News

Tim Skubick: Flip-Flop Gov

Published February 18, 2005. Capitol Comment by Tim Skubick. Lansing State Journal.
Tim Skubick: What is governor really about? Granholm pattern of switches has Democrats uneasy

There are two terms politicians really hate to hear: Flip-flopper and loser. And one can very easily lead to the other.

To be fair, changing one's position can be justified - and is not necessarily a mortal political sin. After all, new information does surface or a person can have a change of heart.

But to be equally fair, the term flip-flopper is something most smart politicians seek to avoid. Critics of Gov. Jennifer Granholm say the term sticks, however, and they claim to have proof.

· Granholm signed a pledge to oppose the shooting of doves - then signed a bill to permit it on a limited basis. She said it was not a flip-flop, but an attempt to compromise the issue and get it off the table.

· Granholm promised university honchos she wouldn't whack them with any budget slices if they promised to hold down tuition increases. They did. However, she's now suggesting a hefty $30 million reduction.

Segments of the higher ed crowd are not amused nor assuaged by her offer to add $100 million to their construction budgets. She argues that new money (a net $70 million) proves no promise was breached.

· Granholm proclaimed state Superintendent Tom Watkins a "valuable member of her cabinet," yet four days later declared him an ineffective leader she wanted fired. She believes the two observations are not incompatible.

· Most recently, Granholm said she personally did not object to showing off the Ten Commandments in the state Capitol rotunda. This deeply religious woman deserves credit for giving a passionate response to a question out of the blue.

However, the next day, a conservative family values group asked her to help sponsor such a display. And two days after that, the governor noted it would be unconstitutional and she did not want to break the law. The Gran-holm office objected to media reports that she flip-flopped.

And lest you think this is something new, while at a National Association for the Advancement of Colored People rally, candidate Granholm warmly embraced reparations for descendants of slaves. In the common vernacular, that meant payments of money.

The pronouncement played well in Motown, but not so well in the predominately white suburbs. Presto-change-o, Gran-holm re-invented her answer - professing she never meant money should be handed out.

Given all that, one wonders what her definition of "is" is?

Here's a reality check: Even if you give her the benefit of the doubt that she is not flip-flopping, all the "clarifications" and "re-explanations" in the world cannot erase the growing perception in this town that some of her stances are a work in progress. There is a pattern of saying one thing and then another.

Even Democrats are beginning to wonder what the heck is going on.

Some Republicans believe the governor is not willing to stand up for her convictions and when the political winds slap her in the face, she quickly searches for a new conviction.

Granholm denies it and says she hopes she is the kind of politician who can make tough decisions and not worry about the next election.

But take this to the bank: The opposition is joyfully storing all this stuff for future TV attack ads in 2006.

Welcome | News
| Action Alert | Your Representation
| Roll Call Vote
| Facts | What Can I Do? | Contact | Your Comments

Copyright ©2005 - Songbird Protection Coalition
Questions or Comments about this site?  Email Us
Page Updated: 03/02/05