UPDATED: Breaking news from the Michigan Policy Summit: Conyers on SCOTUS

Whaaa? (0.00 / 0)

Rep. Conyers can't even remember the name of the attorney who hasn't "done a good job"? What gives?

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by: rich @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 13:57:32 PM CDT

I noticed that too. (4.00 / 2)

When he's working from a script, Conyers generally does pretty well.  But from time to time, especially when he needs to respond to an unexpected question or situation, he seems to become utterly lost.  His staff tries to protect him from such situations, and cover for him when they occur, but just as with Reagan in 1987-88, it doesn't always work.

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by: Grebner @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 18:07:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

More proof Conyers has finally gone senile (4.00 / 1)

Reminds me of when longtime Secretary of State Dick Austin went on TV and couldn't remember if he was pro-life or pro-choice. A sad and ignoble end to a distinguished and honorable career.

Paging Senator Buzz Thomas...

"HAZEN S. PINGREE...He was the first to warn the people of the great danger threatened by powerful private corporations, and the first to awake to the great inequalities in taxation and to initiate steps for reforms. THE IDOL OF THE PEOPLE"

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by: Hazen Pingree @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 14:11:44 PM CDT

Where.... (0.00 / 0)

the hell you been?:)

Putting conservatives in charge of our government makes about as much sense as GM hiring a CEO who hates cars.

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by: djtyg @ Mon May 18, 2009 at 01:08:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does the name of the attorney (0.00 / 0)

or the reason even matter. It sounds to me as he wanted to backhand granholm in front of michigan democrats. there may be an element of pay back - possibly for the way granholm has handled detroit affairs which include her cobo hall fiasco.  

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by: jsalera @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 18:55:18 PM CDT

Facts, reason, etc. (0.00 / 0)

Well, apparently the attorney's name and reason don't matter because he can't even tell us what they are.

Okay, so he's pissed with Granholm over Cobo Hall. Fine. Let him say that. Personally, I think Monica was the real problem in that whole situation. Nevertheless, at least it's an argument. Instead, Conyers' feeble and awkward attempt at a "backhand" just wound up making him look silly.

"HAZEN S. PINGREE...He was the first to warn the people of the great danger threatened by powerful private corporations, and the first to awake to the great inequalities in taxation and to initiate steps for reforms. THE IDOL OF THE PEOPLE"

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by: Hazen Pingree @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 20:44:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

why would conyers care (0.00 / 0)

who thinks he looks silly. his constituents would approve of it anyway. I don't think granholm ever had a realistic chance to be named to the court. only her michigan fan club held that fantasy. but if she was under consideration, conyers just killed it. you know what they say about pay back...it's a _________ (fill in the blank). politics really is a contact sport.

and why, in fact, would conyers have to be honest about it. were those involved in the cobo hall affair ever honest about the intent of the deal. it was awful odd to see michigan democrats in bed with brooks patterson. maybe someone can explain what that deal was really all about.

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by: jsalera @ Sat May 16, 2009 at 21:33:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

It doesn't matter... (0.00 / 0)

so much why Conyers punched Granholm on SCOTUS as the fact that he did it and left behind the kind of stench that the Conyers brand really can't absorb much more of before people will just want to scrub Detroit clean of 'em.  Sad, really sad way to exit stage right.  

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by: LiberalBubba @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 07:39:35 AM CDT

Real Story on Conyers Gaffe (4.00 / 3)

I was at the summit and was dumbfounded by Conyers remarks. Unlike the Congressman, I know the attorney to whom he referred.  He is an outstanding person and the Acting US Attorney for the Eastern District.  Terry Berg is also one of Conyers' constituents, his neighbor even!  Unlike the other candidates for US Attorney he has chosen to stay in Detroit and raise his three kids there.  He is the type of person who cuts the grass in front of the foreclosed homes on his  block, who along with his wife and children has organized neighborhood clean-ups, planted community gardens and whose son goes to the neighborhood school. I have been at community meetings in my Detroit neighborhood where Terry has convened a multi-jurisdictional team to combat drug traffic in the neighborhood.  He is totally dedicated to making the quality of life better for people in his jurisdiction whether it means investigating corrupt politicans (wont mention any names here); making cities follow ADA laws, working with other law enforcement to combat drug dealing and auto theft.  For those of us who still live in Detroit and organize to improve the quality of life for its residents, Terry Berg is a hero.  Not only do Conyers comments show a stunning lack of judgement but indicate how out of touch he is.  

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by: vkovari @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 12:39:57 PM CDT

That's very helpful. (4.00 / 1)

It's great that somebody who reads MichiganLiberal is able to figure out what Congressman Conyers is talking about - the rest of us had no clue.

Your skill may become widely sought, since he's the second most senior member of the U.S. House, and chairs the Judiciary Committee, one of the dozen most powerful positions in the Congress.  I hope you're available to answer questions from the press, other Members, and his staff, as they arise.

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by: Grebner @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 13:46:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I was at yesterday's summit, (0.00 / 0)

and I thought Conyers was referring to one of those Bush appointees to the US Attorney's office who was appointed to politicize the Justice Department.  If Conyers was calling the Governor to account for giving a positive recommendation for one of those scoundrels, then he is absolutely right in doing so.

But, please correct me if I misinterpreted Conyers' statement.

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by: gregsullmich @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 16:15:51 PM CDT

Sounds about right. (0.00 / 0)

I was there, and was equally puzzled.  But I had an excuse: I'm from Kent County, and Conyers doesn't have the same swoon factor (Dingell? Baker?  even Jondahl -- now we're talkin').  

I wasn't quite sure why the digs were going on, especially in a crowd that really needs to work with the executive branch in Lansing.  But like I said, I'm from Kent County, and they don't give us these de-coder wrings for inside games.

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by: Harris @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 20:36:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Maybe... (0.00 / 0)

...the story was just an excuse to flaunt a little power and dis the Governor, on behalf of his wife who's had a major beef with him for quite a while now.

If we know one thing, it's that anything in politics is possible.  

I want to change the world, not help people adjust to it. - Millie Jeffrey, MI - National Women's labor and Democratic activist, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient

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by: LiberalLucy @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 17:13:50 PM CDT

Monica is thought to be under FBI investigation (4.00 / 1)

There's a federal probe ongoing about the Synagro company giving payoffs to city officials, including Detroit City Council members. Mrs. Conyers has been reported to be under investigation. Although she has denied this, her former assistant Sam Riddle has said that it is true.  Perhaps this has something to do with John Conyers feelings about Berg  - and Granholm.

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by: Kidspeak @ Sun May 17, 2009 at 23:48:24 PM CDT