news Democratic ticket


bode well for the party’s imme- diate future?


Which voters are they talk-


ing to? Obama rode on the anger of millions of voters, fed up with the Bush presidency and the business manipula- tion of Wall Street to the White House.


I am almost inclined to


believe that Democrats are skapegoating themselves by playing “the anger card.”


Bernero and Snyder are two


clear choices, even though the Republican nominee does not make it easier for Democrats by embracing a moderate con- servative ideology. The bigger question is, can the Democrat- ic ticket win in November?


What we saw during the


Democratic convention Sunday at Cobo Hall has to convince voters that it is indeed a win- ning ticket.


The Chronicle first sounded


the note and began the drum- beat for an African-American lieutenant governor, helping to push the party to finally live up to its creed. But it was not a demand to select any kind of candidate just because they are Black, but one who is emi- nently qualified.


Then last week Southfield


mayor Brenda Lawrence was named the running mate on the Democratic ticket. Two mayors on the same ticket raised many eyebrows.


But Mayor Lawrence is a


pacesetter who has her own story to tell.


On the day that news of


her selection was leaked to the media, I received so many calls on my cell phone, as if I was a designated envoy of the Bernero strategy team.


Most of the callers were


excited about the pick but expressed caution asking me what Lawrence brings to the ticket.


I did not take the calls to


mean that they are not approv- ing of her as the nominee for lieutenant governor. I took them to mean that these indi- viduals want Brenda Lawrence to tell her story and explain to voters what, specifically, she had done as mayor of South-


King


the memorial, sat in a Chinese warehouse until shipping de- tails were worked out.


Yixin’s appointment


sparked considerable debate over why King Memorial of- ficials bypassed an African- American artist — or any American artist — as the lead sculptor. Some Black artists complained that outsourc- ing the King project to China crossed the line.


Had an American artist


been selected, they argued, the sculpture would not have been stranded.


Johnson said once visitors


see the statue, however, their reservations will dissipate.


“I’ve seen the sculpture


complete, the pieces stacked on top of each other. When you see it for the first time, it almost brings you to tears,” Johnson told BlackAmeri- caWeb.com.


While construction is pro-


ceeding, the Foundation is still short of the $120 million needed to complete the me- morial. So far, $107 million has been raised, and Johnson hopes to be able to announce another major gift within the next two weeks.


field. The Bernero campaign


could have done a better job of explaining what the South- field mayor did in great detail during their announcement to show voters the advantage of having her on the ticket.


Its a historic ticket and


the first time Democrats have pushed the envelope, due to the urging of many.


There was a lot of energy


and jubilation at the con- vention, but that will have to translate into votes. The Democrats are hoping that with an African American on the ticket they could secure a huge voting bloc in Detroit.


That is possible, but first


the gubernatorial ticket will have to explain what is in store for Detroit should Virg Berne- ro become our next governor.


Almost all the key political


players in Detroit are support- ing Bernero, just as we saw with the Andy Dillon campaign where the House Speaker got the political heavyweights and pastors behind him.


Yet voters sent a strong message that no political


THE MICHIGAN CHRONICLE From page A-1


heavyweight is stronger than those who actually cast the votes.


The Democrats cannot sit


back and expect a free ride to Lansing. Yes, the stakes are high in this campaign but Ber- nero must show voters what he would do. How is he dif- ferent from Rick Snyder and Brian Calley?


Oakland County Circuit


Court Judge Denise Langford Morris came out as the Dem- ocrat’s nominee for Supreme Court, ready to duke it out with sitting Republican Jus- tice Robert Young. This race will be a showdown because it is two African-American legal minds with two different phil- osophies and different appre- ciation of the law.


But I’d like to see Morris


and Young debate. I’d like to hear their views on the recent decisions of the Supreme Court and how they affected the lives or ordinary citizens.


The court’s most recent and


telling ruling allowing insur- ance companies to use credit to determine rates in an eco- nomic recession explains the disconnect between the high


Urban Crisis From page A-1


an open mind.” Tucker said the candidates’ urban agendas should focus on creating


jobs, which he believes would reduce crime. Political consultant Steve Hood believes Bernero has a better urban


agenda. Nothing has been well thought out at this time at this point regarding


an urban agenda, said Hood of both gubernatorial candidates He noted that we have seen Bernero put people in jobs in Lansing


which has an urban problem similar to Detroit’s. “Bernero can bring back the fighting spirit that was dormant. I think


he will be a tireless fighter in Washington and in the private sector,” he said.


“Synder brings a business acumen. You might see government


shrink, which is a good thing. I’ll think you’ll see Reaganistic tax breaks for big corporations forcing trickle down economics,” said Hood. “Snyder is going to look of Detroit even if that means doing something unpopu- lar like sending Detroit into receivership and sending in an emergency financial manager here. If Detroit doesn’t make it the state won’t.”


