Governor race heats up for second debate

[carzen]

Gov. Jennifer Granholm and her opponent, Republican Dick DeVos, need to tune up their performances in Tuesday's second televised gubernatorial debate, the experts say.

DeVos, who by most accounts fumbled the opening match last week against Granholm in East Lansing, could use a victory on his home turf -- WOOD-TV studios in Grand Rapids -- to regain the considerable momentum he had through most of the campaign.

At the same time, political observers say, Granholm should pull back on the leash a bit for round two and appear more gubernatorial. She laid the wood to Grand Rapids businessman DeVos unnecessarily at times, they say.

"DeVos will have to be much more aggressive and make a greater attempt to put Granholm on the defensive," said pollster Ed Sarpolus. "Granholm can't back off, but she has to be much more effective in answering questions and not appearing to be overbearing while at the same time appearing gubernatorial."



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