Some think Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan hasn't done enough chest-pounding and made enough public declarations that he's for Democratic candidate Mark Schauer for governor.
Duggan says he's behind Schauer. In fact, he declared support before a throng of union members during Labor Day festivities in downtown Detroit.
Nancy Kaffer of the Detroit Free Press, citing consultants in both parties, writes that Duggan's support of Schauer is essential for the Democrat to snatch the throne from Republican incumbent, Gov. Rick Snyder.
She writes:
Yet Detroit is the state’s largest single repository of Democratic votes, and for the odds to turn in Schauer’s favor, he’s got to get every Dem vote possible. That makes Duggan’s support essential — so say consultants on both sides of the aisle.
She goes on to quote political consultant Howard Edelson, president of the Edelson Group.
“Mayor Duggan is the key to success in the city of Detroit, both in turnout and delivering Detroit to Mark Schauer,” Edelson said.
She writes that Duggan has told her that he's coordinating with Democratic Party, campaigning for Schauer and helping to raise money for get-out-the-vote efforts.
She notes that in 1990, incumbent Gov. Jim Blanchard lost to challenger John Engler by 17,000 votes, and it was no secret that Detroit Mayor Coleman Young had no love for Blanchard and didn't campaign for him. She suggests that had Young gotten out the vote, the results could have been different.
-- Allan Lengel
