"No sleep, no
sleep," was the cry of supporters and Democratic leaders at a "Get
Out the Vote rally," Saturday.
"You are going to be on the street," said Michigan Attorney General
Jennifer Granholm. "We will not rest until victory on Tuesday."
Granholm said every Democrat must work overtime since Michigan is a key state
this year’s election.
"We’re here because Michigan is ground zero," she said. "This
is really where people’s one vote can make a difference."
"The stakes could not be higher," said House Democratic Leader
Michael Hanley.
Hanley introduced the speakers who included Granholm, Sue Smith, democratic
candidate for State Representative for the 99th District; former attorney
general Frank Kelly, former U.S. Sen. Don Reigle and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin.
Approximately 50 to 60 people gathered in Warriner Mall.
Granholm said students should vote for Smith because her opponent, incumbent
Sandy Caul, voted in favor of mandatory voting in townships where students
are registered to vote.
"We’re making history next Tuesday," Levin said.
Levin said he and U.S. Senate Democratic candidate Debbie Stabenow, who was
at the rally, agree on voter concerns.
"She’s with me on the issues and more importantly she’s with you on the
issues," he said.
Levin attributed the positive aspects of today’s economy and low employment
rate to Democratic leadership.
Reigle said of the rally, "What it’s really all about are moments just
like these."
Social Security and new supreme court justices were two critical issues, Reigle
said.
"Social Security is a federal program," he said, presidential
candidate George W. Bush needs to realize this. (Social Security) is one of
the most important things Americans have done," Reigle said.
A trillion dollars cannot be taken out of Social Security and spent on other
things, he said.
"Who is on the Supreme Court does matter," Reigle said.
The race in Michigan this year could be decided by 10, 15 or 20 votes, Reigle
said.
Considering the presidential race is a close one, Reigle said the attendees
of the rally have the power to decide who will sit in the White House.
Frank Kelly, former Michigan attorney general, said when Social Security was
passed, only one republican voted in favor of it, and yet Republicans still
say they will fix the Social Security system.
"That is like being in the hospital really sick and the funeral director
comes and says, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you’," he said.
Hanley said accusations against Sue Smith in Caul’s campaign ads are false.
"Aren’t you glad those accusations are false and Sue Smith is running an
issue (oriented) campaign?" he said.
"OK folks, we know the issues," Smith said when she took the stand.

Education, patients’ bill of rights and the cost of prescription drugs, were
the issues to which Smith referred.
"We know what we need to do, let’s go out and do it," she said.
Gilda Jacobs, assistant floor leader, said she was wearing army green because
there is a war going on.
"I feel that we are in guerrilla warfare right now," she said.
Sandy Caul and her "cohorts" made it more difficult for students to
vote, she said.
"We’re going to search out every democrat and bring them to the polls
and then we’re going to destroy the Republicans," Jacobs said.
"People died for us to have the country we have today," he said.
"We Democrats know how to work," said Kwami Kilpatrick, Democratic
floor leader.
Mike Plutschuck, College Democrats president and Fraser sophomore, said he
attended the rally because "I want to make sure the Democrats win on Tuesday.

"Who is in office now is doing a bad job, it’s hard for us to vote right
now."
Grand Rapids senior Melissa Gill, vice president of College Democrats, said,
"Central Michigan needs Sue Smith in the House to fight for students
because she generally cares."

E-mail the author: Dorothy BourdetLIFE Staff Writer