Politics Michigan

GRANHOLM - PULL SCHIAVO'S PLUG!

2005-03-24T12:59:00.000-05:00

MIRS news reports Governor Granholm has saying:
"If Congress is going to step into every personal situation like this, it ceases to be a policy-making body."--Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM, giving her take on the week's news surrounding the Terri SCHIAVO case.

GRANHOLM POPULATES ETHICS BOARD

2005-03-24T09:45:00.000-05:00

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following appointment and reappointment to the Board of Ethics:

Milo “Mike” Pumford of Newaygo, former state representative and self-employed consultant with M&M Governmental Consultants. Mr. Pumford is appointed to represent Republicans for a term expiring February 7, 2009. He succeeds Leonard C. Wolfe whose term has expired.

John D. Pirich of East Lansing, partner with Honigman, Miller, Schwartz & Cohn law firm. Mr. Pirich is reappointed to represent Democrats for a term expiring February 7, 2009.

The board is authorized to receive citizens’ complaints concerning alleged unethical conduct by a public officer or employee and to inquire into the circumstances surrounding those allegations.

These appointments are subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. They stand confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

2008 MCCAIN & ROMNEY RAISE MONEY

2005-03-24T08:20:00.000-05:00

Detriot News' George Weeks reports on the fundraising success of 2008 hopefuls in Michigan:
In their recent Michigan visits, two potential 2008 presidential contenders helped raise about $1.5 million for state Republicans. Arizona Sen. John McCain was the draw at a March 14 gig for Attorney General Mike Cox that raised about $500,000 for Cox's re-election war chest. McCain raised lesser amounts for U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Holland, and Kent County Republicans.
A March 16 Romney event raised about $700,000 for the campaign committee of Republican state senators -- the committee's best ever fund-raiser. Romney's Commonwealth Political Action Committee, run by longtime Oakland County political operative Trent Wisecup, also gave $56,500 to Michigan Republican candidates, elected officials (including $2,500 to Cox) and party organizations last year. Romney said at his dinner speech in Livonia: "Sometimes I feel like the only red dot in America's bluest state. My legislature is 85 percent Democratic. ... Republicans make up only 13 percent of Massachusetts voters. Being a conservative Republican in Massachusetts is a bit like being a cattle rancher at a vegetarian convention."

MICHIGAN JOBS WORST IN 10 YEARS

2005-03-24T08:17:00.000-05:00

Today's Detroit News reports:
Michigan's jobless rate for February jumped to 7.5 percent, equaling the state's highest level since 1992 and dampening hopes of an economic upswing after the rate dropped in January.

BUDGET EO AGREEMENT REACHED!

2005-03-23T16:26:00.000-05:00

Gongwer reports:

303.3 M. BUDGET-BALANCING E.O. APPROVEDAn agreement to erase a $380 million shortfall in the current year was reached by Governor Jennifer Granholm and legislative leaders on Wednesday, leading to swift approval by Senate and House committees of $303.3 million in spending cuts and shifts.

DEMOCRAT TO RUN BLUE CROSS MICHIGAN

2005-03-23T12:07:00.000-05:00

AP reports the new head of BC/BS Michigan is Daniel Loepp, a former Democrat staff person as its new head:
Before his stint at Karoub Associates, Loepp was chief of staff for state House Speaker Curtis Hertel. Before that he was chief executive of the Service Station Dealers Association of Michigan. He also served as spokesman for state Attorney General Frank Kelley.

GRANHOLM PICKS FORD

2005-03-22T13:28:00.000-05:00

Governor Granholm Appoints Cynthia Ford to Michigan Education Trust Board of Directors

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the appointment of Cynthia N. Ford to the Michigan Education Trust (MET) Board of Directors. Ford, of Grosse Pointe Farms, is chair of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation and president of the University Liggett School Board of Trustees. She also serves as the mayoral commissioner appointee at the Detroit Zoological Institute.

The MET Board of Directors provides an avenue for families to invest in their
children's future, enabling them to attend a Michigan institution of higher education. Ford is appointed to represent members with knowledge, skill and experience in the academic, business or financial field for a term expiring December 31, 2007.

This appointment is subject to Article V, Section 6 of the Michigan State Constitution of 1963. The appointment stands confirmed unless disapproved by the Senate within 60 days.

SBT FIGHT GOES CYBER

2005-03-22T08:28:00.000-05:00

Michign capitol insider's publication GONGWER reports:
The Coalition for Tax Relief and Jobs took its case to cyberspace with www.stoptheshiftshaft.com, which argues that thousands of particularly small businesses would pay higher taxes under the proposal that focus the SBT formula on profits.

STABENOW UNDER 50

2005-03-22T08:13:00.000-05:00

The Detroit News' George Weeks reports on a MRG survey that puts Michigan's junior U.S. Senator under 50% favorable rating. Week's explains this as:

Senators sometimes "disappear down the mist of the Potomac" in relation to governors, notes Publisher/Editor Bill Ballenger of Inside Michigan Politics (IMP), which commissioned a March 7-13 poll of 600 likely voters -- folks who presumably tune in at least occasionally to what's going on in Lansing and Washington.
But Week's doesn't predict an end for Senator Stabenow, he says:

Stabenow may have vulnerabilities but to beat her Republicans will need to come up with a well-credentialed and well-financed challenger. Stabenow is mighty good on the stump.

