Would a Newt Gingrich candidacy for president be good for Michigan?
March 03, 2011
Okay, why should anybody in Michigan be interested in Newt Gingrich's exploratory committee for a possible run for president? The committee was announced today with a special website asking for reaction.
Separate out all the side issues that come with Gingrich like his role in the last federal government shutdown and his problems with women.
Concentrate on a speech he gave last year to a Republican conference on Mackinac Island. He outlined a path for Michigan and for Detroit to restart the state's economy. It involved getting all interests coming to the table to re-vision plans for the future.
At the conference he said:
Make Detroit a total tax-free zone, eliminating all federal, state and local taxes. "Detroit went from being No. 1 in per-capita income among big cities to 62nd today. No other city has gone from such a high peak to such a steep decline. You have to have a very bold plan to turn that around. ... You'd be better off incentivizing private business to create jobs and investment than shoveling more money down through the bureaucracy."
What do you think? Is he worth a look for president by voters?