Under normal circumstances, it would be the state police director who would have the governor’s back, not the other way around. But on this occasion it was just that.
It was the maiden news conference for the soon to be new commander of the Michigan State Police. She walked in with the Governor-elect and he introduced Lt. Gol. Kriste Etue.
He thanked her for serving.
She thanked him for having confidence in her as the first female director of the MSP and everything was going along just swimmingly until…
“What’s your position on the new state police headquarters in downtown Lansing?”
For years the project has been a lightening rod as some lawmakers have blasted the past two governors for building the thing in the first place.
Ms. Etue started out very nicely by avoiding the question. She suggested it was not the MSP that built the darn thing but the Department of Management and Budget. It was a nifty move, but the reporter would have no part of that.
“Did she think it was a legit project?”
She opined that the department needed a new facility.
“So was it wrong for lawmakers to criticize it?”
Without missing a beat she said she did not say they were wrong, but the department needed the new digs.
So far she is holding her own.
But a little later this one, out of the blue: What’s your position on capitol punishment?
She smiled, then laughed and blurted out, “Wow!” as if to say where the heck did that come from?
It was an obvious question. She’s now the state’s top cop, so does she want to use the death penalty to deter the bad guys?
As she stands there like the proverbial deer in the headlights, here comes the new governor to her rescue.
Rick Snyder takes the podium, as laughter fills the room from all the spectators and he proudly announces, “This is a time of holiday spirit” and he says he is glad Michigan was the first state to abolish the death penalty.
And that was that.
After wards she had a good laugh in private.
Next time, maybe she’ll answer the question.