"BTW, I think MI is in play for national security reasons, not the anti-auto industry position of JFnK and all Dems."
You got it! Dearborn MI is America's Arab magnet and the outstate residents in Michigan know, and fear, this fact.
Why? As far as I can tell the Arabic population of Dearborn (East Side) is very supportive of GWB. In fact, "Ford Field" was swarming with celebratory Arabs the day that Saddam's statue fell! It was a sight to see.