Gretchen Whitmer sworn-in today as governor, ostensibly signalling close to 2018 election cycle and move to governance

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, during her inauguration speach on New Years Day 2019 in Lansing Michigan
During her inauguration speech on New Year's Day on the steps of the Capitol Building, Governor Gretchen Whitmer sought to set the tone for moving from campaigning for election to government for all people of Michigan. © 2019 d2 Saline, All Rights Reserved. USA

Happy New Year from Lansing Michigan.

Arguably conspicuous by absence in our look back at 2018 was any given connection to government or politics — let alone a dedicated section for the subject. [1]

Mitigating against that is the position that there is little of substance that Saline Journal could cover without influence from one or both. Calling that out yesterday would have seemed redundant. The real questions are fall on a spectrum of involvement, local to global, and, throughout those levels, the teeter-tottering between campaigning and ruling. [2,3]

The ceremonial tip from former to latter for the State of Michigan took place this morning outside the east face of our Capitol Building in Lansing. Official coverage of swearing-in moments involving various elected officials was provided by Detroit Public TV. Detroit Free Press stepped up with its summary of five key points made by newly inaugurated Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Pictures about on the Internet for any and all to provide their own post-coverage from afar. [4-6]

As “Old Rose” said in Titanic, however, “Of course, the experience of it was — somewhat different.” [7]

It was unpleasantly cold on the ground, and bitterly so on the press platform, which was elevated to the same levels dignitaries dais. Temperatures always hovered around freezing, but periodic winds chipped further away at that. Anywhere off the impeccably arranged and constructed central seating areas, it was glad-I-wore-Boy-Scout-hiking-boots muddy.

At no time was the sky anything but a dreary grey, although several banks of floodlights on raised rigs suggested the complete opposite. Pleasing white balance for color and lots of room to use lower ISOs hand-held, but not what things were really like there.

As if all of that weren’t enough to temper reporter ambitions, curious teleprompter placements made getting even a modestly composed framing of groups at the lecturn for still and video photography almost impossible. Rather than reset the stage, government officials ascended the press platform to explain how broadcasters could plug into official feed from the PBS equipment, located on a separate stand-alone perch far to our right and centered before the podium. Technicians dutifully complied without protest.

Among the various numbers reported on attendance, “a crowd of more than a thousand people” is the report that Saline Journal can validate. How much “more”? Not much. [8]

By the applause at key points made by speakers, the composition was largely that of those who had voted this new administration into place. The most often repeated and emphasized theme was that of America as melting pot and speakers’ personal stories immigrant heritages that had made it possible for them to be here today.

Allusion to partial shutdown of the federal government over the question of some five billion dollars in funding for a physical wall on the US southern boarder was obvious. As was, on that local to global spectrum, where these Michigan politicians stand and how they see the role of this state in that fight. [9,10]

Headlines about “cooperation” rang least true in remarks made by Attorney General Dana Nessel, who emphasized her participation in the January 2017 Women’s March.

Two years ago, I stood on these same steps after marching with thousands of other women, demanding equality and representation, with the pledge that together we would create a state government that would hear and understand the voices of women in Michigan. Looking around here, seeing who is being sworn in today, I’d say that worked out pretty well.

It was also clear in watching now-former governor Rick Snyder that he understood the revisited emphasis on Governor Whitmer’s campaign demand that we “Fix the damn roads!” as a rebuke of how he’d spent his last eight years in this office. In setting this new direction against our own December 31 assessement of 2018 areas of interest, clear take-aways suggest optimism for points we raised in regard to education, aging and infirm populations, and poverty. [11]

How will Governor Whitmer prioritize work to maintain and advance Michigan leadership in mobility? The first indications may be evidenced in less than two weeks at the North American International Auto Show. Better for some this round, not so much for others. [12,13]

This is what it means when politics begets government after elections — until the next round begins.

References

  1. Here’s A Look Back At 2018 For Clues About What Are Likely To Continue As Some Of The More Important Stories Of 2019” Dell Deaton (December 31, 2018) Saline Journal.
  2. Final 2018 Season Washtenaw Economic Club Luncheon Sought To Explain Impact Of November 6 Mid-Term Elections” Dell Deaton (November 9, 2018) Saline Journal.
  3. The Michigan State Capitol (home page).
  4. Michigan Inauguration 2019” Detroit Public TV (January 3, 2019) YouTube.
  5. 5 things Gov Gretchen Whitmer said in her inaugural address” Paul Egan (January 1, 2019) Detroit Free Press.
  6. Whitmer, Gilchrist sworn in at inauguration ceremony” (January 1, 2019) WXYZ Detroit.
  7. Titanic (1997)” IMDb.
  8. “At inauguration, Gov Whitmer calls for cooperation in a time of divided government” Beth LeBlanc (January 1, 2019) The Detroit News.
  9. Here’s What Would Happen If The Government Shuts Down Next Week” Brian Naylor (December 17, 2018) NPR.
  10. Trump’s border wall: A look at the numbers” Kaitlyn Schallhorn (December 11, 2018) Fox News.
  11. Michigan Governor Took Center Stage in Detoit This Month To Detail Mobility Partnerships Already In Motion” Dell Deaton (June 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
  12. ‘PlanetM’ Is Key Element Of Michigan Strategy To Shape Its Own Destiny Through Public-Private Partnerships, Part 1” Dell Deaton (December 27, 2018) Saline Journal.
  13. ‘PlanetM’ Is Key Element Of Michigan Strategy To Shape Its Own Destiny Through Public-Private Partnerships, Part 2” Dell Deaton (December 28, 2018) Saline Journal.
About Dell Deaton 640 Articles
Editor, Saline Journal