Granholm rolls with the punches
She's battle tested with a sense of humor
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFFFREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF
November 2, 2006
Being a head of state is life-altering.
Big decisions bear on you. People demand your shrinking time. A lot of people tell you you're great; others call you names.
Your family sees less of you.
On the campaign trail, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appears unaffected by the weight of four years in office. She exudes energy and optimism that might seem at odds with a state economy made fragile by a floundering auto industry.
In a gubernatorial campaign that has seen record money spent on TV advertising, much of it negative, Granholm displays both the personal touch that attracted so many to her four years ago, and a sharper edge honed by experience.
Her admirers call her dynamic, smart and driven. Detractors call her a good actress without a plan.
Those close to her say she's fundamentally unchanged from the idealistic Harvard Law School graduate who was elected attorney general in 1998 -- her first public office -- although she's battle tested after four years of jousting with a Republican-led Legislature.
"She is wiser," said Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who served 20 years in the Legislature. "I think she's seen things that she perhaps didn't expect. There was a greater degree of partisanship than she expected. I think that she's learned that she has to look beyond her expectations."
Cherry added, "She's a trusting individual. She has a very positive orientation. She takes people at their word. Sometimes, people aren't as trustworthy as you'd hope they would be."
Moving ahead
Granholm's husband, Dan Mulhern, said she's been unfazed by a drumbeat of bad news that's cost jobs and left the Detroit automakers and their parts suppliers reeling.
"Jennifer has always been a person who doesn't cry over spilled milk," Mulhern said. "She's never been a person of self-pity. She's all about accept, adjust, advance."
She's also been more about attack. In a campaign that's seen truth-bending by both sides, Granholm has flickered from political nurturer to puncher.
That's different than her 2002 campaign, a comparatively sedate contest when she was not challenged by a deep-pockets opponent and she didn't have a record to defend.
She went on the offensive -- unfairly, some said -- during debates with Republican opponent Dick DeVos, accusing him of bankrolling senior care homes where abuses occurred and exploiting foster child abuses for political gain.
Blown away?
Even ads that mock her don't seem to ruffle Granholm.
"I have such a thick skin about this stuff," she said in an interview this week. "What troubles me is when people believe the lies. And you have to spend money to educate people about what is the truth."
She said the election is about the economy, not her.
"I don't think people buy that the governor is responsible for the restructuring of the auto industry," she said. "Most people don't blame me for the troubles of the Big Three. But they do want to know what are you going to do about it."
Granholm said in a second term, she might consider hiring Republicans in her Democratic administration.
"I'm absolutely open to doing that," she said. "The bipartisan approach is always the preferred way. If you've got rational leadership in the Legislature you can get things done."
Has there been rational leadership in the Legislature?
"Not often. Sometimes," she replied.
This week, Granholm has traveled around the state by bus, telling crowds what she's doing to get Michigan rolling.
And she's kept her sense of humor.
"In November, you're going to be blown away!" she exhorted a laughing, cheering Democratic crowd in Jackson this week. It was a takeoff on Republican TV ads that mock her for her dramatic declaration: "In five years, you're going to be blown away" in her State of the State speech.
Impressive speaker
Even critics concede that Granholm is one of the best political speakers to come along in Michigan in a long time.
"I really never saw her in person before, but I do think she is more active, more vibrant, more outgoing. I think Jennifer Granholm has improved over the years," gushed Pat Walworth, 64, a retiree from Swartz Creek who attended a recent rally in Flint, where Granholm appeared with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Like any governor, Granholm is often surrounded by adoring crowds and well-wishers. Mulhern said it hasn't gone to her head.
He said his wife has a built-in "crap detector" that puts praise in perspective.
"There's a real Scandinavian sense of don't think you're so important, don't kid yourself, don't take yourself seriously," Mulhern said.
