State party spat continues at national meeting (Mich dems)

ap ^ | 6-23-03

[Dan from Michigan]

State party spat continues at national meeting

The Associated Press
6/23/2003, 8:28 a.m. ET

DETROIT (AP) — The lingering spat atop the Michigan Democratic Party erupted at a national party meeting when Mark Brewer, executive chairman of the state party, was elected president of the Association of State Democratic Chairs.

Michigan state chairman Melvin "Butch" Hollowell voted for Washington state chairman Paul Berendt.

Hollowell told The Detroit News that his vote over the weekend was "a reflection of the fact that we have a governor that has a different view on the direction of the party."

U.S. Rep. John Dingell, D-Dearborn, said the split gave the opposition something to be happy about.

"Isn't this insane? Republicans must be delighted. I've seen lots of foolishness, but this tops it all," he said.

Brewer was the chairman of the state party for eight years.

He refused Granholm's request to step aside for Hollowell, a longtime Granholm friend.

Granholm and the United Auto Workers, which backed Brewer, later reached an agreement to give Brewer the unique title of executive chairman of the state party, but the shared power arrangement has not gone smoothly.

Brewer now becomes a vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a member of the DNC executive committee.

[Dan from Michigan]

Brewer backed Blanchard I believe for Governor as well.

[Kenton]

"Isn't this insane? Republicans must be delighted. I've seen lots of foolishness, but this tops it all," he said.

Speaking only for myself, I'm delighted...