Susan Demas
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Susan J. Demas: Why primaries are the death of humor

What is it about primaries that drive people crazy?

Sure, there’s the theory that “politics makes us stupid,” as Vox’s Ezra Klein put it -- i.e. the more information partisans receive on an issue, the more that ends up reinforcing their previous position.

But I would suggest that presidential primaries are the death of humor. If you don’t believe me, you may have made the wise choice to stay off social media for the last 18 months.

There’s always going to be that one “friend” who responds to any post -- photos of your kids, the death of a relative -- with a monologue about their favored candidate, typically ending with #FeeltheBern or #MakeAmericaGreatAgain.

You should probably unfriend that person immediately.

Susan J. Demas: In Michigan, Trump actually played second fiddle to Sanders

Bernie Sanders managed to steal the spotlight from Donald Trump last week -- and not just in “Saturday Night Live” skits.

Sanders began drawing screaming crowds last year, not unlike Trump (though without the violence), but his rallies have barely been a blip in TV coverage. In contrast, Trump’s events have been regularly carried live on cable news, which already awarded him wildly disproportionate coverage for his stunts of the week (insulting Fox News host Megyn Kelly, refusing to debate, savaging “Little Marco” Rubio, etc.).

But Michigan changed all that -- at least for a night. Sanders’ stunning, poll-defying win in the Democratic primary grabbed all the headlines on March 8, handing Trump the unfamiliar status of second billing.

Susan J. Demas: What did Michigan get out of the presidential primary circus?

Susan J. Demas: What did Michigan get out of the presidential primary circus?

 

The presidential circus has finally packed up and left Michigan for greener, vote-rich pastures like Ohio and Florida. So what did we really get out of two debates, dozens of candidate events and endless TV ads?

Well, for one thing, big, contested elections are a nice –– albeit short-lived –– shot in the arm to certain sectors of Michigan’s economy. That’s something I’m conscious of as a business owner. I know most people don’t care, however, as they’re tired of enduring traffic jams from candidate rallies and annoying commercials.

Susan J. Demas: I got the Michigan Democratic primary wrong. Here's how Sanders pulled it off

Bernie Sanders' victory in Michigan was the biggest electoral surprise so far of the 2016 election season. It's the kind of unbelievable, conventional-wisdom-defying upset that makes covering elections so much fun. 

And I called it wrong.

I know Michigan well. The polls were clear. Five Thirty Eight, the highly influential election analysis site, put Clinton's chances at greater than 99 percent. Most Democratic voters I talked to felt Sanders' vision was too pie-in-the-sky and Hillary Clinton was the strongest general election candidate.

I was wrong. As I said on the radio this morning, "I'm here to fall on my sword."

Susan J. Demas: Why isn't Bernie Sanders' economic message resonating in Michigan?

Why isn’t Bernie Sanders doing better in Michigan?

His economic message should be a slam dunk in our Rust Belt state. Sanders inveighs until he’s hoarse against free trade agreements like NAFTA, Wall Street robber barons and the growing gap between rich and poor.

Sanders is playing to folks who have suffered through a decade-long recession and watched helplessly as thousands of good-paying manufacturing jobs were shipped overseas.

Susan J. Demas: We know who's going to win Michigan's primary. So let's talk about issues

As a Michigan pundit, I’m supposed to tell you that our presidential primary next week is going to change everything. I’m supposed to tell you it’s going to be a nail-biter.

Just like I was supposed to tell you last year that Gov. Rick Snyder was totally going to run for president (and win!).

There’s a often a bit of home-team cheerleading in political analysis and journalism, just as there is in sports reporting. That’s because we know the players and the game –– and tend to overestimate their significance. And, if we’re being honest, a lot of journalists love the idea of playing “expert” on national TV. (I’ve done it plenty of times, and yes, it can be fun).

Susan J. Demas: Insider vs. Outsider: Could the Democratic gubernatorial race come down to Gretchen Whitmer and Dan Kildee?

f you were to poll Lansing insiders, most would probably say that Gretchen Whitmer will be the Democrats’ next nominee for governor.

In 2010, she made history as the first woman elected to lead a state Senate caucus. Whitmer took on the unenviable role as leader of the loyal opposition in a government completely controlled by Republicans. Her fiery floor speeches blasting Right to Work as “sexist” and railing against “Vaginagate,” when two female lawmakers were barred from speaking on an abortion bill, earned her coverage from cable news.

In total, Whitmer served 14 years in the Legislature (all in the minority), so she’s a known quantity with the Capitol press corps. Her roots in Lansing go back much further, even though she spent some of her childhood in Grand Rapids. Whitmer’s late mother, Sherry, served as an assistant attorney general under Frank Kelley, and her father, Dick, was a Commerce Department director under Gov. William Milliken.

Susan J. Demas: Brian Calley Facing Uphill Battle to Succeed Rick Snyder in 2018

In the years leading up to the 2010 election, it was a given that Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s No. 2 would be the Democrats’ nominee to succeed her. But after struggling with fundraising (or at least keeping what he raised in the bank) and being dogged by the increasing possibility of a contested primary, Cherry folded his campaign.

At first blush, Calley looks far better positioned to follow in the footsteps of his boss, Gov. Rick Snyder. The governor has tasked him with leading high-profile priorities like cutting business taxes (a big winner with the GOP donor base), but has also given Calley the freedom to pursue his own agenda, like improving mental health care. The LG is a staple at news conferences and bill signings, signifying his status as a true partner with Snyder.

That’s more than the long-suffering Cherry was ever allowed, as Granholm’s star power eclipsed him time and time again. Many voters had no idea who Cherry was, despite his decades of public service.

Susan J. Demas: Trump still thumps GOP competition in Michigan. Can anyone catch him?

If you've seen his red-faced rallies, Donald Trump doesn’t have much use for the opinions of anyone who disagrees with him.

That now goes for Iowans, who handed the braggadocious billionaire a crushing second-place finish last week.

But it looks like Michigan Republicans might just agree with Trump. While many pundits were smugly writing The Donald's political obituary and lavishing attention on "establishment" sensation Marco Rubio –– who was sure to set the race right in New Hampshire today ––  Trump has still topped many polls.

Susan J. Demas: What pundits are trying to sell you (and won't tell you) about the Iowa caucuses

The Iowa caucuses were a victory for pundits. But many will continue to mislead about what's really going on this election –– or be oblivious to its realities.

OK, Monday night certainly didn't pan out for those predicting a coronation for our not-so-benevolent wannabe dictator Donald Trump. Iowa voters treated analysts skeptical of the billionaire Republican's true appeal to a healthy heaping of schadenfreude.

But, as usual, the two main storylines emerging from the Hawkeye State (where I lived for 10 years) reflected long-established conventional wisdom. The first is that Marco Rubio really won the GOP contest (not Ted Cruz, the actual winner) by beating expectations by finishing third (and almost defeating Trump). The second is that Hillary Clinton's near-death experience with Bernie Sanders proves she's facing a Herculean task in winning the Democratic nomination.