MI-Gov: Dillon Scores Support From Law Enforcement

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Wednesday July 07, 2010 · 12:57 PM PDT

2010/07/07 · 12:57

In the world of politics, there's always a debate as to the power of endorsements from issue groups. Do they sway voters, do they alienate voters? Do voters even pay attention?

What's harder to debate, however, is the impact that endorsements from labor organizations can have in a Democratic primary race. Endorsements from labor groups not only carry weight within their own membership, but are a sign to the general public that the endorsed candidate is the one that will carry forward the cause of that organization.

So when a candidate in Michigan's Democratic primary race for Governor gets endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police AND the Police Officers Association of Michigan, that's a pretty clear signal to the public that law enforcement solidly believes that candidate is the best one to advocate for strong law enforcement policies as Michigan's next Governor.

That candidate is Andy Dillon.

msuryanj

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Tuesday June 29, 2010 · 6:06 AM PDT

2010/06/29 · 06:06

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Speaker of the House Andy Dillon met for their second and final debate last night in the Democratic primary race for Michigan's Governor. I'd like to offer a point by point critique of the entire event, showing where each of the candidates shined and showed why they would be the best candidate to take on the Republicans in this fall's general election.

I'd like to do that because that would mean that each of the candidates had strong ideas that they presented for leading Michigan's economic recovery, and that no matter which of them winds up winning, they would be a strong force against whomever the Republican candidate ultimately is.

I'd like to do that, but I can't.

The reality of the debate was that while Andy Dillon showed up prepared to discuss his ideas and his experience, Bernero simply showed up once again to sling mud and childish insults.

msuryanj

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Thursday June 24, 2010 · 11:39 AM PDT

2010/06/24 · 11:39

On the steps of the Michigan capitol today, thousands of teachers rallied to tell legislators "Enough is Enough." Enough cuts to schools, and enough of balancing the budget on the backs of students.

While the budgeting process has been a messy one in recent years, to say the least, it is clearly time for our leaders to stand up and not only say "Enough is Enough," but show that they are willing to walk the walk and fight for Michigan's students.

While Senate Republicans are once again looking to tap into K-12 funding in order to balance the state budget, an all too familiar raid on our education system, Dillon's response is quite clear: Not a chance!

msuryanj

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Tuesday June 22, 2010 · 12:22 PM PDT

2010/06/22 · 12:22

The two candidates seeking the Democratic nomination for Michigan's Gubernatorial race squared off in their first mano-y-mano debate last night. It was an important opportunity for each of the candidates, Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, to not only share their positions on the issues, but to get some face time with a largely undecided electorate who, according to recent polls, doesn't know much about either candidate at this point.

So after the dust settled and the judges' scorecards were tallied, it was clear that the two candidates had gone into the debate with very different strategies. Dillon was there to talk about his credentials and plans for the future, and Bernero was there to attack him every step of the way.

msuryanj

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Wednesday June 16, 2010 · 12:08 PM PDT

2010/06/16 · 12:08

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has been seen yelling at Fox News hosts about keeping jobs in Michigan, but little has been heard from Candidate Bernero up until this point on what he would do as Governor to actually develop policies that would lead to job creation in the state.

Today, he broke that silence and released the Michigan Main Street Agenda (read it here), his "strategy to bring jobs back to Michigan and put citizens back to work."

Unfortunately, it turns out that strategy seems based entirely on hyperbole and waving a magic wand.

msuryanj

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Monday June 14, 2010 · 4:16 PM PDT

2010/06/14 · 16:16

Today's Detroit Free Press has a strong editorial calling for an end to the legislative delays that have plagued the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC), as Senate Republicans in Michigan continue to hold-up the legislation that would allow this critically important project to move forward.

For those who haven't been following this should-be-a-no-brainer issue, the DRIC is a proposed second bridge across the Detroit River that every organization, on both sides of the border, agrees is needed to continue the economic gains that international trade brings the region. Estimates show that Michigan stands to gain 10,000 jobs and billions of dollars in economic growth from the project, and Canada has even offered to pay nearly $600 million of Michigan's costs for building the roads that would ultimately connect the new bridge to existing highways.

So what's the holdup? Politics of course.

msuryanj

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Thursday June 10, 2010 · 11:08 AM PDT

2010/06/10 · 11:08

If you'd believe the blogosphere, the Michigan Democratic Primary race between Virg Bernero and Andy Dillon basically boils down to Progressives vs. Moderates. You apparently cannot possibly be a so called "progressive" and think Andy Dillon would make a better Governor than Virg Bernero.

Or can you?

State Senator Gilda Jacobs, long known as one of the most progressive legislators during her time serving in both chambers of the Michigan Legislature, today threw her support behind Andy Dillon. And her reasoning seemed quite simple, that he's the better man for the job.

msuryanj

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Wednesday June 09, 2010 · 6:06 PM PDT

2010/06/09 · 18:06

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce announced their endorsement in the state's upcoming Gubernatorial election this week, and while it's unlikely Virg Bernero was on pins and needles waiting for the phone to ring, their choice of Mike Cox is still rather surprising.

The chamber, purporting to be the advocate for Michigan's business community, likes to tout the virtues of business experience in choosing leaders in Government. They have criticized the Granholm administration relentlessly over the past 8 years for not being "business-like" in its operation. So, it would seem likely that when endorsing a candidate to replace the un-business like Granholm, they would choose someone with a strong background in Michigan's business community, right?

Well, let's look at Mike Cox's resume then:
Oakland County Prosecutors Office, 89’ – 90’
Wayne County Prosecutors Office, 90’ – 02’
Michigan Attorney General, 03-present

Huh. That seems like an awfully, dare I say, NON business background.

msuryanj

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Monday June 07, 2010 · 7:48 PM PDT

2010/06/07 · 19:48

Last week, Michigan's political elite gathered at the annual Mackinac Policy Conference hosted by the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. Part of the agenda this year was a debate amongst all 7 candidates for Governor this year, giving them the opportunity to share their opinions, highlight their differences, and most importantly, take cheap shots at one another.

Given the circumstance of having all of the candidates in one place, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing asked to meet with all of them privately to discuss plans for the city's future, the progress being made, and how it is more crucial than ever that Lansing and Detroit's leadership work together to solve the problems that are weighing down our state's recovery. Much to their credit, all of the candidates, Republican and Democrat, agreed to meet with Mayor Bing and have that discussion that will begin a critical dialogue between Detroit's Mayor and whoever the next Governor may be...

All of the candidates except one that is. Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero took a pass on it.

msuryanj

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Wednesday May 26, 2010 · 7:19 PM PDT

2010/05/26 · 19:19

The Michigan House of Representatives today voted to to support the Detroit River International Crossing project, a proposed new bridge connecting Michigan with its Canadian neighbor to support increased international trade across the border. The proposed span would be built as a joint project between the two countries, with Canada even recently offering to pick up Michigan's estimated $550 million tab for support roads that would be needed on Michigan's side of the border to connect the bridge to major nearby highways.

Sounds like a great idea, right?

If you answered yes, congratulations! If you answered no, you MIGHT be a member of the Michigan Republican Party.

msuryanj

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Wednesday May 19, 2010 · 7:00 PM PDT

2010/05/19 · 19:00

The City of Lansing is not unlike many other cities throughout the nation trying to balance a budget while facing decreasing revenues due to the down economy. Unfortunately, while other communities, including Lansing's nextdoor neighbor in East Lansing, are looking at a reasonable balance between cuts and targeted tax increases to avoid draconian hits to essential city services, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero (in full campaign mode) continues his quest to ensure nobody even mentions the T-word within his earshot.

Instead, while the Lansing City Council this week debated huge cuts to the services the city provides (you know, things like "fire protection" and "public safety".. Those little luxuries we all are lavished with), Mayor Bernero was nowhere to be found.

msuryanj

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Friday May 14, 2010 · 12:38 PM PDT

2010/05/14 · 12:38

A few days ago I wrote about how Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero was trying to portray himself as the "one true Democrat" in the primary race for Michigan Governor, all while more and more labor unions threw their support behind his opponent, Andy Dillon.

You can see that original post here:
http://www.dailykos.com/...

In the few days since, the relationship between Bernero and labor seems to have gone from bad to worse. Earlier this week, Bill Borch of Iron Workers Local 25 asked the Bernero campaign to remove video footage of him from their campaign ads as they not only didn't ask for his permission, but he wasn't even a supporter of theirs. The Bernero campaign's response? Well, let's just say it didn't make Mr. Borch happy.

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MI-Gov: Dillon Scores Support From Law Enforcement

MI-Gov: Second Debate Shows Bernero Doesn't Learn From Mistakes

MI-Gov: Dillon Stands Up For Michigan's Schools

Debate Shows the Difference Between the Campaigner and the Leader

Bernero's Michigan Main Street Agenda - Lots of Talking Points, Few Real Plans

Will Michigan Republicans Finally Put Policy Over Politics?

Endorsement Shows Progressives Can Support Dillon Too!

Michigan Chamber of Commerce endorses... Mike Cox??

6 out of 7 Candidates Agree...Mayor Bing is Worth Listening To

The Bridge to Nowhere......BUT OUR OWN DOOM!!!!

Bernero Chooses Camera Time Over Budget Talks

Bernero (mis)Fires Back at Labor Unions