Politics & Government

State GOP Chair Sets Scene for Tonight's Debate

Bobby Schostak on the candidates, the controversy and the "best-kept secret in Michigan."

Bobby Schostak, chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, spoke to the media on Wednesday morning about what to expect from tonight's debate on the campus of

On Oakland University as a backdrop for the debate:

"I am a graduate here. I'm very proud of this university. Its president, Dr. Russi, has been a great partner in this debate. Oakland is also termed as one of the best-kept secrets in Michigan, and this is an opportunity to really showcase the university to the entire country."

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On the Tuesday night recall of state House member Paul Scott, R-Grand Blanc:

"I don't think it affects the night at all. It's unfortunate; Paul Scott is a hard-working member of the House. The voters spoke, we have to live with it and we will, but it's not going to take our eyes off the target of working toward improving Michigan."

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On the importance of Michigan in the 2012 presidential election:

"If you want to win the White House, you've got to win Michigan. We're a critical state. In every presidential election, whether a Democrat has won the state or not, it's been close"

On whether he has a favorite candidate:

"No," he said. "All of the Republican candidates are certainly qualified to be the next president and would make a better president than the direction the country is going on under President Obama."

On why Michigan matters to these candidates:

"Those candidates are going to compete hard in Michigan because Michigan represents the Midwest, the industrial belt, the main base of this country, the future of this country. Jobs are built on places like Michigan."

On whether Michigan native Mitt Romney is the front-runner in Michigan:

"I don't know that he's favored to win Michigan. Gov. Perry was up in Mackinac. Herman Cain has been here, Jon Huntsman, Newt Gingrich ... they are very competitive in Michigan, they have their supporters. Gov. Romney is going to have to work hard to keep Michigan going his way, because these guys are going to give him a run for it."

On whether the allegations against candidate Herman Cain will play into the debate:

"I think the Herman Cain situation is obviously not at all related to the jobs and economy. I doubt that there will be any direct questions about it, but that's not for us to decide. Will answers from others weave into the issues that Herman's been challenged with right now? Perhaps. But I don't think it affects the debate, the outcome or his success or lack thereof."

On voter engagement leading up to the debate:

"I've traveled the entire state since elected in February. The passion for this debate, the passion for our state is as hot as it's ever been. Following our success last November, the activists from around the state stepped up right away, almost immediately. People are excited about debate being here in Michigan."

On the balance between Obama's autoworker bailout and support for the Republican candidates:

I think that the folks you say like the auto bailout are folks that are glad to have their job. But among Republicans, whether that person is an auto worker or a business person in Michigan, the common theme is 'Why use taxpayer money?' That's why the candidates and others are opposed to the form in which it took place."


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