IT'S NOT THE BEST OF TIMES IN MICHIGAN, and the state's plight was noted by Mitt Romney yesterday in the GOP debate:

DEARBORN, Mich. -- Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney has taken an early shot at Governor Jennifer Granholm during the GOP debate by criticizing her for raising taxes.

The former Massachusetts governor drew laughter when he said he was afraid Michigan's Democratic governor "was going to put a tax on this debate."

Romney says Michigan's economic struggles are personal for him and he will work to help the state out of its "one-state recession."

Ouch.

Romney's dad George was the governor of Michigan from 1963 to 1969.