq.

Celebrities, a half-dozen lawmakers and protesters from distant states rallied in the capital under a sunny sky, seizing an opportunity to press their cause with a Congress restive on the war and a country that has turned against the conflict.

Marching with them was Jane Fonda, in what she said was her first anti-war demonstration in 34 years.

“Silence is no longer an option,” Fonda said to cheers from the stage on the National Mall. The actress once derided as “Hanoi Jane” by conservatives for her stance on Vietnam said she had held back from activism so as not to be a distraction for the Iraq anti-war movement, but needed to speak out now.

The rally on the Mall unfolded peacefully, although about 300 protesters tried to rush the Capitol, running up the grassy lawn to the front of the building. Police on motorcycles tried to stop them, scuffling with some and barricading entrances.

Protesters chanted “Our Congress” as their numbers grew and police faced off against them. Demonstrators later joined the masses marching from the Mall, around Capitol Hill and back.

About 50 demonstrators blocked a street near the Capitol for about 30 minutes, but they were dispersed without arrests.

United for Peace and Justice, a coalition group sponsoring the protest, had hoped 100,000 would come. They claimed even more afterward, but police, who no longer give official estimates, said privately the crowd was smaller than 100,000.

At the rally, 12-year-old Moriah Arnold stood on her toes to reach the microphone and tell the crowd: “Now we know our leaders either lied to us or hid the truth. Because of our actions, the rest of the world sees us as a bully and a liar.”

The sixth-grader from Harvard, Mass., organized a petition drive at her school against the war that has killed more than 3,000 U.S. service-members, including seven whose deaths were reported Saturday.

More Hollywood celebrities showed up at the demonstration than buttoned-down Washington typically sees in a month.

Actor Sean Penn said lawmakers will pay a price in the 2008 elections if they do not take firmer action than to pass a nonbinding resolution against the war, the course Congress is now taking.

“If they don’t stand up and make a resolution as binding as the death toll, we’re not going to be behind those politicians,” he said. Actors Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins also spoke.

Fonda was a lightning rod in the Vietnam era for her outspoken opposition to that war and her advocacy from Hanoi at the height of that conflict. Sensitive to the old wounds, she made it a point to thank the active-duty service-members, veterans and Gold Star mothers who attended the rally.

She drew parallels to the Vietnam War, citing “blindness to realities on the ground, hubris … thoughtlessness in our approach to rebuilding a country we’ve destroyed.” But she noted that this time, veterans, soldiers and their families increasingly and vocally are against the Iraq war.

The House Judiciary Committee chairman, Rep. John Conyers, threatened to use congressional spending power to try to stop the war. “George Bush has a habit of firing military leaders who tell him the Iraq war is failing,” he said, looking out at the masses. “He can’t fire you.” Referring to Congress, the Michigan Democrat added: “He can’t fire us.

“The founders of our country gave our Congress the power of the purse because they envisioned a scenario exactly like we find ourselves in today. Now only is it in our power, it is our obligation to stop Bush.”

On the stage rested a coffin covered with a U.S. flag and a pair of military boots, symbolizing American war dead. On the Mall stood a large bin filled with tags bearing the names of Iraqis who have died.

A small contingent of active-duty service members attended the rally, wearing civilian clothes because military rules forbid them from protesting in uniform.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Tassi McKee, 26, an intelligence specialist at Fort Meade, Md., said she joined the Air Force because of patriotism, travel and money for college. “After we went to Iraq, I began to see through the lies,” she said.

In the crowd, signs recalled the November elections that defeated the Republican congressional majority in part because of President Bush’s Iraq policy. “I voted for peace,” one said.

“I’ve just gotten tired of seeing widows, tired of seeing dead Marines,” said Vincent DiMezza, 32, wearing a dress Marine uniform from his years as a sergeant. A Marine aircraft mechanic from 1997 to 2002, he did not serve in Iraq or Afghanistan.

