Two Western Michigan University Political Science Professors say Hillary Clinton’s very conventional campaign against Donald Trump’s unorthodox bid for the White House offers an interesting contrast for the fall.
WMU Professors Peter Wielhouwer and John Clark joined WMUK to discuss the race with the Republican convention just completed, and the Democrats’ about to start.
Wielhouwer says Hillary Clinton has an advantage in money and organization in Michigan that represents running a campaign the way that experts say it should be done. Clark says sometimes the governor of a state can help a candidate, but Rick Snyder is “damaged goods” right now because of the Flint water crisis. And Wielhouwer adds that Snyder is keeping Trump at arm’s length right now. But Clark says Trump has been playing by “a different set of rules” throughout the campaign.
Elected Republicans in Michigan have varied in their response to Donald Trump’s campaign for President. Clark says it will be interesting to see how Republicans respond to Trump if he campaigns in Michigan. But he says it’s not clear how much difference that makes in a highly unusual campaign like Trump’s. Wielhouwer says each Republican candidate will have to weigh the risk and reward of appearing with Trump. He says more conservative, unknown candidates may be more likely to align themselves with the GOP Presidential nominee.
Michigan lawmakers approved a law that would eliminate the straight ticket option on fall election ballots. A federal judge struck down the law last week. Wielhouwer says that coudl be a significant factor for 'down ballot races." He says Trump voters tend to be “lower information” voters who may be more inclined to vote straight ticket. But Clark says that depends on if Trump is seen as leading the Republican party or just seen as “Trump.”
