DETROIT – The three Democratic candidates for governor tried to distinguish their backgrounds and visions for the state of Michigan on Sunday during a mild forum at Cobo Center.

There was no major proposals announced and the blows were few and far between Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith and House Speaker Andy Dillon. In fact, Smith was the only candidate of the three to stay for the entire forum. Bernero, who went first, left after his segment, and Dillon, who went last, showed up with about five minutes left in Smith’s slot.

Bernero told the group of about 100 that while it’s going to take every resident pulling together to deal with the crisis Michigan is in, he’s stunned “people at the state capital would be engaged in business as usual.

“I’ve been called the angry mayor and I am a little angry, but there are people across the state of Michigan who are angry,” he said. “(We) can’t go to working people and say you’re going to have to pick up the tab (for services). We’re going to have to think way outside the box; in fact throw the box away.”

Bernero distinguished his candidacy as pro-Main Street and anti-Wall Street.

Smith (D-Salem Twp.), who spoke second, said she wouldn’t apologize for her experience in politics, particularly her time on the Appropriations committees.

“It gave me the experience to deal with the problems Michigan faces today,” she said. “To get from a statement of problems and a statement of ideas you have to have a plan and I am the only candidate for governor who has a comprehensive plan.”

Smith lambasted Republicans for giving tax breaks to every company that asked for one during the good times. “We are participating in the greatest socialization of capitalism I have ever seen,” she said.

Businesses have to pay taxes because they use the services and infrastructure of government like residents, but there should be a level playing field for all companies, she said.

Dillon also said he wants to invest in the state’s people and infrastructure, emphasizing he’s not for the status quo in Lansing and has been pushing for a coalition of interests to come together on tax reform.

“I believe in the future of the state of Michigan, but it’s going to take discipline,” he said, adding that includes state government getting up to speed and responding to Michigan’s economy. “Every time you talk about change, people get nervous, but change is coming.”

He said Michigan could either learn from the change Ford went through, or the changes forced upon General Motors when it went through bankruptcy.

But Dillon was the only candidate pushed for his views on social issues by the audience, including abortion, stem cell research and gay marriage. Dillon said while he is anti-abortion, “It’s not an issue that took me to Lansing.”

He also said he wouldn’t support allowing opponents to the 2008 stem cell ballot initiative to get a “second bite at that apple.”

And while he supports civil unions and benefits for same-sex partners, Dillon said he doesn’t support gay marriage.

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