Sunday, November 30, 2008

Is Archer In Line for Post in Obama Administration?

It was a bit of a surprise recently (Nov. 20, 208) when former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer announced that he would not be running for governor in 2010. The former Michigan Supreme Court justice had told the news media months before that he was exploring a possible run after Gov. Jennifer Granholm leaves office due to term limits.

In declining to run, Archer cited his unwillingness to spend the necessary time away from his family in order to campaign, saying he basically would have to "marry" the state of Michigan.

That doesn't mean he has lost his taste for politics. Archer was a major and active supporter of President-elect Obama here in Michigan, spending time on the campaign and not just lending his name.

Could it be that some position is waiting for him in the Obama administration? At his news conference, Archer said he didn't expect that to happen. And most of the high-profile cabinet posts have been filled.

Granholm has been mentioned as a possible U.S. Supreme Court justice should a vacancy occur in the next four years, as is extremely likely. But Archer seems an equally plausible pick. Not only did Archer support Obama earlier than did Granholm (who was a backer of Sen. Hillary Clinton), but he served on Michigan's highest court. And he was once voted Michigan's most respected judge.

Archer also would do a fine job on the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, or any number of other posts.

So I'm betting we haven't heard the last of Dennis Archer as a public servant.

No comments: