If you saw Obama’s first press conference this afternoon, you likely noticed a familiar face there next to him. Michigan’s Governor, Jennifer Granholm, was there with him on stage, alongside the other members of President-elect Obama’s newly announced transition team.
The general consensus seems to be that Obama wants her to serve in his administration in some capacity. The most popular theory seems to be that she would be appointed to the Supreme Court should an opening present itself during his first term. Of course, we’ve also said about Hillary Clinton. Other possibilities bandied about for Granholm are Secretary of Energy, Labor or Interior.
I’m not sure why, but it seems as though Obama has some affinity for Granholm. She, as I recall, spent some time with Obama and Biden during the campaign, even going so far as to stand in for Sarah Palin during Biden’s practice debates. And, as I mentioned in an earlier post, Granholm was one of Obama’s special guests in the audience during his final debate with McCain. As Granholm was an avid supporter of Hillary Clinton, it’s a bit of a surprise that they’ve become so close, but, given the severe economic conditions in Michigan, it’s not surprising that Obmama would reach out to our Governor when attempting to craft an economic policy that addresses the issues faced by the Big 3, and all of us who are impacted downstream by their activities. Or, maybe it’s just that he likes being around other graduates of Harvard Law.
And according to some, like Lansing consultant Bill Rustem, who was quoted in today’s Chicago Tribune, given the choice, she may be more inclined to leave for DC than to stay here and watch the Big 3 implode… It’s also worth noting that Granholm, should she decide to stay in Michigan, could not run for Governor again due to term limits. When her current term came to an end 2010, the Canadian-born Governor would have to find something else to do.
According to the Grand Rapids Press, however, an offer may not be made, at least in the short term. Their take is that Obama may, at the request for former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer – an early backer of the President-elect’s – hold back on offering Granholm a position until closer to the end of her term as Governor, in two years. This, they argue, would keep Lt. Governor John Cherry out of the Governor’s office, thereby making him less of a threat to Archer come election time. (Archer, it seems, has designs on the office.) The concern, simply put, is that if Granholm goes to DC now, Cherry will have two years as Governor, and thus be considerably more difficult for Archer to beat.
So, for now, I guess we just watch and wait, hoping that something good comes of the blossoming relationship between our Governor and our future President for the hard-working men and women of Michigan, who have been suffering these past several years.
11 Comments
Maybe she’ll advise him to spend money we don’t have on stuff. And cure human evil by regulation. So everyone cheers.
This comment brought to you by Fatalist Charmin: “fuck it, you’re just going to shit again, you dirty little shitter.”
Sorry, that was a trifle more negative than I was intending to be lately.
I’m sorry, but I find it hard to see Granholm as a visionary. I can see why Obama would want the perspective of someone from the area, given that we seem to be in the deepest shit. But it’s not like she’s fixed anything. I guess that maybe without her leadership things might be worse, but it’s hard to imagine.
And sometimes a situation calls for negativity.
President-elect Obama wanted her behind him on the podium for set decoration. Didn’t you notice during the press conference that the TV folks went out of their way to get the angle that put her looking over his right shoulder?
Why? Is she considered “hot”?
Gov. Jen. going to Washington would be a win-win for her and for Mich. Nice to have an advocate so close to the presidents ear. Mr. Cherry could establish himself and Gov. Jens. cool, pragmatic demeanor would mesh well with Ob’s style.
She singlehandedly made Ypsilanti cool. She bestowed some of her own hipness on our lame asses vicariously. Without her, we’d be getting pantsed by Ann Arbor.
…as someone from A2 might think, anyway.
I grew up in East Ann Arbor, so feel connected to both cities, but Ypsi is a much nicer place to live, and A2 is close enough to enjoy its tremendous cultural opportunities.
Enough Jennifer bashing. It is not as if she ever had a chance in the dismal political climate she has served in. She never rolled in oil like Palin and she is not willing to let American manufacturing become extinct. Being HOT is beside the point. After 8 years of being ignored, I personally was thrilled to read about Jennifer basking in a little limelight. What is sad is the climate President Elect Obama is starting under compared to George W.’s start. All they worried about in 2000 was missing W’s on keyboards and how to waste away our surplus.
I think Granholm gets a pretty bad rap. I guess you could argue that she hasn’t made things that much better, but I don’t think she is to blame. If you look around the country you see that we aren’t the only ones doing poorly (although you could argue that we are among the worst). They may not have panned out but Granholm has at least been trying to get things on track. It seems every week or so she is in the news trying something new. I don’t recall ever hearing Engler do half as much.
Oh yeah, and she is definitely hot.