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A Q&A WITH SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE BISHOP

Earlier this week, Senator Bishop participated in a interview with reporters from MIRS on topics ranging from his race for Attorney General to the things that could be coming down the pipe related to the 2011 budget process.

Below is a copy of that article:

Bishop Could Leave As Leader For AG Race

Senate Majority Leader Mike BISHOP (R-Rochester) told MIRS today that he would consider stepping down from his position if it gets in the way of his Attorney General bid.

Bishop said that he's discussed that possibility with his caucus. Recall that Rep. Fred MILLER (D-Mt. Clemens) has asked his longtime rival, House Speaker Andy DILLON (D-Redford Twp.), to leave his post as he's running for governor.

"Nothing, nothing is going to compromise my job as leader -- not seeking another job," Bishop said in a phone interview today. "That's not going to happen. I've never missed a day of work. I don't miss votes. I don't ever anticipate getting into a position where I would compromise the caucus."

Bishop, who is entering his fourth year as Majority Leader, is facing a tough battle for the Republican nomination for Attorney General against former Appeals Court Judge Bill SCHUETTE, who is considered the front runner.

MIRS had a chance to speak with Bishop about the race and what's ahead this year with the budget. The following are excerpts from that interview.

Q. If you weren't the Majority Leader, do you think your AG campaign would be further along than it is right now?

A. Probably. I'd have more time to call and speak with delegates directly and to travel. It's very much a retail campaign. You want to convey your message personally. I think I could win this thing very easily. The problem is, I have a job. I'm not going to compromise my position and I'm not compromising it.

I'm doing my best with each and every one of them. My opponent doesn't have a job and is able to sit in an office with a swarm of consultants and people on staff who can get to things I can't get to. That doesn't mean that I can't win this thing. I'm out there and people know what I stand for. I've been completely vetted.

Q. Are you staying in the AG race until then end?

A. I am. These races aren't easy. But I've been involved in convention battles before. They are often won or lost on the floor. I don't have all the money, all the consultants my opponent does. But I will get my message out to the delegates.

Q. Do you see your no-tax-increase position as your best way to win the Attorney General nomination?

A. I've never supported a tax increase -- that goes back to 1998. That really doesn't play a role in the whole process of running for Attorney General. It's not part of my calculus to get elected. I do believe delegates -- like in Massachusetts -- are sick of big government. Some people haven't figured out that people are fed up; they're losing their jobs. It's not necessarily a Republican or a Democrat thing. Some Democrats out there get it, too . . . It's not necessarily about tax increases. It's about controlling spending.

Q. Do you think that your position has resonated with delegates?

A. Certainly it does. There are a number of other issues that resonate with those at the convention. It's about responsible government.

Q. You lost an endorsement last year from the Genesee County GOP Chair because you named Oakland County Executive L. Brooks PATTERSON campaign chair. You were criticized by some Republicans who suspected you of not being conservative enough. Is that something you've heard?

A. The other side is always trying to get to the right of where you are. That's really where the nomination occurs. My record spells out where I stand. If you don't trust what I say, look at what I've done. I don't get caught up in the rhetoric. I don't spend a whole lot of time thinking about that. I do what's right.

Q. You've said no to running for Congress in the 9th District against U.S. Rep. Gary PETERS (D-Bloomfield Twp.). Why have you ruled that out, in spite of perhaps being in the best position politically?

A. As much as people want to think about it, I don't feel any desperation whatsoever to seek political office just to have another political office. I want to go where I can help. As Attorney General, I can apply my experience and life experience and background to something that could be very beneficial. I want to get involved in making a difference. I don't believe I can make a difference in Congress right now as one of 435 members in an environment that is out of control and doesn't sound productive at all. Especially when I have three little kids.

. . . Timing is everything to me. Maybe I will have the desire to run for Congress, but I just don't have the desire right now.

Q. Would you consider being Lieutenant Governor?

A. Lieutenant Governor has never been a consideration of mine. I don't look for that next step at the public trough to feed from. I'm fully capable of going back to the private sector and leave this job with a smile on my face.

Q. Were you surprised that your name was floated recently for LG?

A. It's natural to have a discussion about people out there right now. My opponent is doing his best to suggest I'm not in it to win it and I'm just looking for the next spot. He's been very successful with that viral campaign.

Q. You believe strongly in limited government. Why do you want to stay in government in running for Attorney General?

A. I've run for both the House and Senate, but I've spent the better part of my professional life in the private sector. I don't necessarily have to be in government to survive. My family has done better when I've been in the private sector. I could go back. I don't just want to get paid. I want to contribute and bring value to a position.

Q. There have been a number of government reforms put out, with Senate Republicans coming up with a big list. Would you personally give up your lifetime benefits as part of that?

A. It's all part of the discussion and should be placed on the table. The question is what would save the most? There are major constitutional issues with legislators who are already vested. But I don't think anything can be taken off the table.

Q. If the constitutionality weren't a factor, would you give yours up?

A. It's just a hiccup in some of these proposals. The real question is what would produce real savings. I don't believe in tinkering with something as a symbol.

Q. You worked very closely with Andy Dillon on last year's budget, but things have been tense since. How would you describe your relationship with him now?

A. I consider it very strained. Being candid with you, I don't know what I could have done, what he could have done. It was a very tense situation. We agreed to move the budgets, we voted and got them passed and the Governor signed the budgets. They were both upset after it was done that their tax increase wasn't passed. But I never agreed to a tax increase. I told them there weren't any tax votes in the Senate.

. . . I learned a lot from 2007. I take confidentiality very seriously. Apparently, no one else did. There were all kinds of leaks. That's why we changed our style last year and went 100 percent outside the caucus. There was a perception that everything was behind closed doors and we didn't want to be accused of doing things behind closed doors. And we're going to do it again this year.

Q. Do you expect Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM to propose a tax increase in her budget?

A. She has $400 to $500 million in savings in her (reform) plan. There's still $1.2 billion unaccounted for. I think she would find the kind of cuts it would take unacceptable. So she will have to propose a tax increase. I'm just waiting for the other shoe to drop. I don't have an idea what it might be. I fear the worst.

Article from MIRS, Bishop Could Leave As Leader For AG Race, February 2, 2010

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