Michigan House Speaker Andy Dillon did not endorse Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero during his remarks at a party unity breakfast in downtown Detroit this morning.
Dillon told a crowd gathered at the Westin Book Cadillac that following the event he was leaving to join his family on vacation, but said “he can’t wait to get on the team” when he returns.
Vacation. Understandable, given the grueling schedule that is a state-wide campaign, but when there is the pressing matter of a huge budget deficit looming, and that is your day job, the one you have managed to avoid for the entire year... oh, that's right. I forgot. When Dillon said the budget would be done in the spring, he didn't mean it. When Dillon said the budget would be done by July 1st, he didn't mean it. And when Dillon said he would endorse Bernero back in June...
After the debate, Dillon indicated he would support Bernero if he won the August primary, but Bernero sidestepped a similar question.
... he didn't mean it. This is pretty much par for the course, actually. Or, maybe it was a tit-for-tat response to that earlier snub. Or maybe there is something else going on here...
With unofficial results indicating a decisive victory for Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, some supporters of Andy Dillon said he would be a good person to balance the ticket and give Democrats a fighting chance to win the governor's race in November.
“Andy Dillon would make a great lieutenant governor,” said state Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills.
Um, no thanks. Not as it stands.
Now, if by some miracle he comes out swinging on this budget and stands up for the people of Michigan, we could re-evaluate the situation. There is always a chance for redemption, but it would take some mighty strong convincing here, and recent history tells us that Dillon doesn't have the stones to do it. For now, we have to take him at his word that he is eager to be "on the team" - but always keep in mind that his word has been somewhat less than honorable for quite some time.
Actions speak louder than words, and how Dillon behaves after vacation will reveal his true intentions.