Two Joes: Dillon announcement expected soon

right.... (4.00 / 2)

Andy Dillon, the co-architect of this year's awful budget, thinks he has a shot at governor? Right. I'll take Cherry - an actual Democrat - any day.

First there were the three cost-saving initiatives Dillon promised, then there was his "deal" with the devil - I mean Bishop - and now this. Handy Andy isn't that handy.  

---

by: ski @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:21:17 PM CST

Competition (4.00 / 2)

Looks like Dillon and Cherry will have some competition from George Perles.

"A football atmosphere," said Perles of what he would bring to the Capitol, "with an offensive coordinator, a defensive coordinator, organization -- the types of things you do in football to prepare you for the game."

I'm not sure football is a good model to use right now given the state of Michigan's major football teams; MSU, U of M, and the Lions aren't doing so well.

---

by: rich @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 15:51:40 PM CST

Dapper Andy Dillon (4.00 / 3)

Proudly representing the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

Please read "Out of Iraq: A Practical Plan for Withdrawal Now" by George McGovern and William R. Polk.

---

by: Hy Dudgeon @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 18:31:03 PM CST

Dillon has about as much of a shot for governor as I have (0.00 / 0)

And I don't want the job.

He'll get doubleflanked. Republicans and conservatives won't back him for the tax increases, and as for the democrats...well the reception here at ML for Dillon can explain that.  

"He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security" - Benjamin Franklin

---

by: Republican Michigander @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 21:09:19 PM CST

If Dillon wins the Dem nomination, he wins the race... (4.00 / 1)

Conservatives and Republicans won't support him, but independents and Democrats will.  If he wins the nomination, you can forget the reception he gets here.  There isn't anyone vying for the job from the Republican Party that doesn't look like a raving loon by comparison.  That is, except Rick Michigan.

Among the Trees

---

by: Eric B. @ Mon Nov 02, 2009 at 22:22:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It isn't just conservative elements (4.00 / 2)

within the party that think Cherry is the less than ideal person to head the ticket next November.

---

by: Nazgul35 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 09:05:56 AM CST

Facts speak for themselves (0.00 / 0)

Whatever you might be hearing, the fact remains that John Cherry's locked up more ground support than a candidate for either side in a long, long time. You don't get that without widespread support. The fact that he's effectively locked up Macomb County is more than impressive.

As far as Dillon, word on the street is that fundraising for the House Dem Caucus is way down. Funders are giving directly to specific members, but because of Dillon and his groupies actions, they are refusing to give to the caucus. If that's the case before he even announces, how good could his chances actually be to raise enough cash to a) be taken seriously and b) win the Democratic nomination.  

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

---

by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 09:24:24 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Dillon the cash register (4.00 / 1)

I wouldn't read too much into unions refusing to give the House Dem caucus money.  The candidates will still get money, but the biggest threat that Dillon poses to Cherry is the probability that he'd be able to raise substantial amounts of money in a short period of time.

I don't think Dillon will win the nomination, but I think the fact that his run is considered a serious thing is a testament to the nervousness of considerable portions of various Dem constituencies that Cherry isn't telegenic enough to make people forget that he was Granholm's lieutenant governor.

Among the Trees

---

by: Eric B. @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 09:35:25 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Ha (0.00 / 0)

It's funny you say that about the unions, because the chatter I'm hearing didn't include unions, it was other big funders that are typically counted as staple donors.

As far as Dillon being a cash register, so was DeVos. Look how far that got him.  

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

---

by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 09:48:00 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm not sure where you're trying to take this... (4.00 / 1)

A. These are not my personal feelings.  On the topic of a Dillon candidacy, I am neutral.  Well, I'm not neutral. I think he should run. It would be good for John Cherry, who I think would win a primary race.

B. Dillon may not be popular with traditional donors, but that doesn't mean he can't raise a lot of money fast via other means.  He can.

C. It doesn't strike me as controversial that elements within the Democratic Party are nervous about the latest poll numbers for John Cherry.  I assume John Cherry is nervous about the latest poll numbers for John Cherry.

