A look at a survey by Marketing Resource Group-Inside Michigan Politics shows that "59 percent of likely Detroit voters either strongly oppose or somewhat oppose Gov. Rick Snyder's appointment of Emergency Financial Manager Kevin Orr, while 41 percent strongly or somewhat support it." Of course, surveying 600 residents in a pool of 5.2 million is hardly representative. But who did the survey and for what purpose is even more revealing: it's done by a political research group whose head, Tom Shields, speculated that "the results could mean more inner-city votes for Snyder if Orr succeeds in turning around Detroit's troubled finances."
Is there any irony in a governor who removed the right of voters to select their own leaders seeking the votes of the very people he disenfranchised?
Here's the actual survey question asked: "Last week, Governor Snyder appointed an Emergency Financial Manager to try to balance Detroit's books and bring the city out of a financial crisis. Emergency Managers have sweeping powers to overrule the mayor and city council, as well as unilaterally amend or cancel city employee union contracts. Detroit unions and city elected officials fear the State will privatize city public services, eliminate public sector jobs and usurp local authority. State officials say that an Emergency Manager is required because the city has implemented few reforms and is reluctant to take necessary steps to bring its finances under control. Do you support or oppose an Emergency Financial Manager for the city of Detroit? (IF FAVOR/OPPOSE ASK: Do you strongly (support/oppose) it or just somewhat (support/oppose) it?)"
