Griffin Forum discusses campaigns, localizes national issues
President of Marketing Resource Group Inc. Tom Shields said Republican presidential candidate John McCain's campaign lift out of Michigan will hurt his chances in the state.
"Why would you announce to people that you're leaving?" Shields asked. "Frankly, it doesn't make any sense."
The fall Griffin Policy Forum featured journalists, pollsters and the Michigan Democratic Party chair to discuss the 2008 presidential race, ballot proposals and Congress.
"Election 2008: What will happen November 4th and how will the results impact Michigan?" was held before an audience of more than 300 people Wednesday in Warriner Hall's Plachta Auditorium.
Panelists included Shields, Chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party Mark Brewer, Detroit News Lansing Bureau Chief Charlie Cain, Detroit Free Press Editorial Page Editor Ron Dzwonkowski and Director of the Michigan Education Association Government Affairs Department Ed Sarpolus.
Some of the panelists agreed with Shields' claim about McCain's campaign.
"He should not have publicly announced that he was leaving the state," Brewer said. "He should have gradually pulled out."
Sarpolus said McCain could still win Michigan.
"If John McCain could get around 55 percent of the white vote, he could offset the minority vote," he said.
Sarpolus said senior citizens voting for McCain could also help.
Saul Anuzis, chair of the Michigan Republican Party, canceled his visit to sit on the panel.
Griffin Endowed Chair Gary Peters said Anuzis canceled without an explanation.
"His press person sent an e-mail," Peters said. "We tried contacting him, but we didn't hear back."
Moderator Tim Skubick, anchor and producer of WKAR's Off the Record, began the forum by asking panelists if polls were interfering with media coverage of the important issues.
"We may have too many polls that don't get at what people are thinking," Dzwonkowski said. "This daily horse race stuff is pretty useless."
Cain said newspapers still have been giving a great deal of information. However, newspapers have only a limited amount of time to grab the reader's attention.
Skubick also questioned panelists on the significance of charisma versus experience in the race.
"When people want to denigrate (Democratic presidential candidate) Barack Obama, they say he is charismatic," Brewer said. "He is an effective communicator."
Dzwonkowski said both are essential to a president.
"You need charisma to win, and experience to run the country," he said.
Audience members questioned panelists about Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin's effect on McCain's campaign, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Biden, gas prices and Obama's association with the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, which allegedly registered phony voters.
Dewitt junior Rob Hayes said he usually attends the forums to get a local take on politics.
"They're usually Michigan politicians," Hayes said. "So it's different from watching CNN."
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