tag:blog.mlive.com,2016:/capitolchronicles/3851 2013-08-16T15:50:41Z Political news and notes from Lansing, Michigan Movable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6638845 2011-07-11T12:22:17Z 2011-07-11T16:51:15Z

After more than three years here, Capitol Chronicles is moving to a new home on the mlive.com Politics page.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html After more than three years here, Capitol Chronicles is moving to a new home on the mlive.com Politics page. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6562398.20110627115759 2011-06-27T09:22:44Z 2011-06-27T16:57:59Z

Some New York Republicans changed their minds on gay marriage. How many Michigan Republicans will be that open-minded about the most controversial issue before them -- the new bridge connecting Detroit and Canada?

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Some New York Republicans changed their minds on gay marriage. How many Michigan Republicans will be that open-minded about the most controversial issue before them -- the new bridge connecting Detroit and Canada? tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6562081 2011-06-26T12:41:27Z 2011-06-26T18:12:16Z

Michigan's 10-year concealed weapons law has virtually no oversight -- but the Legislature won't fix that unless the NRA says it's A-OK.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Michigan's 10-year concealed weapons law has virtually no oversight -- but the Legislature won't fix that unless the NRA says it's A-OK. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6551223 2011-06-24T14:07:52Z 2011-06-24T15:28:44Z

Mitt Romney has already been crowned the 2012 GOP frontrunner by a bevy of pundits. But there are signs of trouble in Romneyland, starting right here in his home state of Michigan

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Mitt Romney has already been crowned the 2012 GOP frontrunner by a bevy of pundits. But there are signs of trouble in Romneyland, starting right here in his home state of Michigan tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6537239 2011-06-22T09:10:47Z 2011-06-22T19:17:45Z

The third-largest state in the nation could be approving gay marriage any day now thanks to a bipartisan effort. Meanwhile, in Michigan, I can't think of one Republican politician for gay marriage, although Gov. Rick Snyder supports civil unions.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html The third-largest state in the nation could be approving gay marriage any day now thanks to a bipartisan effort. Meanwhile, in Michigan, I can't think of one Republican politician for gay marriage, although Gov. Rick Snyder supports civil unions. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6504502 2011-06-16T15:46:07Z 2011-06-16T16:33:57Z

Are Democrats planning to run against the Paul Ryan budget? In Michigan, the answer appears to be: You betcha.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Are Democrats planning to run against the Paul Ryan budget? In Michigan, the answer appears to be: You betcha. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6489533 2011-06-14T03:11:39Z 2011-06-14T06:45:31Z

Hunting in the wild takes skill. What Ted Nugent and rich suburbanites do on his little ranch isn't hunting. Shooting pigs from airplanes isn't hunting. Just like shooting fish in a barrel ain't fishing.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Hunting in the wild takes skill. What Ted Nugent and rich suburbanites do on his little ranch isn't hunting. Shooting pigs from airplanes isn't hunting. Just like shooting fish in a barrel ain't fishing. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6483492 2011-06-13T01:35:02Z 2011-06-13T20:01:39Z

If there's one thing that I love, it's the politically correct morality police who pretend they're conservatives.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html If there's one thing that I love, it's the politically correct morality police who pretend they're conservatives. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6477188.20110611143446 2011-06-11T17:41:28Z 2011-06-11T19:34:46Z

At an Oakland County Tea Party dinner this week, Dickie declared that President Barack Obama is toast is 2012.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html At an Oakland County Tea Party dinner this week, Dickie declared that President Barack Obama is toast is 2012. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6476747 2011-06-11T15:33:53Z 2011-06-11T21:21:06Z

I really don't care if politicians lie about their personal lives. There. I said it. That's my libertarian side. The truth is that just about everyone lies about their personal lives in some way.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html I really don't care if politicians lie about their personal lives. There. I said it. That's my libertarian side. The truth is that just about everyone lies about their personal lives in some way. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6430462 2011-06-03T23:55:33Z 2011-06-04T01:59:51Z

It's not as easy as it looks, huh, boys? That was pretty much what a very tanned and rested former Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in an MSNBC segment this week on new GOP governors' plummeting poll numbers.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html It's not as easy as it looks, huh, boys? That was pretty much what a very tanned and rested former Gov. Jennifer Granholm said in an MSNBC segment this week on new GOP governors' plummeting poll numbers. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6419122 2011-06-02T13:28:49Z 2011-06-02T17:02:19Z