He added, "Once I came home after giving a speech, and I said to her, 'They were so positive, so effusive. I felt, what did they want from me?' She laughed and said, 'Are you kidding? I feel like that all the time.' "
He said Granholm has personally called spouses and parents of each Michigan service member killed in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq to console them, a task not traditional for a governor.
"I've been there when she's made some of those calls, in the car and the bedroom, and every one of them is painful," he said, noting that Granholm has a work desk in their bedroom at the governor's residence. "She feels like she's calling on behalf of 10 million people."
Time for family
Mulhern said his own role has changed, too.
At first, he wanted a hand in policy matters and speechwriting, such as the annual State of the State address, Mulhern said. Instead, he's devoted more time to the couple's three children -- Kate, 17; Cece, 15, and Jack, 9.
At a campaign rally on the Michigan State University campus this week, Granholm made a beeline to her daughters in the audience before her remarks, taking time out for a good hug.
"As time has gone on, I realize it's more important to be a good sounding board when it comes to a tough call for her, to be emotional support," Mulhern said of his relationship with his wife. "It's a pretty draining job. I've definitely tilted more to the family side, especially in campaign season. It's taxing, grueling, assaultive to a family.'
"I feel like I should be raising money, doing strategy," Mulhern said. "But our kids need normalcy more than ever."
Contact CHRIS CHRISTOFF at 517-372-8660 or christoff@freepress.com.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Granholm rolls with the punches
Granholm rolls with the punches
Granholm rolls with the punches
She's battle tested with a sense of humor
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFFFREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF
November 2, 2006
Being a head of state is life-altering.
Big decisions bear on you. People demand your shrinking time. A lot of people tell you you're great; others call you names.
Your family sees less of you.
On the campaign trail, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appears unaffected by the weight of four years in office. She exudes energy and optimism that might seem at odds with a state economy made fragile by a floundering auto industry.
In a gubernatorial campaign that has seen record money spent on TV advertising, much of it negative, Granholm displays both the personal touch that attracted so many to her four years ago, and a sharper edge honed by experience.
Her admirers call her dynamic, smart and driven. Detractors call her a good actress without a plan.
Those close to her say she's fundamentally unchanged from the idealistic Harvard Law School graduate who was elected attorney general in 1998 -- her first public office -- although she's battle tested after four years of jousting with a Republican-led Legislature.
"She is wiser," said Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who served 20 years in the Legislature. "I think she's seen things that she perhaps didn't expect. There was a greater degree of partisanship than she expected. I think that she's learned that she has to look beyond her expectations."
Cherry added, "She's a trusting individual. She has a very positive orientation. She takes people at their word. Sometimes, people aren't as trustworthy as you'd hope they would be."
Moving ahead
Granholm's husband, Dan Mulhern, said she's been unfazed by a drumbeat of bad news that's cost jobs and left the Detroit automakers and their parts suppliers reeling.
"Jennifer has always been a person who doesn't cry over spilled milk," Mulhern said. "She's never been a person of self-pity. She's all about accept, adjust, advance."
She's also been more about attack. In a campaign that's seen truth-bending by both sides, Granholm has flickered from political nurturer to puncher.
That's different than her 2002 campaign, a comparatively sedate contest when she was not challenged by a deep-pockets opponent and she didn't have a record to defend.
She went on the offensive -- unfairly, some said -- during debates with Republican opponent Dick DeVos, accusing him of bankrolling senior care homes where abuses occurred and exploiting foster child abuses for political gain.
Blown away?
Even ads that mock her don't seem to ruffle Granholm.
"I have such a thick skin about this stuff," she said in an interview this week. "What troubles me is when people believe the lies. And you have to spend money to educate people about what is the truth."
She said the election is about the economy, not her.
"I don't think people buy that the governor is responsible for the restructuring of the auto industry," she said. "Most people don't blame me for the troubles of the Big Three. But they do want to know what are you going to do about it."
Granholm said in a second term, she might consider hiring Republicans in her Democratic administration.
"I'm absolutely open to doing that," she said. "The bipartisan approach is always the preferred way. If you've got rational leadership in the Legislature you can get things done."
