(Grand Rapids, MI)  --  Four of the Republicans running for governor agreed on a list of conservative topics during a debate that featured few clashes Thursday night.  Attorney General Mike Cox, Holland Congressman Pete Hoekstra, state Senator Dr. Tom George and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard generally agreed about the need to lower taxes and reduce the size of state government.  Cox said he would cut business taxes by two-billion-dollars as governor.  George promoted cuts to welfare and health care services in order to balance the structural deficit.  Hoekstra took aim at the size of state government as one reason for economic problems.  Bouchard wants to privatize some food and janitorial services to save millions of dollars.  Rick Snyder did not attend. 

Post-debate comments from the four candidates who did attend, along with reaction from Hope College Political Science Professor Jack Holmes, are now available. Click on WHTC News in the Podcasts tab of this web page to find these exclusive podcasts.

-Metro Source