COX SUED OVER GAY MARRIAGE

2005-03-21T15:01:00.000-05:00

No surprise here: The

EMILY'S CONFUSION

2005-03-21T13:58:00.000-05:00

The Detroit Free Press reports that the national fundraising group EMILYS List is either lying or got its facts messed up attempting to raise money purportedly to retain Michigan's junior U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow:

Last week, President Ellen Malcolm asked her network of donors to support Stabenow right away to help scare off strong, potential Republican opponents like "Dick DeVos, heir to the Amway billion-dollar empire," and Jane Abraham, wife of former GOP Sen. Spencer, who Stabenow beat in 2000.
One problem. DeVos' potential is scant. He's thinking seriously about running in 2006. But not for U.S. Senate versus Stabenow. DeVos wants to take on Granholm.

LEVIN BATS AGAINST SCHIAVO

2005-03-21T13:43:00.000-05:00

Michigan's senior U.S. Senator Carl Levin was on Sunday's Late Edition on CNN. The transcript follows:

It's a very, very puzzling and complicated debate, a very emotional debate that is unfolding. And the president of the United States heading back from his ranch in Texas to Washington to be ready to sign legislation into law if it comes down to that. Joining us now on "Late Edition," two U.S. senators to discuss this, as well as the second anniversary of the war in Iraq. In his home state of Michigan, Senator
Carl Levin: He is joining us. And in his home state, Republican Senator John Sununu. Both influential members of the Congress. Senator Levin, first to you: Will you vote to reinsert, reconnect that feeding tube for Terri Schiavo which was disconnected on Friday?
LEVIN: I think it's unwise for Congress to intervene in a very deeply personal matter such as this. There are many, many such individual cases that exist around the country that are in the courts. This one has been in the courts for 12 years, so I don't think it's wise as a general matter for Congress to intervene in these specific cases. However, Wolf, if Congress is going to intervene, it is critically important hat we not try to prejudge the outcome, that we not try to restrict the discretion of a federal judge and that we make it clear, as this bill now does, as a result of some modifications, that the federal judge would determine whether or not there is an existing constitutional or federal statutory right which has been violated here or which can be invoked in order to protect her. So if there is going to be this kind of an intervention and I think it's a mistake, at least it should be carefully constructed so, again, it does not restrict discretion on part of the federal judge or require -- for instance -- he issue a stay. At one point the Senate bill and the House bill required that the federal court issue a stay. We have now decided not to put that explicit language in there and allow the court to exercise the type of discretion on that matter that it ordinarily would under existing federal rules.
BLITZER: All right. What about you, Senator Sununu? Where do you stand on this very emotional, sensitive issue?
SUNUNU: I think Senator Levin has made the fair point that Congress isn't going to decide the case. But given the circumstances of the complex nature, the fact that this is life and death, and we have a mother and siblings who have been clear in their willingness to care for Terri Schiavo, we ought to allow them to have the ircumstances in their case reviewed in federal court before Terri Schiavo is left to die. And I think that's why you see the extraordinary effort being made to make sure that this legislation is dealt with. We passed it in the Senate before we went out. I think the House will pass a very similar measure today or late tonight and send it on to the president.
BLITZER: There was a GOP memo that's been published, widely circulated, Senator Sununu, that seems to suggest that some Republicans want to score political points by bringing this issue to the floor. Among other things, it says this is an important moral issue, and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue. And it goes on to say this is a great political issue because Senator Nelson of Florida has already refused to become a co-sponsor. He's a Democrat. And this is a tough issue for Democrats. Is this appropriate to use
this issue now as political fodder to try to score political points?
SUNUNU: I certainly don't think it's necessary. I think on any issue you'll find people at either extreme who look for an opportunity to advance a political position. This is a case of life and death. It's as dramatic and emotional an issue as Congress has to deal with. The measure that passed the Senate last week did so on a voice vote. I think it was generally considered quite bipartisan. I think whatever comes out of the House will similarly be supported by people on both sides of the aisle. There will be concerns or objections that might be raised. But at the end of the day, I think giving a hearing in federal court in this specific case is the least that we can do.
BLITZER: Senator Levin, the parents say, the brother of Terri Schiavo, they say she can communicate. She smiles. She seems to be responding to what they're aying. They insist, and despite some strong opinions from other doctors that she's in what they call persistent vegetative state, they believe she is very, very much alive. What's wrong with giving her this opportunity to go ahead, if the parents ant to deal with her, take care of her, what's wrong with that?
LEVIN: Well, that's what courts are here for: to make those kind of very difficult determinations. There's obviously a different point of view that they have to resolve. The state courts, where this type of matter usually resides, the state court in Florida has had this matter for 12 years. The Supreme Court has decided not to intervene. And it seems to me that this belongs in the courts. It has been in the courts. And now there will be an opportunity for a federal court to review this matter and decide whether or notthe courts previously in the state were wrong and whether or not there's a violation of a constitutional right or a federal statutory right here, which would take place if in fact she were removed from life support. But if there is a federal constitutional right or a federal statutory right which would be violated by removing the tube, then it seems to me a federal court should act, but I don't know that such a right exists. That's what we have courts
for.
BLITZER: All right. Senator Levin, Senator Sununu, please stand by. We're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we'll talk about this second anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq. Their assessments: Was it worth it? And is there an exit strategy for some 150,000 U.S. troops still in Iraq.A quick break. We'll be right back.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)BLITZER: Welcome back to LATE EDITION. We're live in Kuwait City on this the second anniversary of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.Senator Sununu, looking at the exit strategy right now, doyou see an exit strategy in Iraq? The U.S. military clearly deeply, deeply, deeply involved in what's happening here in Kuwait, the staging point for almost all the U.S. troops in Iraq.How much longer do you think U.S. troops are going to have to remain in Iraq?
SUNUNU: I don't think you can predict a precise date. And let's remember: An exit date is not an exit strategy. We have an exit strategy, and it consists of establishing a transitional government, investing in reconstruction activities, in training an Iraqi security force that will be prepared to take responsibility in that country, conducting elections, which hasbeen done successfully, and allowing that elected representational body to craft a permanent constitution and a permanent law.At that point, when we have a stable government and Iraqi security forces that have been trained to take over those security responsibilities, we can and will begin withdrawing U.S. troops. That's a strategy. Now, that's what we have in place right now. And critics canargue that things need to be modified or changed or we're not emphasizing the right set of priorities, but it is a clear strategy. And with the success of the elections, I think it continues to move along apace.
BLITZER: How much longer do you believe, Senator Levin, U.S. troops are going to be engaged in warfare in Iraq?
LEVIN: I wonder, Wolf, if I could just take 10 seconds to answer the question you did not ask me about that GOP memo to simply say that, if in fact that memo which said that the Schiavo matter should be made a political matter, is in fact a real memo, it will backfire on the person that wrote that memo, or on the Republicans, if they embrace it. The people do not want that issue to be politicized. And I want to leave it, if I could, at that and move on to your question about how long we will be here in Iraq.Hopefully the Iraqis will take over the responsibility quicker rather than later, because it is their country. And they must be as invested in their country as we are, they must be willing to bleed for their country. We can open the door, which we have for them, but they must walk through that door. And to me it is critical that the new Iraqi government, as one of their first actions, when this new government is put in place -- and that will hopefully be within the next few weeks -- that one of their first actions will be to invite the international community, including the United States and including Muslim nations, to have forces in their country, because the identification of us by our opponents and by the enemy as an occupying power, a Western occupier of a Muslim country, is hurting, it is playing right into the propaganda hands of the terrorists. And in order to change that characterization from an occupier to an ally, that new Iraqi government should invite us expressly to be there along with other Muslim countries. And hopefully then some Muslim countries will respond to that nvitation.
BLITZER: We're going to have to leave it right there.Senator Levin, thanks for joining us.Senator Sununu, thanks to you as well. Always a good discussion with both of you.We'll take another quick break.

