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.
Showing posts with label Dennis Archer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dennis Archer. Show all posts
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
To a Livingston Crowd, Archer Sounds Gubernatorial
Is Dennis Archer running for governor of Michigan?
Let's just say, actions speak louder than words.
The former associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and former mayor of Detroit spent almost 90 minutes with a crowd of 75 Democrats in the historical courtroom of the Livingston County Courthouse in Howell on Tuesday night talking about the need for better schools, a new approach to solving problems in Michigan, and the need for all regions of the state to work together.
"I want to raise the bar. I'm not making a secret of what I'm doing. I'm looking at the governor's office out of respect of those who have asked me to," Archer told the audience, which burst into applause at the remark.
Archer stopped short of saying he definitely will run, but he said he wants Michigan voters to make sure that whoever does run for governor has done the hard work of understanding the problems and complexities of the state's problems. That, he said, is more important than offering a litany of personal achievements as qualifications for governor.
"This state cannot afford to have somebody who needs on the job training," he said.
Archer had praise for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is term-limited out of her office in 2010. He said her efforts to create jobs, such as the 46 percent tax break for filmmakers, are paying off, adding he loved the fact that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in California is trying to figure out how to catch up with Michigan.
And he said she has put forth reasonable solutions to the state's spiralling prison costs by releasing non-violent offenders, but groups such as the sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys have stood in the way.
Agreeing with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, Archer said, "We need to change the way we do politics. Once we get elected, we need to work together. Right now, it's gotcha, gotcha, gotcha. You can't do that and serve the people. You've got to put the people first. When you put the people first, the people win."
Regarding education, Archer said the state needs a cultural change on the part of many parents to demand children do well in school and plan for higher education. "Bill Cosby's absolutely right," he said, referring to the comedian's talks urging more efforts by families.
Archer remained an optimist about Michigan's future, noting that current economic conditions are nowhere near as bad as the Great Depression. "It will turn around. ... Yes, I'm very much optimistic about the future," he said.
Let's just say, actions speak louder than words.
The former associate justice of the Michigan Supreme Court and former mayor of Detroit spent almost 90 minutes with a crowd of 75 Democrats in the historical courtroom of the Livingston County Courthouse in Howell on Tuesday night talking about the need for better schools, a new approach to solving problems in Michigan, and the need for all regions of the state to work together.
"I want to raise the bar. I'm not making a secret of what I'm doing. I'm looking at the governor's office out of respect of those who have asked me to," Archer told the audience, which burst into applause at the remark.
Archer stopped short of saying he definitely will run, but he said he wants Michigan voters to make sure that whoever does run for governor has done the hard work of understanding the problems and complexities of the state's problems. That, he said, is more important than offering a litany of personal achievements as qualifications for governor.
"This state cannot afford to have somebody who needs on the job training," he said.
Archer had praise for Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is term-limited out of her office in 2010. He said her efforts to create jobs, such as the 46 percent tax break for filmmakers, are paying off, adding he loved the fact that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in California is trying to figure out how to catch up with Michigan.
And he said she has put forth reasonable solutions to the state's spiralling prison costs by releasing non-violent offenders, but groups such as the sheriffs and prosecuting attorneys have stood in the way.
Agreeing with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, Archer said, "We need to change the way we do politics. Once we get elected, we need to work together. Right now, it's gotcha, gotcha, gotcha. You can't do that and serve the people. You've got to put the people first. When you put the people first, the people win."
Regarding education, Archer said the state needs a cultural change on the part of many parents to demand children do well in school and plan for higher education. "Bill Cosby's absolutely right," he said, referring to the comedian's talks urging more efforts by families.
Archer remained an optimist about Michigan's future, noting that current economic conditions are nowhere near as bad as the Great Depression. "It will turn around. ... Yes, I'm very much optimistic about the future," he said.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Archer Event Moved to Downtown Howell Courthouse
The Honorable Dennis Archer will speak next Tuesday (June 24, 2008) at 7 p.m. in Howell in a location where he should feel right at home -- a courtroom.
