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Posted on Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6 a.m.

A quick review of AnnArbor.com's endorsements in Tuesday's election

By Tony Dearing

AnnArbor.com over the past several weeks has made endorsements in a number of races for Tuesday’s election. Here’s a quick rundown:

Governor: Republican Rick Snyder - "We don’t think he has all the answers - or even claims to have all the answers. But in this election, we do think he offers the kind of change that Michigan is ready for, and that Michigan needs. We endorse Rick Snyder for governor in November."

15th Congressional District: Democrat John Dingell - “ … his accomplishments and his dedication are epic, and we don’t find that (Rob) Steele has made the case for replacing him. We endorse Dingell for another term, understanding that his future longevity depends very much on the actual accomplishments he demonstrates over the next two years and not on his laurels.”

State Senate 18th District: Democrat Rebekah Warren - “Warren has been particularly strong in her work on issues of taxation and the environment, including her efforts on the Great Lakes Compact. Her record and her experience clearly demonstrate that she would serve us well in the Senate.”

52nd state House District: Republican Mark Ouimet - “His body of work as a public servant demonstrates that he is well qualified to serve us in Lansing and can help bring about real change there. We endorse Mark Ouimet for the 52nd District House seat.”

54th District State House District: Democrat David Rutledge - “He has strong experience in local government and a history of bipartisan dealings. Both qualities will be essential in the next Legislature, as will a commitment to structural change in state government.”

55th District State House District: Republican Rick Olson - “The semi-retired attorney and business manager has clearly studied the issues facing the state and, like Rutledge, has vowed not to shy away from the difficult decisions that have to be made in Lansing.”

Ann Arbor mayor: Democrat John Hieftje - “Have the mayor’s accomplishments earned him another term? We believe they have, and we endorse him for re-election.”

Ann Arbor City Council 5th Ward: Independent Newcombe Clark - “ … we think City Council would benefit from another perspective and a more progressive voice. Clark has a strong grasp of issues, an impressive resume of community involvement and an eye toward Ann Arbor’s future.”

Ann Arbor City Council 2nd Ward: Democrat Tony Derezenski - “ … we find that Derezinski has been an effective council member who deserves another term. We endorse him for re-election in the 2nd Ward.”

Ballot issues

Natural Areas Preservation Program millage renewal: Vote yes - “The award-winning program has been a fiscal and environmental success, and a model for other communities. … For a county resident owning a home valued at $200,000, this millage costs $25 a year. That is a small price to pay for the benefits we all have realized through the land already preserved.”

Proposal 1 to convene a state constitutional convention: Vote no - “Tempting as it is to hope that 148 citizen servants could disappear into a room for several months and fix Michigan's problems, the risk of a convention going off the rails is every bit as real. That's a risk we don't recommend taking right now.”

Proposal 2, amend the state Constitution to prohibit someone from being elected or appointed to state or local office if that person has been convicted of a felony in the past 20 years involving dishonesty or breach of public trust.: Vote no - “ … the issue it raises is a narrow one, far too narrow to justify a constitutional amendment. The purpose of a Constitution is to define broad rights and responsibilities. A concern this specific should be addressed in the legislative process.”

Comments

M.

Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 8:13 a.m.

Do Not Taunt - You've confused me. Almost all of the things that David suggested were increased taxes, elimination of subsidies, and some closures. He didn't ASK for ANYTHING for "free"...those were suggestions on how to fund the things that you are calling free. And do you know who Karl Marx even is? He definitely never believed anything to be free...he is the one who noted that business owners (bourgeoisie) make all of the profit and exploit the workers (proletariat) for their own gain. Workers do not own the means for production, so their only option to survive in capitalist society is to sell their labor.

mike from saline

Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 7:02 a.m.

What do you say we just vote! I can't wait until tomorrow.

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

Mon, Nov 1, 2010 : 5:35 a.m.

The 'Something for nothing crowd' strikes again. David - And after free health care - why not free mansions for everyone, and big screen tv's, and free everything. Contrary to what you believe - you are not entitled to free (___________ fill in benefit here). Jobs are not free, health care is not free, housing is not free, food is not free. Regardless of what Marx taught you. And as for Golf - in April "President Barack Obama has played golf 32 times since he took office, eight more than his predecessor George W. Bush" - see you at the country club.

David Briegel

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 7:43 p.m.

Greggy, Where to start? Since 1980 the top 5% have accumulated more wealth than previously existed. Ponder that first! They and we may be able to afford some of the following: End all subsidies to the Perpetual War Profiteers. (Eisenhower was only half right. Even he never envisioned this criminal conspiracy!) Military Bases im more than 100 countries. Close about 40%. Support The Troops, Bring Them Home! We could close more than 300 military installations in the 48 states. Let the oil pay for the rebuilding of Iraq as promised. And let the heroin we consume in America pay to rebuild Afghanistan. Do you even know why everywhere we go the drug problem follow us? Opium laced hashish for our soldiers? How do you think that happened? Legalize Pot and tax it. If Pfizer had a patent on either, they would already be legal! Tax the unregulated and the untaxed hedge fund billionaires. The top 25 made over a billion each, TAX FREE. Don't you wish YOUR IRA and 401k was unregulated and untaxed? End the farm and tobacco subsidies. Ask the Orange Man from Ohio about the checks he handed out on the floor of the Peoples House to "buy better govt". After all, we do believe in the "free market". Don't we? And Greggy, I'll bet you could think of even more ways to fund something as basic and civilized as a solution to the problems you have referred to now in several posts!

