Former MSU football coach Perles to run for governor

Source: Detroit News

George Perles, former Michigan State University football coach and athletic director, will soon be vying for your vote.

Perles said today he intends to run for governor 2010 as a Democrat, trying to succeed the term-limited Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

"It gives me an opportunity to help a lot of people and I enjoy doing that," Perles, 74, said Tuesday.

In 2006, Perles was elected to MSU's Board of Trustees in his first-ever campaign for public office, which made him the only former coach to be elected to the board, he said. When friends approached him recently about making a run for the highest spot in the state, Perles asked, "Why not?"

Fans and friends have been surprised, but supportive, since he made up his mind about the job last week, he said. Now, he'll reach out unions, former Gov. Jim Blanchard and former attorney general Frank J. Kelley to shore up support and advice. "We have a lot of time," Perles said, insisting he won't run a negative campaign. . .

Read more: http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081111/METRO/811110436

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Now listen up, George. I bleed green and white. I think you're a great guy, and at 74, you are having a wonderful time, and you and Sally have contributed so much to MSU and the State of Michigan generally.

Maybe you can do this. But George, WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU THINKING?

Could be worse, I suppose. Haven't heard that RichRod down in Ann Arbor has thrown his hat in the ring.

But still, George. Better pack a lunch.

But in all fairness I think we need to let Geoffrey Feiger have another run.

Puhleeze, there are better progressives in Michigan than Feiger.

In that matchup, George gets my vote.

Who knows? Kwame will be rested and ready by 2010.

OK, maybe not . . .

I'll listen and if I like what I hear, I'll support him. Rethuglican candidates? They can go fuck themselves.

I've never heard of this guy, not being a college ball fan, but I just spent a few minutes trying to think who else would run on the Democratic ticket and came up blank. I'm sick to death of the Dingell dynasty so that leaves Chris and Debbie out. I refuse to vote Stabenow in as dog catcher after her yes vote on the Military Commisions Act of 2005. Levin is too old and valuable in the Senate. The name Kilpatrick makes me want to heave. Feiger is a joke.

Really, who is there that I'm missing?

Edited to add: I believe that both Jim Blanchard and David Bonior would be excellent choices but I doubt either would run again.

George isn't the sharpest, either as Coach or as politician. His overriding belief is "keep your head down and your mouth shut and good things will happen", maybe good advice for the MSU Spartans but not really aspirational for a State whose economy is rapidly circling the bowl. In any event, George's ship has sailed - since he left coaching and became MSU's A.D. he isn't a presence in E. Lansing, less in Michigan.