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The Nerd vs. the Angry Mayor – Virg Bernero and Rick Snyder Take the Stage

What an explosive day in Michigan politics. Careers, even dynasties, were destroyed. The governor's race experienced more ups and downs than anyone could have ever predicted. The victors were both candidates who were polling terribly at the start. GOP Rick Snyder. I voted for him and it paid off. Hardcore conservatives hate him, often vilifying him for being too liberal or a RINO (Republican in name only). To be clear, however, he is pro-life and fiscally conservative. Apparently, even if you are conservative, you mustn't deviate from driving the most conservative agenda you possibly can down voters mouths. Snyder's victory is stunning, considering he bounced back from polling at a mere 3% in November of 2009.  However, it wasn't cheap by any stretch - I've heard figures ranging from $5-6 million. The bottom line is that Rick Snyder is not a career politician, something all of the other GOP candidates are tacitly guilty of.  It was hard not voting for Hoekstra as having a governor from West Michigan would be terrific. I couldn't get over the fact that he went back on his promise to drop out eventually. Mike Cox, despite his endorsements, couldn't pull it off. I was honestly telling people that Cox probably had it in the bag. I guess I was wrong. It wouldn't be the first time. The question looking forward is whether or not Snyder can retain his favor with independents and moderates. I'm betting he can. The big question, however, looking forward is if Republicans, after nearly eight years of bitching and moaning about Granholm, can suck it up and stick with Snyder despite their misgivings. Democrats When John Cherry withdrew, two candidates capitalized almost instantly: Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon, the speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives. In February Virg Bernero was polling at 8% behind Dan Kildee, a former treasurer of Gennessee County, and Andy Dillon. An EPIC-MRA poll conducted from June 12th-15th showed Bernero down 10% in a head-to-head match with Dillon. As Bernero established himself as the union candidate - with $2 million in union funded TV ads - things began to change quickly for him in the final stretch. An EPIC-MRA poll saw the once presumptive nominee Dillon trailing Bernero by 8% in a poll conducted on July 28th. Bernero handily crushed Dillon 59-41%.