Op Ed Page

2008 is an Election Year

No surprise on who I am supporting on the presidential level. In my opinion a continuationof the policiesof the Bush administration just will not cut it. The economy, the war in Iraq, the lack of concentration on getting the terrorists headquartered in Afganistan; policies more apropriate for 1908 not 2008; and we could go on and on, all lead to the same conclusion. Change is required not only in leadership but in philosophy and only Barak Obama has that  ability.

In the Senate race in Michigan, Carl Levin continues to get the job done for us and the country and we need him more than ever. As an important member of the Senate leadership he has been an able representative of the people of this state and of the country as a whole.

In Congressional races  I am caught between a rock and a hard spot in the 9th CD. I like Gary Peters and believe him to be a good candidate. Most of his view parallel my own particulary on the War in Iraq and the economy and health care.

But I have worked with Joe Knolenberg for three years now on various American Cancer Society-Cancer Action Network issues, and Joe has supported all of the positions that we have talked about including NIH and CDC appropriations bills and the FDA Tobacco bill.

Joe and I disagree on other issues but on one that is most significant to me we do agree and equally imprtantly Joe has kept his word to me on each intiative we discussed..

My friend Aldo Vagnozzi is at the age of 82 going to retire from the State House of Representatives (actually term limits mandates that he can not run again this year). While I will miss seeing him both in Lansing and in Farmington Hills , you can bet Aldo will  still be  around working on some committee or board.

Running for his seat is the former mayor of Farmington Hills, Vicky Barnett and I can wholeheartedly endorse her candidacy. She was an effective leader in the city and will be effective at the State level as well.

In the race for oakland County Prosecutor, David Law is running on the Republican ticket  and has been a major sponsor of Relay For Life who I have known for several years and recommend without hesitation.

So for probably the first time in ages I am actually recommending a split ticket.

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