About 40 people staged a counter-protest, including Army Cpl. Joshua Sparling, 25, who lost his leg to a bomb in Iraq.

He said the anti-war protesters, especially those who are veterans or who are on active duty, “need to remember the sacrifice we have made and what our fallen comrades would say if they are alive.”

Bush reaffirmed his commitment to his planned troop increase in a phone conversation Saturday with Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. The president was in Washington for the weekend. He is often is out of town during big protest days.

“He understands that Americans want to see a conclusion to the war in Iraq and the new strategy is designed to do just that,” said Gordon Johndroe, a spokesman for the National Security Council.

Protest organizers said the crowd included people who came on 300 buses from 40 states.

Analysis:

The channel 8 story was incredibly short in length and did not touch on most of the areas that the Mayor mentioned in his speech, nor provide details of what the City would work on over the next year. Heartwell also mentioned the successes and accomplishments over the past year, but channel 8 did not verify those claims, nor did they seek out any reaction to the speech or provide an independent perspective.

Story:

Reporter – Grand Rapids Mayor, George Heartwell, filled with high hopes as he delivered his 4th State of the City Address. Speaking to a crowd of citizens and community leaders, Heartwell says while he’s accomplished several things, there are still many challenges ahead, on the forefront, fighting the passage of Proposal 2, which bans some forms of Affirmative Action. Heartwell also wants to see major improvements in the city’s public education system, like lower drop out rates and higher test scores.

Mayor Heartwell – “No city can hope to be completely successful in the knowledge economy that doesn’t have a great public education system.”

Heartwell also hopes to end homelessness by 2014. He would also like to see neighborhoods raise their own funds for services as the city tackles its financial challenges.

Analysis:

This story provided viewers with a summary of the issues addressed in the Mayor’s State of the City address and then focused on one issue that included two community responses. They even told viewers at the end of the story that there was a link on their website for viewers interested in the entire speech. This story was considerably longer and more substantive than the channel 8 story that deal with the same topic.

Story:

WZZM 13 newsreader – Good evening, I’m Val Lego. Mayor Heartwell made his 4th State of the City speech this morning, he spoke to a crowd of hundreds about his 4 major goals for the community. Heartwell says he wants to increase diversity through programs like the Disadvantaged Business Proposal. He feels the city can increase diversity despite the fact that proposal 2 now outlaws Affirmative Action. The mayor set a goal of eliminating homelessness by 2014. To meet that goal he predicts private non-profit organizations will need to create 500 affordable housing units per year. Mayor Heartwell also wants to focus on improving public education by creating a more regional approach.

Mayor – “Our future depends on quality public education for all our children, not just suburban children but all children, not just white children, but all children, not just children of the elites, but all children.”

WZZM 13 newsreader – The Kent County Intermediate School District plans to set up an education senate for all the schools superintendents and municipal leaders in Kent County. Mayor Heartwell’s 4th main goal for 2007 deals with neighborhoods. Amy Fox joins us now with more on the Mayors plans to strengthen neighborhoods.

WZZM 13 Reporter – Val, the plan would allow neighborhood associations to collect a special assessment in order to improve their community. It’s a new concept that has some neighbors worried about their finances. They fear placing another tax burden on residents even if the money will go directly back into the neighborhood. Grand Rapids is a city of distinct neighborhoods,

Peg Markle – “We get animals from all over West Michigan”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Peg Markle lives and runs an animal rescue center in the creston area. Shes active with the Creston Neighborhood Association.

Peg Markle – “We’ve got a very close nit neighborhood right along here, but I know neighborhood associations keep getting cut down on the money they have and have to work with.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – In the State of the City speech, Mayor George Heartwell purposed neighborhood improvement districts as a way to provide more money for neighborhood associations.

Mayor – “They set the level of the assessments and then the city commission approves it and the city collects the funds on their behalf. Its part of the tax bill to be returned to the neighborhood association to be used to meet its goals.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Those goals could range from street scaping business districts to crime prevention programs.

