Cross-posted from michiganliberal.com
Back on June 10,
I wrote the following:Meanwhile, it looks like the Republicans are setting up Upper Peninsula (state) Rep. Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) as a theatrical knight in shining armor. Already, the MMJ has an article today claiming Casperson "a deal" is close at hand to save the Newberry prison from closure. What a load of crap. This is a classic move: propose a cut you never intend to make, then have one of your caucus members in the affected area (which is likely to be a swing district) ride to the rescue at the last minute, bucking his or her own caucus to "do what's right" for his or her district...Before this is over, we'll have a press release from the DeRoche's office thanking Casperson for making a solid case for the prison's future and helping the Speaker see the light on this issue.
Well, right on schedule,
the press release has arrived - with no less than EIGHT references to Casperson.
Here's a clip:
House Speaker Craig DeRoche today announced his support for state Rep. Tom Casperson's (R- Escanaba) plan to use expected additional revenue in next year's budget to keep the Newberry prison open.
"Rep. Casperson has been burning the midnight oil to find a solution to keep Newberry open," said DeRoche. "His efforts to save jobs at the Newberry facility have made a significant impact on members of both parties in the House of Representatives."
Now we'll see how the
Marquette Mining Journal and
Escanaba Daily Press play this. I'm guessing they will dutifully munch down this load of tripe without any questions and provide the applause that Director DeRoche expects to hear at the end of this bad movie. But hey, if anyone at the House Dem caucus can tear themselves away from the latest unimaginative Canadian drug re-importation proposal (-groan-), it might be time to make a few phone calls to the U.P. papers. And when you do, suggest to them that Rep. Casperson and Speaker DeRoche appear to have been playing political games with the U.P.!
One more thing on Rep. Casperson's heroic rescue: I wasn't expecting him to also rescue NMU! The fact that they threw NMU in, as well as the eight gratuitious references to Casperson, suggests to me that perhaps they didn't expect the UP reaction to these cuts to be quite so hostile (they've been all over the Mining Journal). Even if the MMJ writes a laudatory piece, it may be too late for them to repair the damage. We can hope. (for that - and - a good Dem candidate!)
I was
pleased to see that all of Michigan's U.S. House Democrats held together in opposition to CAFTA (not that I expected any different - but I'm pleased nonetheless). No surprise also that Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-Macomb Co.) voted "no" and U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-Battle Creek) voted aye - they both said publicly that's what they planned to do. What was a surprise was a "no" vote from U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Livonia). What's going on with him? Was he worried about political blowback? Or just a matter of... -GASP- ...conscience? I really have no idea. I never really knew Thad very well when he was in the state Senate. But he did always seem to have more of an independent streak that the rest of his Senate collegues - in his floor statements, anyway. I also remember that he was kind enough to bumb me a smoke or two over at the 621 lounge (anti-smokers, hold your fire...I've since quit).
Print:
Associated Press
House narrowly OKs Central American deal, Michigan Democrats opposed
Michigan governor, deep in heart of competition, seeks Japan investment
Democrats call for removal of violent video game from shelves
Butler picks up Posthumus endorsement in Senate bid
Lansing sues in attempt to block gasoline pipeline
DCX CEO Schrempp to resign
GMAC expects to beat earnings estimate despite debt rating
Dow Chemical's second-quarter profit nearly doubles
Ford CEO joins eBay board
4 people charged after two bald eagles killed
Moby says he has newfound respect for Eminem because he criticized Bush
Cooler weather should produce better fishing later in week
Booth Newspapers
Soaring gas prices could cripple Big Three, study says
Education groups ready petition drive
Detroit Free Press
POLI-BYTES: Donations trickle in from mayor's cousins
Deal seeks cash for roads
New voting system sought (Detroit)
Detroit gears for school board vote
About the candidates (Detroit School Board)
Fear infests cherry crop
(Sterling Heights) City leader is charged after drugs are found
State pursues realty bias charges
Sheriff: Petty politics waste of time, money
-Op-Ed-
Commitment to Kids: Kids Count makes needs clear; state must maintain services
Home Equality Not for Sale: Fairness is often not part of the deal from real estate agents
Gun Suit Immunity: Don't give manufacturers protection against lawsuits
TOM WALSH: Detroit needs quick action
MOLLY IVINS: Union split: Time for Change to Win
Detroit News
MSU slips new fees onto tab
State to get $200 million more to fix roads
More road funds mean more jobs
County seeks park tax renewal
Wayne County elections
Voters weigh taxes in 2 communities (Macomb)
Utica merchants cheer (Cool Cities) grant
Ex-Detroit cop gets prison time
-Op-Ed-
Don't fill Capitol with religious monuments
George Weeks: Labor split won't hurt Michigan Democrats
Stop school officials from double dipping
Career Crusade answers work force need
Henry Payne cartoon: The poor suburban victims of the Detroit Water Authority
Larry Wright cartoon: How dare Democrats question Judge Roberts!
