Politics

Is Snyder a Candidate for Something? Jack Lessenberry Sniffs Out Possibilities

April 21, 2015, 5:56 PM by  Alan Stamm

Why is Rick Snyder planning trips outside Michigan that will be paid for by a new nonprofit fund called Making Government Accountable?

Here's the official answer, delivered to Associated Press reporter David Eggert in Lansing by spokesman Jarrod Agen:

"Once we get into May, the governor will travel more out of the state and promote Michigan, particularly the remarkable economic comeback."


"It is just barely possible that a deadlocked convention could turn to an uncontroversial Midwestern governor as a compromise," Michigan Radio's commentator speculates.

And here's what journalists and others think, as voiced Tuesday by Jack Lessenberry on Michigan Radio:

There’s suddenly a new flurry of rumors that Gov. Rick Snyder is inching towards making a run for president. There is some evidence that there’s something to this. . . .

He is ostensibly [traveling] to help tell the story of Michigan’s comeback across the nation, perhaps to drum up more business for the state. But it could be that he’s trying to sell himself as well. 

That possible sales pitch isn't necessarily as an Oval Office prospect, adds the Metro Detroit commentator:

My guess is that he is primarily positioning himself as a vice-presidential candidate, or possibly a contender for a slot in a potential Republican president’s cabinet.

The second-term governor is maxed out of another race for his job, and Lessenberry notes that it "would be difficult, at best" to challenge U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow if she runs in 2018.

While he's on the topic, the longtime political history buff and campaign journalist introduces "one very remote chance Rick Snyder might have to be the presidential nominee,"

For the first time since 1960, this contest starts without a clear Republican front-runner.  It is just barely possible that a deadlocked convention could turn to an uncontroversial Midwestern governor as a compromise choice.

However, that’s a long shot indeed.  

The Michigan Radio commentator, whose delivery evokes the cadences of early NBC anchor Chet Huntley, closes his nearly three-minute assessment with a traditional broadcast sign-off: "For now, we’ll just have to wait and see."  


Read more:  Michigan Radio


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