Ken Braun, formerly of the Mackinac Center, has written acolumn comparing disgraced former state senator Dave Jaye to disgraced former
Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick.
No, this is not partisan silliness or snark. It’s
actually an intriguing piece by a former Jaye aide who sees two former
legislators with very different politics and very different approaches to
politics. Yet, both were gifted politicians with a lot of promise who
self-destructed in very public ways.
actually an intriguing piece by a former Jaye aide who sees two former
legislators with very different politics and very different approaches to
politics. Yet, both were gifted politicians with a lot of promise who
self-destructed in very public ways.
While Kilpatrick rose from state representative to Motown mayor
through charm and coziness with key political players, Braun wrote, “Jaye
advanced by attacking the Lansing power structure. He wanted love only from
voters, and found it. He wedded the ‘outsider’ appeal to extraordinarily
effective, creative and tireless campaign tactics.”
through charm and coziness with key political players, Braun wrote, “Jaye
advanced by attacking the Lansing power structure. He wanted love only from
voters, and found it. He wedded the ‘outsider’ appeal to extraordinarily
effective, creative and tireless campaign tactics.”
Braun pointed out that Jaye was way ahead of the curve in advancing
the cause for concealed carry gun rights and against affirmative action. And he
mastered the parliamentary methods of turning routine budget matters into tough
votes on amendments that focused on hot-button issues.
the cause for concealed carry gun rights and against affirmative action. And he
mastered the parliamentary methods of turning routine budget matters into tough
votes on amendments that focused on hot-button issues.
I would also add that Jaye, who hailed from Shelby Township, may
have been the first politician in America, some 20 years ago, to routinely use
the term RINO (Republican In Name Only).
have been the first politician in America, some 20 years ago, to routinely use
the term RINO (Republican In Name Only).
At the same time, Braun glosses over Jaye’s sometimes clownish
behavior, his sexism, his race-baiting, his countless instances of public
drunkenness, and his flair for the cartoonish political stunt, such as the time
he managed to get a live pig (the original “Mr. Perks”) into the House gallery
and introduced him to his fellow representatives during a floor speech.
behavior, his sexism, his race-baiting, his countless instances of public
drunkenness, and his flair for the cartoonish political stunt, such as the time
he managed to get a live pig (the original “Mr. Perks”) into the House gallery
and introduced him to his fellow representatives during a floor speech.
Yet, Braun makes his case: “A healthy representative republic likely needs both principled
rabble rousers and talented deal makers. But the power
lust to pursue office often rewards men with both outsized talent and
exaggerated vices. It’s easy to find other examples: Bill Clinton, Nixon, Ted
Kennedy, Gingrich, Churchill, etc…”
rabble rousers and talented deal makers. But the power
lust to pursue office often rewards men with both outsized talent and
exaggerated vices. It’s easy to find other examples: Bill Clinton, Nixon, Ted
Kennedy, Gingrich, Churchill, etc…”
I won’t ruin the ending for you, but the column, published online
by MLive, is certainly worth a read.
by MLive, is certainly worth a read.
