by Gongwer News Service
August 29, 2008

During an election year the most anticipated day is generally the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. But a confluence of events has conspired to make Wednesday, September 3, the most eagerly awaited day of 2008. At least, so far.

For if the Wayne County Circuit Court concurs, on that day Governor Jennifer Granholm will hold a hearing that considers whether she should remove Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick for official misconduct. (That is, she will if the circuit court allows it and Mr. Kilpatrick doesn’t make other…arrangements.)

And on the same day, at almost the same hour, the Michigan Supreme Court will hear arguments over whether the Reform Michigan Government Now! proposal can go on the November ballot.

Oh yeah, there’s a convention of some sort going on in Minnesota. People may catch up on that a little later in the week.

It’s a reporter’s nightmare, having two major events to cover at the same time, but political junkies in the state will have to test their blood sugars from the high they will get with the two issues. The results of both, at least of the Kilpatrick situation, are likely to get as much play and replay in Michigan as the election will get.

The drama of the Kilpatrick situation cannot be understated. It has all the elements of opera: sex, alleged corruption, secrecy, betrayal, political and legal machinations, and the orchestra is tuned and singers costumed for Wednesday’s upcoming debut.

Ah, but the curtain will only come up if Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Ziolkowski so rules on Tuesday. In a desperate attempt to stop the hearing, fearing that Ms. Granholm will order Mr. Kilpatrick removed, his attorneys filed an appeal on Thursday charging that the mayor cannot get a fair hearing.

Mr. Ziolkowski had earlier ruled that the Detroit City Council could not proceed with its own removal process.

He had hoped to make a ruling on whether to grant a temporary restraining order for the hearing or let it go forward on Friday but declared the issues too complex to decide over lunchtime.

The hearing will be historic, whenever it is held and whatever Ms. Granholm decides. Because of that alone, the hearing will take on the cachet of the 2001 action by the Senate to expel former Sen. David Jaye. Reporters from all across the state are expected at the hearing, and attention is expected to rival the attention an election night would get.

As for the other political blockbuster that day, the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether a proposal that could dramatically change state government should go to the voters.

Should the RMGN get on the ballot it has the potential to alter state functions for years to come. So admittedly, this issue is more wonkish than operatic, but its importance is no less key to the state.

So for political observers in the state, Wednesday is the equivalent of the Super Bowl, the World Series and, oh yes, the season debut of the Met all in one.

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