Who says she's not out campaigning?
Gov. Jennifer Granholm offered Washtenaw County Democrats several details on her plans to overcome an onslaught of early campaigning by her opponent to win re-election.
Her first order of business to the party faithful during a weekend appearance here was sending a message of reassurance.
"I want to start by saying, Democrats: Don't worry, we're gonna win,'' Granholm told the more than 250 people attending the Washtenaw County Democratic Party's annual fundraising dinner Saturday night at the Ypsilanti Marriott at Eagle Crest.
OK then. Still nervous.
"It has me on edge as a Democrat,'' said Bonnie Truhn of Milan. "Because people don't know what DeVos is about other than what they see on television, and he has unlimited funds. They'll have to do their research to know he's not all about jobs and education.''
Truhn, like many of those in a crowd that organizers declared a record draw for the event, hoped to hear a dynamic Granholm motivate them to work hard for her re-election.
The governor didn't disappoint them, sprinting up to the stage and slapping her hands on the podium as the crowd chanted "four more years!'' with vigor.
Barely a minute into her speech, Granholm ditched her navy blue blazer and rolled up her sleeve cuffs.
And out came the rock star.
Using the economy as a common thread, Granholm wove education, social services, health care and the environment into her speech, saying each will play a critical role in Michigan's rebound.
Jobs will be created with $1.1 billion in road and bridge construction across the state, along with investment in technology and future industries, such as alternative fuels and life sciences, she said. Job retraining and placement programs will become more aggressive and effective, and a combination of higher graduation standards and additional funds for public education will also make Michigan's workforce more attractive to businesses, Granholm said.
The crowd rose to applaud after Granholm announced that she will unveil a special message to legislators today, proposing a new $4,000 scholarship for every student in the state who completes two years of schooling after high school. The scholarship is not tied to standardized test scores and applies to community colleges and technical training schools as well, in an effort to make two years of post-secondary education the state standard.
I keep reading about these things- I hope the regular public gets a chance to see it, not just the folks that can afford fundraisers.
One person hit on something that I have said all along-
Leslie Rollins of Chelsea said Granholm's plans won't mean much without emphasizing the importance of getting more Democrats elected to the Legislature.
"People have been looking at the last four years and blaming her for all the problems and not the Republican-led Legislature, which blocks her on almost everything,'' Rollins said.
Amen.