Senator Carl Levin with Bruce Hawley and his wife Jean in Sparta
Last weekend (yeah, 12 days ago ... hey, lay-off, I've been busy) the incredibly energetic Carl Levin made a swing out to West Michigan to support some great Democratic candidates for the Michigan State House of Representatives. Now, a few things were amazing about this trip.
First, how impressive is it that in the midst of his own reelection campaign, Senator Levin spent an entire Saturday supporting state-wide candidates. He didn't take a dime of the fundraising proceeds, just came out to support these Democrats working to improve our state from Lansing. Now that's just selfless and impressive -- Carl is thinking about all the ways he can work to improve Michigan and build a Democratic farm team. No one can ever say that Levin has forgotten Michigan or the Michigan Democratic Party.
Second, geez, Senator Levin must have gotten up around 6:30 am and probably made it home at about 10:00 pm and for most of that time he's got to be in full public mode which is exhausting.
Third, he pulled it off (kudos to the staff) and was on-time to everything.
The first stop was a 10:00 am house party for Julie Rogers (District 61) in Oshtemo (Kalamazoo County). WMR's Mark Miller was there and gave the following report:
[Levin] was able to speak at some length and answer questions.
One memorable story was about trying to break a recent Republican filibuster on Medicare funding. Sen. Levin asked a colleague (I was taking pictures, so I didn't concentrate on some of the details) if Sen. Kennedy would be there to vote to close debate. He was told no, but in fact Kennedy did arrive, to thunderous applause. The Senate Dems were keeping his appearance a secret so the Republicans would not be able to react to it with another maneuver. That is the sense of Sen. Levin gave of the Senate these days - not a place of much collegiality.
All in all, a very good event with friends old and new, including former Congressman Paul Todd, Rep. Robert Jones, County Commissioners Brian Johnson (who is also Julie's manager) and Leroy Crabtree, former Rep. Mary Brown, and others.
Levin, then drove up highway-131 to downtown Grand Rapids for a fundraiser for Robert Dean (District 75). I was able to attend that reception, though I had a bunch of things to do that morning and was late. I got to hear the tail end of Levin's remarks -- on the Iraq War.
The fundraiser was well attended and the campaign was reportedly able to raise some good funds for the upcoming battle with the winner of the Republican primary (my prediction: Tietema). Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell introduced the Senator. Also in attendance were City Commissioners Rosalyn Bliss (and yes she was "chipper" (and I think David LaGrand was there, but my memory is fading), Kent County Commissioners Carol Hennessy and Paul Mayhue, and Kent County Democratic Party Chair Sue Levy (there were others, I'm sure I'm leaving out, but there's no way I can find my notes on this mess of a desk). I spent most of the time chatting with Rosalyn about the Jail Millage issue and the Green Grand Rapids initiative. We're blessed with a lot of great progressives in Grand Rapids and Rosalyn is one who can have a very bright future. I saw that Levin was leaving and shaking Rev. Dean's hand so I tried to get in to take a picture. By the time I whipped out my camera Dean was gone and Levin assumed I wanted a picture with him and me in it. So, sure, I thought and his staffer took the photo (below). I mentioned we had met a month ago at the bloggers meeting at the Michigan Policy Summit, praised Carl for taking time out of his busy schedule to support these candidates, and mentioned that I couldn't hold a candle to his work that day since I was only doing two events. He asked what the other one was and I replied, "I'm marching in the Sparta parade with Bruce Hawley who is a friend running for the State House in the 73rd district in northern Kent County." Well, the Senator says, "Sparta! We were thinking about hitting that parade on the way to Muskegon." I urged him to march with Bruce and told him that Hawley was a candidate worthy of strong Party support. I gave him Bruce's phone number and then, after Levin left (about 1:00 pm), quickly called Bruce and his campaign manager to let them know that Levin might soon be calling. I talked with Jeff Winston, who is fast becoming a well-respected campaign staffer, and then drove up to Sparta (passing lots of Raymond and Stelma for Sheriff signs on the country roads).
I parked at Bruce's church, and then walked to the staging area where I found 75 other folks waiting to march for Bruce Hawley, but no Carl Levin. Oh well, I thought, I tried. But just as I turned around from a conversation with his wife Jean, up walks the Senator. Now, Levin and Hawley don't agree on a few things, but Bruce is just a real nice guy, and it never popped into his head not play the gracious host and march right next to Carl Levin. Bruce introduced Senator Levin to his friends and lots of photos were taken (like the one above). It looked like it would rain on our parade, but that wasn't going to stop anyone from getting Bruce's message out to the people of Sparta. I'll talk about the parade in a post I hope to write tomorrow, but here's a another photo:
I did get a chance to talk with and listen in on conversations with Carl Levin. Again and again (with Elizabeth Edwards, Jennifer Granholm, Bart Stupak, Fred Miller, etc), it's always nice to see that these famous and powerful people are just regular folks when you get down to it. Carl, I, and an old friend of Bruce spent the time walking out of the staging area toward the start discussing the chances the Tigers have to make the playoffs.
About half-way through the parade, Carl had to leave to make the next reception in Muskegon. He told me he was leaving, we shook hands again, I thanked him, and I knew that this was another indication that Bruce was getting the recognition he deserves. Thanks again Senator Levin! |
| It was probably about 3:00 pm and Levin somehow found his car and then drove west on I-96 to North Muskegon for another house party for Mary Valentine (District 91).
I don't have much to report (have I mentioned recently that we're looking for a good editor/correspondent from Muskegon?), but the Levin campaign did send me this photo of the Senator speaking to the crowd at the event.
Then Levin was aback on I-96, now headed east, toward Greenville, probably getting in sometime around 6:30 pm. This was the final fundraiser of Levin's long day. It was an event that celebrated the opening of the Montcalm County Democratic Campaign Headquarters and supported Mike Huckleberry (District 70). Again, no news to pass one (if anyone was there, or at the Valentine event, please write a report in the comments), but the photo makes it look like it was fun and a success. I'm guessing Levin left Greenville around 8:00 pm, and therefore probably got home to Barbara (playing the role of Penelope) at around 10:00 pm.
Carl with Mike Huckleberry at the Montcalm Party Headquarters
I hope you slept well Senator, you deserved it. Thanks for your support of West Michigan Democrats! With your help and example, we'll slay us some hydras this November.
By the way, Senator Levin loves West Michigan Rising! Here he is with two of our editors (and I'll bet Lisa and Adam can pull out a photo of them with Senator Levin too).
Carl and Mark outside Kalamazoo
Carl and Phil in Grand Rapids
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