'Michigan Matters' Focus On 2016: Candidate Snyder & Trump -- Peas in a Pod?
By CBS Detroit
Is GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump borrowing a page from candidate Rick Snyder during his inaugural run for governor in 2010 by not providing much information on what he'd do if he prevails?
With 2016 days away, that was one topic among many discussed during the "Michigan Matters" roundtable conversation which dived in on the presidential contest, Flint's drinking water saga, and more. (You can watch the show 11:30 a.m. this Sunday on CBS 62).
John Truscott, president of Truscott Rossman and former strategist for Gov. John Engler, who appeared on the show said that Trump -- who continues to infuriate many with his fiery rhetoric -- is also frustrating some with his lack of details about what he'd do if successful in his bid as president.
Truscott added many felt the same about Snyder during his inaugural run for governor.
"Back then, people said the same thing about Rick Snyder -- he wasn't answering questions or explaining what he'd do just as they are saying now about Trump," said Truscott.
Truscott appeared along with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, Cliff Russell and "Michigan Matters" Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain. Cain added that Snyder was aided in his quest back then by the flurry of established GOP candidates also running like Mike Cox and Pete Hoekstra who went after each other and allowed Snyder -- a former CEO and newbie to elected office -- to skate through the crossfire to win.
The panel also discussed issues stagnating in Lansing -- from fixing the state's roads in a timely fashion, to finding an elixir for DPS that works and makes fiscal sense.
Term limits was raised as one reason for the dragging out of too many important issues in Lansing
Flint Mayor Karen Water recently declared a state of emergency in her city as a result of lead found in homes after converting from using Detroit water to Flint River water. Some residents now have lead poisoning as a result.
The city switched as a cost saving measure and during the watch of an emergency manager appointed by Snyder.
The roundtable conversation turned to culpability of officials involved in those decisions.
On Tuesday, Dan Wyant, head of Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality, resigned over the saga.
Snyder, who appeared on "Michigan Matters" a few weeks ago after he appointed a task force to look at the Flint situation, said other changes would occur as a result of their ongoing examination.
Watch "Michigan Matters" 11:30 am Sunday only on CBS 62.