Mayor – “Or they might use the funds for youth programs, for park enhancements.”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Some neighborhood leaders who heard the speech wonder how the special assessments would work.

Christine Helms-Maletic/neighborhood organizer – “I’m concerned about what would happen to that volunteer ethic that happens in neighborhood associations, particularly if the city is administering taxes that are collected and then turning them over to us, um, what does that do to our autonomy, what does that do to our role as advocates for residents?”

WZZM 13 Reporter – Peg Markle worries about the financial aspect of the plan.

Markle – “We’re not an affluent neighborhood”

WZZM 13 Reporter – She, like many others, wants to help improve her neighborhood but doesn’t know if a special assessment is the way to do it. Mayor Heartwell says the State Legislature might have to pass a new law to allow neighborhood improvement districts. Downtown Grand Rapids already has a similar Special Assessment District. Val.

WZZM 13 newsreader – Thanks Amy. Now you can find Mayor Heartwell’s speech on the State of the City Address on wzzm13.com. Just click on the State of the City 2007 link on our home page.

Analysis:

The sub-heading in the article says “Study raises questions about legal housing, services,” but the article focuses mostly on the children of migrant families working in the state. The article does cite Martha Gonzalez-Cortez with the Office of Migrant Affairs, who states that “If we have 90,000 farm workers in the state, where do they live? We only have licensed housing for 25,000.” The reporter does not investigate that question and instead moves on to the issue of children of migrant workers.

The only other sources cited are Evelyn Ortiz with the Grand Rapids Public Schools, Elvira Garcia with Head Start in Ottawa County, and a lawyer with Farmworkers Legal Services. There are two large photos that accompany this story, one of migrant workers hauling Christmas trees and another who is picking apples. Considering that the photographs deal with workers you might think that the issues of working conditions or the pay migrant workers receive would be included in the article, but that isn’t the case. The study looked at the migrant worker population in seasonal agriculture labor, the food processing industry, which includes slaughter houses, and a third category called “Reforestation”, which encompasses all nurseries. Another significant omission from the story is that the voices and perspectives of both employers and workers themselves were not included.

Story:

Ottawa County’s migrant population tops in state
By Nardy Baeza Bickel and Ted Roelofs

With about 90,000 migrants moving through Michigan each year, that population ranks sixth in the nation.

And Ottawa County’s migrant population ranks No. 1 in the state, according to a new study, which also ranked Kent County fifth and Allegan County sixth.

Martha Gonzalez-Cortes, state director of the Office of Migrant Affairs, said this group has become irreplaceable in the state’s agricultural industry.

“In Ottawa County, the nursery industry closes up shop and goes away without this population. The blueberry industry closes up shop if this population isn’t around.”
But Gonzalez-Cortes said the study raises questions about the need for housing and education for migrant workers, which include U.S. citizens and undocumented residents.

“If we have 90,000 farm workers in the state, where do they live? We only have licensed housing for 25,000.”

The study found there are more than 20,000 migrant children younger than 13, underlining the challenge facing schools charged with educating a transient population.

“We are continually monitoring these kids,” said Evelyn Ortiz, director of migrant programs for Grand Rapids Public Schools.

“Where do they go? Where do they come from? There is always so much to do.”

Ortiz said the district enrolled 136 migrant children in 2005-06. They were offered bilingual classes in 11 elementary schools.

Many students also participated in a summer school program while their parents picked crops.
“They move and they come back. We do as much as possible to keep them in school and to monitor their progress.”

Gonzalez-Cortes said the study should put Michigan on better footing to win an array of federal grants by furnishing detailed information on the state’s migrant population. The state’s Department of Human Services spends about $6 million a year for migrant day care, Medicaid and food stamps, she said.