CONGRESSIONAL CLASH

2005-03-20T07:40:00.000-05:00

George Weeks in today's Detroit News reflects further on the clash between Michigan's Congressional Members and Governor Granholm. The spat became public when Congresswoman Kilpatrick discussed it with the press.

Week's also reports on some new poll numbers due out this week in Inside Michigan Politics:

This week, Ballenger's newsletter publishes a March 7-13 poll of 600 likely voters conducted for it by Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group that shows Granholm with a favorability rating of 56 percent and a job approval rating of 55 percent. (Margin of error is plus or minus 4.1 percentage points). Not bad.
She has a 47-32 percent edge in a match-up with businessman Dick DeVos, who is among her possible 2006 challengers.

DUELING POLLS...

2005-03-18T08:42:00.000-05:00

The battle over Governor Granholm's SBT plan has been joined by dueling polls. One firm (from the Democrats), shows the public favoring the proposal at 52%; the other firtm (from the Republicans) shows 60% oppose the plan. The polls were conducted within 2 days of each other.

Details at MIRS.

Hmm...

HOT APPOINTMENTS

2005-03-17T19:17:00.000-05:00

LANSING – Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced the following recent appointments to the State Fire Safety Board:

Beverly Hannah-Jones of Pontiac, CEO, owner, and architect for Hannah & Associates, Inc./Hannah Murano architect firm. Ms. Hannah-Jones is appointed to represent registered architects for a term expiring July 15, 2007. She succeeds Mr. John Z. Ballew whose term has expired.

Earl C. Howard of Detroit, senior associate structural engineer for the City of Detroit Department of Public Works. Mr. Howard is appointed to represent registered professional engineers for a term expiring July 15, 2007. He succeeds Mr. Vladimir Boldyreff whose term has expired.

Zehnder Keller of Frankenmuth, president and owner of Bavarian Inn Lodge. Ms. Zehnder Keller is appointed to represent persons who own a place of public assemblage for a term expiring July 15, 2007.

Ronald R. Farr of Otsego, fire chief for the Kalamazoo Township Fire Department. Mr. Farr is designated as chairperson of the State Fire Safety Board, to serve as chairperson

GRANHOLM GOVERNOR OR ATTORNEY GENERAL?

2005-03-15T13:23:00.000-05:00

Governor Granholm takes on Michigan's insurance companies, from her press release today:

“Tomorrow, the MCCA, a private association run by a small group of insurance executives, will meet behind closed doors to determine how much more Michigan drivers will have to pay for automobile insurance,” said Granholm. “The public needs to have a say in this process, and I call on the Legislature to add sunshine to the process of setting our citizens’ auto insurance rates.”

McCAIN'S WINDS OF CHANGE

2005-03-15T11:43:00.000-05:00

Reports quote Arizonia U.S. Senator John McCain during an unofficial campaign stop for President in Holland and Grand Rapids, he gave the Republican crowd big-picture speak on the future:
"Why is it so difficult? With the savings and loan scandals, it was real and apparent, but you can't see climate change," he said. As for the "winds of change" in the Mideast, McCain put Bush on the same pedestal as President Reagan, saying the region's quests for democracy are every bit as historical as the Berlin Wall falling.
"Something's happening, my friends, and it's because of the leadership that began with Ronald Reagan and has continued under George W. Bush," McCain said. We're looking at events that can easily be compared to the fall of the Berlin Wall." He added: "It's all because this president and the American people have been illing to serve and to sacrifice. Are there going to be setbacks? Yes. Are all rulers goingto hold to their word? No. But the march of time is in favor of freedom."

POLLSTERS BUCK BUTLER

2005-03-15T08:25:00.000-05:00

In today's George Week's column, political pollsters Steve Mitchell and Ed Sarpolous both give dim prospects for would-be U.S. Senate candidate Keith Butler against U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow:
Steve Mitchell on Butler: "very charismatic and articulate, a great speaker. But I'm still not sure Michigan is ready to elect a black to one of the three top high offices"
Ed Sarpolus of EPIC/MRA, who says working against Butler in a statewide vote is his identification with Detroit, and among Detroit voters is that "he's not a force in the black community."

GRANHOLM MOVES RIGHT AFTER DECALOGUE-GATE

2005-03-14T17:55:00.000-05:00

Two weeks after Governor Granholm reversed course on public postings of the 10-Commandments, the Governor announces the launch of a “Bush-like” Office of Faith Based Initiatives.

"It is a bridge that will physically connect the faith community and state
government," Granholm said at a symposium on faith-based initiatives.

The new government agencies can be found here.

DEMS STILL MULLING A CHANGE IN PREZ PRIMARY

2005-03-14T01:06:00.000-05:00

The first meeting of the Democratic National Committee's Commission on Presidential Nomination Timing and Scheduling will be held this Saturday in Washington, D.C, Commission Co-Chairs former U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman and North Carolina Congressman David Price announced Tuesday. The 40 member Commission is charged with studying the scheduling of Democratic presidential primaries and caucuses and making recommendations for the 2008 nominating process. Michigan members of the Commission are Senator Carl Levin and DNC Committeewoman Debbie Dingell. The meeting will take place at the Washington Convention Center, Room 204 on 801 Mount Vernon Place, N.W. in Washington, D.C. at 10 a.m.

BUTLER READY TO ROLL

2005-03-14T01:01:00.000-05:00

Insider publicaiton MIRS (Michigan Information Research Service) reports the following from would-be U.S. Senate candidate Keith Butler on his decision to run against Debbie Stabenow:

We're probably, at this point, about 80 percent in. we expect to make a final determination in the spring probably relatively early. But we're certainly about 80 percent in now. It looks good. We're getting support all over the state. We are very encouraged. It looks very good.

DeVOS SKIS INTO GOV RACE?

2005-03-14T00:49:00.000-05:00

Capitol insider publication MIRS (Michigan Information Network Service) reports possible governor candidate and West Michigan mega-millionaire businessman Dick DeVos filed his "paperwork" to initiate an exploratory committee (reported here) from Aspen, Colorado.

Pop quiz: Q: Who's another GOP politician to whom the slopes were not kind? A: Sunny Bono.

McCAIN 2008 STARTS IN GRR

2005-03-14T00:43:00.000-05:00

U.S. Senator John McCain will headline the Kent County GOP's "Lincoln Day Dinner" on Monday.

But McCain tells the Grand Rapids Press, he's just coming to help the Party:

"I've got no ulterior motive," he told The Press. "I'm just coming out to do a little party stuff."

McCain beat Georeg W. Bush during the 2000 GOP primary in Michigan.

GRANHOLM STUMPS IN WEST MICHIGAN

2005-03-09T17:15:00.000-05:00

MAB station of the year, WOOD TV reports:

Governor Jennifer Granholm was in West Michigan Wednesday to promote her idea of finding jobs for 30,000 people by the end of the year. The governor talked about her plan at The Source in Grand Rapids that helps companies looking for workers and workers looking for jobs find each other. Granholm says matching the available jobs with people looking for work is a major part of her plan. The governor says she thinks the state can get up to $10 million from the federal government to help in that effort.

Granholm's plan is called the "Michigan opportunity Partnership Plan." Hmmm...Wasn't "opportunity" one of President Bush's 2004 campaign buzz words?

GRANHOM IS FURIOUS!

2005-03-09T16:30:00.000-05:00

"It is outrageous. I am furious," she [Granholm] said while walking from the Capitol. "They abdicated their duty for partisan reasons."

This is the reported response from Governor Granhom regarding a Senate comimttee's rejection of her nominee Dorthy Jones. Furious? Is she taking it personal? This is an uncharastically peevish response from a state's CEO. The AP also reports:

According to Senate Secretary Carol Viventi, the last rejection of a gubernatorial nominee came in 1990, when the Republican-controlled Senate blocked Democratic Gov. Jim Blanchard's attempt to appoint several people to commissions and boards near the end of his term.

STATE SENATE REJECTS NOMINEE - Breaking News

2005-03-09T12:51:00.000-05:00

For the first time in 15-years a State Senate committee has rejected a nominee to the State Board of Canvassers by Governor Granholm. The rejected nominee is Dorothy Jones.

STABENOW IS 9 OF 33

2005-03-09T10:46:00.000-05:00

National Journal's Hotline editor Chuck Todd today ranks the 33 U.S. Senate races. His take on Michigan is:

Debbie Stabenow (D) In the Republican Party's first high-profile push at Senate recruiting for this cycle, the party fell on its face. Despite the efforts of the entire Senate GOP leadership and the president, Rep. Candace Miller dashed her party's hopes and opted for re-election. It was odd to see Bush pushing her publicly one day and a few days later, Miller saying no. That's not the way the Bush political operation usually works. The whole series of events was a bit perplexing. Still, Stabenow shouldn't feel home free. This idea of running Jane Abraham, the wife of the senator Stabenow defeated, certainly would spark some national interest in this race, particularly among donors.

Do you think the National Journal knows Congressman Miller's name is Candice, not Candace?

GRANHOLM'S TRANSCRIPT - IN THE NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT!

