The Midwest region commonly known as the nation’s “rust belt” is a hot commodity for this years 2012 Presidential Election. Nestled within this region are a number of highly prized swing states boasting some 40+ electoral votes, for this reason these states are highly campaigned in and will continually be scrutinized in the upcoming months leading up till the election. This year’s swing state of Michigan has been painted as a blue collar worker state and a model of the industrialized Midwest. This one definition of the battleground state may provide leverage for an Obama win.
The most important issue concerning Americans this election cycle are all centralized on the economy and job creation. While recent polls have disparaging results concerning who people believe would handle the economy better, Michigan’s unemployment numbers and economic recovery is being touted as an Obama victory, something he is sure to capitalize on during the campaign season. Michigan has seen one of the largest drops in unemployment, having an almost 5 percent drop over two years. Also Michigan can boast about their superior job creation, they have created some 25,000 new jobs and have seen the second largest showing of job creation in the coveted S.T.EM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields. While some may argue the economic improvement has originated from sources outside of the stimulus package and auto bailout, good economic polling is good news for the Obama campaign.
Recent Michigan polls find that the race is close, the relatively high Obama job approval ratings concerning the auto bailouts may give him a slight advantage in the area especially as many in Michigan deem the bailouts as essential to the economic repair that is being seen throughout the state. Mitt Romney’s opposition to the auto bailout could prove to complicate his favorable poll numbers if the economic climate in Michigan continues to improve, damaging his efforts to chalk up a win in the Great Lakes State.
