G4G talking points for 08/29

TUESDAY, AUGUST 29 (70 Days until Victory 2006)

“It’s been challenging for us, but unbelievably inspiring for me certainly and I think our whole team to watch Jennifer day in and day out, determined, optimistic, strategic, sticking to a plan. “ – Governor Granholm’s husband, Dan Mulhern, in the introductory video played at the Democratic State Convention on Saturday. Click here to watch the video...http://www.granholmforgov.com/site/PageServer?pagename=convention2006_alt

Venture Michigan Fund: Governor Granholm announced that a special investment fund to spur technology start-ups is now beginning to disburse $200 million to companies that will create jobs in Michigan. It’s another part of her comprehensive jobs plan, and it is getting Michigan back on track.


Another Deceptive DeVos Attack Ad: Dick DeVos released an ad over the weekend that features Grand Rapids businessman Jim Zawacki who says he has faced difficulty growing his company because of… unfair trade policies carried out by the Bush administration.


DeVos is the Problem, Not the Solution: As head of Amway, DeVos lobbied for the very policies that are hurting Michigan manufacturers like Zawacki so that he could invest in China. Click here to read the full truth behind the ad…http://www.granholmforgov.com/site/PageNavigator/truthsquad


More Poll Numbers: Two new polls were released yesterday, a Strategic Vision poll showing Governor Granholm leading 48% - 43% and a Wall Street Journal Poll showing the Governor up 50.8% to 43.6%. Of course all that matters is the vote on November 7, but these numbers may explain why DeVos has gone on the attack in recent weeks.


Headlines from Around the State

Ann Arbor News: New fund likely to benefit city, U-M / Money to be invested in early-stage technology firms
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in a statement that the initiative "opens doors to good-paying jobs for the future'' and puts Michigan ahead of other states in supporting new technology start-ups, an important part of diversifying the state's economy. The fund is viewed as a needed boost for Michigan's venture capital market, which is described by some as vibrant but still in its embryonic stage. There are 15 venture capital firms in the state, managing $500 million with about $50 million available for investment. Seven of those firms are located in Ann Arbor… "This is wonderful. This is so huge,'' said Jan Garfinkle, president of the Michigan Venture Capital Association, a trade group representing the state's venture capital and private equity investors. Garfinkle is also is founder and managing partner of Arboretum Ventures, an Ann Arbor-based venture capital firm that invests in early-stage life science and health care companies. "It's a wonderful, wonderful program that will have a significant impact on Michigan's economy and Michigan's entrepreneurial economy in particular.''
Click here to read the full story...http://www.mlive.com/enter/index.ssf?/news/aanews/index.ssf%3f/base/news-19/1156776066296300.xml&coll=2

Michigan Citizen: Michigan governor asks judge to keep affirmative action
Gov. Jennifer Granholm has thrown her support behind a federal lawsuit to keep affirmative action as state law. She joins the effort to keep the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative's anti-affirmative action proposal off the state ballot in November. The lawsuit was filed by Operation King's Dream, Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, two union locals and signers of petitions for the proposal. The Detroit City Council, the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus, Keep the Vote No Takeover, and the Arab-American Anti Discrimination Committee among others have passed resolutions supporting the suit. In a brief filed Aug. 14, Granholm asked Tarnow to conclude "that the MCRI campaign was designed to deceive targeted Michigan voters-especially African American and Latino voters- into supporting an initiative they passionately oppose... To allow this initiative to remain on the ballot pollutes our voting system and undermines the freedom of political choice that necessarily accompanies the right to vote."
Click here to read the full story... http://www.frostillustrated.com/news/2006/0830/News/007.html

great post sharon

All I did was cut and paste the G4G e-mail I got today. I'll be doing this daily from now until the election so everyone here can keep up with the governor's talking points.