Anybody remember the Jim Croce tune when he told everyone what not to do?  Namely, "You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit into the wind and you don't pull the mask off the old Lone Ranger" and you should add to the list, you don't lobby for a seat on the U.S., Supreme Court either.

     But there was Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm on nationwide TV doing just that.

     Maybe she didn't do it as part of a calculated move to influence the president, but it sure felt like it.

     Heretofore the governor has gingerly and correctly so, tip toed around the sensitive issue.  The reason no one blurts out, "I want this appointment" is that it puts the president in an awkward spot.  The president wants to feel free about making the choice and if one of the contenders tries to pressure the boss, it can create the impression that maybe he gave in to that pressure rather than making a decision based on the merits of the nominee's resume.. 

     Yes, that sounds far-fetched but it is part of the mix and this governor has acknowledged that as recent as last week when she said it was up to Mr. Obama to comment on the process, not her.  "I'm not going to get into that,"she told the capitol press corps here.

     But then on CNN, she told Candy Crowley, in effect, that her lack of time on the bench as a judge was actually a plus.

     "I think it's a very wise move to consider experience that isn't just from the judiciary," the non-judge offered adding, "People who have applied the laws and seen their impact...I think that's important."

      If that is not tooting her own horn, what the heck is?

      You can sift these comments two ways.  Maybe she knows she is on the short-short list and was encouraged by the White House to speak out or maybe she knows she is not going to get it and just made a hail Mary pass as an 11th hour attempt to convince the President et .al. to change their minds.

      We may never know, but it was a curious move by a governor who is usually very good about following the correct political protocol.  She maybe didn't tug on the President's cape but she was certainly holding onto it very hard.