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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWhitmer rally in Flint
I just got back from the Flint Whitmer rally. The turnout was great and the crowd was very enthusiastic. About 2/3 stayed after for canvassing. I'm even more excited to vote for her on the 7th and hopefully, November.




Pathwalker
(6,603 posts)Siwsan
(27,882 posts)It is going to be an interesting primary.
BTW, Welcome to DU from an authentic "Flintstone"!
Cha
(320,432 posts)The only thing more absurd than Shri Thanedars run for governor is that some people are buying it.
Thanedar is locked in a tight battle for the Democratic nomination with former state Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer and Abdul El-Sayed, a former Detroit health director who has staked out a more authentic claim to the progressive mantle.
Thanedar has touted himself as a fiscally savvy version of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and the most progressive Democrat in the primary field.
If there is a liberal box to be checked, Thanedar checks it. Like El-Sayed, he rejects money from corporate political action committees and professes his support for single-payer health care; like Whitmer, he has made a folksy ad about fixing the states pothole-ridden roads.
Where Thanedar tries to one-up his competitors is in his personal story. He never misses an opportunity to remind voters that he left poverty in India to become a job-creating entrepreneur in Michigan, that he is a chemist uniquely capable of addressing climate change.
My colleagues here would do a much better job speaking. But this time, I believe Michigan needs someone who thinks like me, Thanedar said during a televised primary debate on July 19. Im the only gubernatorial candidate that has created jobs in America.
But Thanedar is not the wholesome businessman-turned-public-servant he wants Michiganders to think he is. His entrepreneurial undertakings, which made him wealthy enough to elicit a Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous-style local news segment years ago about one of his former homes, have involved the same corporate malfeasance he claims he would fight as governor.
I've seen a lot of similar articles about Shri.
Siwsan
(27,882 posts)He has been hitting hard with mailings, phone calls and door to door - I'll give him that. But he is a very recent 'convert' to the Democratic Party, which makes me think this might be a case of opportunism. And I really prefer someone who already has legislative experience. If someone wants to run for office, most would probably benefit from coming up in the ranks, rather than jumping into the deep end of government.
I like Gretchen Whitmer - always have. She is polling really well against Calley and Schuette.
Cha
(320,432 posts)against El Sayed?
Siwsan
(27,882 posts)And an 11 point lead over Calley and between a 7 and 9 point over Schuette.
Someone mentioned, today, that if she gets the nom, maybe she should bring in El Sayed as Lt. Gov.
Cha
(320,432 posts)why he would want to be part of her Admin the way he's smearing her?
Thank You!
Siwsan
(27,882 posts)She's been VERY complimentary of both of her opponents.
Cha
(320,432 posts)whose priority is her state, country, and Planet.
kcr
(15,522 posts)My Nana used to take me there for lunch when I was a kid. I loved their beef pasties.
It seems like Flint has been a very active scene for politics. It makes me happy to see the nationwide attention.
Siwsan
(27,882 posts)I do remember the food as being quite tasty.
Wwcd
(6,288 posts)Great pics & looks nice weather for a rally
Always good to hear first hand reporting & agree, I would have been totally into the thrill of the day!!
Thank you!!
Cha
(320,432 posts)blackdove!
Best of Luck to Gretchen Whitmer!