Dems look to Obama to punish Michigan over labor vote

The Washington Times ^ | December 7, 2012 | Andrea Billups

[jazusamo]

LANSING, Mich. — A top Michigan Democrat is looking to President Obama to deliver retribution to Republicans after the GOP-dominated state legislature approved a package of bills that could make this stronghold of union power the nation’s 24th right-to-work state as early as next week.

Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer, who on Thursday called the votes to approve the right-to-work measure “petty and vindictive politics,” sparked more backlash Friday when she said she wants the president, who is set to visit Detroit on a previously scheduled political trip on Monday, to push back on Republican Gov. Rick Snyder by holding back federal money for a new international bridge project to Canada and a badly needed mass-transit program in ailing Detroit.

“We are hoping that when President Obama comes to Michigan next week, that this is going to be on his radar screen, that he’s going to say Michigan doesn’t care about their middle class, [so] why should we be bending over backwards to make sure that this governor is able to deliver on his promise,” said Mrs. Whitmer in an interview with local radio station WWJ.

Her remarks, amid calls from other Democrats and union leaders to use all legal means necessary to stop the bills from becoming law, drew a stern rebuke from WJR host Frank Beckmann, in Detroit, who wondered on his program Friday if Mrs. Whitmer, considered a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2014, might want to reconsider her words.

“This should immediately disqualify her for any consideration to run for governor,” Mr. Beckmann said. “Taking the interests of the entire state of Michigan, the entire region of Detroit, holding them hostage because you object to legislation that has passed in 23 other states and has caused great economic growth?… That’s outrageous.”

[Mashood]

MAKE ‘EM ALL DRIVE CHEVY VOLTS!

[jazusamo]

Well said...Like Wisconsin the Dems didn't think this could happen in Michigan, this is coming to the surface and probably just beginning.

[cripplecreek]

They’ll have to go to a federal judge because we own the state supreme court as well and one of the liberals there is under an FBI fraud investigation.

[jazusamo]

That’ll show em but make them buy their own. :-)

[cripplecreek]

The thirty or so Conservative state governors need to organize. They need to get together and when one is attacked, they need to go to Obama and tell him where to go. There is power in numbers and if they do it as a block they can wield considerable power.

Agreed. That's a good idea.

[cripplecreek]

push back on Republican Gov. Rick Snyder by holding back federal money for a new international bridge project to Canada and a badly needed mass-transit program in ailing Detroit.

Telling him to withhold Detroit bacon? As far as the bridge is concerned, we only have to pay for the land on our end and Canada is paying for the bridge itself. Besides, construction on the bridge is still several years away.

[Paladin2]

As punishment, Bronco could bail out Detroit.

[GeronL]

He promised “revenge”

[cripplecreek]

You couldn’t pry the grin off my face with a crowbar.

[jazusamo]

Holding back the mass transit money didn't seem all that bad to me but was surprised Whitmer would suggest it, Rats live for that kind of money:)

Had no idea about the bridge but if that's the case it seems Canada wants it worse than us.

[RckyRaCoCo]

Was that the talking taco?

[DPMD]

Oh, that’s just what Detroit needs, a mass transit project. Problem solved.

[cripplecreek]

Canada has been trying to build the bridge for 30 years and even have their end prepared with a major highway spur and everything. Right across from Zug island.

[cripplecreek]

Was that the talking taco?

I don't think she started it but she joined in.

[corbe]

Hey Michigan, welcome to the club, you will now be treated like TEXAS (among other RED states), and apparently Staten Island, NY.

[Theodore R.]

What are the odds that the governor will sign the right-to-work bill?

[Ouderkirk]

Let Obama pinish Michigan....Detroit in particular.

Is there no sense of irony in any of this nitwit’s mind.

What a spendid idea, cut off your nose to spite your face.

[jazusamo]

I don't know the odds but I've read several articles where he's been quoted as saying he'll sign it.

[combat_boots]

Yo, Michigander.

Maybe now that people have a right-to-work, Deetroit will raze itself and start over.

[FlingWingFlyer]

Pound ‘em Barry! They made your union knuckledraggers cry. Oops! It was the tear gas that made them cry.