Archer's appearance is sponsored by the Livingston County Democratic Party. Vice Chair Donna Anderson says the site was moved to the Livingston County Courthouse, 200 E. Grand River, Howell, due to road construction near party headquarters and the desire to accommodate a larger audience. The event will be in the historical courtroom on the second floor. Since the event is after hours, only the rear entrance to the courthouse, off Clinton Street, will be open.
Archer should be right at home in a courtroom. Archer served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court before being elected mayor of Detroit.
Archer, who spent his youth in the small town of Cassopolis, will speak on the interrelations between Michigan’s urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Archer is chair of the Detroit law firm of Dickinson Wright. He served on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1986 to 1990 and as mayor of Detroit from 1994 to 2001. While mayor of Detroit, Mr. Archer served as president of the National League of Cities and was picked by Newsweek magazine as one of the "25 most dynamic mayors in the country."
Since leaving public office, he has served as the first African American president of the prestigious American Bar Association from 2003 to 2004 and as chairman of the board of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2007.
A donation of $10 for the event is suggested.
Archer's appearance is sponsored by the Livingston County Democratic Party. Vice Chair Donna Anderson says the site was moved to the Livingston County Courthouse, 200 E. Grand River, Howell, due to road construction near party headquarters and the desire to accommodate a larger audience. The event will be in the historical courtroom on the second floor. Since the event is after hours, only the rear entrance to the courthouse, off Clinton Street, will be open.
Archer should be right at home in a courtroom. Archer served as a justice on the Michigan Supreme Court before being elected mayor of Detroit.
Archer, who spent his youth in the small town of Cassopolis, will speak on the interrelations between Michigan’s urban, suburban, and rural areas.
Archer is chair of the Detroit law firm of Dickinson Wright. He served on the Michigan Supreme Court from 1986 to 1990 and as mayor of Detroit from 1994 to 2001. While mayor of Detroit, Mr. Archer served as president of the National League of Cities and was picked by Newsweek magazine as one of the "25 most dynamic mayors in the country."
Since leaving public office, he has served as the first African American president of the prestigious American Bar Association from 2003 to 2004 and as chairman of the board of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce from 2006 to 2007.
A donation of $10 for the event is suggested.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Will Dennis Archer Reveal Political Plans to Livingston Dems?
The buzz is for the 2010 elections in Michigan is already starting, and one of the most interesting questions is whether former Supreme Court Justice Dennis Archer will step back into the political arena.
You might get some hints about that when the Honorable Dennis Archer speaks to Livingston County Democrats on Tuesday, June 24, at Livingston County Democratic Party Headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.
Mr. Archer, who served two terms as mayor of Detroit before declining to run for a third term in 2001, told news organizations in February that he has been thinking about running for governor in 2010, when Democrat Jennifer Granholm leaves office because of term limits.
Mr. Archer will speak on the interrelations between Michigan's urban, suburban, and rural areas, but no doubt other topics will come up. A native of Detroit, Mr. Archer grew up in the small town of Cassopolis so he is familiar with small-town Michigan living.
The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by coffee and dessert. The suggested donation is $10 per person and an item for Gleaners' Food Bank, but no one will be turned away.
Mr. Archer is one of Michigan's most distinguished Democrats. Don't miss him!
You might get some hints about that when the Honorable Dennis Archer speaks to Livingston County Democrats on Tuesday, June 24, at Livingston County Democratic Party Headquarters, 10321 E. Grand River, Suite 600, Brighton.
Mr. Archer, who served two terms as mayor of Detroit before declining to run for a third term in 2001, told news organizations in February that he has been thinking about running for governor in 2010, when Democrat Jennifer Granholm leaves office because of term limits.
Mr. Archer will speak on the interrelations between Michigan's urban, suburban, and rural areas, but no doubt other topics will come up. A native of Detroit, Mr. Archer grew up in the small town of Cassopolis so he is familiar with small-town Michigan living.
The event begins at 7 p.m. and will be followed by coffee and dessert. The suggested donation is $10 per person and an item for Gleaners' Food Bank, but no one will be turned away.
Mr. Archer is one of Michigan's most distinguished Democrats. Don't miss him!
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