The study was funded with a $30,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and money from the state Department of Education. It accounts for seasonal and migrant workers in the fields, food processing, greenhouse and nursery production and reforestation.

Elvira Garcia has worked with migrant families in Ottawa County for 18 years, so she wasn’t surprised by the study’s results.

Garcia, who directs a migrant Head Start program in Ottawa County, hopes the study will convince funding sources that “we need more help.”
The study found that each year, 45,800 farm workers harvest Michigan crops. Another 44,916 people — including 41,038 children and youth under 20 — live in migrant and seasonal homes.
Ottawa County sees 6,030 migrant and seasonal workers each year, but the number swells to 11,942 when family members also are counted.

Kent County ranked fifth in the state, with 3,280 migrant workers and 3,496 non-workers in migrant households. Allegan was sixth, with 1,827 workers and 3,618 family members a year.
Garcia hopes the study proves the need to extend her Head Start program into September. It now runs from June to August.

More migrants are staying longer in the season to work at nurseries, she said. And their children could use the extra time in school.

“Migrants are caring people, very hard workers, and they want the best for their children. But when they’re here, their main focus is to work so they can supply the basic needs for their children.”

The study’s results also will make it easier for other agencies working with migrants, said Tom Thornburg, head attorney for Farmworkers Legal Services.

“It’s going to help by giving us updated information about where the farm workers are in the state and who they are. We’ll be able to redeploy our limited resources to seek them out and offer them assistance.”

Analysis:

This story is based upon a media release by Philip Morris. The tobacco company has a new ad campaign out asking Hollywood to not use its tobacco products in films. The story provides a summary of the ad campaign and then cites two sources who have a history of challenging methods used by tobacco companies that target youth. The first source is with Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and the second is with the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education which hosts the web resource Smoke Free Movies. Why did the AP story not mention that the second source focuses on smoking in movies? There is also no historical context in regards to the tobacco company’s role in promoting smoking in films.

You can see that there is a section of original AP story that was omitted in the GR Press version. In this section the story refers to an actual source for the study they mention in the article. They also mention the Motion Picture Association of America in this story and that a spokesperson could not be reached.

Story:

RICHMOND, Va. — The nation’s largest cigarette maker is asking Hollywood not to put its products on the big screen, citing studies that have shown cinematic portrayals of tobacco use can entice children to smoke.

Richmond-based Philip Morris USA said Wednesday that it will run advertisements in Daily Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and other trade publications imploring moviemakers: “Please Don’t Give Our Cigarette Brands a Part in Your Movie.”

The ad campaign begins this week and will last several months, Philip Morris spokesman David Sutton said. He said the initiative was conceived after meetings with entertainment industry representatives.

But Matt Myers, president of the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, said the industry has been unmoved by previous appeals to shield children from smoking scenes.

“Hollywood has ignored the very serious problem that smoking in the movies contributes to youth tobacco use,” said Myers, adding that “the problem goes beyond which brands are shown.”

Sutton said Philip Morris has long denied all requests for permission to show its brands — including top-selling Marlboro cigarettes — in movies intended for general audiences. However, he acknowledged that moviemakers are not required to seek permission.

Stanton Glantz, head of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California at San Francisco, dismissed the ad campaign as a public relations ploy.

Glantz said that instead of threatening to sue over the use of their brands in movies, Philip Morris officials are saying, “`Aw, shucks, we really wish you wouldn’t show our products on screen.”‘

Glantz, a professor of medicine and leading critic of smoking in movies shown to children, said that even if Philip Morris brands are not shown, the company will benefit from smoking scenes because Marlboro is the leading brand among adolescents.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

A study published last year in the medical journal Pediatrics is one of several that have shown that children exposed to smoking in the movies are more likely than their peers to start using tobacco. Philip Morris cites that study and two others in its ads.

Attempts to reach Motion Picture Association of America spokesmen for comment were unsuccessful. However, industry representatives have said that while they don’t want to encourage youth smoking, filmmakers’ freedom of speech in storytelling must be preserved.

