These Republicans are looking to unseat Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow
It didn't happen. Instead, Republican voters in the
The differences are more than generational: In his ads, James, who is
But even at a time when
Politically speaking, that's probably smart, since that same EPIC-MRA survey found that 79% of self-identified
That could be a problem after the primary, however: Eighty-eight percent of
"She doesn't make mistakes, she doesn't make unforced errors," said
The race could come down to style, backgrounds
Beyond their support for Trump, there are some differences between the Republican challengers, however. One is their style: While James comes across as more message-driven and scripted, sometimes repeating himself without further explanation, Pensler is more relaxed and expansive -- as may befit a former Harvard and
"(Trump) has an incredible talent for speaking simply and succinctly," Pensler said. "The problem is that sometimes the nuances that take a lot longer to elaborate get left out. (But) I have said, I don't always speak simply enough."
Both James and Pensler have business in their backgrounds: James' family has owned and operated
Pensler has the more extensive legal and business record of the two, having clerked at the
James on the attack against Pensler for months
While the two candidates have much in common in terms of stated policies, James, particularly, has been on the attack, even as Pensler has spent as much as
James' campaign has accused Pensler repeatedly of being soft on abortion restrictions and accusing him of being open to confirming "pro-choice judges" to the
He said he doesn't believe in a "litmus test" for judges and as a former law clerk believes it's inappropriate for judicial candidates to take a position on a case that could later come before him or her. But he said that as a practical matter, he would confirm judges who interpret the law and
Also of note: Pensler says that although he's anti-abortion, he supports exceptions for women who become pregnant through rape or incest, a position he said James doesn't share. James' campaign said he would grant an exception to abortion prohibitions when a mother's life is in danger.
James made it clear he couldn't support any judge who didn't openly call for abortion to be outlawed except in almost all cases.
"I believe that everyone in the
Battling over business matters
James' campaign this week also noted that three companies owned by Pensler went bankrupt over the years and lost hundreds of workers -- a claim Pensler didn't dispute but noted that his business was to buy companies on the verge of failing and turn them around, a practice that often succeeded but sometimes didn't. "Have all of them worked? No, but most of them have," he said.
Pensler also said that background is what separates him from James.
"The big distinction (between us) is confidence and experience," Pensler said. "I've restructured and advised financially on some of the largest companies in the world. ... I started my own business. ... I understand economics."
Pensler said that James' family company went bankrupt in 2000 -- which isn't exactly correct: a subsidiary,
"All this happened while John James was serving his country at West Point. Meanwhile,
And another prominent Republican -- Trump -- has some bankruptcies in his business record, which came to light during his successful wins in
James racks up endorsements
Both
The campaigns both closed the books on their second-quarter fundraising on Saturday but the full details won't be known for some weeks. What is known is that, as of the end of the last fundraising quarter in March, Pensler had a clear lead of
James' campaign has made the case that he's doing remarkably well considering their contention that Pensler has outspent them on TV and cable by a 10-1 margin -- a claim Pensler's camp said sounded unlikely but did not contradict specifically, not knowing the exact numbers.
And James has been racking up what may be key endorsements, including those from Michigan Right to Life, the
That said, Republican political consultant
A traditional line
Unsurprisingly, both candidates are in favor of lower taxes, smaller government and less regulation on business. Both believe that debts and deficits should be brought under control and appear ready to chastise Stabenow for her vote against tax reform last year that cut personal tax rates for Americans.
Both also argue that social safety net programs should be looked at, reformed and reduced in the pursuit of cutting government costs -- while protecting
Neither voiced any concern that the tax reform is, in part, fueling a national debt that has risen to
"This is an investment in business, an investment in the American economy," said James. "That takes time. ... That investment is going to take some patience."
Trump playing 'long game on trade'
But far from taking a traditional Republican view against higher tariffs, both candidates argue that Trump knows what he is doing by threatening large taxes on imported aluminum and steel, as well as autos and auto parts, not only from longtime competitors such as
"He (Trump) is a master negotiator," James said. "You don't lead with your final offer."
It's of note, however, that many American allies are set to impose tariffs of their own as a trade war brews and that no less a
"Free trade requires certain reciprocal fair conditions," said Pensler, arguing that many countries erect barriers that need to come down -- an argument routinely put forward by
Strong borders, but also compassion
Neither candidate was openly critical of the Trump administration on its decision to enforce family separations on undocumented immigrants entering the
"My heart goes out to the families that are in that situation," James said. "This is devastating to behold."
But he and Pensler both suggested there are legislative decisions that have been put off for years that must be made to both secure the border and decide how best to react to families coming across the Southern border illegally.
"Do I think that arresting people at the border is a bad policy? No," said Pensler. And while he said that he prefers families be kept together, he also argues against policies that, by releasing families, could effectively create an incentive for illegal entries. "We need a solution here," he added. "All the choices available have adverse consequences. He (Trump) was making the choice that had the least adverse consequences."
James said the first job of
"I'm a big process guy," he said. "I believe we should follow the process. But if the process is broken, we should fix it."
Contact
REPUBLICAN
Date:
Candidates: John James,
Background: James and Pensler, both businessmen, though from far different backgrounds, are running to take on
More info: "Off the Record" with
There is also expected to be a debate between the two
___
(c)2018 the Detroit Free Press
Visit the Detroit Free Press at www.freep.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Staywell Health Plan Selected to Manage Children’s Medical Services in Florida
Gras Savoye Willis Towers Watson France chooses SAS® to accelerate the transformation of its brokerage and insurance consulting activities
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News