In this period of presidential transition, there's been plenty of scuttlebutt surrounding my state's commander-in-chief - Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm and any future role she may play on the national scene.
Rumors of a Granholm appointment have swirled just as quickly as the snow has blanketed our state. We've heard her name mentioned for Attorney General, Supreme Court nominee, Energy Secretary, Labor Secretary, and even Transportation Secretary. It got to the point where it seemed if there was a cabinet position unfilled, Granholm's name was floated by somebody, somewhere.
So it wasn't a huge surprise when the Washington Post did a very prominently placed article this morning about the top three contenders for Labor Secretary, and Granholm was first on the list. The other two being the very ones joining her on the economic team - Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Bonior. No real surprise there.
Last week, my contacts with their ears to the ground in DC, said the word on the street was that a Granholm appointment could be made after Thanksgiving. That being said, politics, much like high school, feeds off the ol rumor mill, so anything was possible.
Of course, there was a lot feeding that rumor mill. Granholm was only one of two elected officials named to Obama's economic transition team, and one of two Michiganders on the team, joining former Congressman David Bonior. At Obama's first post-election press secretary, Granholm was very conspicuously placed on stage so that she appeared on camera between Joe Biden and Obama. And don't be fooled they did it just because she's female. Those stage placements are more carefully choreographed than the Russian Ballet.
Of course, Granholm has a hefty plate of factors to consider before jumping to any decisions, should the offer be made. Her youngest child, Jack is a freshman in high school. Her two daughters are both in state attending college. Her husband, First Gentleman Dan Mulhern has his own business, and the entire family is very much rooted here in Michigan. As governor, she's always made family a priority, and has always been very cognizant of the impact of her job on them. They are one of her top reasons that she's given when asked about a move to DC.
That being said, it's not every day that someone gets offered a gig like Cabinet Secretary, and the entire Mulhern-Granholm family seem to be very aware of that. If offered, and if Granholm accepted, she would become the sixth woman to hold the position. Because of her Canadian birth, the Constitution prohibits her from running for president, despite the fact that she could a fantastic candidate for the Democrats.
So until the offer comes, the scuttlebutt continues. If Gov. Granholm were to accept, Lt. Governor John D. Cherry would step up to fill her shoes, making things really interesting, should he officially announce his candidacy for the 2010 gubernatorial race.
As Labor Secretary, Granholm would bring the experience of a skilled negotiator, Harvard-trained lawyer, and years of respected experience working with employers and unions alike, not to mention several years of joining green manufacturing and labor in a successful marriage that's already had a winning record here in our state. In short, there are plenty of reasons why an Obama appointment of Granholm to the position makes sense.
But for now, Michigan and that nation waits for DC to make their move, and to see how Granholm responds.