Romney's perceived strength on economic issues, his fundraising prowess and his January win in the state's primary have him at or near the top of the pundits' lists.

"He is one of the few vice presidential candidates who actually brings some geography to the table," said (MRP Chair Saul) Anuzis, who was neutral during the primary but has strong ties to many in Romney's Michigan organization.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, would help not only in Michigan, Anuzis said, but also in swing states such as Nevada, where many voters share Romney's Mormon faith.

I like Mitt Romney.  Back during the 2006 gubernatorial campaign he, McCain and Rudy Giulliani all made swings through Michigan to back Dick DeVos and to lay a little pavement for their own efforts in-state this cycle.  Romney actually made several.  He hit Coneys and other restaurants with us.  He spent a full day on the bus.  Did a fundraiser.  Spent a few hours at bowling alleys.  Met with dozens of Michigan's working moms and dads on the job.  You name it.  Michigan was the centerpiece of his campaign strategy and a primary state he ultimately carried.

Tim Pawlenty brings a little regional / geographical juice too.  Minnesota never goes GOP but in recent polling McCain is closer than he has any right to be and the way Al Franken is butchering the state's Senate race for local Dems the inclusion of their native son on the ticket could shift a couple handfuls of electoral votes there too.

He was also an early McCain backer and did some surrogate work for the Arizona Senator in January or February of 2007, keynoting the Kent County GOP Lincoln Day Dinner.

Both would be strong campaign choices and both have the experience (business, economic, community, executive, you name it) to be Vice President. Not to mention a proven track record of attracting independent and moderate Democrats in traditionally lefty states. Romney would certainly be the flashier pick locally.  Besides, then we could read more stories like the News article this morning about the need to heal the rift (circa 1998) among factions in the GOP.  Because that's practically yesterday and is much more important than the giant schism over RMGN happening at the Michigan Democrat Party circa, oh, today.  

No matter how the decision ultimately shakes out, as long as the ball is in the air Michigan finds herself center stage again, with an opportunity to defy conventional wisdom and all the odds.  What looks nationally to be another good year for Democrats isn't shaking out so well locally.  We mentioned the RMGN wedge that has many prominent Dems calling for the heads of party leadership.  We've got campaign finance complaints.  Lawsuits.  A Congressional race over in the 9th District that isn't shaping up particularly well.

The Associated Press reports that Joe Knollenberg, the real one, not the giant paper headed imposter, is cleaning up on the fundraising circuit, running laps around the Democrats' dream candidate, yooooouuuuuuuuur Lottery Commissioner, Gary Peters.

Knollenberg reported Thursday that he had raised more than $731,000 during the past three months in his re-election bid, outpacing Peters, a former state lottery commissioner, who brought in $570,000 during the period.

Knollenberg, an eight-term incumbent from Bloomfield Township, ended the fundraising period with nearly $1.9 million in his campaign account. He has raised more than $2.5 million during the 2008 campaign cycle. Peters, also of Bloomfield Township, has $1.1 million in his account and has collected more than $1.3 million for the campaign.

Toss in a healthy dose (maybe not the best term in this instance) of Jack Kevorkian and this race isn't exactly what the Democrats bargained for.  Could we actually wind up looking back on this thing and saying with a straight face "that Gary Peters... he's no Nancy Skinner!"

Then there's the Democratic mayor in the biggest city in Michigan, physically attacking officers of the court.  A Democratic mayor, by the way, who other Democrats statewide refuse to either disavow or publicly condemn.  ("Boys will be boys.")

Oh, yeah, you didn't miss Hizzoner's latest felony, did you?  The Ivory Tower and every other rag in the state has it front and center this morning.  A court officer went to serve they Mayor's pal and top-thug Bobby Ferguson with papers demanding he appear in court.  One six foot four, 300 pound problem.  Kwame was in the house.

One source said the officers then heard someone shout, "Who the (expletive) is that?"

The mayor then charged out and shoved one of Worthy's officers backward into the other, the source said.

The officers then left.

Probably a good call.  Leaving, I mean.  Frankly, they got off easy.  I mean, say you get to choose who attacks you... a menacing giant of a former football player with his iron grip-of-death or his thugged out best friend who's been convicted of pistol whipping employees among sundry other violent offenses?  They're lucky he didn't come out spraying his Tech-Nine all over the yard like he did back in 1990.  "Kill them, kill them," right Bobby?

I hope that man doesn't read this blog.  I might be in deep.