Update [2008-1-12 14:46:46 by Nick]: McCain's line of the day came in his discussion of Time Magazine's decision to make Vladamir Putin the man of the year. His suggestion that General Petreus should have won that particular nod drew loud cheers and applause. All in all the Senator drew even with Romney in the applause game though the Governor's were a bit more spontaneous. McCains were standard and well placed applause lines complete with a dramatic pause in his presentation. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

And bonus points for the Senator, he says he's going to take a little audience Q & A.

Update [2008-1-12 14:34:1 by Nick]: Congressman Mike Rogers just took the stage to encourage everyone to fight the good fight and then gave way to Ann Arbor stalwart and former Ambassador Ron Weiser. Weiser was there for Senator John McCain but didn’t have to do much by way of introduction. No sooner did he say the man’s name than the Senator walked out onto the stage from behind the curtain. The crowd seems just about as warm to McCain as they were to Romney through the introductions.

Quote of the day comes from E.M.’s liveblog at 2:20. Check it out, forthwith.

While I’m not naturally inclined to support John McCain I can’t help but notice he’s totally jocking my style today, wearing slacks, a checkered shirt with no tie and a navy blazer. Well, he’s either jocking my style or I’m dressed like a 70 year old who might just be the next leader of the free world. I’ll let you decide.

McCain’s talking points are as follows: ‘I’m strong on defense. I want to cut taxes on the middle class. I won’t let the Democrats roll back the Bush tax cuts. Tax cut, tax cut, tax cut. In fact, I want a 3/5ths majority threshold to raise taxes. I’m a deficit hawk too. Did I mention tax cuts? Oh, and healthcare is way too expensive. And lead toys suck.’

If you’ve heard any of the candidates speak before you aren’t hearing much new outside of a specific Michigan focus with one notable exception. There’s been a reversal in the level of ease with which they’re speaking. While Romney has, in the past, been stiff on the stump and appeared very well rehearsed (almost robotic) today he appeared very much at home and relaxed compared to Senator McCain. McCain’s been much better in the past. His gaffe about the government “almost” shutting down and his inability to get off the page (he read his entire speech and rarely looked away from the podium) looked very… political.

Update [2008-1-12 14:29:3 by Nick]: McCain's on the stage and talking about tax cuts. He just mentioned that Michigan's economy got worse last year after the State Government "almost shutdown." Almost, Senator? Who's writing this guy's stump speeches? Way to prove you're not quite as in-touch with Michigan's issues than you'd like the voters to think.

Update [2008-1-12 13:55:53 by Nick]: John Stossel is A) smart and B) hilarious. That is all.

Update [2008-1-12 13:49:10 by Nick]:Had a chance to catch up with Chetly Zarko from Outside Lansing and Oakland Politics as well as the American Princess and I couldn't help but give a plug... rumor has it E.M. had a near-death experience at the hands of the Huckabeast, the Huckster's campaign bus. She's also liveblogging on her own site right now... check it out HERE!

Update [2008-1-12 13:37:50 by Nick]: Duncan Hunter just made his way up to the press pool and jumped right into a semi-stump speech about the necessity of fair competition with foreign nations and currency manipulation in China. Oh, and they’re out-producing the United States three to one in new submarines.

He then suggests imposing “countervalue duties” to level the playing field. And “mirror-trade.”

Currency manipulation, countervalue duties, mirrors and submarine deficits… it’s a wonder the man’s message hasn’t caught on with sound-byte America.

If Hunter’s candidacy has any value (and I believe it does) at this point it’s in his ability to almost single-handedly bring the fair-trade issue to a place of national semi-prominence.

He’s right, of course, about most things he says. And he is always more than happy to talk about how fair trade would positively impact Michigan’s manufacturing industry. We have an entire slate of Democrat candidates who may or may not even know that Michigan HAS a manufacturing industry.

Sadly the current state of American politics demands a certain… charisma. Hunter did enter the press room chugging a Pepsi, though, so he gets bonus points there.

Update [2008-1-12 13:8:21 by Nick]: Three guesses on what the buzzword of the day was but you’ll only need one. That’s right, change. Romney started his speech talking about his personal family experience with change in business and the necessity of change. The fact that everything changes. Except government. Romney talked a lot about change, unless, of course, it has something to do with fundamental values. Basic stump speech fare with discussions of LEGAL (emphasis his) immigration, love of God and Country, a strong national defense and the importance of the traditional family. And he’s giving a hard-sell about his specific concern and interest in Michigan.

The crowd, for their part, is loving it.

DMOnline highlighted a story from the AP this morning about anemic crowds and responses to Romney’s presentation. Not the case at this venue. Looks like these are his people and the place is packed. I ducked downstairs to take in part of the introduction and it isn’t just standing-room only. The hallway outside the auditorium is also packed shoulder to shoulder. AFP and the candidates have really turned folks out.

We’ll see what sort of reaction Hunter and McCain draw.

Biggest crowd reaction came from Romney’s statement that Michigan must once again lead the nation in all the right places through lowering taxes and restoring the domestic autos.

Biggest reaction in the press pool came from Romney’s assertion that every child should be raised in a family with a married mom and a dad. One young, female reporter threw her hands up in disgust, saying something smart while several others shook their heads affirming her opinion. Not sure if this particular press pool dislikes moms, dads, kids or just marriage...

Update [2008-1-12 12:53:34 by Nick]: Romney is on stage right now delivering his speech but I can't help but drop a quick anecdotal note. Watching the speech from the press room with a bunch of folks from the national media. Most folks are very respectful and watching, taking notes. Not true of the three person contingent from NBC News. No on-air talent in the room and if it weren't for the labels on their tags and computers I wouldn't even know they were with. But yikes. Romney can't deliver a line without one of the three responding with a smart remark, making a funny face, grumbling or feigning laughter. That's when they aren't yelling at eachother. Literally yelling at eachother. Even the other pool reporters are starting to give them dirty looks.

Real classy team, NBC. Well done.

Update [2008-1-12 12:23:29 by Nick]: Getting our first word on candidate arrival times and schedules. Mitt Romney is due any minute followed by John Stossel, Duncan Hunter and then John McCain.

The most interesting bit of buzz in the building right now centers around the fact that McCain's people apparently demanded the wide berth between he and Governor Romney. In fact, I've been told by several insiders with AFP that McCain pretty much refused to enter the building were Romney still on site. Sounds like a little bit of the Senator's legendary vitriol, ability to hold a grudge and hot temper are starting to seep into the race...

Folks are starting to fill up the main auditorium at Laurel Manor in Livonia for the American's for Prosperity DAD Summit.  Due to the necessary fluidity of candidate's schedules there's no hard and fast timeline for the day's action but I'm hearing that Mitt Romney and John McCain are both expected right around noon.

So far the only campaign with a visible presence on-site is the Huckster's.  He's got a few enthusiastic young ladies holding a large banner and waving signs outside the building greeting everyone on their way in.  The Fair Tax folks are doing the lit and stickering too.  Natural fit for an event like this.

Will update this story as things pop throughout the day.  Other than that, consider it an open thread (meaning it'll likely devolve into a Ron Paul flamefest in 3...2...1...)