Michigan Politics
Guv Hopefuls Make Splashes at Conventions
By George Weeks

A Michigan sub-plot on occasion at national presidential nominating conventions is that they provide opportunity for gubernatorial hopefuls to showcase themselves before delegates who are political activists in every district of the state.

So it was for Lieutenant Governor John Cherry, who was Michigan's Mr. Entertainment at the August 25 to August 28 Democratic National Convention in Denver. He threw a big party at the Cowboy Lounge, hosted a luncheon for labor leaders, and joined term-limited Governor Jennifer Granholm in co-hosting other events.

At last week's Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Attorney General Mike Cox gave a Detroit Red Wings jersey to each delegate, with the delegate's name on the back, along with an emblazed "Team Cox."

In a note to Michigan delegates, Cox suggested wearing of the jerseys would be a good way to honor "America's hockey mom," Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, as she addressed the convention as John McCain's running mate.

Wear them they did, and the gig got some national TV exposure.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, another prospective GOP candidate for governor in 2010, was lower key at the GOP convention. She was an honoree at a luncheon for a grassroots fund that promotes youth involvement in politics.

When the featured speaker at the event, Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour, had to cancel, Land, as a longtime helpmate in President George W. Bush's Michigan campaigning, had the clout to get first lady Laura Bush to speak.

First Spouse Spars

Although Granholm husband Dan Mulhern is an influential power behind the throne, he has, as most previous spouses of Michigan governors, avoided media controversy.

An exception was last week when he called in to Detroit's WJR radio "Frank Beckmann Show" to question whether Palin knows "what she is putting her family through" by going on the GOP ticket.

Mulhern called Palin's selection "just a fascinating topic, I think, one for all of us to learn about, and we'll learn a whole lot more about her, obviously, both investigatively on the upside and the downside. …I just want to call to share my own thoughts on it, Frank. It's so hard to understand, and I wonder if she knows what she's getting into."

Beckmann was incredulous: "Are you telling me your wife, Jennifer Granholm, regrets putting your family through her public service?"

Mulhern: "All I'm telling you is this is an entirely different situation, Frank."

Beckman: "No, it's not. It's a governor of a major state, raising children while doing a job. How is that different?"

Mulhern: "Well, number one, our kids were much older. Number two, we didn't have a teenage, pregnant child. Number three, we didn't have a child, an infant, with Downs syndrome. Now I'm not saying they can't do it, Frank. I'm not arguing. I'm only asking a question, and sharing my perspective, which I think is why you put me on the line."

The exchange got more testy as it went on. When Beckmann said the Palins "seem to be doing quite well," Mulhern replied: "It's really curious that you, as a host, are playing the advocate role, and I, as a caller, am merely asking questions that I think are good questions for all of us.

"And I'll continue to be balanced and nonpartisan. When John Edwards ran [for president], I thought it was crazy. I mean I had the same questions. Hold on! He's got kids. His wife's got cancer. And they're going to run around the country while they've got kids?"

The radio duel prompted Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis to issue a press release from St. Paul headlined: "MI First Gentleman Attacks Governor for Being Working Mother." He did no such thing.

Anuzis said, "You have to ask whether he's lost grip of his senses."

He didn't. But it was a strange episode. Among Mulhern's good works from the Executive Office is his leadership on mentoring programs. Someone should have mentored him to look before he leaps into a buzzsaw.

Vicki Levin

Until her death last week from breast cancer, Vicki Levin, wife of U.S. Representative Sander Levin (DRoyal Oak), was second to none in current tenure of full political partnership as spouse of a prominent Michigan officeholder.

While raising four children and beginning with Sandy Levin's 1961 start of service on the Oakland County Board of Supervisors, she was a campaign helpmate while he was a state senator, 1970 and 1974 Democratic nominee for governor, and, starting in 1977, a congressman.

Ex-Governor Bill Milliken, whom her husband twice tried to unseat, was among those praising Vicki Levin for dedication to family and public service.

I periodically note that Senator Carl Levin, Sandy's younger brother, is Michigan's longest-serving senator, having been elected in 1978.

At this time when there is such a focus on balancing of political and family life, it's appropriate to pay tribute to a departed long-serving figure and spouse from the Michigan political scene who contributed so much zest to it.

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.