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January 1, 2012

George Weeks: First Lady shuns adviser role

By GEORGE WEEKS Syndicated Columnist

During the eight-year reign of Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, First Gentleman Dan Mulhern was an effective key adviser on policy and politics. Almost deputy governor, some would say.

Is First Lady Sue Snyder an adviser to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who just concluded his first year as Granholm's successor?

"Oh, Lord, no," she responded emphatically when asked during a December taping of Michigan Public TV's traditional "Evening With the Governor" show that will be aired Jan. 6 at 9 p.m. "... That is not my place."

Her place is as a quiet supporter of social causes and as First Mom for their three children, including one still at home, and homemaker in Ann Arbor, where the Snyders reside rather than at the Governor's Residence in Lansing, official domicile of all governors since 1969-82 Gov. William G. Milliken.

In addition to holding things together on the family front, she said: "I'm always taking care of everyone, doing things for everyone else. I think I learned that from being with my mom."

I've been watching these Michigan PBS "Evening With" shows since veteran Capitol correspondent Tim Skubick started doing them at the official residence with the Millikens.

This one looks like it's taped in a darkened living room but in fact was taped at the WKAR-TV studio at Michigan State University in East Lansing, where a relaxed and ebullient Sue Snyder kept her right hand on his right hand atop his right knee as they sat on a couch.

This is a particularly memorable show because of the way it brings out previously undisclosed aspects of their family life as well as Snyder's early days as a youth who was bullied in high school -- "I got beaten up for being a nerd." And once while in college.

It was an interesting insight into his campaign slogan as being "one tough nerd." It proved to be an effective slogan despite those of us who criticized it.

Snyder had a productive first year in office, signing more than 300 bills into law, implementing sweeping education reforms and an emergency manager law for troubled cities and school districts, cutting business taxes and state costs.

He was quoted at length on these issues in year-end interviews by the Detroit dailies, The Associated Press and others.

The Skubick show, while touching on such substantive issues as Snyder's flubbed efforts to get legislative support for a second bridge to Canada, had delightful nuggets on such personal matters as:

• Snyder acknowledging that, "I don't have a made-for-radio voice."

• He was sick a couple of times last year, and when asked how he handled it, she said, "He still goes on" but added, "Well, you know that men are big babies."

• At age 11, with a family-provided $1,000, he had a broker and made his first investment in Kellogg's, headquartered in Battle Creek where he grew up. Even at age 5, his parents asked him to check the arithmetic on restaurant bills.

• As for Snyder appearing in public so often without a tie, she said he started that while boss at Gateway after many previous years in other tie-required roles. He said she's okay with the practice but suggests maybe he should wear "something besides the blue shirt" -- which he wore on the Skubick show.

All in all, the show is a unique intimate glimpse at a First Couple and is viewable at video.wkar.org.

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