D. DeVos' problem wasn't that he had a lot of money. It's that he had a screaming paucity of personality.

Among the Trees

---

by: Eric B. @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 10:27:34 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Not debating (0.00 / 0)

...simply adding my two cents. I have no doubt that Dillon could raise lots of money from the Renaissance folks that he sold his soul to early on in the game.

Could he win in a Democratic primary, definitely not. Could he run as an independent? Absolutely. Would it make things interesting, but it's also an enormous risk. At the end of the day, he's no Jesse Ventura.

He's a DINO for a reason.  

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

---

by: LiberalLucy @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:58:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

To be clear (0.00 / 0)

my lack of enthusiasm for Cherry in now way translates into support for Dillon...if those are my two choices in the primary, I may cross over to vote for the wingnuttiest on the Republican side.

---

by: Nazgul35 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:08:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

To be clear (0.00 / 0)

It's very easy hereabouts to assume that positive things said are prompted by support for.  I just want to make sure that objective opinions aren't interpreted as endorsement one way or the other.

Among the Trees

---

by: Eric B. @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:22:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

To be clear (4.00 / 1)

I would be pleased with either Dillon or Cherry as the Democratic candidate for Governor.  I think both would be excellent candidates against Hoekstra although I do believe that Dillon would have a better chance at beating Hoekstra.

As for LiberalLucy and her calling Dillon a DINO, her opinion doesn't represent that of Michigan Democrats and is counter-productive to our future majorities in Michigan.  Dillon was both elected and re-elected as Speaker of the House by House Democratic legislators and he has capitalized on the strength House Democrats have built over the past six years continuing to lead all caucuses in fundraising.  Dillon is the future of the Democratic Party in Michigan.

---

by: Brady @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 22:07:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Dillon Would Be a Disasterous Democratic Candidate (0.00 / 0)

I am certain you will get your paycheck this week for defening Dillon, Brady. Cherry would crush Hoekstra. Why should people ignore the obvious facts about Dillon? If Dillon is the future of the Democratic Party in Michigan it is obvious the party is about to become extinct. Dillon has only strengthened the Republicans in the legislature. Dillon has been the most unaccomplished Speaker in living memory. Raising money by trading special interst legislation for the use of the a yacht for House Democratic Caucus fundraising should not be be praised Brady rather it needs to be on the new US Attorneys checklists of things to look into. There may have been a worst Speaker then Dillon who took more summers off just to crash the budget and accomplish NOTHING, but books on Michigan history do not reveal them. Most Democratically oriented groups would be better off negotiating a deal with a Republican Governor and electing a real Democratic legislature than having a Quisling like Dillon as Governor.  

---

by: Elliot @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 04:24:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Fundraising (0.00 / 0)

From the October 29, 2009 MIRS:

"Both the House Democratic Fund and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, the state's top one and two fundraising PACs, are down 21.2 and 43 percent, respectively from 2007, while the House Republican Campaign Committee and the Senate Democratic Fund saw drops of 49.2 and 1.1 percent."

The House Democratic Fund continues to lead all the others in fundraising and the drop in funding was less than half of what the Senate Republican Fund and House Republican Fund saw.

---

by: Brady @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 12:59:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What does locking up the nomination (4.00 / 1)

of the Democratic party actually have to do with his chances of winning the General Election?

And if rumors are true...with what is he (Cherry) going to pay for the General Election campaign?

---

by: Nazgul35 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:03:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cherry's challenge (4.00 / 1)

From the October 20, 2009 MIRS:

Lt. Gov. John Cherry continues to trail all major Republican candidates in theoretical head-to-head match-ups in the 2010 gubernatorial race, according to a survey conducted by the Lansing-based polling firm of EPIC/MRA.

"Democratic frontrunner Cherry continues to fall between six and 10 points under the Democratic base of 40 percent, according to EPIC/MRA Pollster Bernie Porn. When matched up with Attorney General Mike Cox in a possible general election match-up Cherry lags by 15 percentage points (45 to 30 percent)."