2005-03-09T08:51:00.000-05:00

DOBBS: My guest tonight has announced a new jobs initiative to boost her state's economy. Her plan will create tens of thousands of high-paying jobs, and establish Michigan as a leader in new technology. Also making higher education and job training more available, putting more emphasis on it. Governor Jennifer Granholm of Michigan is our guest tonight. Good to have you with us, Governor.
GOV. JENNIFER GRANHOLM (D), MICHIGAN: Thanks for having me on, Lou.
DOBBS: Your initiative, your state's unemployment rate running just over 7 percent, the last numbers that I saw. What are you doing to change that as best you can?
GRANHOLM: Well, Lou, as you know, our state has this wonderful legacy of being tied to the automotive industry, and our great legacy is a great challenge for a state that has 30 percent of its work force paid through the manufacturing industry. With outsourcing, with NAFTA -- I know you were just on talking about CAFTA, and we call it SHAFTA in the state of Michigan -- but truly we have struggled with the global economy. So our plan is to put people back to work in a number of areas that cannot be outsourced. One of them is creating, accelerating infrastructure bonds to put 36,000 people back to work today, building roads. We know that cannot be outsourced, building infrastructure in Michigan, to try to jump-start our economy. We have a long-term plan, though, too. We want to diversify, because we can't rely so much on our great manufacturing legacy, in light of these trade agreements. So we want to diversify on the high end, and make sure that we have high-tech jobs. And we clearly want to create jobs today and jobs tomorrow.
DOBBS: And you're bringing in foreign manufacturers?
GRANHOLM: We are trying to diversify by attracting international investment here as well. If we are attempting -- in fact, Lou, I just sent a chapter of your book to Carlos Gutierrez, because in your book you talk about leveraging the U.S. strength as an economic power. And what Ronald Reagan did to ensure that Toyota built in the United States. And I think that we can do more of that in many realms, to leverage our country's power, to ensure that we are not just the recipients of imports, but that in fact we have international investment in this country. If they're going to import into this country, they should build and create jobs here as well.
DOBBS: Well, good for you, Governor. And the fact is, the economy is -- of course our national economy that we all deal with in terms of the markets and the broad trends, but you in Michigan and every state across the country has individual and unique aspects to an economy, and the way in which you're dealing with it, doubly tough because of the legacy that you talk about in manufacturing.
GRANHOLM: One of the things that we are doing, though, is to ensure that every child in Michigan has access to college. We -- our great history has been that people came to Michigan because you didn't have to have a college degree to get a good-paying job. Consequently, we have got a larger number of our population that right now are facing outsourcing, et cetera, without higher or advanced degrees. So we aregoing to work with our universities to have a college credit amnesty, to get all of those adults who may have taken a few courses to go back and have those credits count, no matter how far back they are. We also want to give every child a chance to go to college and pay for two years of college. After they have completed that two years -- and when I say college, I'm talking about vocational, technical degrees, two-year community colleges, as well as two years of a four-year institution.
DOBBS: Governor Granholm, let me just say straight out, good for you. That is great. That's the kind of initiative, that, you know, boy, I would sure like to hear it all over the country. And I just want to compliment you, as I'm sure everybody watching does.
GRANHOLM: I appreciate it. We're working hard. We're not going to stand still. DOBBS: Well, as they say, standing still isn't an option. We're either moving ahead...
GRANHOLM: That's right. That's exactly right.
DOBBS: ... or we don't want to talk about that other direction.
GRANHOLM: That's right.
DOBBS: Governor Granholm, thank you.
GRANHOLM: Thank you, Lou.

GRANHOLM PITCHES FOREIGN JOBS TO COME TO MI

2005-03-08T18:52:00.000-05:00

Tonight, on CNN's Lou Dobbs, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm pitched for foreign companies to come to Michigan.

ANTI-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION FIGHT

2005-03-08T09:46:00.000-05:00

The Michigan State Board of Canverses has limited appeal or challenges to the anti-affirmative action amendment to 10 days. MIRS (Michigan Informationa Research Service) reports on the exchange at the Board meeting:

BAMN's George Washington suggested the implementation of the MCRI amendment would shrink the number of black and minority students within the University of Michigan by one third. The Ku Klux Klan, on its web site, was giving people directions on how to go about signing this petition.If MCRI had 180 days to round up allegedly 580,000 people to sign these petitions, than his group should be given more than a week and a half to validate the number."I think that's completely unfair and puts us in a situation where there is no time to process these signatures on an issue that is of the greatest importance to the state of Michigan," Washington said.A more doom-and-gloom scenario was painted by BAMN's Luke Massie, who predicted re-segregated high schools and women professors being
run out of their tenure track positions in the state's university system if their proposal were to pass. He suggested that people were urged to sign their names multiple times or signed the petitions after being given a misguided description of what the petition really was."It's your professional obligation to make sure that everything is in order if we're to go forward," Massie said.

MOTOR CITY MADMAN 2 RUN 4 GOVERNOR?

2005-03-07T18:19:00.000-05:00

Ted Nugent, Michigan's Motor City Madman admited he's considering running for Governor. Fun, fun, fun!

MURPHY NEW TOP COP

2005-03-06T09:55:00.000-05:00

Monday, the Lansing State Journal reports, Steven Murphy will be named the new U.S. Attorney for Michigan's Eastern District.

Murphy was a trial attorney with the Justice Department from 1987-92 and an assistant U.S. attorney in Detroit from 1992 to 2000, when he joined GM. He also teaches at Ave Maria Law School and the University of Detroit Mercy Law School.

DeVOS FILES COMMITTEE

2005-03-05T14:56:00.000-05:00

The Associated Press reports that businessman Dick DeVos has filed a committee to explore running for Governor.

