And yesterday, one of them wanted to make headlines, and the other actually did. For a politician, the most maddening thing about the news cycle is that you can never control what else is happening.
Yesterday, Land, who is Michigan’s Secretary of State, decided to end her brief campaign for next year’s Republican gubernatorial nomination and endorse Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.
Unfortunately for them, they held their press conference the same day that Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett died and GM decided to build its new small car at its factory in Orion Township.
The net effect of all this was that Bouchard and Land ended up as a very small story deep inside most Michigan newspapers.
That’s life. On the other hand, you just know that South Carolina governor Mark Sanford has to be wishing that he could have held his famous press conference yesterday. Instead, he wound up making his bizarre confession the day before, when virtually nothing else was happening. That left him as the main course on the 24-hour-news cycle menu pretty much all Wednesday.
But back to Terri Lynn Land. When I heard about her announcement I was startled, but not really surprised.
She has been one of the best Secretaries of State Michigan has had. She has improved service in a largely non-political way. She is also a throwback to an earlier, non-ideological era.
She is from Grand Rapids. Her political hero is former President Gerald Ford. I have a sneaking suspicion that she would eventually like to go to Congress from his old seat when the incumbent, Vern Ehlers, retires some day.
But her heart never really seemed to be in the race for governor. She never articulated a vision for this state. I suspect she began running because she was term-limited out of a job after January, and people told her governor was the logical next step.
There is also someone who she really doesn’t want to see as governor: Attorney General Mike Cox. Land and Cox hold each other in, as the saying goes, minimum high regard.
This announcement was calculated to help Bouchard, and it should. Cox, who is a tremendous campaigner, is probably still a slight favorite, but Bouchard is the only candidate who has won a state-wide GOP primary. The party’s other heavyweight, Congressman Pete Hoekstra, can’t be counted out, but is still virtually unknown outside his congressional district.
Some are asking today is whether Land traded her endorsement for a secret promise to be Bouchard‘s pick for lieutenant governor. The answer is almost certainly no, though she would be an excellent choice for gender and geographical balance.
Trouble is, they are both moderates, and their party increasingly leans hard right. In any event, Bouchard would be politically foolish to announce his choice till after he is nominated.
But whatever happens, I think we haven’t seen the last of Terri Lynn Land. Three years ago, she was reelected by a landslide in what was a big Democratic year.
If Republicans are lucky, she’ll be back.
Thanks, Jack. I always sleep better at night, knowing that you're concerned about the well-being and the future success and of the Republican Party.
I know that we're very close to gaining your support. All we have to do is to agree to increase taxes, increase government spending, appoint liberal judges, indict and prosecute George W. Bush and Dick Cheney for high crimes and misdemeanors, and put Al Gore in charge of all manufacturing in the United States. (I know, you'd like to have Al Gore in charge of manufacturing the world over, but we have to take baby steps, Jack. Some people might have a problem with the fact the Al Gore has never been involved in the manufacture of anything other than legislation.)
Posted by: Anonymous | June 26, 2009 at 02:28 PM
Thrasher,
You're confusing people laughing at you, for responding to you. If you don't know the difference, you need help. I will always take an opportunity to laugh at you.
Posted by: Nicki | June 29, 2009 at 05:46 PM
Republicans had 8 years+ to TOTALLY screw everything up. NOW they are all on board to make sure insurance companies can't discriminate against people with prior illnesses!? Where were they all these years? What a great idea!!!
Posted by: George | June 29, 2009 at 05:50 PM
The people that seek me out for counsel and influence do not laugh at me but we share fun together..
Ordinary people like you do not exist in my orbit..I would never attract attract a shallow skirt like you...People like you are not worthy of my presence..People like you are cheerleaders and follow the herd...
Now run along and find another empty fad of obess over..You bore me
Posted by: Thrasher | June 29, 2009 at 05:58 PM
Trasher:
Please elaborate on your "influence" and "counsel". Is it the local chapter of the MonCon/Sharpton Klan? Are you vying for Grand Wizard?
If you were a dog you'd be a small poodle-a little yappy thing that turns and runs. No education, no job, no skills other than pure unadulterated racism. Excerpts of your comments over the years read like a reverse David Duke compendium. It must be tough to be a sleazy, big talk, loud, bullying little boy.
Now run along and get that shine box.
Posted by: Augustas Woodward | June 29, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Augustas,
Your post confirms so much over you have been stalking me for years..I bet given the coward that you are I even gave you my autograph....lol,lol,lol
Yet again you exist only because I post here..lol,lol,lol This is yet another reaction to my posts at last count 98% of your posts were a reaction to me..
I am blushing yet again over your obession with me..Again I only demand one small thing please spell my name correctly...
THRASHER THRASHER THRASHER
Posted by: Thrasher | June 30, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Yawn
Posted by: Augustas Woodward | July 01, 2009 at 08:45 PM
Augustas,
I knew I would reel you in to read my post!!!...lol,lol,lol,lol
THRASHER
Posted by: Thrasher | July 02, 2009 at 10:25 AM
If you don't like Jack's views, why are you listening to NPR? They're plenty of one-sided shows on the AM dial. NPR is the place where dems,moderates and independents go for balanced news coverage and analysis. Anonymous, Rush, Sean, Levin and Beckman are on WJR 760! This is not Fox News!
Posted by: rjacks | July 08, 2009 at 02:29 PM