Why is Kerry doing so well in MI?

[zorkpolitics]

Compared to Gore in 2000, Kerry is down substantially in the mid west in states like WI, IA, PA, and even in NJ and MD.  Yet he is consistently polling better in MI than Gore did in 2000.  One part of the answer maybe the Muslim vote, from favoring Bush by 11% in 2000, a recent poll show they favor Kerry by 69%!

http://www.politics1.com/

[Sam Spade]

The economy there might have something to do with it.

[MODU]

PA and NJ are "midwest?"

[Light Touch]

Economy and union support.  While union strength has trailed off in many parts of the country, MI is not one of those places.

[CARLHAYDEN]

Kerry isn't doing as well in Michigan as the public polls suggest.

[zorkpolitics]

PA and NJ are "midwest?"

Well at least near the midwest, still they are strong Gore states that Kerry is doing poorly in

[dazzleman]

I think that Michigan is a cross between a rust belt state like Ohio and a socially liberal state like New York or Illinois.

A big political shift has occurred in older suburbs, which have largely switched from Republican to Democrat since 1988.  Even affluent suburbs that used to vote Republican have switched to Democratic.

This has moved New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and California firmly into the Democratic column.  New York was always a Democratic-leaning state, but it used to be much tighter.  Connecticut frequently went Republican in presidential elections when the Fairfield County suburbs were strongly Republican.

Michigan probably has been affected by these trends, as well as economic liberalism linked to continued loyalty to unions and industrial-type jobs.  I always did wonder, however, how a state so dependent on the auto industry could vote for a man who advocated doing away with the internal combustion engine...

[Nym90]

I think that Michigan is a cross between a rust belt state like Ohio and a socially liberal state like New York or Illinois.

A big political shift has occurred in older suburbs, which have largely switched from Republican to Democrat since 1988.  Even affluent suburbs that used to vote Republican have switched to Democratic.

This has moved New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Illinois and California firmly into the Democratic column.  New York was always a Democratic-leaning state, but it used to be much tighter.  Connecticut frequently went Republican in presidential elections when the Fairfield County suburbs were strongly Republican.

Michigan probably has been affected by these trends, as well as economic liberalism linked to continued loyalty to unions and industrial-type jobs.  I always did wonder, however, how a state so dependent on the auto industry could vote for a man who advocated doing away with the internal combustion engine...

Indeed, Republicans were certain that issue would sink Gore in Michigan. However, the UAW vote was strongly for him (and had a good turnout...the UAW get Election Day off as a paid holiday), and he also won the wealthy suburbs of Oakland County. It's almost impossible for a Republican to win Michigan if they don't win Oakland County.