Rick Snyder is trapped between a kook and a hard place (Flint), in the analysis of state government-watcher Zachary Gorchow, editor of the influential Gongwer News Service.
"Donald Trump has attacked Michigan’s top economic sector and its largest city twice in the past month, but Governor Rick Snyder refuses to respond aggressively," posts Gorchow, whose daily newsletter is a must-read among legislators, aides, journalists and lobbyists. His commentaery adds:
Mr. Trump described Michigan’s manufacturing sector as a “disaster” in his recent speech in Windsor Township, southwest of Lansing, a statement that is false. . . . When Mr. Trump spoke in Detroit 12 days before the Windsor Township speech, he described the city as in economic tatters. . . .
If you ask Mr. Snyder, as reporters did today, he will offer a milquetoast response that Mr. Trump’s comments are “not accurate.” But neither his communications staff, nor Mr. Snyder will criticize Mr. Trump.
Here's why, as the capital journalist and former Detroit Free Press reporter (2005-09) sees it:
Mr. Snyder can ill-afford to antagonize the Republican base, which in the post-Flint water crisis era remains his one strong well of support among the public, by saying what he really thinks of Mr. Trump. . . .
Mr. Trump’s purpose is clear: to assign blame to the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, and offer himself up as the change candidate with Ms. Clinton representing the status quo from the administration of President Barack Obama.
As with many of Mr. Trump’s statements, however, there’s no nuance, and Mr. Snyder is collateral damage.
-- Alan Stamm
