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By Paula Wethington
One of the calls made to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Wednesday was of 80 campaign signs found dumped on property in the 2800 block of Second Street in Detroit Beach.
Deputies report they took the signs as appropriate to the local Republican and Democrat party offices.
By Danielle Portteus
My co-worker Paula posted a little while ago about campaign signs being stolen or vandalized.
After speaking with a caller yesterday, I thought this would be a good time to make some additional comments to Paula’s post.
It seems this year, more people are noticing that signs are being damaged or stolen. I think more people are complaining about it because they think there is a different motivation this time.
I spoke with a man who lives along Secor Rd. in Bedford Township. His Obama/Biden sign was spray painted black. He thinks it was racially motivated.
A sign just up the road from his was also damaged.
When I traveled the stretch of road near his home, I noticed it wasn’t just the Obama/Biden signs that had been hit, but the McCain/Palin signs as well. Those signs, which were smaller and made of different material, had been torn in pieces.
The Bedford substation has reports of signs being damaged on both sides. The difference, I think, is people’s awareness about what signs have been hit.
I think people do take political sign vandalism personally this time around because of the candidate choices, at least for the Presidential election. I think more people are concerned because they think a random “attack” is really and attack on their candidate of choice rather than just silly mischief.
By Paula Wethington / paula@monroenews.com
You know it’s election season when campaign signs start sprouting on yards.
It’s also easy to tell it’s election season when reports start showing up in police blotters about campaign signs being stolen or vandalized. I saw what may be the first such complaint of the fall when picking up reports this morning at Monroe Police Department - two presidential campaign signs vandalized on at a home on Godfroy St.
It’s hard not to take those vandalism incidents personally.
I remember serving as campaign manager in college when a friend of mine was running for a residence hall government post. We didn’t swarm the dorm with paper fliers, we just posted a few in very deliberate locations.
My friend was irate when she saw some of her signs had been vandalized.
We never found out who did that. It’s not like my friend had any enemies in the dorm.
The culprits were either people who just felt like being malicious, or who supported the other candidates.
My friend tied for the office she sought in the first election, and lost in the runoff.
But the story of what happened in my dorm is pretty applicable to what happens in the real world.
Some people are just malicious and they’re going to wreck or steal whatever happens to be in the targeted yard or neighborhood.
Some people do it because they support the other candidates.
And election sign vandalism and theft really does happen every year.
Try not to take it personally.
By DOUG DONNELLY, City Editor, doug@monroenews.com
The Monroe Evening News has started its annual process of interviewing candidates for state and county offices to help in making endorsements before the November election.
The Editorial Board invites candidates to the office for a sit-down interview. We ask a series of questions to each candidate in the same race. The meetings usually last about an hour. It’s not really a debate, but candidates may speak to each other or even ask each other a question – it’s up to the candidate whether or not they want to respond.
Our first interviews were this week.
55th District State Rep. Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee, came to the office Monday. Her opponent, Frank Moynihan did not accept the invitation. In fact, we never heard back from him. (He also chose not to send in a candidate biographical form that we will print in our upcoming election tab.)
(more…)
By Charles Slat
If so, you might have to wait for the Vice Presidential candidate look-a-like contest.
Meanwhile, the search is on for the dogs that look the most like Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain. The “My Dog Looks Like Obama or McCain” Photo Contest, sponsored by Rover 411, an article-based Web site for dogs and their owners, is accepting submissions until Monday, Sept. 15.
Photos of dogs can be submitted here. From Sept. 22 through Oct. 22, Rover 411 members can vote for their favorite photo. Membership is free and available to the general public with a valid email address. Winners will be announced at on Oct. 25 on the Web site.
By Charles Slat
Part of the national press corps following the Obama campaign is Monroe native and my old pal, Don Gonyea, 52, the White House correspondent for National Public Radio.
A 1974 graduate of St. Mary Catholic Central, Don and I used to cover the Monroe County Board of Commissioners together back in the late 1970s when he worked for the local radio station and I worked for, well, the local newspaper.
