A winning strategy for Trump in Michigan

The good news for Republicans is that Trump’s base in Michigan remains strong and energized – just look at the rallies. In 2016, Trump received 2,279,543 votes, 10,704 more than Hillary Clinton. That was a narrow margin, but still enough to earn 16 electoral votes in the all-important race in Michigan.

In 2020, Trump was able to increase his vote total in Michigan by 16 percent to 2,649,852, but lost to Biden by a whopping 154,188 votes. What happened? In 2018, the Democratic Party won the governorship, attorney general, and secretary of state races, which set about implementing the party’s playbook. According to the Center for American Progress, these initiatives were driven by Democrats:

• Increasing voter registration and turnout and reducing ethnic differences in voter turnout by introducing numerous voting and registration options
• End party-political constituency manipulation through an independent commission for the reorganization of constituencies
• Promoting citizens’ initiatives – especially constitutional amendments – to strengthen direct democracy and implement popular political measures

Even though most of these initiatives were concentrated at the state level and only implemented after the 2020 election, the momentum began in 2018. Blocking a “red wave” that prevailed until the 2020 election gave the party a boost in confidence. The voters who joined in 2020 are more interested in principles than in parties.

In 2016, Trump capitalized on the “Anyone but Hillary” sentiment. In 2024, Democrats have stoked the “Anyone but Trump” sentiment through excessive litigation, fabricated racial fears, incandescent nonsense about an impending dictatorship, and character assassination. The natural instinct of a fighter like Trump is to stoop to that level and strike back.

But the average voter is disgusted by this game plan from both parties. We want concrete issues and policies that will improve our personal lives and strengthen our republic. To win in Michigan, Trump must convince swing voters that he has the best ideas for leading the country.

Which Michigan swing voters should Trump’s team focus on? They’re not what you think… In addition to supporting his voter base through large rallies, Trump’s team must also appeal to Michigan’s more than 610,000 manufacturing workers and more than 1.5 million seniors over 65.

Trump needs to launch a series of media spots on TV, radio and social media, as well as local talk radio appearances. They need to focus on “kitchen table issues” that are specific to Michigan, rather than broader issues that are most appealing to the Trump base. In these spots, Trump needs to come across as presidential. Everyone already knows his views on America First, “Crooked Joe,” the instrumentalization of the justice system, and the porous border, but what specifically will he do to improve the lives of these swing voters?

Michigan is a proud state. We have abundant resources, hardworking workers and a rich manufacturing tradition. Michigan was the center of democracy’s arsenal. If our workers had not produced bombers, tanks, gliders, trucks, engines and other war supplies, we would have surely lost World War II.

Production workers must learn:

1. No country can remain independent and strong without a robust manufacturing base.
2. Unfair trade practices have cost Michigan valuable jobs and businesses

3. Due to government waste and progressive initiatives, you have lost almost 20% of your purchasing power.

Trump should say that these concrete measures will be implemented if he takes back the White House:

• Balance the budget by avoiding unnecessary spending and handouts from abroad to countries that are not our friends.
• Punishing unfair trade practices by China and other countries.
• Stop being the world policeman.

The Society of Certified Senior Advisors stated in its blog:

Seniors are not a monolithic group. The oldest of the group, known as the Silent Generation, tend to be Republican, while baby boomers fall somewhere between the Silent Generation and younger millennials, who lean Democratic. Among baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, there are also notable differences. Boomers born in the middle (between 1950 and 1953) tend to vote Democratic more than their cohorts. The middle group came of age at the height of the Vietnam War and the struggle for civil and women’s rights, as well as during the hippie era of free love and drugs. Meanwhile, the youngest boomers came of age during an economic downturn and during events that challenged the strength of the U.S. role in the world, such as the Iran hostage crisis.

There is one issue that unites them: Social Security and Medicare. Both parties have been guilty of speaking negatively about these programs. In particular, some Republicans have falsely referred to Social Security and Medicare as “entitlement programs.”

Most retirees correctly believe that they have paid into Social Security from every paycheck, which would provide them with a pension-like monthly benefit that would allow them to live on in old age. It is not a government benefit. For example, if I had invested the 6.2 percent the government takes from my pay and the matching employer contribution in an S&P 500 fund with compound interest instead of in Social Security, I would have nearly $3,900,000 today. If I had invested that in a 5 percent investment, I could withdraw over $16,000 per month, which is far better than my estimated government payout of just $3,341.

To secure the future of seniors, Trump must push forward the following measures:

• Balance the budget as described above.
• Make sure the Social Security you have worked hard for is protected from repossession and is adequately funded for you and future generations.

Targeted, Presidential Communicating these popular points will attract Michigan’s key swing voters.