Lansing State Journal
Emerald ash borer found in E. Lansing
-Op-Ed-
Shuttles: Discovery mission shows need to focus solely on new vehicle
Gongwer ($ subscription required)
DE ROCHE DROPS NEWBERRY PRISON CLOSURE, N.M.U. CUT
COURT BACKS STATE POWER TO PROTECT WETLANDS
GOGEBIC COUNTY SNAPSHOT OF U.P. WOES, BENEFITS
COURT SETS NEW DEFINITION IN DRUNKEN DRIVING DEATHS
EDUCATION, INCENTIVES HELP WITH WELLNESS, PANEL TOLD
DEMS CALL ON RETAILERS, MANUFACTURER TO RECALL GAME
HOUSE APPROPS OKS FUNDS FOR WELFARE CASELOADS
COURT RULES CITY'S CABLE FRANCHISE FEES ARE NOT TAXES
MIRS ($ subscription required)
Do Tax Cuts Stimulate The Economy?
Cushingberry Pays $4,500 In Campaign Fines
Michigan Roads Get $200M Boost
New License Plate Scheme
Schauer: Team Effort Wins Dem Majority
Senate Dems Want Game Off The Shelves
Bits and Tidbits
Posthumus Endorses Butler
TABOR Group Already Has Tour Planned
State Prevails In Takings Case After 17 Years
DD Deaths Don't Need Casual Links
Incentives For A Thinner Michigan
Granholm Touts Life Sciences To Japan
Administration Launches `Be Your Own Boss' Web Site
Senate Appointments
On This Day In Michigan History
Grand Rapids Press
DeVos barnstorms into Ionia
1st Ward candidates respond to issues
2nd Ward candidates open up
(Wyoming) Candidate forum is mellow, except mayors
Should Grand Rapids share its firefighters?
(Holland) Teachers' union feels budget squeeze
Tribe seeks role in case against Gun Lake casino
Charges in school mercury case 'crazy,' suspect's dad says
Young politician sets sights high
-Op-Ed-
Beyond Toyota
Not just Detroit (mass transit)
No park fee
Adding clarity to ordinance
Flint Journal
Council-mayor tiffs dominate forum
With no incumbent, 6th Ward primary a scramble
2 secretary of state offices to close
Park with reputation as place to meet for sex temporarily closed
Flint school chief search down to 3
GENESEE COUNTY CMH could downsize cafeteria business
Davison Twp. man certain Hemingway was 'Papa'
Anti-litter campaign targets city butts
Oakland Press
Pontiac stands behind affirmative action policy
-Op-Ed-
Board right to seek weapons ban, but law not on its side
Macomb Daily
Warrant charges councilman with drug possession
Ann Arbor News
Committee pushes for Ypsilanti income tax
(AA City Council) Ex-Republicans seek seats as Democrats
Oh, Canada ... a great place for U-M's solar car victory
Bay City Times
Attorney general opens doors on government
Portsmouth group files suit to stop construction of Wal-Mart store
-Op-Ed-
Teachers should join state's health care discussion now
All-out war on E. coli is the only answer to water warnings
Kalamazoo Gazette
Students give flat-rate tuition a mixed review
Portage mayor Grahamwon't seek third term
-Op-Ed-
To cut child poverty, create jobs
'Older' soldiers
Beginning of the end of space shuttle era
Despite lull in cases, West Nile is still around
Muskegon Chronicle
Republicans get early look at gubernatorial candidate
(Muskegon Co.) Chairman apologizes for slur, then strikes again
Dry, hot summer damages blueberries
History Channel film crew here to shoot TV show on shipwrecks
-Op-Ed-
Construction of new homes ends a wasteful saga
Urban League still has a part to play in Muskegon
Saginaw News
Senator (Goschka) sending wrong message about city?
Haynes disputes story on guns
Councilman mum on guns
Mulhern touts mentoring
-Op-Ed-
Tuition boosts hurt Michigan
Leadership starts with full council
A fair vetting for nominee
Sex, ethnicity counts
Traverse City Record-Eagle
Opening night: Lights go up at State Theatre
Child stars, director of 'Mad, Hot Ballroom' in TC
Locals to perform prior to Opera House movies
Tickets remain for Moore's top 5 'founder's favorites'
Odds and ends from the Film Festival
Today's TC Film Festival Schedule
DNR welcomes logging input at open houses
Charlevoix council takes on upkeep of lighthouse
-Op-Ed-
Dam removal process demands public input
Battle Creek Enquirer
Eaton cuts 30 jobs in Marshall
Strong earnings prompt Kellogg to raise targets
Marshall group aims to recall Cowgill, Brown
-Op-Ed-
Too many questions, doubts about CAFTA
Jackson Citizen-Patriot
(Former U.S. House candidate Brad) Smith hit with $14,000 election fine
Albion schools wrestle with privatization issue
Smith: Is Jackson big enough? (old state prison/armory redevelopment)
Marquette Mining Journal
Lack of rain depletes mighty Taquamenaw
Recall supporters rally around Hoff
Anti-recall group will address seniors, hold rally
Swimmer to attempt superior crossing
Broadcast:
WUOM-Ann Arbor
-Nothing worth mentioning-
WKAR-East Lansing
Election 2005: Mayoral Candidate Bernero Focuses On Economic Development
WDET- Detroit
Jurgen Schrempp to Step Down at DaimlerChrysler
Suburbs Paying for Detroit-Only Equipment?