Greggy_D

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 4:39 p.m.

And how do you propose to fund single payer, David?

David Briegel

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 4:27 p.m.

GreggyD, That is precisely why America needs single payer! Medicare for all!

Greggy_D

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:51 p.m.

"Everything." Want to talk about wrong? How about what essentially worked out to a $4000 pay cut for me next year because of Dingell and his Health Care Law. My deductibles skyrocketed, my co-pays jumped, my coverage went down, and my premiums went through the roof. I'm going to pay $4000 more for my health care out of my pocket next year because of that law. $4000 that would have gone into the local economy but now will not. Explain to me how this is good for my situation?

PersonX

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:44 p.m.

Everyone should look at every candidate without all the hype and slogans and make up their own mind. These endorsements are meaningless; as I wrote earlier, they represent the personal opinions of THREE connected people, who happen to make money in the blog business. The very idea of this "editorial board" acting like a major newspaper is quite silly and pompous. Nuff said...

David Cahill

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:34 p.m.

Everything.

Greggy_D

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:27 p.m.

"Young and energetic and wrong. Energy is a negative when it's on the wrong side." Wrong about what?

David Briegel

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:25 p.m.

DoNotTaunt, Clearing brush is better? How? I'll bet you don't have a clue how many rounds shrub played! And, it two years, YOU will have a huge case of buyers remorse! Rod, Ed Pierce was a great man and a good friend. He is the main reason I pay any attention to this bloodsport. Bill Frist owned a business that made MILLIONS off of that evil, SOCIALIST gubbermint the Republicans all hate! No hypocrisy there? That was how he lived down to his "hypocratic" oath! Daniel, I find their endorsement of Snyder and Ouimet the most hypocritical! They have supported both all along! Neither is worthy!

Do not taunt Happy Fun Ball

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:55 a.m.

The 'Democrat Thrashing' this Tuesday will show that newspaper endorsements in general are a waste of time. This election was over before it started! Snyder has never polled under 50% and Virg has never polled over 38%. Dingle is running the race of his life, even has hit pieces out on Steele! - America does not like the "pass the bill so you know what is in it" mentality of Congress.. And "President Obama has played 52 rounds of golf in less than two years in office" - while the US is in a recession is pretty bad as well. Voters are not happy with that.

God Loves Us All

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 11:08 a.m.

Why do papers or news associates endorse any one as it shows a bias in there reporting of the news.......

Rod Johnson

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:52 a.m.

Young and energetic and wrong. Energy is a negative when it's on the wrong side. And I know Steele wants voters to see the fact that he's an MD as a qualification, but, really, who cares? Ed Pierce was a doctor, and I doubt that swayed his many detractors around here (not me, I thought he was great). Bill Frist was a doctor, and it didn't stop him from being one of the worst members of Congress.

Speechless

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:41 a.m.

Both in the endorsements listed above and — much more importantly — in the election coverage so far today, one hears a deafening silence in regard to statewide contests other than the race for governor. On a perusal of the home page headlines, on would not realize that Michigan voters are called upon to vote for Attorney General, Secretary of State, the state Supreme Court, regents for select universities, and so on. I can't help but consider that this comprises a quiet strategy to aid the full slate of Republican candidates for statewide offices and, to a lesser degree, those running for technically non-partisan state offices with GOP support. By singularly focusing on the contest for governor, where Snyder enjoys a large lead in the polls, this news site may hope to assist in creating traditional political 'coattails' for the other statewide Republican candidates downticket. This is significant, given that the various other statewide races are currently expected to be highly competitive. Since neither state party seems to hold anything resembling a clear edge in these 'second-tier' contests, a narrow focus on the race for governor — where the GOP does hold a big advantage — can build momentum that indirectly assists other Republican candidates. By keeping 'swing' voters dimly aware of other statewide candidates, some will more likely vote Republican down the line based on support for Snyder over Bernero. Other GOP candidates, however, may fall much farther to the political right and couldn't gain this support if voters were more aware of who they are and where they really stand. Well, maybe we'll see home page headlines covering the "lesser" statewide races by sometime tonight or tomorrow. Yet right now is the time when the greatest number of readers will look for full election information.

Daniel

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:29 a.m.

I find the Ann Arbor News endorsement of Dingell over Rob Steele to be extraordinarly short sighted. Dingell has had 55 years and is in his eighties. The flat statement the News doesn't think Rob Steele has made a case for replacing him without any elaboration on where they find weak when they could be passing up an opportunity to put a professional doctor in Congress who is young and energetic is an unjustified kick in pants for someone who obviously is committed to work hard for Michigan. Big mistake!