|
NAVIGATION
|
NEWS TIPS!
RightMichigan.com
Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?Tweets about "#RightMi, -YoungLibertyMI, -dennislennox,"
 |
Day 1: Mackinac Policy ConferenceBy dennislennox, Section News
RightMichigan.com's special coverage of the annual Mackinac Policy Conference -- presented by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce.
8:10 p.m. -- The idle speculation on the 2010 governor's race continues. According to a recent poll, 8 percent of respondents would support Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, whose district includes Mackinac Island and stretches from northern Bay County to the Michigan-Wisconsin border, if he entered the primary against the likes of former mayor Dennis Archer (24 percent), Lieutenant Governor John Cherry (6 percent) and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano (5 percent). Stupak has been seen prominently on Mackinac Island today, including a recent stroll with Dr. Joe Schwarz, the moderate who lost his congressional seat in the 2006 Republican primary. Schwarz and Stupak spent about 15 minutes together, though it's unknown what they talked about. Recall that Schwarz ran for governor in 2002, but lost the GOP primary to then-Lieutenant Governor Dick Posthumus. Perhaps the ex-congressman was giving advice to Stupak, who is going out of his way to mingle with conference attendees -- who overwhelmingly hail from the metro Detroit area. 7:54 p.m. -- Just returned from Chief Justice Clifford Taylor's fund-raiser at a summer house near the Grand Hotel. The event was well attended -- helping him obtain the support he needs to keep his seat on the Supreme Court. Despite the best attempts by Michigan Democrats to say otherwise, Taylor is an outstanding justice who has stood up to the trial lawyers and protected the individual's rights. Mark Brewer's attacks are political rhetoric -- desperate attempts by a party leader who can't find a candidate to challenge Michigan's chief justice in 2008. 7 p.m. -- After strolling through a couple receptions, I've noticed there are few Average Joes on Mackinac Island at this week's conference. Almost all of the attendees are big-money special interests or non-profits and associations trying to get money from the corporations and chamber members. I was really startled when some of metro Detroit's business leaders even defended Governor Jennifer Granholm's $1.4 billion tax increase on families and businesses last year. Who's speaking up for the taxpayers? Who will stand up to these special interests? 6:17 p.m. -- The first of RightMichigan.com's exclusive interviews on Mackinac Island was with Mikayla Bouchard, the daughter of Oakland County Sheriff and 2006 U.S. Senate candidate Michael Bouchard, who's rumored to be eying a 2010 campaign for governor. Mikayla, who just finished her freshman year at Michigan State University’s James Madison College, is spending the summer interning for WXYZ Channel 7 in Detroit while also running for precinct delegate in her hometown of Birmingham. Bouchard says she’s excited for her entry into politics, which features three other Republican hopefuls. “I absolutely love politics,” she said. “It gives me the ability to change (things) and get involved.” Bouchard, who says she has always identified herself with the GOP despite attending the very liberal MSU, stresses the importance of getting involved – whether you’re a Democrat or Republican. But when it comes to college politics, she said the portrayal of Republicans in pop culture may hurt the party’s image amongst the next generation. “I do think there is something to the belief that (Barack) Obama is rounding up the youth vote,” Bouchard said, though she wondered if “they will actually come out and vote and get involved” in the general election. As for her political future, she admits to being a political addict, but notes she is focusing on finishing school. At MSU, she’s studying international relations and drama and is a sister in the Sigma Kappa sorority chapter. While her busy schedule would cause havoc for many, she prides herself on multitasking – a skill she learned from her mother. Bouchard says she knows people are “talking to” her father about running for governor. “We’re focusing on 2008,” she said. As for her precinct delegate race, Bouchard says she’s prepared to work for the position. 5:32 p.m. -- Just heard that Democratic chairman Mark Brewer and U.S. Senator Carl Levin will hold a special meeting with members of the party's state committee on the debacle over seating the delegation to the national convention in Denver. Read on...