Don subsequently went to work for WDET, public radio in Detroit and later Michigan Public Radio before joining NPR.
Don said he believed that this was his first return to Monroe “on business” since joining NPR.
He arranged with the Obama campaign staff to make sure some of his Monroe family members could attend the rally at the Monroe campaign stop.
Samantha Tubman, an Obama staffer, accommodated and Don took the opportunity to introduce her to his relatives at the rally. They included Dan and Linda Staelgraeve and their son, Michael, and Greg and Mary Ann Applin.
It was Ms. Tubman who, when the press corps buses pulled up at the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters hall on Detroit Ave., told the reporters that they were in Monroe, Mich., the hometown of NPR’s Don Gonyea.
The bus erupted in a cheer, Mr. Gonyea reported.
By Charles Slat
There’s an old saying that TV always makes people look physically bigger than they are.
This always has held true for me, having seen a lot of famous people in the flesh over my career.
Former Michigan Governors Jim Blanchard and John Engler come to mind. They always looked large on TV but, in person, seemed smaller than average.
For some reason, it seemed just the opposite when I saw Barack Obama during his campaign stop in Monroe.
I expected to see someone, say, the size of Paris Hilton or Britney Spears. Instead, he seems a bit larger than he appears on TV.
Maybe my TV is too small.
By Charles Slat
More evidence that money fuels political campaigns:
I signed up for media credentials via e-mail the other day for Sen. Obama’s visit to Monroe today. The media registration made it clear that I only would hear back from the campaign if the credentials were denied.
Today in checking my e-mail, I noticed that a message from the Obama campaign had been quarantined like a lot of the other spam I get. The subject of the quarantined message was “Deadline: Tomorrow”
Was this something telling me when I had to show up at the Obama rally, some provision that would be made for me to meet my deadline for filing a story, a question of when my newspaper’s deadline was?
No.
It was a personal solicitation of a minimum $15 donation by the federal campaign-finance reporting deadline of Aug. 31. If I donated by then, I would receive a “first edition” 5-inch diameter Obama-Biden 08 magnet to stick on my car.
Stephanie Ariganello; stephaniea@monroenews.com
I’ve been hearing about this online backlash against Barack Obama so I decided to find out what that meant.
One of the sites, http://barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/ is one of my favorites. It’s a play on Barack being all things to all people. Often those who support him come up with these reasons why they support him - that are completely different than those of the person standing next to him who is also an Obama supporter. If you visit the site, click on the page and a new Barack Obama message will load.
Personally, I like that Barack Obama picked me up from the airport. I wonder if he would help me move?
Stephanie Ariganello;
stephaniea@monroenews.com
Tuesday was the state of the state and since I had the opportunity to be there in person, I went. Obviously it was different than watching it on TV. Here are some of my general observations.
Randy Richardville - Apparently our Senator is a rock star in Lansing. Everyone, and I’m talking everyone, had to say hello, grip his hand, talk about tool and die legislation, about getting “the core” together next week, etc. He knew all of the staff members working security, the tour guides, the communications people, and had former staffers coming up to him to let them know where they are now. He even managed to get a plug in about a feature film on the War of 1812 to a film company lobbyist who approached him. From what I understand, the scene was similar over at Rep. Kathy Angerer’s camp. Everyone clammering for a handshake and a chance to say hello.
Rumor was that Sen. Richardville was going to be mentioned in the Gov’s speech. Her people called his people and asked if it would be alright to mention him when talking about working across the aisle and bipartisan cooperation. Well, if you listened to or read the address, you’ll notice he was not mentioned. Apparently, he was in the initial draft, but at some point was taken out. While he was fairly jovial about the situation, he did point out that all of the Republicans the Gov mentioned were term-limited and therefore not really contested seats, like giving a boost to someone as they retire. I haven’t had time to check on this so I’m not sure if it’s true.
(In full disclosure: I was invited to be Sen. Richardville’s guest along with Walt Wilburn, Bedford Township Supervisor, and Larry Rutledge, LaSalle Township Supervisor. Larry and Walt couldn’t make it because of the weather. The offer was also extended through the House Democrats, but because they’re up for re-election this year, my editor and I thought this might be less political. Also, since Sen. Richardville is Republican, it could be an interesting counterpoint to the SOTS.)
On the floor: It had been a long time since I’d been to the state capitol. I haven’t been for any assignments or visits since coming to Monroe and I hadn’t lived in state for a few years before that. I’m sure I must have been a wee little school girl the last time I went. Anyway, the chambers were smaller than I remember. The speech was held in the House of Representatives room. There were desks of course, then the various chairs scattered about and standing room only in the galleries and balconies. The event started at about 6:30 p.m. Each time fancy people were to arrive, like the chief justices of the state, they had a whole routine. The speaker had to ask for a special committee to be selected to escort whatever group of people was next. After awhile the doors would open, everyone would stand up and wait and then the group would come through. This went on for 30 minutes or more before the Gov was introduced. There was so much standing and sitting, repeatedly, that it was like an extended church service.
On their computers: I’ve always wondered what the legislators had on their computers as they sat there. Last night, several of them had The Drudge Report called up, awaiting the Florida primary results presumably. One had Real Clear Politics, a different web page on his screen while one was checking out weather on Yahoo.com. Others sat and emailed through the address or worked on their responses to what the Gov was saying. Another allowed their pre-teen daughter to instant message from the floor.
During the speech: It was probably more about where I was sitting - next to some Republicans - but occasionally when the Gov would make a point and others would cheer there would be some pretty negative comments or sarcastic remarks about the sincerity of her statement. Another guy kept snickering over the fact that the Gov was basing part of the economic boost on alternative energies, particularly when she mentioned wind turbines. Despite the sarcasm, there was a general feeling of optimism.
Overall: It just seemed like a giant social mixer, for the most part. Kind of like a Rotary or other such group meeting. I’m sure these are the places where more things get done, friendships are forged, deals are set up. Overall, it was very clear that these people are legislators and they are powerful in that they dictate what could be happening in our lives, but overwhelmingly - they’re people first and foremost.
If I think of anything else, I’ll post it.
By Stephanie Ariganello;
stephaniea@monroenews.com
State of the State by the numbers
Local legislators met with: 3 out of 3
Prayers said in the House of Representative Chambers: 2 (whatever happened to separation of church and state?)
Pledge of allegiances said: 2
Handshakes: 1.7 million (an approximate figure)
Legislators with “The Drudge Report” pulled up on their computer screens: 4
People fanning themselves with old school hand-held feather fans: 1
Depictions of gilded stags: 4
Times I wished I had a breath mint: 16
Standing ovations: 1,265 (really it was more like 32, but come on…)
Legislators that made a joke to the affect of “I stay out of politics”: 3, at least these are all I could hear. I imagine this plays out all over the floor (not made by any of our locals).
Overheard jokes about drunk driving: 6 (not made by any of our locals)
Times it felt like a weird rock concert: 4
Times I felt emotional surge in response to speech: 1 - when Granholm had the servicewoman who lost her leg stand up and the whole crowd erupted in long-lasting applause and hooting (Damn them and their research on emotional responses).
Stephanie Ariganello; Stephaniea@monroenews.com
I spoke with a man today who had gone to the Republican rally in Taylor last night. He said his 16-year-old stepdaughter answered a questionnaire on MichiganRadio.org that helped her clarify some of the issues involved in the presidential primary election. So, I just checked it out. Kind of interesting. It asks questions on all the top issues and offers multiple answers for the taker to select. Each question is also rated on importance level to you.
Not scientific and it shouldn’t be used to tell you who to vote for, but it can provide some insight. Also, taking the questionnaire makes you consider how you really feel about the issues - which is a good thing.
If you would like to take it, click here.
The other thing is, he said there was one single, solitary protester at the rally. A person dressed as a dolphin in a jab about the reported flip-flopping of Mitt Romney.
Went to Panera Bread on Monday morning to dig dirt on the “Mitt” Romney campaign for President.
I hit the motherlode.
