Is Gov. Jennifer Granholm (MI) close to endorsing Kerry?

[DJcairo]

As Democratic presidential candidates ratchet up campaigning for Michigan's pivotal 2004 caucuses, the current buzz is: Whither Granholm?
snip>
Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts has strong support in Michigan's United Food & Commercial Workers locals.
There's an intriguing tug among Granholm disciples. Some urge her to endorse Kerry, as has her husband, Dan Mulhern, and others in her camp.
Among Kerry spear carriers are David Katz, Granholm's 2002 campaign manager, and Jill Alper, who was a strategist for Granholm and now Kerry.
snip>


Aside from the speculation, there is this graph:

Kerry already has enlisted at least a dozen Democratic legislators, including seven African-Americans, announced Wednesday: Sens. Buzz Thomas and Irma Clark-Coleman of Detroit; Detroit Reps. Tupac Hunter, Bill McConico and Mary Waters; and Reps. Paul Condino of Southfield, Chris Kolb of Ann Arbor, Alexander Lipsey of Kalamazoo, Clarence Phillips of Pontiac, Joseph Rivet of Bay City, Dale Sheltrown of Gladwin and Lisa Wojno of Warren.
They may not be able to produce anymore votes than their own. But it's a reflective of Kerry's impressive Michigan operation that it recruited them and seems better geared than other campaigns to trumpet Michigan-specific efforts.
Whomever she endorses, look for Granholm to have a prominent role at the Democratic National Convention. She's foreign-born and ineligible to be on the ticket, but the nominee will want to showcase her.
snip>
Apparently, Kerry's dozen is more than twice that of any other campaign.

http://www.detnews.com/2003/editorial/0308/14/a13-244004.htm

[Upfront]

1. Don't Think So

She is very smart and would want to go with the winner. Looks like Dean hear in Michigan.;)

[DJcairo]

2. Exactly, a winner is someone who can beat Bush

Not just win over disaffected internet addicts.:bounce:

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[Padraig18]

9. The truth must really hurt.

LOL!

[Name removed]

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[blm]

4. Kerry helped Granholm when she was running.

I have no doubt that she intends to endorse him.

[Upfront]

5. I Stand

by what I said. She will wait untill it sorts out. She has got more problems then who to support. She is a smart lady who is unlikely to back someone who has no chance in Michigan. Kerry has no chance. First man Dan is backing Kerry and that may be the payback for Kerrys help, but I don't know for sure. He was out very early for Kerry. Sa far as the anti Dean attack from this guy, hey, its good for laughs. I have got to where I look forward to the next one. lol I, like most Dean supporters, will back who ever is running against Bush. Kerry was my 2nd choice at one time, but no more.

[DemDogs]

7. Kerry is the most organized

He has the Granholm people behind him and the people of Michigan know what that means.
Lots of people helped Granholm so I don't know how Kerry got the inside track.

[DarkNite]

8. "First man Dan is backing Kerry," and

Jim Blanchard (former Gov.) is also supporting Kerry. Granholm herself appears to be leaning Kerry, but even with the support of two governors, Kerry is trailing Dean by around 10 pts. or so in MI.

For what it's worth, Kwame Kilpatrick, Detroit's mayor, had lots of good things to say about Dean in Judy Woodruff's interview yesterday. Any candidate who does well in the metro Detroit area should win MI.




-DN-

[blm]

12. That surprises me, because I would think Dean's record would clash

with their Democratic values.

Dean is playing up the populist rhetoric to the hilt, but doesn't anyone examine his record? You don't get the highest rating for Dems from the CATO Institute by being a populist Democrat. Dean is committing fraud with his populist campaign meant to disguise his Libertarian leaning centrism.

[UrbScotty]

6. Considering that her Lieutenant Governor's name is John Cherry...

...it wouldn't surprise me at all.

[ModerateMiddle]

13. This article is pretty old now

I believe that Granholm and many others in MI were waiting until this debate passed before they would endorse anyone. Kerry's position on CAFE standards was believed to hurt him in MI, but that hasn't been the case, considering the number congressional endorsements he already has in MI.