Hood can’t see the majority of Detroit voting for Snyder even if he


presents a better urban agenda than Bernero. “Generally Republicans get 10 to 15 percent of the votes in Detroit,” said Hood. “Snyder could potentially get 35 to 45 percent of the votes. If Snyder or Bernero garner an Obama-like turnout, the whole election could turn. 50,000 electoral voters have left the city of Detroit since the last gubernatorial election.


court and victims of the eco- nomic recession. Moreover, when you open the campaign war chests of the justices and see whose campaigns are been heavily financed by the insurance industry, you are forced to walk away with your hands over your mouth. Because what you see is the marriage between law and pol- itics — the insatiable political intercourse between the high priests of our legal system and the merchants of our time.


Where does that leave the


rest of us? Wayne State University Law


Professor Jocelyn Benson got the nomination for Secretary of State and is already chal- lenging her Republican oppo- nent, Ruth Johnson, Oakland County Clerk, to a debate.


Benson is an election law


expert who has written a book on the role of secretaries of state.


The role of the secretary


of state is crucial and this position will prove to be key to anyone who occupies it in November because of the 2012 presidential election.


Issues around voting rights and gerrymandering


have


always been the hallmark of most secretary of state offices around the county, and Michi- gan is no exception. Benson and Johnson should have a debate and explain to the elec- torate how they plan to guard the sacredness of the vote.


Too often we have ignored


the significance of such offic- es because it hardly ever gen- erates scandals for the daily


political news. Yet it proves to be the mirror to look at the strength of the electorate in the state.


Genesee County Prosecu-


tor David Leyton is taking on the Republican businessman and former congressman and judge Bill Schuette for Attor- ney General.


Its a tough fight but labor


darling Leyton has a chance to win if the votes are there on Election Day.


But the strength of the over-


all ticket will be determined by the strength of the top ticket.


What Bernero and Lawrence


do from now on will presage things to come for the remain- ing members of the ticket.


Michigan is in a crucial


state and cannot afford lack- luster candidates.


Bernero, Bing and Dillon


By Tim Skubick The Democratic candidate


for governor needs a nice hefty bounce out of Detroit in No- vember and we are not talking basketball sport fans.


Traditionally, despite a de-


clining population, Motown is always expected to deliver a foundation so that the Demo- cratic candidate can build on that to win in the rest of the state.


Even though it is way early, From page A-1 General Motors has pledged


$10 million to the project; fashion designer Tommy Hil- figer, $5 million; the NBA and several other organizations each committed $3 million and there have been a series of $1 million gifts from a variety of groups, as well as small do- nations from individuals.


In recognition of 47th an-


niversary of King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, the Foun- dation sold commemorative coins for $47 each. The Foun- dation took out newspaper ads and posted a link to order the coins on its website.


Majorly independent soul artist Nadir to perform at Jazz Fest


By Contessa “lilD” Porter Nadir is a movement, and


his biggest hope is that his listeners will find their own rhythm and march beside him. Multifaceted musician Nadir says “since (he) can remem- ber, music has been an impor- tant part of (his) life.”


And he has used it to in-


spire people to action with each lyric. To label Nadir as a neo-soul artist would be neglecting his rock roots; to call him a rock artist would be overlooking his hip-hop and jazz influences. Fully en- compassing all the talents that Nadir possesses would be comparable to expanding the mathematical term Pi to its last digit.


There is a legend that at the


age of 18 months, Nadir was seen in his backyard using a stick as a guitar and singing. And he has been seriously pursuing music ever since.


Penning lyrics as broad as


love, and as specific as the love for his wife, Nadir says his music is a “reflection of what’s going on in everyday life.” And because life is better lived in color, out loud and passionately,


the intended


end result of hearing Nadir’s music is “action, (and) what kind depends on the person.”


As an independent artist,


Nadir has enjoyed significant success. He has performed the greater part of the United States as well as in Europe, Canada.


Most people think of pro-


moting music on the Internet as the hip-hop and pop music


writes about the happenings of everyday life, he wants his music to inspire movement, be it to “work harder, think harder, dance, or vote.” If the music he writes moves him, hopefully it will move his lis- teners as well.


Nadir’s efforts in inspiring


people to action have led him to become an official for the City of Detroit. Recently, an Entertainment Commission was formed in an effort to “re- brand the city of Detroit as the entertainment and media capi- tal that it is.”


The Commission had an Nadir


method of exposure, but Nadir understands the true meaning of promoting on the Web. He says social networking sites like Myspace, YouTube and Facebook have helped him go from “being a local artist to an international artist,” and are a critical part of his career.


pled with talent has also brought Nadir


Constant promotion cou- countless


awards and opportunities. He’s won ten Detroit Music Awards, was a correspondent on MTV’s “Choose or Lose,” and won “Best Funk Album of 2005” from soulpatrol.com. And while “awards are cool,” Nadir says the biggest reward is “having people really be touched by what I do.”


Moving from Elizabethton,


Tennessee, to Detroit in order to gain more exposure for his type of music, Nadir has always tried to position himself where he can be heard by as many people as possible. Since he


event called “Laughing the Pain Away,” at which come- dians went to local homeless shelters to bring light into the darkest of lives. The easi- est way for Detroit to reaffirm its spot in musical history is to “do a better job of taking advantage of all the talent we have.”