Mary Romney, his daughter-in-law, was among those stumping for the candidate. After being grilled relentlessly, she confessed that “Mitt” is not her father-in-law’s real name. It’s his middle name.
His real name is “Willard,” and for most of his youth, he was known as “Billy.”
For reasons we’re still investigating, he CHANGED HIS NAME to Mitt.
We asked if his middle name was Mitt because his father, George, was once Governor of Michigan, the mitten-shaped state. Actually, he was named after his uncle, a quarterback for the Chicago Bears, Mary blurted out under intensive questioning.
Actually, our research finds that George’s cousin, “Milton” Romney was quarterback for the Bears from 1925-29. So “Mitt” actually should have the middle name of “Milt.” This makes us wonder if Mary actually is his daughter-in-law.
Why all the deceptions? What possibly could be the reason?
Besides, what would have been wrong with “Willard For President?” He would have had a ready-made slogan: “Where there’s Will, there’s a way.” In fact, there’s nothing wrong with “Milt for President” either.
Something’s really fishy here, especially at a time when our nation is debating the issue of national ID cards.
This also raises the question of whether “Mitt,” or whatever his name is, truly has the “family values” that he says he has.
Why would someone with strong family values, abandon the name their family gave to them?
At the risk of making this another campaign issue, I’d say Willard owes us all a full explanation BEFORE a Congressional investigation is launched.
By Stephanie Ariganello; stephaniea@monroenews.com
I came across this while googling something completely different.
Here’s the list as posted in the WP forums online:
“Upon reading these quotes you may wonder, “Did they really say that?!”… the answer is yes…unfortunately, they really did. Let me know if you agree with my personal picks and feel free to share your own favorites (because there really is no shortage of embarrassing comments made by politicians).
10. “I don’t care what people are saying Uptown or wherever they are. This city will be chocolate at the end of the day.” Ray Nagin (2006) (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0604/01/smn.01.html)
9. “When I was in England I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn’t like it and didn’t inhale and never tried it again.” Bill Clinton (1992) (http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0312/29/lol.08.html)
8. “Reports that say that something hasn’t happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.” Donald Rumsfeld (2002) (http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=2636)
7. “I think with a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court, you can’t play, you know, hide the salami, or whatever it’s called.” Howard Dean (2005)
(http://blog.washingtonpost.com/thefix/2005/10/dean_pops_off.html
6. “I’m a fairly wide guy.” Larry Craig (2007)
(http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/08/30/craig.transcript/index.html)
5.“Too many OB/GYNs aren’t able to practice their love with women all across this country.” George W. Bush (2004)
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/09/20040906-4.html)
4.“To those critics who are so pessimistic about our economy, I say: Don’t be economic girlie men.” Arnold Schwarzenegger (2004)
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A7203-2004Oct4.html)
3.“I actually did vote for the $87 billion before I voted against it.” John Kerry (2004)
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/debatereferee/debate_1008.html)
2.“I have a record in office, as well. And all Americans have seen that record. September the 4th, 2001, I stood in the ruins of the Twin Towers. It’s a day I will never forget.” George W. Bush (2004)
(http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/10/20041018-11.html)
1. “During my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet.” Al Gore (1999)
(http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/03/09/president.2000/transcript.gore/ ”
It made me think, does Monroe County have any quotes from politicos or other public figures that stand out as so cringe-inducing or ironic? I couldn’t come up with any immediately, but I’m sure, given time, anyone could come up with at least one.
What about you? Do you remember being appalled, shocked or amazed at something a local public figure said?
By Stephanie Ariganello;
stephaniea@monroenews.com
Ah the fresh smell of democracy in the morning. I was just at one of the polls in the City of Monroe. There was a steady flow of traffic, a few people here and there, always someone voting.
The new I.D. requirement didn’t seem to be tripping anyone up. I heard from a couple of people that usually there is a line when they hit their polling place, but they didn’t encounter that this morning.
Less people voting? Maybe. Or maybe things are more streamlined, or people know who they want to vote for going in, or a million other things. What has your experience been? Did you vote - or consciously not vote?
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