Obama Administration Taps Economic Powerhouse

President-elect Barack Obama is keeping an eye out for talent and apparently tapped Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm for appointment to the panel entrusted with the economic transition. Granholm is an interesting choice considering the economy in Michigan deserves a misery index all its own and has been an oasis of economic recession in a sea of formerly stable US economy. Apparently the rest of the country has not been depressed enough. As a Michigander, I only hope to convey my hope that the rest of the country does not experience the brilliance that is Jennifer Granholm.

We're #1. Well, or number #51 depending on which way you look at it. Here are the top 10 places least likely to find a job:

42 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 6.4
42 NEVADA 6.4
44 TENNESSEE 6.5
45 OHIO 6.6
46 ALASKA 6.8
46 ILLINOIS 6.8
48 CALIFORNIA 6.9
48 MISSISSIPPI 6.9
50 RHODE ISLAND 7.5
51 MICHIGAN 8.5

That's right, we're a full percentage point ahead, errr behind, the rest of you. No problem, you may be able to find a job several counties away. Unfortunately, with gas prices likely to go up again, you should really consider biking those 130 daily round trip miles You see, biking is good for your health, reduces emissions and it's virtually free! Not one to ask others to do what she wouldn't, Granholm occasionally makes her 3 mile commute on her bike.

This past summer, Jennifer Granholm spoke with the Oakland Press.

"The state Department of Transportation is looking at state roads to figure out where it would be safe to add bike lanes and is planning to expand park-and-ride lots and add more, since some are at capacity as more drivers carpool to save money," Granholm said.

Well, maybe Granholm is really handy with handling money:

According to research conducted by the Free Press, Thirty-two states spend more per capita for state services than Michigan, but, in a survey of 41 states, only five paid their rank-and-file employees more than Michigan pays its workers.
Michigan property taxes are on the high side, sales taxes are in the middle and income taxes (with a flat rate of 3.9%) are lower than most but slightly higher than neighboring Indiana and Illinois.

Its just interesting to me that the President-elect doesn't hold any grudges because Granholm was an arden Hillary supporter just one short year ago. Unfortunately, it was Jennifer Granholm who signed the bill into law that moved up the primaries which stifled the votes of 156 delegates from the illegally advanced Michigan primaries. All but one of the candidates removed their names from the ballot in addition to ditching any primary campaigns. Removing their names wasn't required so Hillary Clinton didn't. Imagine if Hillary's delegates counted on January 15, 2008--I wonder what was happening back then?

January 3 Iowa caucuses; Obama 16, Hillary 15
January 8 New Hampshire primary Obama 9, Hillary 9
January 15, Michigan primaries; (Obama given proportionally 59), Hillary ;69
January 19 Nevada caucuses; Obama 13, Hillary 12
January 26, South Carolina primary; Obama 9, Hillary 9
Totals: Obama 122, Hillary 119 ?

Well, maybe Hillary wouldn't have been told to GET OUT OF THE PRIMARY RACE had she been that close. It's not like Hillary won the popular vote or anything. I'm sure Granholm lost a lot of sleep knowing that her signature on that bill may have changed the Democratic nomination, especially since she was a strong supporter and Obama doesn't hold a grudge.