Notes from the Michigan Democratic Party convention

DETROIT — Two things were clear at the Michigan Democratic Party’s convention on Saturday at Cobo Hall. First, state Democrats are not done trumpeting Barack Obama’s White House win in November; and second, the stage has been set for campaign battles on the horizon.

GOVERNOR 2010: During the convention, three Democrats announced their intentions to run to replace Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who is term limited in 2010. The list so far includes Lt. Gov. John Cherry of Clio; former state Rep. John Freeman of Madison Heights, who said he plans to focus on voter education and health care; and state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith of Salem.

Union representatives would not say who they were looking to support for governor in 2010. “We are supporting Jennifer Granholm,” Isaac Robinson, political director for the Teamsters, told Michigan Messenger on Saturday.

SECRETARY OF STATE: Another vocal Democratic candidate at the convention was Jocelyn Benson, a Wayne State University assistant professor of law who wants replace Republican Secretary of State Terry Lynn Land, who is term limited. Land is planning a bid for governor in 2010. Benson spent the day at Cobo Hall pushing her agenda for early voting and “no reason” absentee ballots, which would do away with current restrictions that limit who can vote absentee.

STATE SUPREME COURT: Other candidates fell just short of announcing a 2010 run. After a rousing address to the Justice Caucus, Wayne County Circuit Judge Deborah Thomas modeled her coat with the Bill of Rights stitched into the leather, proudly saying she “walks the walk” of justice. But she stopped just short of vocalizing her intentions to run for Justice Robert Young’s Supreme Court seat in 2010. When asked if Thomas was likely to run, state Rep. Fred Durhal, who supported Thomas’ unsuccessful 2008 run for the high court, said: “I don’t see why not.”

13th CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT: Democratic state Sen. Martha Scott of Highland Park, who unsuccessfully challenged Democratic U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Detroit last year, spoke after her rival from 2008 during a 13th District break-out session. Scott’s speech to the district group on the practice of “redlining” in poor neighborhoods elevates her potential candidacy, but she didn’t say she would be throwing her hat into the ring. Cherry and Freeman also popped into in the 13th district break-out room to drum up support for their planned gubernatorial bids.

REFLECTIONS ON OBAMA: Following the district-level break-out sessions, everyone gathered in Cobo’s Riverfront Ballroom to hear the closing speeches from top Democrats who talked up Obama’s first month in office and the president’s historic win in November. Speakers also tried to rally energy for the campaign battles that await in 2010.

Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel  repeated the speech he gave to the 13th district’s caucus, praising Obama’s win was and talking about “blowing the winds of change” into Detroit and Michigan. Cockrel said the first thing on his and other mayors’ agendas was working to ensure Detroit reaped as many benefits from the federal stimulus package. With a special mayoral primary vote set for Tuesday, Cockrel didn’t use the limelight to promote his current mayoral bid, where he faces a crowded slate of Democrats.

Democrats in state Legislature joined U.S. Sen. Carl Levin of Detroit on stage toward the end of the convention. U.S. Rep. John Dingell of Dearborn, who recently became the longest-serving member of Congress, was acknowledged for his work supporting Michigan and the state Democratic Party over the years.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm did not attend the convention due to scheduling conflicts with this weekend’s National Governor’s Convention in Washington, D.C..

Slide show follows from the MDP’s convention via VuVox and YouTube: