Granholm Hits the Road; Can’t Escape Problems

Michigan Gov. Jenny Granholm (D.) traveled to Washington yesterday for a $1,000-per-person fundraiser at Democratic lawyer Vernon Jordan’s mansion in Georgetown. And while the attendees were likely having a hoot indoors, Michigan Republicans were putting on a show out front.

State GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis, who couldn’t make it to Washington to personally greet Granholm as she entered Jordan’s mansion, dispatched the Granholm Job Loss Clock to remind the governor just how pathetic her record is. Anuzis released a statement about the protest:

“I’m sorry I wasn’t there in person for the Governor’s event, but I was certainly there in spirit via the jobs clock.  The Michigan Republicans will go anywhere and do anything to make sure that people know that Michigan is losing one job every 20 minutes this governor is in office.”

I couldn’t make it to Georgetown last night to witness the protest firsthand, but I hear an embarrassed-looking Granholm tried her best to ignore the Job Loss Clock. According to my source, liberal Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D.-Mich.) remarked, “What the hell?” Homeowner Jordan was at least classy. He came out and shook the protester’s hand.

I don’t know how much Granholm raised in campaign cash last night, but she’s getting needy as Republican challenger Dick DeVos gains momentum. As I wrote about earlier this month, DeVos is in a “statistical dead heat” with Granholm, according to a Detroit News poll.

Michigan Republicans, meanwhile, have no plans of letting up. Anuzis summed it up this way:

“This Governor clearly will go anywhere and do anything … to try to raise campaign cash. I hope the jobs clock sitting outside the fundraiser serves as a reminder to the Governor that in the 2 hours she spends hobnobbing with fellow Democrats, Michigan will lose another 6 jobs.”

Hat tip to National Journal’s Hotline on Call for breaking the story yesterday.