Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed a bill today which sets Michigan's the primary date to January 15. This makes it the first primary and third nominating contest, behind caucuses for Wyoming Republicans on Jan. 5 and for both parties Jan. 14 in Iowa.
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"An early Michigan primary can lead to greater emphasis on issues that matter to all Americans," Granholm said in a statement released to the media. "We want candidates to talk about how they plan to enforce trade policies that are so critical to our manufacturers, the need for universal access to affordable health care, and how they plan to reduce our nations dependence on foreign oil. In short, Michigan voters want to hear how every candidate will confront the issues that are so critical to our state and that he or she will face as president."
Granholm also said the state's move to a January 15 date "is final."
So, now that Florida and Michigan are both breaking the rules, do you think the DNC will stick with it's claim to penalize their delegates? Particularly with Michigan being such a large union state given it's deep roots in the auto industry (and thus the UAW)?