foolmenot.comFrom the article below, one would assume Governor Granholm may have only forgotten the frenzied atmosphere surrounding the affirmative action proposal scheduled for a vote this November. She hardly forgot; one doesn’t forget to include issues in such an important speech. However, one may have reasons not to mention something in such an important speech!
What she did mention were only issues, words, and phrases, that might garner her more votes. She is on the same page as Dick DeVos regarding this issue; by not mentioning it in such a speech would not do her harm.
Alas you say, it did do her harm, The NAACP is upset… No, the Governor knows there is no place for the NAACP votes to go; they will stay with Granholm no matter what! So, publicly, sure they’re upset; privately, for them it’s an opportunity to get more money and power- thus, their public outrage…
The Governor will meet with one or two NAACP leaders; a deal will be struck to appease them, and the taxpayers will pay! And so it goes…
Full article follows…
Detroit Free Press
Granholm's speech upsets NAACP leaders
February 2, 2006
BY ZACHARY GORCHOW
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Michigan NAACP leaders are upset with Gov. Jennifer Granholm over her omission of any statement in support of affirmative action in her State of the State speech last week.
The political tiff could undermine her support with a vital constituency in the Democratic Party as she prepares to face off this year against putative Republican challenger Dick DeVos.
Both candidates have publicly opposed a proposal that would effectively ban affirmative action in the state.
The proposal is expected to be on the November ballot.
Leaders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's youth divisions from around the state have scheduled a 1:30 p.m. news conference today at Pray-Harrold Hall on the campus of Eastern Michigan University to urge Granholm and the state Legislature to defend affirmative action.
Brandon Jessup, president of the Michigan NAACP's Youth and College Division, and Granholm spoke Wednesday. He described the conversation as a first step, but said she has not satisfactorily explained the omission.
Granholm's press secretary, Liz Boyd, said the governor appreciated the opportunity to talk with Jessup because both are passionate about the issue.
Granholm reiterated to Jessup her "clear and continued opposition" to the ballot proposal, Boyd said.
Contact ZACHARY GORCHOW at 313-223-4536 or zgorchow@freepress.com.