I don't believe the problem is Cherry himself.  I think the case that Cherry isn't "telegenic" has been overstated.  Cherry is a very likeable candidate.  And he is more qualified to run for Governor than any other candidate in the race right now.

It's those qualification that are actually handicapping him.  Polls consistently show a large amount of Granholm fatigue.  A Fox2 poll release last week showed a scary 60% disapproval rating with 18 to 29 year olds.  It's not clear how Cherry can break free from that.  Posthumus tried to do that to some degree from Engler eight years ago and it didn't work.  Cherry's challenge will be try to find a way to build enthusiasm for his campaign independent of his role as Lt. Governor.

Over half of Democrats remain undecided.  That's remarkable because Cherry, as Lucy said, has more institutional support lined up behind him this early than a candidate for either side in a long time.  What this means is that a majority of Democratic voters are looking for an alternative.  And while I'm a true green Spartan, I doubt George Perles is that alternative.  It certainly isn't Pete Hoekstra or Rick Michigan.

---

by: Brady @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 13:46:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I was hoping for (4.00 / 1)

someone else. As someone who has seen Cherry up close and personal, he didn't impress me much (perhaps he was having an off night).

I also am sick and tired of four families running the state party...surely we can do better than being a fiefdom of party royalty...

---

by: Nazgul35 @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:06:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cherry is playing things way too safe (0.00 / 0)

Lining up the institutional support is the same as doing nothing. Aside from a couple of op-eds Cherry was invisible during the budget crisis over the past two months.

Even though the Lt. Gov. has no specific role in the process, Cherry could have been a lot more active in "naming & shaming" the legislators -- of both parties, but especially Mike Bishop -- who failed the people of Michigan.

A loud, public break from Jennifer Granholm would also have been a good idea, considering the strong anti-incumbent mood enveloping the nation right now.

Simply put, John Cherry isn't generating any "buzz."

Bland, safe, cautious and loyal to the status quo will not get us anywhere next year. If Cherry doesn't kick things up SEVERAL notches, he's done -- and as the only significant statewide race next year, as the governor falls so does the rest of the Democratic ticket.

Leading us (or me, at least) to the Census, and how legislative and Congressional districts will be redrawn starting in 2011. Do we really want Mike Cox or Pete Hoekstra collaborating with a GOP-led Senate to repeat the gerrymandering of 2001?

It's ALL about the 2010 Census, and who will drive the Redistricting in 2011. If we want a repeat of 2001, go ahead and keep sniping at each other.

---

by: helzapoppn @ Wed Nov 04, 2009 at 07:58:13 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Paid Consultants (0.00 / 0)

So, who's paid these consultants to forward this meme?

---

by: JohnF @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 14:52:18 PM CST

LOL... (3.00 / 3)

Well, Joe DiSano called Pam Byrnes a Dillon lackey last week (you don't typically refer to someone as someone's lackey unless you think the association is not a positive one); and Joe Munem was in Redford during Leon Drolet's recall campaign against Dillon. So, I doubt very much that Andy Dillon paid either of them to tell the world via podcast that he may announce his candidacy for governor soon. And, they're not so much forwarding a meme than they are updating us on the status of the worst-kept political secret in all of Michigan.

It's possible that this is all a big put-on, that this is all some kind of game they're playing with the media -- old and new -- to ultimately benefit their clients.  There is one thing they've been so far, and it's been pretty accurate.

Among the Trees

---

by: Eric B. @ Tue Nov 03, 2009 at 16:11:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Still Waiting (0.00 / 0)

5 Days and counting for the announcement from Dillon. Doesn't look like he'll announce during the weekend, so maybe Monday. But, wait, looks like no DECISION until late November. Soon now equals a month. More memes.  

---

by: JohnF @ Sat Nov 07, 2009 at 10:01:34 AM CST

[ Parent ]