I'm here to tell some of the stories of people and politics in Michigan during 2008.  The sights, sounds, soul and funk of the state will provide the back drop.

Michigan’s struggling economy, diverse population and importance in both foreign policy and homeland security issues ensure that the state will be a critical battleground during the 2008 elections.

The Wolverine State's largest population center, Detroit, is a majority African-American city, and is a Democratic Party stronghold. Much of the rest of the state is rural and conservative. This balance of power means the party that is able to mobilize its base most effectively will win the state.

The biggest issue in Michigan is its economy, which is among the worst in the nation. With two international border crossings and the largest Middle Eastern population outside the Middle East, U.S. foreign policy, immigration and homeland security issues are also extremely important to the region.