Now, states like Alabama have seen sharp rises in auto jobs (69% for the razorbacks) but those are states where foreign companies like Daimler, Honda and Hyundai are building plants.  And while Michigan was in the running earlier this year for a new Honda plant (they ended all consideration after an illegal UAW protest of the company at the Chicago Auto Show) we aren't exactly a foreign-friendly state.

So lets take a look at other states in the region and other states with Big 3 production.

Ohio was No. 2 in auto employment this year at 109,200, down 18 percent from 133,700 five years ago.

It was followed by Indiana at 81,900 (down 15 percent from 96,300); Kentucky, 47,600 (down 7 percent from 51,300); Tennessee, 35,900 (up 5 percent from 34,120); Alabama (up from 17,800); and California, 27,900 (down 15 percent from 33,000).

That's a lot of numbers.  Can get confusing to look at so let's simplify even further.

Michigan had 275,200.
Michigan HAS 181,100.

Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and California had 232,520.
Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and California HAVE more than 206,100.  

We started with more and now we have less.  There's a fundamental shift.  Yes, numbers are down everywhere as the industry struggles but nobody's feeling it like Michigan.  And we're not getting honest answers from the Granholm administration.  We're not getting ANY answers from the Democrats running for President (despite the governor's insistence last year that every problem in the state was the federal government's fault... or John Engler's).  But we will get some answers tomorrow from the Republican field.

Tomorrow's a big day for the candidates from the GOP as they arrive in Dearborn for the state's first debate in DECISION 2008 (cue the dramatic network nightly news music).  The Detroit News reports:

The debate will highlight Michigan's significance in next year's presidential election. Because of the economic climate in the state, the debate is expected to focus on economic issues that are a top priority for Michigan voters.

"It's a good opportunity for the issue of the Detroit community to be voiced," said Jeff Gardiner, 52, who lives in Northville and works at Ford Motor Co. as a cost estimator. "I'm glad they are coming to highlight some of our concerns in the automotive industry. Our economic concerns need to be focused on. We need some help from the federal government."

Amen, Jeff.  Amen.  It's a great opportunity to highlight Michigan issues.  It's just too bad one of the two major political parties in the United States has decided Michigan isn't worth the discussion.

As far as the good guys tomorrow, I managed to finagle a ticket and I'll be on-site live blogging during the event.  If you're unable to make the trip you can tune in and watch it yourselves live at 4:00 pm on CNBC or see a re-broadcast on MSNBC at 9 tomorrow evening.  And all indications are it's going to be a big one.

The anti-Fred Heads are all painting this as the make or break event for Fred Thompson.  I'm not very good at the whole prognostication thing and, frankly, it still seems a little early to write anyone off (remember, at this point four years ago everyone was buying their tickets to a Dean v Bush main event), but all the pressure they're laying on the man should make for an interesting discussion anyways.  After all, this is his first debate.  (And, it's worth noting, he made his first major presentation as an official candidate on Mackinac Island.)  

The state continues to be a frequent stop for all of the Republican contenders.  Glad to know someone cares about Michigan.  

Last but not least, I'm not usually one for these online poll thingies but I couldn't help but pass this one along.  Not happy with the way the Governor's running this state?  Go vote accordingly!