Has there been rational leadership in the Legislature?
"Not often. Sometimes," she replied.
This week, Granholm has traveled around the state by bus, telling crowds what she's doing to get Michigan rolling.
And she's kept her sense of humor.
"In November, you're going to be blown away!" she exhorted a laughing, cheering Democratic crowd in Jackson this week. It was a takeoff on Republican TV ads that mock her for her dramatic declaration: "In five years, you're going to be blown away" in her State of the State speech.
Impressive speaker
Even critics concede that Granholm is one of the best political speakers to come along in Michigan in a long time.
"I really never saw her in person before, but I do think she is more active, more vibrant, more outgoing. I think Jennifer Granholm has improved over the years," gushed Pat Walworth, 64, a retiree from Swartz Creek who attended a recent rally in Flint, where Granholm appeared with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Like any governor, Granholm is often surrounded by adoring crowds and well-wishers. Mulhern said it hasn't gone to her head.
He said his wife has a built-in "crap detector" that puts praise in perspective.
"There's a real Scandinavian sense of don't think you're so important, don't kid yourself, don't take yourself seriously," Mulhern said.
He added, "Once I came home after giving a speech, and I said to her, 'They were so positive, so effusive. I felt, what did they want from me?' She laughed and said, 'Are you kidding? I feel like that all the time.' "
He said Granholm has personally called spouses and parents of each Michigan service member killed in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq to console them, a task not traditional for a governor.
"I've been there when she's made some of those calls, in the car and the bedroom, and every one of them is painful," he said, noting that Granholm has a work desk in their bedroom at the governor's residence. "She feels like she's calling on behalf of 10 million people."
Time for family
Mulhern said his own role has changed, too.
At first, he wanted a hand in policy matters and speechwriting, such as the annual State of the State address, Mulhern said. Instead, he's devoted more time to the couple's three children -- Kate, 17; Cece, 15, and Jack, 9.
At a campaign rally on the Michigan State University campus this week, Granholm made a beeline to her daughters in the audience before her remarks, taking time out for a good hug.
"As time has gone on, I realize it's more important to be a good sounding board when it comes to a tough call for her, to be emotional support," Mulhern said of his relationship with his wife. "It's a pretty draining job. I've definitely tilted more to the family side, especially in campaign season. It's taxing, grueling, assaultive to a family.'
"I feel like I should be raising money, doing strategy," Mulhern said. "But our kids need normalcy more than ever."
Contact CHRIS CHRISTOFF at 517-372-8660 or christoff@freepress.com.
Granholm rolls with the punches
She's battle tested with a sense of humor
BY CHRIS CHRISTOFFFREE PRESS LANSING BUREAU CHIEF
November 2, 2006
Being a head of state is life-altering.
Big decisions bear on you. People demand your shrinking time. A lot of people tell you you're great; others call you names.
Your family sees less of you.
On the campaign trail, Gov. Jennifer Granholm appears unaffected by the weight of four years in office. She exudes energy and optimism that might seem at odds with a state economy made fragile by a floundering auto industry.
In a gubernatorial campaign that has seen record money spent on TV advertising, much of it negative, Granholm displays both the personal touch that attracted so many to her four years ago, and a sharper edge honed by experience.
Her admirers call her dynamic, smart and driven. Detractors call her a good actress without a plan.
Those close to her say she's fundamentally unchanged from the idealistic Harvard Law School graduate who was elected attorney general in 1998 -- her first public office -- although she's battle tested after four years of jousting with a Republican-led Legislature.
"She is wiser," said Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who served 20 years in the Legislature. "I think she's seen things that she perhaps didn't expect. There was a greater degree of partisanship than she expected. I think that she's learned that she has to look beyond her expectations."
Cherry added, "She's a trusting individual. She has a very positive orientation. She takes people at their word. Sometimes, people aren't as trustworthy as you'd hope they would be."