GRANHOLM v DeVOS TV ADS START

2005-03-04T08:22:00.000-05:00

In the (at this time) fictional match-up of Governor Granholm versus businessman Dick DeVos, senior Capitol correspondent Tim Skubick has already scripted a campaign TV ad:
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's kitchen cabinet assumes DeVos will run, thus he
could run into this first attack ad:
The scene is the infamous porch from the 2002 campaign. Granholm is again sitting comfortably with a cup of Joe. "Hi. I'm Governor Jennifer Gran-holm. Four years ago, when I ran for this office, the other party made a big deal about my supposed lack of Michigan values. Remember that? Well, take a look at this."
(At this point a picture of DeVos standing behind the wheelhouse of his huge yacht comes on the screen.) Granholm continues: "This is my opponent ...a multimillionaire. If your Michigan values include owning a yacht, vote for him."
(Camera returns to her.) "If all you have is a porch (dramatic pause with a wink) vote for me." (Fade to black.)

Also interesting to note is that in this column, Skubick says the Governor's "kitchen cabnet" has concluded that their opponent will be DeVos.

10 SUGGESTIONS?

2005-03-03T18:21:00.000-05:00

A Michigan legislator brings the a 10 Commandment monument to tour the Great Lakes State:

Rep. Jack Hoogendyk said the tour will start in his hometown of Kalamazoo on March 15 and will end on March 20 in Wayne County at a location still being worked out. "I am excited to bring this monument to Michigan," Hoogendyk said in a written statement. "It represents the foundation of our country's laws and is part of the national debate about what role the Ten Commandments has in the public square."

Hoogendyk's statement, as reported, is interesting in its classic myopic portrayal of history. What part of the 10 Commandments is the foundation to the American "due process" tradition? Or our judicial review process? Habis Corpus? Hmmm...

GOP CALLS FOR TAX HIKE

2005-03-03T18:13:00.000-05:00

Who says your perspective doesn't depend on your seat in the stadium? Former Speaker of the Michigan House Paul Hillegonds - who is not worried about running for re-election now that he is retired - has suggested that increases taxes might help the State of Michigan's budget woes.

"Tax-cutting is not always the answer," said Hillegonds, a former state House speaker who represented the Holland area for 18 years before retiring in 1996.
"We have to get over that," he said. "I'm probably not making friends in the Republican Party by saying this, but ... at some point, we have to know we disinvest at our risk. We need to look at broadening the tax base or increasing taxes."

PBA BAN SAGA

2005-03-03T08:04:00.000-05:00

The battle (drama) over ending/allowing partial birth abortion continues. History re-cap: 1) Ban passed, 2) Signed by GOP Governor, 3) Blocked by Courts, 4) Another Ban passed by legislator, 5) Vetoed by Dem Governor, 6) "People's Override" petition conducted, 7) Affirmed by the legislature. And, now 8) The ACLU announced:

Detroit, MI—The American Civil Liberties Union, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and Planned Parenthood Federation of America asked a federal court today to strike down a broad abortion ban that would outlaw virtually all abortions in the state and interfere with a doctor’s ability to provide other critical health care services.

LAND GOES AFTER DTW REPRESENATIVES

2005-03-03T07:58:00.000-05:00

According to the Detroit Free Press, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land has referred campaign finance violation cases to the state's Attorney General Mike Cox for prosecution. This might be the first time that Michigan Campaign Finance law actually has some real-world meaning.

For the first time, Michigan election officials are seeking the prosecution of two state lawmakers suspected of falsely claiming that they properly accounted for their campaign money... Reps. George Cushingberry Jr. and LaMar Lemmons III..

MAYOR HIP-HOP RAISES THE BLING!

2005-03-02T08:23:00.000-05:00

The Detroit Free Press reports that Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is way-ahead of his political rivals in both raising and spending campaign cash. Mayor Kilpatrick is up for his first re-election this fall.

Kwame Kilpatrick raised more than $1.3 million last year -- nearly eight times more than his closest fund-raising rival in the 2005 race for mayor of Detroit.

But Kilpatrick's prowess in raking in contributions was nearly surpassed by his spending. The mayor shelled out more than $1 million last year to bolster his bid for a second term.

DINGELL ... HE KEEPS GOING, AND GOING...

2005-03-01T15:32:00.000-05:00

Michigan Congressman John Dingell is the longest-serving current Member of Congress, and according to Washington paper The Hill reports:

Few people outside his immediate circle probably noticed, but Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) is now the second-longest-serving member of the House.The 78-year-old Dingell surpassed the late Rep. Carl Vinson’s (D-Ga.) tenure of 50 years and two months in January. Dingell is within reach of the longevity record of the late Rep. Jamie Whitten (D-Miss.), who served 53 years and two months, and will surpass him if he wins reelection in 2006 and 2008.
Dingell took office Dec. 13, 1955, succeeding his father, who served 23 years before his death. Together, they already hold the father-and-son congressional longevity record of more than 73 years. Dingell, who also spent five years as a House page, is the only member of the House who served in the 1950s. He’s so senior that the second most senior member of the House, Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), once worked on his staff.
Dingell’s father was one of the original sponsors of Social Security, which is why his son opposes President Bush’s plan to partially privatize it, and why he is hosting a series of “Save our Social Security” forums in his district this month.

CUMMINGS NOW, DICK LATER

2005-03-01T10:47:00.000-05:00

The guru of Michigan campaigns, Inside Politics editor Bill Ballenger tells MIRS (Michigan Information Research Service) that would-be GOP U.S. Senate candidate Peter Cummings must launch his campaign immediately, while would-be GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos can wait till fall.