If all the artists in the city


can unite as a conglomerate, Detroit would be unstoppable. A unification of outstanding and diverse talent will take place Labor Day weekend during the Detroit Jazz Fest, showcasing local and national artists, Sept. 3-6, at 660 Wood- ward Ave.


Nadir will be performing


Monday, Sept. 6, at 2:30 pm, and says the audience should expect a musical experience not to be forgotten. Believing that “as human beings, we’re wired to help other people,” Nadir says “you’re going to hear music that will make you think a little while you dance.” Find the rhythm and then move accordingly.


some have begun to speculate that Virg Bernero may get a bounce alright, but it may be on his own head.


“If the election was held


today,” one civic leader con- fesses, “Rick Snyder would win hands down. Without a doubt.”


What an incredible state-


ment and what bad news for the Mayor of Lansing.


And Detroit Mayor Dave


Bing may be part of the prob- lem.


Roll the tape back to the


Friday after the Democratic primary when Mr. Bernero showed up in Detroit for a so- called unity breakfast. The drill at these events is simple: The winner holds hands with the loser, and others who backed the loser say nice things about the winner, kick in a chorus of Kumbaya and presto change-o, you move into the fall election all on the same page.


Somebody forgot to explain


that to Bernero’s opponent Andy Dillon, who as of August 30, had still not endorsed Ber- nero and Mayor Bing made news when he failed to bless Bernero at the same gig.


“I need to talk with the


mayor,” the Detroit Mayor told the astounded media.


Talk to him. About what?


The weather? That story sort of festered


until Mr. Bing got off the fence.


There was speculation the


White House shoved him off, but His Honor denies it up and down.


“I’m totally on board,” he


told the media as he prepared to march with Jesse Jackson and Benrero at that downtown worker’s parade recently.


But the mayor, far as one


can tell, never stuck his face in at the state Democratic con- vention at Cobo. And where were the NAACP, African- American ministers, and other power brokers?


Again it is early and this


could easily flip around, but turnout could be a challenge for the Bernero-Brenda Law- rence ticket.


Remember when former


Mayor Coleman Young sent out the word that he was not to fond of sitting Democrat- ic Governor Jim Blanchard. Voter turn out in the city went south and Blanchard did too thus handing the office to one John Engler.


Bing never did a news con-


ference with Bernero to an- nounce the endorsement. O.K. maybe there was a sched- uling conflict. (You don’t be- lieve that either, do you?)


But the mayor could have


done something else to help Bernero drive up the turnout in Detroit. He could have gotten behind the so-called Mayoral Accountability Initiative. But he remains on the bench.


Lots of folks think giving


the mayor some voice in select- ing a replacement for Robert Bobb, who is now running the Detroit Public Schools, needs to be done. True there is an- other faction that does not see it that way but no one has taken them on.


Faced with a recalcitrant


City Council that refused to wade into that snake-pit, the Mayor could have pressured them to recant. He could have pressured state lawmakers to to do what the Council refused to do. He did neither.


So here was a chance for


Mr. Bing to indirectly help the democratic candidate for gov- ernor and he did nada.


Bernero tried to help his


own cause by selecting an African-American woman as his running mate. And by all accounts Southfield’s part- time Mayor will help but she


was not his first choice, even though no one on the Berne- ro team will publicly confirm that.


Mayor Lawrence was viewed


as the “fall back” candidate. Translated if we can’t get anyone else, she will always be there and in the end she was and got the nod.


But do Detroiters come out


in force to vote for her? Traditionally lt. governor


candidates don’t win elections and in fact one Detroit law- maker is not sure she brings much to the table.


Some “were looking for


a bit of an l.g. savior,” reports Rep. Bert Johnson who is not sure Ms. Lawrence fits that description. Others from a mi- nority within the labor move- ment wanted Harvey Hollings from Wayne State University on the ticket, but the Benero guys decided he didn’t bring much.


Johnson warns that Ber-


nero-Lawrence has only thirty days to prove they are a viable entity and competitive against the GOP ticket.


And if they don’t, John-


son warns Democrats could lose control of the Michigan House. But Flint Democrat Woodrow Stanley, himself a former mayor, does not share that same anxiety.


“This is a 15 round fight and


we are in round two or three (and) Bernero has not had a chance to deliver a knock out punch,” Mr. Stanley asserts.


While all this looks rather


gloomy for Bernero, he re- portedly does have a “savior” standing in the wings. Word is the White House will send President Barack Obama into the city this fall. If that does not stir up the troops to get to the polls, probably nothing will.


And given a choice between


the lukewarm support of Mr. Bing andthe impressive back- ing of the Commander-in- Chief, which do you think Mr. B. will take?


You got that right.


September 1-7, 2010 Page A-4


DPS RALLY speakers included Congressman John Conyers and comedian-actor-activist Bill Cosby. — Andre Smith photo


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