Another Corporate Debate

DEARBORN, MI -- For those concerned about the corporatization of our political debates, thank your lucky stars that you're not in Dearborn today.

Today's debate is being held at the Henry Ford Performance Hall, which is right across the street from the headquarters of Ford Motor Company, which is down the street from the Ford estate (where the Michigan GOP is having a high dollar fundraiser) which is a few blocks away from "The Henry Ford," a complex dedicated to cars, and to the life of Henry Ford.

On the tables in the spin room, seats are demarked by a button advertising the '08 Ford Escape Hybrid. Large "Ford" signs adorn the background. The free lunch provided to reporters is, alas, not sponsored by the auto industry. The American Arab Chamber of Commerce, based in Dearborn, is doing the honors.