Rep. Walberg is working to create jobs! That's what the Google ad just told me, anyway. But what Tim Walberg has really been concentrating on lately is trying to get more Twitter followers than some congressman in California, according to one of the most pointless news stories I've read since the breathless faux rapture coverage.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Rep. Walberg is working to create jobs! That's what the Google ad just told me, anyway. But what Tim Walberg has really been concentrating on lately is trying to get more Twitter followers than some congressman in California, according to one of the most pointless news stories I've read since the breathless faux rapture coverage. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6386801 2011-05-27T15:49:57Z 2011-05-27T17:30:59Z

Michigan's budget has been finished in May for the first time in 50 years. Judging from what I've read, that's the most important thing about the $46 billion budget, not what's in it. Well, BFD, as the kids say.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Michigan's budget has been finished in May for the first time in 50 years. Judging from what I've read, that's the most important thing about the $46 billion budget, not what's in it. Well, BFD, as the kids say. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6373911.20110525231109 2011-05-25T23:48:03Z 2011-05-26T04:11:09Z

While some have been surprised and skeptical about Thad McCotter's flirtation with a presidential run, it's actually rather brilliant.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html While some have been surprised and skeptical about Thad McCotter's flirtation with a presidential run, it's actually rather brilliant. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6372564 2011-05-25T15:26:47Z 2011-05-25T16:18:58Z

After getting their butts kicked in 2010, Democrats are crowing about last night's upset victory in a special congressional election in New York.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html After getting their butts kicked in 2010, Democrats are crowing about last night's upset victory in a special congressional election in New York. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6369992 2011-05-25T02:25:50Z 2011-05-25T12:34:32Z

In the $1.3 billion -- with a "B" -- Higher Education budget, what House Republicans cared most about was sending the message that gays and embryonic stem cell research are bad.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html In the $1.3 billion -- with a "B" -- Higher Education budget, what House Republicans cared most about was sending the message that gays and embryonic stem cell research are bad. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6363248.20110524075803 2011-05-24T10:07:36Z 2011-05-24T12:58:03Z

What about the Michigan voters who cast their ballots on May 3, 2011? Most of them voted to raise taxes on themselves to support police, schools and municipal services. So have they all become socialists? I haven't seen polling on that, but I'm going to go with no.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html What about the Michigan voters who cast their ballots on May 3, 2011? Most of them voted to raise taxes on themselves to support police, schools and municipal services. So have they all become socialists? I haven't seen polling on that, but I'm going to go with no. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6305333 2011-05-20T12:56:24Z 2011-05-20T19:34:51Z

Leroy Fick, who most of us would just call a douchebag, has become politicians' symbol of All That Is Wrong With The Welfare State Which Must Be Destroyed. Memo to everyone in the "liberal" media: Your breathless coverage functions as PR for that message.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Leroy Fick, who most of us would just call a douchebag, has become politicians' symbol of All That Is Wrong With The Welfare State Which Must Be Destroyed. Memo to everyone in the "liberal" media: Your breathless coverage functions as PR for that message. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6326151 2011-05-18T02:56:48Z 2011-05-18T14:10:39Z

Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm -- who was so diplomatic while in office, even though she spent the last four years hoping former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop would suffer some debilitating hair gel-related injury -- really let loose today on Twitter.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html Former Gov. Jennifer Granholm -- who was so diplomatic while in office, even though she spent the last four years hoping former Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop would suffer some debilitating hair gel-related injury -- really let loose today on Twitter. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6305580 2011-05-14T14:59:11Z 2011-05-14T23:13:34Z

I guess I just don't understand what passes for conservatism nowadays.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html I guess I just don't understand what passes for conservatism nowadays. tag:blog.mlive.com,2011:/capitolchronicles//3851.6256699 2011-05-07T16:49:50Z 2011-05-09T02:09:21Z

I don't have a magic bullet to fixing education Michigan. And the truth is, no politician does, either.

Susan J. Demas | Political columnist for MLive.com http://connect.mlive.com/user/sjdemas/index.html I don't have a magic bullet to fixing education Michigan. And the truth is, no politician does, either.