Michigan:
How can you tell the new governor from the old one?

Nov 25, 2002

Democrat Jennifer Granholm won the Michigan governorship. Voters rejected Richard Posthumus, who promised to carry on the policies of Republican Governor John Engler.

Governor Engler left behind an increasing "shortfall" in the state budget. In an interview, Governor-elect Granholm was asked how she planned to correct that deficit. For example, the interviewer asked if she planned to cancel a tax cut that is scheduled to take effect in January.

Ms. Granholm replied that she intends to allow the tax cut. She said, in regard to making up the deficit, that "we will just have to figure ways to be more economical in the way we provide services."In other words, this new governor stands for more tax breaks for corporations, less money spent on citizens, and more cutbacks in the ranks of the state employees who provide those services.

Those voters who thought they would get a different type of governor by electing a Democrat – soon discovered that they just got a different wolf in sheep's clothing.