The Virg Bernero you might not know: articulate, charming, loyal and totally persuasive
Last Sunday’s Detroit Free Press published an article on Virg Bernero with emphasis on what could best be described as his “softer side.” I found this story very persuasive, although I’m easily persuaded when it comes to the subject of Virg Bernero. You see, Virgil (he was Virgil back then, not “Virg”) interned with me for two semesters when he was a student at Adrian College in the ‘80s.
I was in charge of public relations at the Lenawee Intermediate School District (LISD) and as such, had major responsibility for the outcome of the district’s millage elections. At that time Virgil was actually helping me start a high school debate league for the LISD’s 12 constituent public school districts.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero campaigns on Monday at Eastern Michigan University.
Ryan Stanton | AnnArbor.com
Even as a college student, Virg knew what he wanted out of life. He boldly proclaimed that he wanted to enter public service, even possibly to become president some day. I believed him then and I believe him now.
Virg is one of the most determined people I’ve ever met. I found him articulate, charming, loyal, and totally persuasive. I am puzzled by those who describe him as abrasive. I never saw this. Whatever I asked him to do as his supervisor, he did -- willingly and with thoroughness I didn’t often find in interns. (I had more than a dozen of them over my 10 years at the LISD so I consider myself something of an expert on the subject!)
After Virg graduated from college, I continued to see him quite often. He and I were both frequent speakers at the Michigan Department of Education’s Student Leadership Forums held around the state. Virgil developed a reputation as an exciting speaker who could always be counted on to have something inspirational to say to the high school student body presidents he was training at these events.
And no matter where the forums were held, no matter how bad the weather was, Virgil showed up and preached his message of public service to high-schoolers. He was so idolized among that age group that he was invited to give the commencement address at Deerfield High School in 1983. I think he was probably the only college student to be asked to do this in the history of Lenawee County, and surely in the history of Deerfield High School.
So please add my thoughts to those written about Virg Bernero in the Free Press and in last Sunday’s Ann Arbor.com. I knew Virgil when he was a ‘politician in training.’ He was a go-getter even then. I have watched his career from afar (I live in Ann Arbor) and can honestly say that I am proud to think I may have had some small influence on this impressive public servant.
Dr. Joanna Schultz, is a professor in the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Adrian College.
Comments
David Briegel
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 10:15 p.m.
Golly DonBee, If only the party of NO would have worked with either Granholm OR Obama we might be having this conversation. I see nothing to indicate that will change any time soon. 81Wolverine, I would bet you that if Snyder wins in 4 yrs you Repubs will have a huge case of buyers remorse!
DonBee
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 9:40 a.m.
In my mind, everything should be on the table. We need to figure out how to make Michigan work again. I would hope the losers on Tuesday will be graceful, no matter who they are. I would also hope that the winners will include the losers in helping to figure out how to move forward. We need an inclusive government in the state that is willing to look at all the angles. If in 4 years every special interest group is equally unhappy, my bet is the state will be running better and employment opportunities will be up as well. Unions, business, liberals, conservatives, families and singles in the state will all have to give in on some points to fix what is wrong. Anyone who declares that the winners on Tuesday can't fix things, is part of the problem and not the solution. Everyone, and I mean everyone needs to support whoever wins and help with the fixing. Otherwise, we will never fix it. Can you reach across the divide in this state and help? Will you?
PaperTigerSaline
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 7:58 a.m.
Good try, annarbor.com, but no thanks. Virg needs to save his money, his time, and his effort. He's staying in Lansing. GO RICK!
lordhelmet
Fri, Oct 29, 2010 : 4:34 a.m.
Anyone who votes for a democrat in Michigan should have their head examined.
Speechless
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 10:08 p.m.
It's disappointing that Bernero is quite unlikely to win next week. Not only would he make a much better governor compared to Snyder, he would also offer a big improvement over the departing incumbent from his own party. Republicans ought to be far more appreciative than they are of Granholm's relative inaction during her two terms. Though hamstrung by GOP majorities in the legislature, she also showed little interest in expending any political capital to challenge their priorities, or lack thereof. At a minimum, Granholm should have been out campaigning forcefully on a regular basis to get the public behind what her administration felt the state legislature needed to accomplish. This is just the sort of approach at which Bernero would excel, if the majority of Michigan voters give him the chance. Instead, next week we'll probably have a Republican governor-elect who brings few skills for dealing with the legislature on a day-to-day basis. As a consolation, Snyder's views in some policy areas are relatively moderate when compared to Cox and Hoekstra, his two main primary opponents ------------ A Detroit Free Press article (from yesterday's featured links page) gives the origin for the perception that Snyder would consider selling the big bridge: "... Tuesday's bridge fuss had its roots in Snyder's appearance on a WJR-AM (760) talk show last week, when a caller said Snyder should consider privatizing the Mackinac Bridge, the lottery, highways and other state operations to cut costs. Snyder replied that when it comes to helping state finances, everything's on the table...."