Myers and other anti-smoking activists believe the movie rating system should be amended to require an “R” rating for films that show a lot of tobacco use, which he contended is more damaging to children than scenes containing sex, violence and foul language.

“To the best of my knowledge, nobody’s ever died from hearing a four-letter word,” Myers said.

Analysis:

This Grand Rapids Press story ran the day after the White House announced that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was stepping down. The only sources cited in the story are Representatives Hoekstra and Ehlers, and Senator Carl Levin. Hoekstra and Ehlers respond directly to the resignation, with no commentary about Rumsfeld’s tenure at the DoD. Why did the Press omit any commentary from an independent sources? There is reference in Hoekstra’s comments that if Rumsfeld had resigned earlier the Republicans would have done better in the election. Is Hoekstra implying that voters were unhappy about the war in Iraq? If so, what about Rumsfeld’s position would voters have disagreed with? There is mention that Levin “sees no reason not to move forward with the process of confirming Gates as the next secretary of defense during the lame-duck congressional session.” This is the only comment about Gates, therefore the Press provides no background on the nominee to succeed Rumsfeld.

Story:

If Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld resigned six months ago, it might have cushioned electoral losses among Republicans, said U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland.

But Hoekstra is glad President Bush didn’t oust the controversial architect of his Iraq war policy — a man who is “not very open to criticism,” Hoekstra said — immediately before Tuesday’s midterm election.

“Doing it shortly before an election, I think would have been inappropriate,” said Hoekstra, chairman of the House Intelligence Committee until a new Democratic majority takes control of that chamber in January.

“I’ve met with our men and women overseas. The last thing you want to do is give them any indication they’re part of a political football.”

Bush announced Wednesday he would accept Rumsfeld’s resignation and nominate former CIA Director Robert Gates to the post. Rumsfeld has held the job six years. The announcement came after Republicans lost control of the U.S. House and Senate.

U.S. Sen. Carl Levin said Wednesday that as long as all the “groundwork has been laid,” he sees no reason not to move forward with the process of confirming Gates as the next secretary of defense during the lame-duck congressional session.

Levin is the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, which will conduct Gates’ confirmation hearing. If the committee approves Gates, the final confirmation vote would go to the full Senate.

Rumsfeld’s resignation signals a retreat from Bush’s position — restated just a week before the election — that the defense secretary was a “smart, tough, capable administrator” and would remain. Rumsfeld has been criticized by Democrats and some Republicans for mistakes in handling the Iraq war, especially for not sending in enough troops to quell a growing insurgency.

U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers believes “it’s time for a change” in the important post.

“It was more than time to get new perspectives in there,” said Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids. “That’s not saying anything against Rumsfeld. He’s a very capable guy. Six years is a long time in a job like that and it really can wear on you.”

Ehlers said he doesn’t know much about Gates, but would be surprised “if Gates did not take a different direction. I think clearly he will come forward with some new ideas.”

The resignation took Republicans by surprise, said Hoekstra, especially since the president had so recently affirmed his support for Rumsfeld.

“A lot of members weren’t all that excited” to hear the president support Rumsfeld, Hoekstra said.

“Why are you injecting Donald Rumsfeld into the campaign five to 10 days before an election?”

Analysis:

This story is basically a form of stenography, with channel 13 providing comments from Bush on what Rumsfeld has achieved as Defense Secretary. Why did WZZM 13 not provide another perspective on Rumsfeld’s time at the DoD? Why did they not verify the claims of the President? If “50 million people” were liberated would it be good journalism to hear that from those liberated?

There is mention that Robert Gates has been nominated as the new Secretary of Defense, but no background information has been provided other than the fact that he is a former CIA Director. The only other source cited in the story is Congressman Hoekstra. What does he mean when he says “radical Islam?”

