“Credible poll after credible poll has shown that Michigan voters by a nearly 2-to-1 margin support” the initiative’s goals, Gratz says. “I’m still confident that when voters go into the booth and are asked if they want to do away with using race as a factor, the overwhelming answer will be yes.”
Increased media attention and opposition from industry and government leaders have hurt the initiative, Sarpolus says.
“Every major political figure in the state and the major manufacturers and businesses have come out against it,” he says. “People who are looking to say, ‘I’m for it,’ can’t find any friends.”
Gratz says the organized opposition represents “the elite establishment — big government, big business. They’re completely disconnected from the general public.”
Waymire countered that his coalition represented a cross-section of Michigan society, including labor, civil rights groups, business, the elderly and civic activists.
“People are understanding that these equal opportunity programs help women as well as minorities,” he says. “They’re surprised when they understand the strange and bizarre consequences of the proposal.”
— Staff and Newswire reports
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
