Gubernatorial debate becomes one-man discussion

State Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo, will take the stage Tuesday as the only gubernatorial candidate still attending Campus Conservatives’ planned debate.

Since Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard dropped out Friday morning, the debate planned for 7 p.m. Tuesday in Warriner Hall’s Plachta Auditorium will move to the Bovee University Center’s Lake Michigan Room.

It is a change that Bryant Greiner, Campus Conservatives president and Hart junior, said is “due to lack of interest from governor candidates.”

George said he is shocked more candidates do not take interest in a debate such as Tuesday’s.

“I just think that’s a shame that they aren’t eager to go to college campuses,” George said.

Greiner said college students have the most at stake for the election since they will live with the results for the longest.

Ted Prill, Bouchard’s campaign manager, said Bouchard could not attend because of a scheduling conflict. Other candidates not attending include Attorney General Mike Cox, U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, and Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder.

With about 150 events a week, Bouchard just could not fit the debate into his schedule despite what they thought at first, Prill said.

“It’s whatever is the best use of his time and fits all the campaign,” he said.

Topics of interest

George said he will not stand up and speak for an hour. He envisions the presentation as more of an open discussion.

“I think it will be very important for me to make this a forum. I’m going to be a good listener,” he said. “I will take advantage of the opportunity to give some background on the state budget.”

George wants to explain why his plan for the state will work and makes sense.

He also plans to touch on health care. He realizes this might not be immediately relevant, but it needs to be mentioned, he said.

Republicans had the right to say no to the health care proposal in Washington, he said, but they do need to have an answer on health care.

With 1.3 million people uninsured in Michigan, he said he wants to discuss what can be done in Michigan to address the health care problem.

George also wants to inform the audience about another item on November’s ballot — a question on whether to draft a new Michigan constitution.

That comes up every 16 years, he said.

“If you want to make major reform in Michigan … This is one way to do it,” George said.