Moving ahead
Granholm's husband, Dan Mulhern, said she's been unfazed by a drumbeat of bad news that's cost jobs and left the Detroit automakers and their parts suppliers reeling.
"Jennifer has always been a person who doesn't cry over spilled milk," Mulhern said. "She's never been a person of self-pity. She's all about accept, adjust, advance."
She's also been more about attack. In a campaign that's seen truth-bending by both sides, Granholm has flickered from political nurturer to puncher.
That's different than her 2002 campaign, a comparatively sedate contest when she was not challenged by a deep-pockets opponent and she didn't have a record to defend.
She went on the offensive -- unfairly, some said -- during debates with Republican opponent Dick DeVos, accusing him of bankrolling senior care homes where abuses occurred and exploiting foster child abuses for political gain.
Blown away?
Even ads that mock her don't seem to ruffle Granholm.
"I have such a thick skin about this stuff," she said in an interview this week. "What troubles me is when people believe the lies. And you have to spend money to educate people about what is the truth."
She said the election is about the economy, not her.
"I don't think people buy that the governor is responsible for the restructuring of the auto industry," she said. "Most people don't blame me for the troubles of the Big Three. But they do want to know what are you going to do about it."
Granholm said in a second term, she might consider hiring Republicans in her Democratic administration.
"I'm absolutely open to doing that," she said. "The bipartisan approach is always the preferred way. If you've got rational leadership in the Legislature you can get things done."
Has there been rational leadership in the Legislature?
"Not often. Sometimes," she replied.
This week, Granholm has traveled around the state by bus, telling crowds what she's doing to get Michigan rolling.
And she's kept her sense of humor.
"In November, you're going to be blown away!" she exhorted a laughing, cheering Democratic crowd in Jackson this week. It was a takeoff on Republican TV ads that mock her for her dramatic declaration: "In five years, you're going to be blown away" in her State of the State speech.
Impressive speaker
Even critics concede that Granholm is one of the best political speakers to come along in Michigan in a long time.
"I really never saw her in person before, but I do think she is more active, more vibrant, more outgoing. I think Jennifer Granholm has improved over the years," gushed Pat Walworth, 64, a retiree from Swartz Creek who attended a recent rally in Flint, where Granholm appeared with U.S. Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.
Like any governor, Granholm is often surrounded by adoring crowds and well-wishers. Mulhern said it hasn't gone to her head.
He said his wife has a built-in "crap detector" that puts praise in perspective.
"There's a real Scandinavian sense of don't think you're so important, don't kid yourself, don't take yourself seriously," Mulhern said.
He added, "Once I came home after giving a speech, and I said to her, 'They were so positive, so effusive. I felt, what did they want from me?' She laughed and said, 'Are you kidding? I feel like that all the time.' "
He said Granholm has personally called spouses and parents of each Michigan service member killed in the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq to console them, a task not traditional for a governor.
"I've been there when she's made some of those calls, in the car and the bedroom, and every one of them is painful," he said, noting that Granholm has a work desk in their bedroom at the governor's residence. "She feels like she's calling on behalf of 10 million people."
Time for family
Mulhern said his own role has changed, too.
At first, he wanted a hand in policy matters and speechwriting, such as the annual State of the State address, Mulhern said. Instead, he's devoted more time to the couple's three children -- Kate, 17; Cece, 15, and Jack, 9.
At a campaign rally on the Michigan State University campus this week, Granholm made a beeline to her daughters in the audience before her remarks, taking time out for a good hug.
"As time has gone on, I realize it's more important to be a good sounding board when it comes to a tough call for her, to be emotional support," Mulhern said of his relationship with his wife. "It's a pretty draining job. I've definitely tilted more to the family side, especially in campaign season. It's taxing, grueling, assaultive to a family.'
"I feel like I should be raising money, doing strategy," Mulhern said. "But our kids need normalcy more than ever."
Contact CHRIS CHRISTOFF at 517-372-8660 or christoff@freepress.com.
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