George is OK with underdog status

Lansing -- An underdog among five candidates vying for the Republican gubernatorial nomination, state Sen. Tom George is undeterred.

The Kalamazoo physician, who served a term in the House before winning his District 20 Senate seat, recently launched TV ads to build name recognition in southeast Michigan.

George said he expanded on a strong west Michigan base with a stream of personal appearances that showcases his powers of persuasion and a platform focused on fiscal responsibility.

"The polls just show name ID, and the other candidates have bought that by buying TV and radio -- but that's not sufficient," George said. "Ultimately the voters are going to look at what the candidates are saying, what are they are going to do, and when that happens, I do well.

"I'm the only (candidate) with a job who's working and serving in the Legislature. I realize I'm an underdog, but I'm not overly concerned about that."

The oldest of seven children, George grew up in Flint, where he attended public grade school and Powers Catholic High School. His father is a retired Hurley Hospital comptroller and certified public accountant; his mother was a homemaker.

"Being the oldest of seven means you need to get along with other people," said George, 53.

He attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he was accepted into medical school after three years as an undergraduate.

While at U-M, he met his wife of 28 years, Sandy, a homemaker and Republican activist.

He received his medical degree and completed anesthesiology training at U-M, but never received an undergraduate degree -- until this spring. While serving in the Legislature and working part time in his Kalamazoo anesthesiology practice, George completed the six credits he needed for his bachelor's degree.

"Finally," George said, noting that President Barak Obama gave the commencement address. "I think education is important, and to finish what you start."

After medical school, the couple moved to Kalamazoo, where George practiced anesthesiology full time for 15 years before entering politics. As a legislator, he has continued his part-time practice.

"My wife, Sandy, was the one who was a college Republican," George said. "She was the one who was my window into politics and the Republican Party.

"I was the tagalong, (and) I got drawn into it through her."

George's interest as a physician was drawn to pain management, and to helping terminally ill patients. He helped found a hospice, which he directed for five years -- an experience that helped guide him toward running for office.

"The lesson from that is (to) take advantage of the time you have, seize the moment and make a difference, be bold and don't be afraid," George said. "I'm fairly reserved, I'm not particularly comfortable glad-handing. I've gotten better at it, but that's not my natural skill set. The hospice work said, 'You want to make a difference, get out there.' "

Before deciding to run for the House, George called former state senator and U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz, a moderate Republican and fellow physician.

"(Schwarz) is very opinionated, very blunt in his assessment. He said, 'You get down here and you help me,' " George recalled. "He had found that ability to practice part time while serving in the Legislature."

Schwarz described George as a "good friend." And though Schwarz is supporting Rick Snyder's gubernatorial bid, he said he believes George has the personal qualities needed in a governor. But, he added, he cannot abide George's opposition to stem cell research, which he supports.

"As a physician, I believe regenerative medicine is where we're headed in terms of research and medicine," Schwarz said, noting that George earlier this year proposed legislation that would impose strict reporting requirements on research.

"Irrespective of our differences, he's a very intelligent individual. He's been an excellent state legislator. I think the world of him, we just differ on issues."

George has proposed bills to reform health care in the state. His plan, introduced before federal reforms were approved by Congress, would have spread responsibility for hard-to-insure patients among all health insurers in the state. Blue Cross Blue Shield, now the insurer of last resort, would have lost its tax-exempt status, returning revenue to the state that George would have used to fund health insurance for the working poor.

Reducing health care costs remains a key issue for George, who wants to reduce the number of people on Medicaid and trim health care costs for public employees. Under his plan, the working poor and public employees would contribute to the cost of their health care, and the price would be linked to their health behaviors.

"These designs reflect the mistaken belief that your health is determined by having a benefit, when in fact most of the population's health reflects our behavior," he said.

George may be best known for his health care proposals, but he's equally passionate about his plans to curb spending in the state. Among the Republican candidates, he said he is the only one who does not support eliminating the Michigan Business Tax, though he does support eliminating the MBT surcharge.

"Their promise to eliminate the MBT is a wish -- it's not practical and it would lead us to insolvency," George said. "That's what happened in California."

Eliminating the MBT would double Michigan's near-$2 billion budget shortfall, George added. He said other candidates haven't said how they'll make up the difference, while proposing plans to spend money on things like education.

"This is the secret formula for winning elections: 'I'm going to cut your taxes, but I'm going to give you more money for your schools,' " George said. "And now we have $13 trillion of federal debt, and the public is waking up that that formula is no longer operative."

George said he is the only candidate to support a constitutional convention. He believes there should be a part-time legislature, and would give more power to the state auditor general to keep state departments from overspending.

"I have a list of reforms that I favor, and so do all of my opponents," George said. "But most of (the reforms would) require constitutional change."

State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said George could surprise pollsters on Aug. 3.

"This year the people are looking for a breakout candidate, somebody who has the right message," Bishop said. "I don't think it's a done deal by any stretch.

"Tom is a dynamic leader who is not afraid to stand up for himself, and he brings honesty and a level of understanding to the process that others just don't have."

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