Tariffs and Jobs

The bloggers over at The American Street are supposed to be focusing — sometimes, but not exclusively — on swing states. While Michigan is very likely to vote Democratic, the margin was still too narrow for comfort: 51%-46%, with 2.6% other (mostly Nader, I suspect). On second thought, if Nader voters comprised most of that 2.6%, then only in the most optimistic Republican projections would Michigan really be a swing state. Add to this the disastrous effects of Bush’s steel tariffs on the Michigan economy, and I’d say Michigan’s 17 electoral votes will safely go to Kerry/Edwards/Clark/Dean, or whoever emerges from the primary.

How disastrous were the tariffs for Michigan? More details are in my latest post at TAS, but here’s a snapshot:

AB