The Final Debate

Just a few notes before I head off to another glorious day of work …

You can catch my live blogging with George over at George Bullard’s Detroit News blog. Thanks to George and the Detroit News editorial staff for inviting me to live blog the debates. I encourage my readers to make the Detroit News political blog a regular stop and participate in the comment section.

Michlibbers were live blogging here and adding more commentary here.

You can read a rough transcript of the debate at Michigan Liberal. That’s the whole thing, but all you need to know comes in Granholm’s closing statement:

There are tremendous, large contrasts in this race. Large contrasts.

I’m somebody who has fought for you, for all citizens. He’s somebody who has stood on the other side of the things I’ve fought for.

I’ve fought to create jobs here and diversify our economy here in Michigan. He’s eliminated 1400 jobs in Michigan when he was CEO of Amway.

I’ve fought the policies of outsourcing and unfair trade of George Bush. He’s George Bush’s – one of George Bush’s biggest backers and has supported those unfair trade practices that have hurt us.

I went to Asia to bring home 22 companies, 1000 jobs and $200 million in investment; he went to Asia and invested $200 million and created thousands of jobs there.

I am somebody who strongly believes women should have the right to choose; my opponent strongly believes that that right should be – that she should be criminalized – a criminal if she chose that right even in the case of rape or incest.

I support embryonic stem cell research, he opposes it.

I support public education, he led the voucher movement to take money away from public education.

I’m somebody who believes in health care for all. His health care plan is get a job.

I will not gut public safety in order to fund business tax cuts. He corporated his subsidaries in Bermuda to avoid business taxes.

There are vast differences, but I’m going to fight for you and for opportunity for all. We may not have all gotten here in the same boat, but we’re in rocky seas, and we’re all in the same boat now. My opponent is an expert yachtsman, and I believe that his philosophy is each man for himself. But I am the captain of this ship of state and I will bring us all into port. My philosophy is: all hands on deck. I ask for your vote on November 7.

If you want a Governor who is going to gut Michigan and declare every man for himself, then you should vote for DeVos. If you want a Governor who believes in opportunity for all, you should vote for Granholm.

Full stop.