Thursday, May 31, 2007

Bishop obstructs progress - again



As I've noted here before, Mike Bishop seems to have some real deep issues with Granholm. Now he purposely held back on an agreement on the MBT that makes us all look bad at the business conference at Mackinac, costing time and perhaps jobs, just to paint a picture that the leadership of the state cannot get anything accomplished.



With Michigan in a fiscal crisis and our future on the line, it is imperative that the Republicans put someone forward who can look past their obvious personal vendetta and do what is best for the citizens of our state.



That person is not Mike Bishop.



The frequency of these direct attacks really shouldn't be ignored anymore. Yesterday there was yet another telling statement about where Bishop's head is at- he is more concerned with denying Granholm some perceived "victory" than he is with getting the people's work done.



"This is a very complex task," Bishop said. "It's not something we can roll out at a moment's notice" so Granholm can make a big splash with announcement of an agreement at the Regional Detroit Chamber of Commerce policy conference on Mackinac Island, which starts today, he said.



It's not about the condition of the state for Mike. It's not about presenting a good face to the business community at the big party at Mackinac. It's not even about his own party's goals.



It's all about obstruction with Mike, ususally directed right at the governor. And it's getting beyond the usual partisan fighting- it creates the perception of "no leadership", and therefore no confidence in our state, for business and citizens alike.



We might have had a buisness tax deal yesterday if not for Bishop's problem, and one Democrat finally calls him out. From the Free Press this morning-



Rep. Paul Condino, D-Southfield, said a deal was within grasp when Senate Republicans backtracked on agreements after meeting privately with Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester. Condino is a member of a bipartisan group negotiating a new business tax.



-snip-



"We made a lot of progress. The Senate didn't want to sit at the table," said Condino, majority vice chairman of the House Tax Policy Committee. "My feeling is Sen. Bishop did not want to cut a deal before going to Mackinac.



"Had we stayed at the table we might have reached an agreement. It was bad faith dealing by Mike Bishop who wanted to put his own ego on the line at Mackinac rather than do what businesses want him to do, which is put together a business tax plan."



This makes the thought that there was any sort of compromise on next year seem remote. Even if a "deal" was struck, can you trust him to keep it?



All Democrats need to stand up and point out this behavior. If Dillon won't do it, find people who will- or the whole party will take the blame for the failure to get this settled. It won't just fall on Granholm; he will take you all down.



Because of his ongoing problem with talking to the governor, last Friday she sent John Cherry in to deal with him on the budget talks.



Good for her. You can't negotiate with someone who obviously doesn't have any respect for the office.



Word around the Capitol was that Granholm's relationship with Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, is so strained that Cherry, as Granholm's representative, offered some relief to an already tense situation.



Perhaps Mr. Bishop should be called on to step down from his leadership position so he can have some time to work on his "issues". Holding up progress for everyone so you can settle some personal score is not going to help the people of Michigan- and Democrats allowing it to continue won't help us, either.