Analysis:

This story appeared in the Sunday "Polpourri" section of the Grand Rapids Press and is conseuquently only a paragraph long. The story quotes Ehlers stating that he does not support former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani's presidential candidacy, although it offers little in terms of susbstantive reasons why Ehlers does not support Giuliani. The only mention of Giuliani's policies is that he supports abortion rights.

However, this is still more substance than was given about candidates John McCain and Mitt Romney. Ehlers is quoted only talking about McCain's temper and describing Romney as "impressive," although no explanation is given for why Ehlers' finds Romney to be impressive.

Overall, this story offers little of substance. It does little to educate voters about the candidates running for the Republican Party nomination. Of course, one could not expect much substance in this story. The Sunday "Polpourri" section of the Grand Rapids Press primarily contains "fluff" stories about politicians and businesspeople. For example, one of the other stories in this edition of the Press described how Pfizer executive William Freckman recently welcomed researchers from Michigan State University to a gathering in Holland, where he made sure there were "no blue and maize seats."

Story:

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani might be leading polls for the GOP presidential nomination, but U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, is not impressed. "From the day he announced his candidacy, I considered him dead," Ehlers said earlier this week. He noted that Giuliani favors abortion rights, is on his third wife and has had "sexual scandals." Ehlers' final take: " He just carries a lot of baggage." As for Arizona Sen. John McCain, Ehlers said he has a penchant for losing his temper. "He is his own worst enemy." Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney got high grades from the former Calvin College physics professor. "He is very impressive," Ehlers said.