Terri Lynn Land would be a much better candidate, although I don't think she would get over 45%. Mike Cox would be the next best(but not that good of a candidate). Both have been elected statewide twice. Amash would have to give up his congressional seat for a longshot chance at a senate seat. He would be foolish to give up a safe house seat.
I didn't think Hoekstra had a chance before this ad ran. Too conservative. I think Stabenow is underestimated. She is not going to lose to anything other than a first rate candidate, even then it would be close barring a another recession, and the republicans don't have a first rate candidate. She is a good fit for Michigan. I think she would have won vs Land in 2010 too. Michigan doesn't send republicans to the senate. I could see Stabenow as senator for Michigan for a long time.
Spencer Abraham?
The problem with MI has been timing. Levin is too popular to take out in any year. 2000, the state was won by Gore and in 2006, it was a bad GOP year.
Abraham won in one of the better years for the GOP, and he only lasted one term. Other than him, Michigan hasn't sent a Republican to the Senate since the 70s.
I don't buy the "timing"--Gore didn't exactly win here in a blowout in 2000 (51-46)--a stronger incumbent may have pulled off a victory. Levin won his second term in 1984, before he became Michigan's Senate lifer.
