'Michigan Matters' Focus: Trump's Michigan Imprint Grows; Will Hillary's Wither?
With the first presidential debate in the history books -- the race to win the White House is heating up as Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump drill down on Michigan and other key swing states.
Michigan GOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel, Michigan Democrat Chair Brandon Dillon, and Robert Huschka, Executive Editor of the Detroit Free Press appeared with "Michigan Matters" Senior Producer/Host Carol Cain to talk about the impact of the inaugural 90-minute debate.
It drew over 84 million viewers – more than any debate in history.
The stakes are high in Michigan with its 16 electoral votes as most polls show Clinton leading the state from 3 to 7 points but still within the margin of error.
There are several weeks left until the November election. The last Republican to carry Michigan in the general election was George H.W. Bush in 1998.
Trump is making his fifth appearance in the state Friday with stops planned in Grand Rapids and Novi since the GOP convention.
On the flip side, Clinton has been to Michigan just once since the Democratic convention.
"I don't know, they don't check with me," Dillon said when asked when the former Secretary of State would be back in the Great Lakes State.
Chelsea Clinton has visited Michigan a few times as has Sen. Tim Kaine, her vice presidential candidate, and his wife. Huschka said his paper's most recent poll showed Clinton up three points over Trump.
McDaniel, who was a delegate for Trump at the GOP Convention, said more Michiganders were turning to Trump as they are tired of establishment politics and politicians.
On other issues, Huschka talked about the upcoming Shining Light Regional Cooperation Awards being held Oct 6 in Dearborn. This year's honorees include: James Nicholson, PVS Chemicals; Rev. Faith Fowler, Executive Director, Cass Community Social Services/pastor Cass Community United Methodist Church; Fred Hoffman, former Chrysler executive, and DeAnte Thompkins, Michigan Department of Transportation and Director of Give Back for Model the Motto.
The annual awards are in their 10th year and are co-sponsored by the Free Press and Metropolitan Affairs Coalition.
Watch "Michigan Matters" 11 a.m. Saturday on its special day /time this week. NFL Football runs Sunday on CBS 62 this week.