"I think there's an important distinction between Cummings' situation and that of DeVos," said Inside Michigan Politics Editor Bill BALLENGER. "Frankly I think if Cummings is going to get in he should do so this spring at the latest."Ballenger pointed out that candidates for the U.S. Senate don't get public funding the way gubernatorial candidates do."U.S. Sen. Debbie STABENOW (D-Lansing) raised a lot of money when she ran against Spencer ABRAHAM and Ihave to assume she'll do that again if she has any kind of credible opponent," Ballenger said. "I don't put Cumming in the same category as DeVos in terms of money. I think he's going to have to raise money and the sooner he starts the better.""The other point about the Senate race is that I think it's pretty well set as far as Stabenow is concerned," Ballenger continued. "In other words, I don't see much reason for waiting if you're Cummings."However, Ballenger said DeVos can afford to wait a bit before entering the gubernatorial race."With Dick DeVos - he can wait until fall," Ballenger said. "He can wait and see what happens over the spring and summer. He'll be able to see how Granholm's doing and what other Republicans may be getting interested in running. He'll be able to get a better idea of what he'll be facing.""DeVos is almost sure to bypass the public dollars," Ballenger continued. "He'll be able to wait and still almost get a standing start and define himself."

LEVIN PUSHES FOR EARLY MI PREZ PRIMARY

2005-03-01T10:13:00.000-05:00

George Weeks covers U.S. Carl Levin's push to make Michigan Democrats more of a player in the Presidential nomination proccess. Week's describes Levin's motivation for this fight:

That, essentially, is the question Levin has been asking from the outset of his battle. He long ago complained that the focus of candidates in the decisive early stage is too much on ethanol in the Corn Belt and not enough on jobs in the Rust Belt.

ANTI-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION READY FOR APPROVAL

2005-02-27T23:12:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, the Michigan Board of State Canvassers will meet at 10:00 am at the state capitol to set deadlines for the approval process of petitions submitted to repeal affirmative action.

MAYOR HIP-HOP IN TROUBLE

2005-02-25T13:16:00.000-05:00

A Zogby Int'l poll; conducted 2/1-2 for Friends of Benny and Sharon; surveyed 401 likely Detroit voters; margin of error +/- 5% (release, 2/12).

2-Way Test:

McPhail 39% - Kilpatrick 30 - Undec/Oth 32

3-Way Mayoral:

McPhail 27% - Kilpatrick 23 - Hendrix 20 - Undec/Oth 30

Kilpatrick Deserve Re-Elect? Time for change 65%

SCHWARZ IFFY ON BUSH SOC SECURITY PLAN

2005-02-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

Michigan's newest Congressman Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) has told a district newspaper:

"H]e was not 100 percent behind the administration's push for the privatization of Social Security."

The story also mentions he's been over the pond already with "official" travel to the Ukraine and Germany.

DeGROW DEFENDS STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

2005-02-25T12:03:00.000-05:00

Watch today's Off the Record, former State Senate Majority Leader Dan DeGrow, now St. Claire ISD superintendent says a luke-warm "no" to abolishing the State Board of Education. DeGrow says "No" to running for Governor himself, but lays the responsibility for the state of Michigan schools at the feet of the state's top Executive.

MI DEMS ELECT NEW LEADERS

2005-02-25T11:13:00.000-05:00

From today's Michigan Democrat Party email:

On Saturday, February 19, 2005, Michigan Democrats gathered in Detroit for their 2005 State Convention. There, the Michigan Democratic Party elected its Chair, 1st Vice Chair and 2nd Vice Chair. Democrats were energized by speeches from Governor Jennifer M. Granholm, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, U.S. Senator Carl Levin and other Party leaders. The Convention was co-chaired by Lt. Governor John Cherry and MDP 1st Vice Chair Tina Abbott. For more information, visit: http://mi-democrats.com/press/2004pr/2-22-05%20Convention.pdf . To view the MDP’s 2005 Resolutions, visit: http://mi-democrats.com/2005Resolutions.pdf

This week's PBS - Off The Record

2005-02-25T09:09:00.000-05:00

Here's the line-up for this week's Off the Record:

This week in Michigan politics, a plan to guarantee funding for K-16 education opens to less than rave reviews, and it looks like it’s West Michigan republican Dick DeVos for governor.The guest is St. Clare County ISD Superintendent Dan DeGrow. He’s one of the co-authors of the education funding plan.With Kyle Melinn, Amy Bailey, and John Lindstrom.

DeVOS MARKS SPOT IN CYBERSPACE

2005-02-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

According to capitol publication Gongwer, the website domain addressees of www.devosforgovernor.com and www.devosforsenate.com have been reserved by the DeVos family.

SPEAKER DeROUCHE DEFENDS PROMISE

2005-02-24T18:07:00.000-05:00

Promises made by politicians are made to be broken and then attacked by other politicians who didn't make that promise otherwise it'd have been a promise they broke. Regardless, the current budget battles in Lansing are full of hot air and short on solutions. That latest in the give-and-take and the battle of words comes from House Speaker Craig DeRouche:

"The fact that we're proposing ranging on a promise to middle school students that achieve their MEAP tests is something that is outrageous to me," the Novi Republican said during a news conference. "These kids did their work, they studied and got the grades and now they're getting a raw deal."

LEVIN ON SECURITY

2005-02-24T17:46:00.000-05:00

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) is known for his lowered eyeglasses, liberal voting and mostly for his rapid response constituents services. Here's a lengthy bureaucratic form letter, however, that he churned out regarding national security...posted on another blog!

WORLD-WIDE ENGLER?

