Much of early gubernatorial polling should be viewed with skepticism, especially those polls on match-ups of Republicans and Democrats who may or may not in November be the nominees.

More important at this early stage is the endorsement derby. Endorsements beget campaign funds, mailings, phone calling, and other grassroots efforts, as well as ripples of publicity within business, labor, and other interest groups.

The purpose today is not to chronicle the major early endorsements of current contenders, but rather to look at a few of the power players on 2010 primary campaign trails.

For more than a half century the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which now has 8,600 employers covering all 83 counties, has been a major player in Republican primaries, as has the Michigan AFLCIO, an umbrella union with 600,000 members throughout the state, in Democratic primaries.

Last week, in announcing endorsement of Republican Attorney General Mike Cox for governor, Chamber president Rich Studley proclaimed him "the candidate most qualified to lead state government and put Michigan back to work. Michigan's next governor must be bold, decisive, knowledgeable about state government, and have the ability to hit the ground running from day one; Mike Cox is the candidate who best meets these four criteria."

The AFL-CIO has a storied history in Michigan politics. Back when it was just the CIO, President Gus Scholle helped secure the 1948 Democratic gubernatorial nomination for G. Mennen "Soapy" Williams, who went on to serve an unprecedented six twoyear terms, over a candidate backed by the Teamsters President James R. Hoffa.

While union membership has declined along with declines in the manufacturing sector, the state AFL-CIO represents retired members in 50 unions throughout Michigan, including the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the American Federation of Teachers, and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.

In announcing endorsement of Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero for the Democratic nomination, state AFLCIO President Mark Gaffney said that while the union's executive council's vote was not unanimous, it was "overwhelming," including the powerful UAW.

Bernero also won endorsement of the Michigan Education Association, the teachers' union not always in sync with the AFL-CIO within the party, to put it mildly. In the heat of a dispute with MEA leaders, feisty ex-AFL-CIO President Frank Garrison called them "whores."

While Bernero has the plums, labor is far from united in the Democratic primary.

Union endorsements of House Speaker Andy Dillon of Redford Township, the other Democratic contender (after eight or so dropouts among those exploring runs), include the 100,000-member Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, Iron Workers Local 25, Boilermakers Local 169, and the Police Officers Association of Michigan.

An interesting development last week came when Senator Senator Gilda Jacobs (D-Huntington Woods), in announcing she was forming a "Women for Dillon" effort, according to Detroit News correspondent Mark Hornbeck "let it slip" that Dillon may be endorsed by the Michigan Teamsters. As of this writing, such an endorsement was not confirmed.

Joining business and labor in the Big Three endorsements that have long impacted state elections is Michigan Right to Life, which on Friday endorsed Cox. It said his "support and leadership will be absolutely essential in restoring the basic right to life to the most helpless members of our human family."

Cox said, "I am honored and humbled to stand side-by-side with Michigan Right to Life in the fight to protect the unborn and the sanctity of human life."

Wealthy Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder was an interesting also-ran in two important endorsements cited above.

As the only businessman in the Republican mix (other than nineterm U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra of Holland, who was a 1977-92 Herman Miller executive), you'd think he would have been competitive for the chamber endorsement. But the unorthodox "one tough nerd" is on a kick of not seeking special interest endorsements, and not filling out their questionnaires.

As for the Right to Life endorsement, Snyder, a declared pro-lifer who was out of running for the endorsement because of his support of stem cell research, said in reacting to the endorsement of Cox, "I may disagree with my opponents on a number of issues, but Pete Hoekstra, (Oakland County Sheriff) Mike Bouchard and (state Senator) Tom George all have worked hard to defend and protect the life of the unborn and were unfairly disregarded. Right to Life's political leadership is playing with politics rather than uniting their members around those who would further the pro-life cause."

How shocking: a political action committee playing politics.

(Snyder and family members plan stops in at least 15 northern communities June 17 through June 25, including in the Upper Peninsula June 17 through June 19, starting in St. Ignace. He's planning stops in Traverse City June 21 and June 23.)

Hoekstra spokesman John Truscott spoke unkindly about Right to Life's endorsement of Cox.

As quoted by political writer Peter Luke in the Grand Rapids Press, he said: "It sends a pretty tough message to elected officials who have been with you their entire careers when you don't give them a shot when they're going on to a different office.

"I don't pretend to know what goes on with them, but I think a lot of their loyal members know where Pete stands. A 17-year voting record has to be worth something."

Truscott said in The Detroit News' Political Insider column, "There are indications this was wired before they (the 18-member Right to Life PAC) even looked at their questionnaires."

The column said, "There has been speculation Right to Life and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce got together and agreed to back Cox." Larry Galmish, PAC director for Right to Life, told the column nothing was predetermined and "there has been no collusion."

Other recent endorsements of Cox were from wealthy businessman Dick DeVos, the 2006 gubernatorial nominee, and his wife, Betsy, former chair of the Michigan GOP. The West Michigan power couple has close ties with the chamber and Right to Life.

Anuzis on Stupak Seat

Former Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis, now a Republican national committeeman and activist buddy of ex-U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other party figures, says pending retirement of U.S. Representative Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) provides the GOP "a unique opportunity to pick up a Dem seat." He told me in an e-mail exchange last week, "An open seat is often times a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

The First Congressional district has long been a conservative district that has been held by a pro-life, pro- 2nd amendment Reagan Democrat.

"The problem in today's environment is that Democrats run as conservatives, Trojan Horses as such, and then vote with (President Barack) Obama and the Democrat leadership when it really counts."

It's notable that the last three GOP state chairs remain influential in Michigan politics. In addition to DeVos and Anuzis, Rusty Hills, after serving as communications director for Cox, currently manages the attorney general campaign of Bill Schuette, former congressman, state senator, state ag director, and Court of Appeals judge.

Still aggressively on the scene for Democrats, State Chairman Mark Brewer did battle with Hills, DeVos, and Anuzis, as he does now with Republican State Chairman Ron Weiser.

George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.