Proposal 3 supported by major candidates of both parties

[djkimmel]

From:       jcs@jcsinc.com
To:         djkimmel@aol.com
Subject:   Sportsmen: Vote Yes on Proposal 3!
Date:        Fri, 3 Nov 2006 7:53 AM

Candidates for Governor and Attorney General Agree on Dove Hunting Proposal!

Statewide candidates from both political parties agree that sound science should win out over emotional anti-hunting rhetoric. Democrat and Republican candidates for Governor and Attorney General support a Yes vote on Proposal 3. Gubernatorial rivals Governor Jennifer Granholm and Dick DeVos and rivals Attorney General Mike Cox and Amos Williams are unanimous in their support of Proposal 3.

This rare agreement from the candidates demonstrates that the emotional arguments of opponents of Proposal 3 have failed in their attempt to mislead Michigan voters and opinion leaders, said Marc Somers, chairman of Citizens for Wildlife Conservation Committee. Michigan hunters pump millions into the states economy, and once this hunt is firmly established, it will produce nearly $18 million every year into our states economy. We can't allow an opportunity like this to get away just because a few extremists want to stop all hunting.

Somers statement refers to a national anti-hunting group that has bankrolled the campaign to stop the dove hunt. The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which does not run or support any animal shelters in the country, has contributed nearly three fourths of the funding to ban the hunt. The HSUS touts opposition to all recreational hunting on their website.

Gov. Granholm signed the law that made Michigan the 41st state to permit dove hunting. Soon after, anti-hunting organizations funded a paid signature drive to send the issue to the ballot. The governor continues to stand by her decision to permit the hunt, saying that she supported the law because she supports sound science. When asked if her statement meant that she supports a Yes vote on Proposal 3, her staff confirmed that is the case.

Dick DeVos has demonstrated support for Proposal 3 several times in recent weeks. A mailer to sportsmen from DeVos reads, Supports the rights of Michigan sportsmen and women across the state to hunt mourning doves. Supports a Yes vote on the passage of Proposal 3. Attorney General Cox and Amos Williams were asked during their recent debate if they support Proposal 3. Both candidates indicated they supported a Yes vote on Proposal 3.