It was November, 2001 and one year before the democratic primary for governor involving five hopefuls.  In the hunt: A former governor named Blanchard, a former Congressman named Bonior, two lawmakers named Peters and Smith and the state's first female Attorney General named Granholm.

    The quintet had agreed to do their first televised debate on Michigan Public TV and it was not long into the broadcast that the subject of "experience" was raised by the anchor.

    Of the five sitting there, Jennifer Granholm had the least.  It was only four years earlier that she decided to take a shot at elective office for the first time and now here she was trying to become the state's first female governor.

    Nonetheless she felt she had enough experience to be governor, but the woman sitting next to her came to a different conclusion.

    Sen. Alma Wheeler Smith had a ton of legislative experience but when first asked if she felt Ms. Granholm had enough to be governor, Smith demurred.  Unfortunately for Smith, the moderator had quotes from an earlier intervier during which Smith did reject Gramholm's experience as insufficient.

    Reluctantly Smith confirmed that was what she said and, with Granholm looking at her, Smith in effect argued Granholm was not up to the task.

    Suffice it to say, Granholm was not happy with the remark.

    Fast forward to last week.

    Governor Jennifer Granholm during a one on one interview conceded that one of her major "flaws and liabilities" in becoming governor was her lack of legislative experience.

    Color Ms. Smith, now a candidate for governor again, vindicated.