Weaver v. Taylor in November MSC contest? Nutty speculation points to painful truth

Picture this: Michigan Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver resigns from the court. Weaver then announces her candidacy to regain a seat on the court by butting heads with Chief Justice Clifford Taylor in the November election.

This "would have been one heck of a battle between two jurists who are not, shall we say, the best of friends," writes veteran Capitol newshound and pundit Tim Skubick in today's Lansing State Journal.

The unattributed scenario Skubick offers is, of course, punditry fever-dreaming at its best. And, Skubick says, when Weaver was asked about it, she said the thought never crossed her mind and labeled it as "laughable."

Meanwhile, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer and his minions continue the hunt for a Democratic candidate to face Taylor this fall.

A couple of weeks ago, Brewer appeared on Skubick's public television "Off the Record" program to face an all-star reporters' panel: Bill Ballenger of Inside Michigan Politics; Kathy Barks Hoffman of The Associated Press and Charlie Cain of The Detroit News. (Broadcast available here. Brewer's segment starts about 15 minutes into the program).

Ballenger put Brewer right on the hot seat by declaring that Brewer's biggest problem was that his party didn't have a candidate, that the only two folks who could beat Taylor, Governor Jennifer Granholm and former Governor Jim Blanchard, weren't running, and, as a result, Brewer was reduced to the strategy of painting Taylor as a villain.

It was almost painful to watch Brewer meekly respond that he was "very close" to naming a candidate. Since then, Brewer says a candidate has been selected, he's just not saying who, just yet.

Skubick says Brewer's candidate could be

"Marietta Robinson, a private lawyer from Oakland County who took on Taylor once before and lost. She has a long list of demands for her candidacy, but as one insider put it, 'She would give Cliff heartburn.' The governor's office would be comfortable with Robinson, too."

We'll see.

If this year's supreme court race were a sporting event, "Dandy" Don Meredith of Monday Night Football fame might describe it like this: "Time ticking away late in the fourth quarter. Democrats down by six with the ball on their own 20. Third down and a mile to go."

It's time to snap the ball, Mr. Brewer.

Why are we not surprised? Detroit mayor vetoes ouster resolution

Both of Detroit's major dailies, The Detroit Free Press and The Detroit News are reporting this morning that Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick has vetoed the city council's resolution asking Governor Jennifer Granholm to remove him from office.

The mayor's veto message warns that removing elected officials is "irresponsible" and thwarts the will of the voters. Kilpatrick claims the council can remove him only if he's convicted of a felony or lacks qualification to serve in office.

The initial responses from attorney William Goodman, retained by the city council to investigate the text-message scandal, to Kilpatrick's veto message arguments: "brainless" (Detroit News) and "lunacy" (Detroit Free Press).

"[I]t's an inherently preposterous concept that the mayor would have the power to veto the outcome of a City Council investigation (into him)," fumed Councilwoman Sheila Cockrel.

"The veto message speaks for itself," says Kilpatrick spokesman James Canning.

Today is 'Cliche Awards Day'

Let the ceremony begin!

The "Locking The Barn Door After The Horse Is Gone" trophy is awarded to Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick for his new policy directive, released yesterday, which decreed that the text messages and other communications on telephone, text devices and pagers issued to city employees are private.

An attractive "Wouldn't Touch It With A 10-Foot Pole" certificate is presented to the many county prosecutors who have declined the invitation of Kim Warren Eddie of the State Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council to investigate allegations that the head of the Wayne County prosecutor's drug unit lied to jurors and allowed two cops to lie as well to obtain a conviction in a cocaine case. The situation is "complicated," says Eddie.

The "Comforts Of Indoor Plumbing" plaque goes to the 42-2 District Court in New Baltimore, which will open for business Monday in a new, $7.5 million courthouse, complete with its own restroom facilities. The old building didn't have any.

The "Mind Your Own Business" medallion is being presented by the state House of Representatives to Michigan employers who seek to control their employees' legal, off-premises activities. A package of bills has cleared the lower chamber that would prevent, among other things, employers from firing or refusing to hire smokers, skydivers and motorcycle racers.

The "Fear And Loathing" award is bestowed upon Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis, who is speculating that Kalamazoo-based billionaire Jon Stryker is preparing to spend some significant cash to oust Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Clifford Taylor in November.

And last, but not least, the "Fish Or Cut Bait" loving cup is awarded to Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer, who is talking a mean game against Taylor but, so far, has not revealed his party's MSC candidate.