Story:

Newsreader – President Bush has announced that Donald Rumsfeld is stepping down from his post. He has been Defense Secretary since President Bush took office 6 years ago. This afternoon, the President praised Rumsfeld’s service.

Bush – History will record on Don Rumsfeld’s watch that the men and women of our military overthrew two terrorist regimes, liberated some 50 million people, brought justice to the terrorist Zarqawi, and scores of senior Al Qeada operatives and helped stop new terrorist attacks on our people.

Newsreader – Former CIA chief Bob Gates will take over Rumsfeld’s place as Secretary of Defense if he is confirmed by the Senate.

Newsreader two – Local Congressman Pete Hoekstra among those wishing the Secretary of Defense well.

Hoekstra – Donald Rumsfeld served the country for six years. I wish him well. Obviously there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. This does now provide us with an opportunity to put a fresh set of eyes on to the situation in Iraq and also more importantly a set of eyes on radical Islam.

Total Time: 1 minute and 2 seconds

Analysis:

This article is based upon a visit to Taylor Michigan by former President Clinton to rally Democrats to support the re-election of Gov. Granholm and Senator Stabenow. Clinton is cited in the story and uses words like “opportunity,” “responsible” and “go forward together.” What do you think he meant by those terms? The only issue raised was jobs, but no qualifiers were presented other than a statement by Senator Stabenow when she “told the crowd that she and fellow Democrats will continue to fight for the middle class.” Does that mean the Democrats are not going to fight for the poor? The only other source cited in the story was Michigan GOP chair Saul Anuzis who made claims about jobs and the economy being bad under Granholm. The reporter provides no verification of these claims.

Story:

TAYLOR, Mich. – Former President Clinton told a crowd of Democrats on Tuesday that they must fight to re-elect Gov. Jennifer Granholm to keep efforts to turn around the state’s troubled economy on track.

Clinton headlined a rally outside City Hall in this Detroit suburb with Granholm and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow, fellow Democrats who face tough challenges from Republicans in the November election.

“If you believe that Michigan ought to be a place where everybody has an opportunity, where everybody’s expected to be responsible, where we go forward together, you need to vote for the governor and senator,” Clinton told the crowd, which a Michigan Democratic Party spokesman estimated at about 1,000 people.

Clinton has proved popular with Michigan voters, winning the state in 1992 and 1996. After the rally in Taylor, he planned to attend a fundraiser for Stabenow in Romulus and energize Democratic activists to work hard to re-elect her and Granholm.

Although Michigan was the only state in the country not hit by a hurricane to lose jobs last year, Clinton told the audience that Granholm and Stabenow are fighting hard to keep jobs in Michigan and noted that a turnaround takes time – especially with a Republican controlled government in Washington and GOP led House and Senate in Michigan.

“These women have done a good job under exceedingly difficult circumstances,” Clinton said. “They have carried the burden of deficits they did not create, they showed responsibility that others didn’t show to point a path to a future that’s better.”

But Republicans say that if Michigan wants a better economy, it needs to replace the first-term governor and senator.
Polls have shown Stabenow with a double-digit lead over her Republican challenger, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. But the National Republican Senatorial Committee considers her to be one of the Senate’s most vulnerable incumbents.

Stabenow told the crowd that she and fellow Democrats will continue to fight for the middle class.

“We’re in a fight for a way of life and it’s a fight we’ve got to win,” Stabenow said.

The committee says she has been ineffective and is trying to make up for that by appearing with Clinton.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, a businessman from of Ada in western Michigan, has stressed the need to turn around Michigan’s struggling economy and begin adding jobs rather than continuing to lose them.

“Stabenow and Granholm have put Michigan first in every category where we want to be last,” Michigan Republican Chairman Saul Anuzis said. “We are first in unemployment, people moving out of the state, and personal bankruptcies.

Granholm points to successes such as new ethanol plants and Google Inc.’s decision to move 1,000 jobs to the Ann Arbor area.