5:14 p.m. -- Dennis Archer, the former Detroit mayor, is working the conference hard for someone who dodges questions on where he's running for governor.
In just over two hours, he's been seen all over the place -- talking with key backers. Brooks Patterson, the colorful and incredibly popular Republican Oakland County executive, and Sheriff Michael Bouchard are now on Mackinac Island after their flight landed a few minutes ago. 4:52 p.m. -- Ford stressed the top issuing facing southereastern Michigan is economic prosperity. He joked there is only one letter separating blight from bright. "Since I spoke to you last year at this conference, One D has done a lot of work (moving the region forward)," he said. "We have seen more than $4 billion in regional development in 2007." 4:40 p.m. -- The general session, "Face Off Against Our Problems," kicked off in the Grand Hotel's Theatre with Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce President Dick Blouse welcoming everyone. Featured speaker Edsel Ford II is about to take the podium -- where he'll talk about building a stronger region. Attorney General Mike Cox, another possible 2010 Republican candidate for governor, is in the room mingling with the who's who of business leaders. GOP financier John Rakolta is also here. The big question on everyone's mind: Will embattled Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick make the journey north? He's registered, but few business or political leaders want to be seen associating with him. 4:23 p.m. -- Looks like today was a short day at the office, as the politicos continue to arrive despite the three-hour drive from Lansing and four-hour drive from Detroit. Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak, who's facing a stiff re-election challenge was seen arriving with his wife a few hours after liberal Detroit member of Congress Jon Conyers was observed drinking tea in a tweed sportscoat. Lansing's top public relations guru John Truscott, who's worked for John Engler, Dick DeVos and countless others, just arrived as well. 4:01 p.m. -- It's no secret that many in Lansing consider former state Senator Michael Bouchard a possible candidate for governor in 2010 - provided he wins re-election as Oakland County's sheriff this year. Bouchard is up this week, and he'll also attend a GOP Lincoln Day Dinner in the western U.P. on Friday before appearing at the 1st Congressional District Republican meeting about 20 minutes south of the mainland in Indian River. Helping him in his efforts is his daughter, Mikayla, who splits her time between helping her dad politick and working as a summer intern with Detroit-based WXYZ Channel 7. Recall that Mikayla Bouchard actively campaigned for her father's 2006 campain for U.S. Senate and was even featured in a couple TV spots. As one GOPer put it, Bouchard is "working to get re-elected" before considering a 2010 campaign for governor. 3:40 p.m. -- Archer and Brewer weren't standing chummy together, but they did arrive together. Oddly, Brewer is a loner. He doesn't appear to have anyone with him. One has to wonder if he drove Chief Justice Taylor's car up US-127 and I-75. 3:36 p.m. -- More and more politicos are arriving on the Grand Hotel. Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis and House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche were seen arriving together only a few minutes after former House Speaker Chuck Perricone arrived with his wife. There's a reception going on right now for the conference's first-time attendees before scheduled speakers begin at 4:30 p.m. Word is also abuzz over an after-dinner, closed-door reception for Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor. Brewer and his cohorts at the MDP apparently got wind of the chief justice's presence, as Democratic operatives were busy attacking him by passing out pill bottles with a prescription for Taylor's alleged "injustice" to the people of Michigan. While the Democrats go after Taylor with cheap partisan rhetoric, they have yet to find a candidate to stand against the chief justice. 3:05 p.m. -- I just arrived at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Confernce, which is being held on the historic Mackinac Island. I shared the ferry ride over with Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer, former Detroit mayor and likely Democratic candidate for governor in 2010 Dennis Archer and talk radio host Michael Patrick Shiels. Events are slow this afternoon, as most attendees are still traveling north from southeastern Michigan. Sitting in the media room are a handful of journalists, including Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta and a few business beat reporters. There are quite a few activities tonight, and I'll keep you posted on what's happening.
Share This:
Day 1: Mackinac Policy Conference | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
Day 1: Mackinac Policy Conference | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
|
 |