2005-02-24T08:47:00.000-05:00

The White House announced former Michigan Governor John Engler has been appointed to the U.S. Avisory Commitee for Trade Policy and Negotiations.

LEVIN CALLS DEAN BAD IMAGE!

2005-02-23T13:05:00.000-05:00

From today's national political "insider" pub, the Hotline:

Michigan Daily's Miller reports, after prefacing a Q&A session with a short speech to the predominately Dem crowd about the future of Social Security, Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI): "I have mixed feelings in terms of Dean. I think he brings some tremendous plusses to the table, in terms of his appeal to people that have never been involved. He opened up a whole new way of raising money that is healthy and successful. The minuses are that the image he brings to the party is not the image that attracts a lot of independent voters." Levin also spoke about the primary calendar: "We should alternate by who goes first, probably region-by-region. The Democratic Party is an egalitarian party. We don't believe in privilege. Those two states have privileges that no one else has -- that's wrong." More, on abortion: "I don't believe we can hedge on whether a woman has the right to choose" (2/23).
Well with friends like this, who needs enemies!

622 DAY HEAD START

2005-02-22T14:36:00.000-05:00

The election/campaign season is now nearly eternal...already candidates (or a candidate) is announcing for state house, with the election a whopping 622 days away! According to Capitol publication Gongwer, Tim Doyle has announced for the 75th House District (near Grand Rapids).

Indeed, Mr. Doyle said he decided to announce his interest at this early date because "any Republican who is serious about winning will need to get out of the gates early and prove to party leaders and GOP lawmakers that they can win in November.

Serious huh? Or in serious need of a life!

FRIST AMONG EQUALS?

2005-02-22T12:06:00.000-05:00

The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan (an early, but not an uber-early) Presidential Primary state is hosting Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) at the Oakland County Republican Dinner. Frist is expected to seek the GOP nomination for President. The Free Press also notes some likely campaigning for something other than President that will be going on:

Dick DeVos, a widely rumored candidate for governor, and his wife, Betsy DeVos, former chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, will attend the dinner at the Marriott Centerpoint Hotel in Pontiac.
Also attending will be Jane Abraham, who has been talking about running for the U.S. Senate in 2006 against Debbie Stabenow, the Democrat who defeated Abraham's husband, former U.S. Sen. Spencer Abraham, in 2000.

DEM CHAIR CARELESS ABOUT GOV GRANHOLM?

2005-02-22T08:51:00.000-05:00

Decade-long chairman of the Michgian Demcocat Party Mark Brewer decribed his 2006 focus to Lansing insider publication MIRS (Michigan Information Research Service) as:

My focus now is going to be getting her, (U.S. Sen.) Debbie STABENOW (D-Lansing) and the rest of the Democrats re-elected in '06.

VOTE TUESDAY!

2005-02-22T00:58:00.000-05:00

If you didn't know it, your community may have an important election today. As a part of the "election consolidation" package signed into law by Governor Granholm, today is one of four days that municipalities can host elections in the calendar year 2005. If you need to know your polling location, click here.

ROBO TERMINATED?

2005-02-21T03:16:00.000-05:00

Could the end of those pesky "robo calls" (automated/computerized recordings) from current and aspiring politicos be near? The Grand Rapids Press reports a West Michigan legislator is seeking to ban them. Good luck. And let's tackle email spam too!

SPADE THE NEW STANDARD?

2005-02-21T03:07:00.000-05:00

David Spade's Capitol One Credit "No is the answer" commericals appear to the latest rave of those without any creativity of their own. Last week, the National Republican Congressional Comittee provided their version; today, the Detroit Free Press's editoral cartoon does its spoof. Enough already. We can all be glad the "Dell Dude" is long gone.

ABRAHAM GOING TO OTTAWA?

2005-02-18T16:58:00.001-05:00

Ok, this is not timely, it's from a week ago, but we missed it. In the Washignton Post:

Outpost in Ottawa

The National Post in Canada yesterday listed prominent U.S. neighbors as likeliest successors to outgoing Ambassador Paul Cellucci in Ottawa. Marc F. Racicot, former Montana governor, and more recently chair of the 2004 Bush campaign, was in the mix, as was former House member George R. Nethercutt (R-Wash.), who lost his bid for the Senate in November.

Another top candidate was said to be former Michigan senator and more recently secretary of energy Spencer Abraham. Abraham, often asked to visit America's largest supplier of energy, generally demurred, preferring important conferences in Europe and Walt Disney World. But, when he finally made it up there, we're told, he found the ambassadorial digs exquisitely comfy.

GOVERNOR FLIP-FLOP?

2005-02-18T16:36:00.000-05:00

It's hard to tell what's being thought in the Governor's office...or even if thought occurs. The normally polished and ever-cleaver Governor Granholm has a had series of missteps of late, that cought the eyes of Capitol Senior Corresspondent Tim Skubick. He writes a pithy piece here.

This week's PBS - Off The Record

2005-02-18T15:49:00.000-05:00

“Off The Record With Tim SKUBICK,” which airs at 9 p.m. on WKAR TV 23 will feature Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell) with a reporter panel that includes Chris Christoff of The Detroit Free Press, Zach Gorchow of Gongwer and Kathy Barks Hoffman of The Associated Press.

DEBBIE IN THE CLEAR?

2005-02-18T15:31:00.000-05:00

From today's DSCC weekly email:

Michigan: Republicans in Michigan are now looking for their fourth choice to take on Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) after two elected officials from suburban Oakland County decided they would not enter the race. Indeed, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard publicly announced his candidacy only to drop out 10 days later, citing a non-life-threatening health concern. Rep. Candice Miller (R-MI) previously announced that she would not run.