Jason Says Vote, Michigan!

Candidates: 

• Congressman Gary Peters (D): U.S. Representative (2009-present), Commissioner, MI State Lottery, MI State Senator (1994-2002), Rochester Hills, MI Councilman (1991-1994) Senate campaign site. 
• Fmr. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R): Former Michigan Sec. State (2003-2010). Senate campaign website.

Jason's Bottom Line:

• This is an election for the open Senate seat being vacated by Senator Carl Levin. Peters is the favorite - and has been polling strong. I'm not going to delve into an in depth analysis here - I just want to make sure that my Michigan friends get out there and vote!!
• Gary Peters is a long-time Michigan Congressman - proving himself adept at working with both parties to find commonsense solutions to even the most difficult problems. 
• Terri Lynn Land is a far-right candidate who is absolutely wrong for Michigan families. She is anti-abortion, anti-gay marriage, would have voted to keep the government shuttered because the Republican-forced cuts weren't devastating enough, opposed the auto-bailout that saved Detroit, and is generally of the opinion that the federal government has no role in our daily lives (except your uterus and my bedroom...)

Bipartisanship/Willingness to Work Across the Aisle

This is a big one for me as I deal with Congress every day for work. The willingness of a member to bridge the partisan divide is so important to get anything done. The super-partisanship of Washington is the reason that Congress is dysfunctional and has the lowest approval ratings ever.

• Gary Peters: Peters has a proven track record as a center-of-the-road advocate for the middle class in Michigan. He works well with both parties - and isn't concerned with who gets credit for what. At the end of the day - the people of Michigan are lucky to have Gary Peters fighting for them.
• Terri Lynn Land: EEK! She can't seem to say a single nice thing about a Democrat. If she were elected, she would be one of the more far-right Senators, and wouldn't be likely to work across the aisle to get things done.
• Winner: Gary Peters
• Gary Peters has spent his career working for Michigan families - and I know he will continue to work hard to find bi-partisan solutions to problems in the Senate.

Lightening Round:

Economy:

Raising the Minimum Wage?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - Opposes proposed increase to $10.10, but would consider a smaller increase

Extending Unemployment Insurance beyond 26 weeks?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - Yes

Did you support the Federal Auto Industry Bailout?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - No, industry should have been supported with private capital

Education:

Do you support refinancing student loans at lower rates?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - Unknown

Gay Marriage:

Do you support same-sex marriage?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - No, marriage is between one man and one woman.

Healthcare:

Do you support repealing the ACA?

• Peters - No, but there are adjustments that need to be made.
• Land - Yes

Did you support shutting down the government in order to defund Obamacare in 2013?

• Peters - No
• Land - Yes

Did you support reopening the government?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - No, the bill lacked sufficient spending cuts

Social Issues:

Should abortion be highly restricted?

• Peters - No
• Land - Yes

Should employers be able to withhold contraceptive coverage from employees if they disagree with it morally?

• Peters - No
• Land - Unknown

Should Planned Parenthood receive public funds for non-abortion related health services?

• Peters - Yes
• Land - Unknown