Somewhat Concerned
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:25 p.m.
Articulate, charming, persuasive and loyal. And willing to have one of his boys break your legs if you don't see things his way. I have heard the man speak in person only twice, but I found him to sound like a typical, old style, strong arm and pretend to care and charm politician. He may be nothing of the sort, but that is how he came across.
musicpurist
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 7:17 p.m.
"I was going to vote for Snyder until I read that Virg said that Snyder wants to sell the Mackenaw bridge!" What kind of source is that, his opponent? Virg is a politician that will say anything to get elected. Snyder has never said anything along those lines.
stunhsif
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 6:55 p.m.
I understand he was the best debater in his high school and college. Guess that makes him a master debater! But alas, he will still go down in smoke and flames. Stand close to a fire hydrant next tuesday evening Virg, good day and good luck!
InsideTheHall
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 5:27 p.m.
Nice try but you cannot do an extreme makeover less than a week before the election. They don't call him Bully Bernero for nothing. Bernero is the nominee because the union puppetmasters deemed it so. Bernero is supported by the very interest groups that took Michigan into the economic ditch. Come November 3rd the sun will shine from coast to coast. From the coast of Lake Huron to the coast of Lake Michigan as Governor Elect Rick Snyder has a clear mandate to FIX Michigan!
michigan face
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 4:26 p.m.
Vote Virg - for goodness sake!
Marshall Applewhite
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:42 p.m.
Annarbor.com: You forgot to mention "The next Rod Blagojevich" in this writeup.
JSA
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:30 p.m.
Did anyone introduce Virg to the truth given he is unable to use it? Spin, Spin, Spin, not to mention distortion and half truths and outright lies.
Barb
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:12 p.m.
If we're going to go on speaking style, as Mr. Top Cat seems to be interested in doing, then the State of Michigan is in trouble, since Mr. Snyder's voice does not lend well to one's ear either. Personally, I'm more interested in what they'll do as to how they say they're going to do it and quite frankly, there's no way Bernero isn't going to be more successful should he get the job.
michigan face
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:06 p.m.
evenyoubrutus - A2.com endorsed Rick's schtick.
michigan face
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:05 p.m.
Dr. Schultz is absolutely describing the man I am voting for and why. Thank you for providing more insight into why he is truly our only hope to turn Michigan around in this election. Vote Virg!
SemperFi
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 3:03 p.m.
So, a candidate for governor should speak s_l_o_w_l_y and in monosyllabic words so everybody understands him? Kind of like a nerd, I guess.
81wolverine
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:59 p.m.
All very nice. But, being glib, charming, or a persuasive speaker arent' very high on my list of reasons to vote for someone. There needs to be substance behind it such as a strong agenda for fixing the economy in this state, infrastructure, education, and other important issues. I just don't see that with Bernero. In fact his fast-talking, glib, and rhetoric-laced speaking style remind me of a career-politician. No thanks.
ssAA
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:55 p.m.
I think he'll need more than one van for this election.
evenyoubrutus
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:41 p.m.
AnnArbor.com's last-ditch effort to try and get a liberal in office again. Nice try
Top Cat
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 2:01 p.m.
I cannot listen to him. He needs to pause between sentences when he speaks. He sounds like a Gattling gun. He must have been a carnival barker in a prior life.
Michigan Frontiersman
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
I'm sad I didn't make it to EMU to see Virg speak in person. He talks so fast when I see him on TV. In my opinion his speaking abilities dilute his ideas. This article attempts to make him seem less abrasive, yet I don't think it successfully does this. Virg is simply a diamond in the rough! Rick may be a more graceful speaker, but Virg will get my vote because of his commitment to positive public service!
ShadowManager
Thu, Oct 28, 2010 : 1:30 p.m.
Virg Bernero? Meet Howard Wolpe. Howard Wolpe, Virg Bernero.