Out of all the headlines, this one gives the best perspective.
The man intends to buy this state like it was just another business acquisition. He will then "lay off" some of the "employees" that don't perform up to his standards. You will be working for Dick; Dick will be working for his friends. Remember, Republicans govern for other Republicans, and nobody else.
It would be like voting for your boss. So, when you ask for a raise and he tells you there just isn't enough money right now, so sorry, and oh by the way, we are going to have to cut your benefits too, but can you work late tonight?, just as he is walking out the door to jet off to the Caribbean with his golf buddies, don't say you weren't warned.
LANSING -- Democratic incumbent Jennifer Granholm raised $3.3 million in the first half of 2006. Republican challenger Dick DeVos nearly matched that in a single day when, on June 19, he wrote a $3 million check to his campaign.
In 12 months, DeVos has poured nearly $13 million of his own money into a gubernatorial campaign that has blanketed Michigan TV channels with ads since February. That's $2 million more than Granholm has collected in more than three and a half years of aggressive fundraising since she took office.
So far this year, according to campaign finance reports filed Friday, DeVos has outspent Granholm more than 10-1, or nearly $15 million compared with $1.3 million.
Including his own contributions, the DeVos campaign raised $15.7 million in 2006; $17.5 million total. He has spent more than $2 million per month on average, much of it on TV ads DeVos feels have been vital in boosting his familiarity with voters. Campaign finance watchdogs estimate he now is spending about $650,000 a week on ads.
Granholm raised $3.3 million this year in itemized contributions, $10.7 million since the election cycle started in 2003. She reported having $7.2 million in the bank. Granholm has yet to air a single TV ad. On her behalf, the Michigan Democratic Party has spent more than $2.5 million on ads.
Who gives money to a billionaire? People who want to curry favor for when the goodies are passed out later. They will be lined up at the door for their cut of the state's resources.
Although the former Amway executive has provided 78 percent of the money spent by his campaign, DeVos stressed in a statement, "this campaign has broad support from all over" Michigan, with 18,765 individual contributors.
Christoff's article throws around some celebrity names that have donated on Granholm's behalf- I'm rather curious about who has donated on Dick's behalf. Which wingnuts have stepped up to the plate? Which business owners are looking to catch Dick's eye? The Detroit News names the DeVos family and Meijer.
Aside from his own massive investment, DeVos received $83,825 from his wife, Betsy, among the $5 million given by 18,765 individual donors. His parents, siblings and children gave $35,323, according to a Michigan Campaign Finance Network analysis. The Meijer supermarket family contributed $19,000. Hundreds of contributors gave the maximum $3,400.
This report isn't up on their site yet- I imagine we will find the usual suspects on Dick's list.
And it looks like I should be shopping at Family Fare.