Posted on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 8 p.m.
Former Gov. Milliken extends warm welcome to Rick Snyder campaign
By Nathan Bomey
Ann Arbor business leader Rick Snyder, who last week launched a Republican gubernatorial campaign, is getting a warm welcome from a former Michigan governor with Ann Arbor ties.
Former Gov. William Milliken Sr. - whose son, Bill Milliken Jr., is an Ann Arbor real estate executive - praised Snyder during the venture capitalist's campaign stop this weekend in Traverse City. Milliken also signed his name to Snyder's bus. Snyder is soliciting signatures from Michigan residents who agree with his vision of "reinventing Michigan."
"I have a positive impression of the campaign he is running," Milliken told syndicated columnist George Weeks. Milliken, who served from 1969 to 1982, reportedly said he was not ready to make an official endorsement for the August 2010 primary.
Snyder campaign spokesman Jake Suski said Snyder has wrapped his initial 26-city tour designed to introduce himself to voters. Snyder is expected to continue hosting fundraising events and campaign stops.
Snyder, founder of Ann Arbor SPARK and former president of computer-maker Gateway Inc., faces a steep climb to the Republican nomination. His lack of name recognition could prove to be a significant hurdle, and his conservative credentials have already come under attack.Â
Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Mark Brewer has accused Snyder of having "shipped jobs to China" while at Gateway - which the campaign vehemently denies.
But Snyder is positioning himself to run as a political outsider against entrenched candidates such as Attorney General Mike Cox and U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra. He's described Michigan as an "economic disaster" in need of a new "era of innovation."
Comments
timjbd
Thu, Aug 6, 2009 : 12:42 p.m.
http://www.reuters.com/article/GCA-GreenBusiness/idUSTRE57449E20090805?rpc=60 Quote: U.S.-based companies will receive $1.5 billion to produce batteries and components and expand battery recycling capabilities. An additional $500 million will go to produce electric motors and other drive train components. The final $400 million will pay for testing plug-in hybrids and all-electric vehicles. Michigan, hit hard by the dramatic contraction of U.S. auto production, led all states with 11 grants. Indiana was second with seven, officials said. Academic interests, utilities and research cooperatives also applied for funding. Obama said the funds would help create "tens of thousands of jobs," particularly in the depressed manufacturing sector. end quote. This is JUST ONE example. This is a direct result of Granholm supporting Obama and campaigning for him and Obama supporting Michigan. This is how it works. If Michigan elects a republican, all this goes away.
timjbd
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 9:02 p.m.
Your obvious intellect has convinced me.
stan
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 5:24 p.m.
Granholm has been an epic failure and blaming Bush is an absolute joke. Granholm was NOT an Obama supporter initially. She was a big supporter of Hillary. Michigan will NEVER recover if another Democrat is elected next year. Government is NEVER the answer, but keep driving your Prius and eating your organic koolaid.
timjbd
Wed, Aug 5, 2009 : 4:54 p.m.
Well Stan, Granholm (and Michigan along with her) suffered for being a Democrat for the eight years that the White House and congress were run by the MOST incompetent republicans (and 2 years of disgraceful democratic obsequiousness to the Bush agenda) in American history. Who knows what Granholm and Michigan might've been able to do had she been supported by Washington? 2000 would've been the time to elect a republican (well, is it EVER a good time for that?). By now, had that happened, the entire state would've been sold off to private equity groups and raided if you go by the Bush administration MO. Government services would've been sold off to the highest bidder just like in New Orleans. Michigan would've been an empty and rusting husk. NOW is not the time to once again elect a governor diametrically opposed to the ONE entity that can turn this state around- the federal government. Whether you like it or not, sometimes government IS the answer. Granholm was a big Obama supporter. She is owed for that support and Michigan WILL be able to collect on those promises if voters think it through and elect her proper successor.
stan
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 5:15 p.m.
I don't think social issues or Mark Brewer's cries about outsourcing will be relevant next fall. The election should be a referendum on the Granholm years. There is no way a Democrat should be elected to succeed her after the mess she has cultivated. Michigan needs someone with a business background to turn this state around. Is Rick Snyder that person? Time will tell, but he is worthy of consideration.
Kevin
Wed, Jul 29, 2009 : 4:57 p.m.
I second the idea of an AnnArbor.com interview with Rick Snyder. Thanks for the info, Nathan.
GreenShades
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 1:11 p.m.
Sounds like Wesley Clark...A perfect resume, but a horrible politician. As much as people say they hate politicians, we vote for them every time because we're dumb and don't pay attention. Speaking of paying attention, does this guy have a platform? The two links from mlive and freep were basically useless. Is the "paper" AA.com going to interview Mr. Snyder, or will it just give him free publicity?
timjbd
Tue, Jul 28, 2009 : 8:41 a.m.
One more thing about Snyder's proposed "era of innovation" is: Gateway floundered into all sorts of side businesses (TV's, cell phones, etc.) and away from their core competency- building and selling computers- then the company collapsed. Sound familiar?
Kevin
Mon, Jul 27, 2009 : 8:23 p.m.
Anyone have any idea what Snyder's views are on social issues, anything besides the economy?