By Kathy Barks Hoffman
AP Political Writer
LANSING (AP) -- Former computer executive Rick Snyder was sworn in as Michigan's 48th governor on Saturday, taking charge of a state starving for a turnaround after years of economic distress.
Shortly after noon, Snyder took the oath of office from Marilyn Kelly, chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court. During his inaugural speech, the Republican pledged to lead Michigan to a "bright future" in the years ahead.
"We can only achieve extraordinary things if we aspire beyond traditional thinking," he told hundreds of people seated in chairs on the Capitol lawn and hundreds more who stood throughout the nearly two-hour-long ceremony. "The old unbelievable needs to become the new achievable."
Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and her husband, Dan Mulhern, shared the stage with Snyder and his family. So did her predecessor, Republican John Engler, and his wife, Michelle. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, a Democrat, served as master of ceremonies.
Snyder, a Battle Creek native who holds three degrees from the University of Michigan, left the state to work in Chicago and then South Dakota, where he helped run computer maker Gateway Inc. He returned in the 1990s to start two venture capital firms in Ann Arbor, and said it's time to stop worrying about what happened in the past and focus on making Michigan globally competitive.
"Let today be the birth of a new chapter in Michigan's history. Let today be the birth of the era of innovation and the reinvention of Michigan," he said.
His message was reinforced by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, a former state lawmaker who told the audience it was a mistake to think government was going to solve Michigan's woes.
"Our past successes, they came from the minds of Michiganders who had big ideas that changed that world," the Portland Republican said. "We have the people, the innovators, the entrepreneurs to bring about a new era in Michigan."
Michigan Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer said he's still waiting to hear specific ideas from Snyder on how he's going to reinvent the state.
"Snyder has promised 'bold' action over his first six months but no one knows what the means," Brewer said in a statement.
The inauguration took place on a platform built over the Capitol steps facing downtown Lansing.
It featured many of the trappings of earlier inaugurations: stirring music by the Michigan National Guard 126th Army Band, a flyover of four A-10 Thunderbolt II "Warthog" planes from the 127th Air Wing of the Michigan National Guard, a 19-gun cannon salute and an opening and closing prayer.
But the prayer was delivered by Democratic Grand Rapids Mayor George Hartwell, and the Democratic minority leaders of the House and Senate joined the Republican Senate majority leader and House speaker on the platform with Snyder. The new governor has called for more unity and said the state has to get over its partisan and geographical divides.
"It's time to stop fighting among ourselves," he said. "The reinvention of Michigan must not leave anyone behind," he added.
That message appealed to Larry and Alice Mishler, both 73, who came from their home in Wayne County's Plymouth Township to attend their first inauguration.
"I think he'll bring the people together," Alice Mishler said.
The new governor warned that getting Michigan's economy going and its budget balanced could bring pain. The state already faces a general fund deficit starting Oct. 1 of around $1.85 billion, and Snyder wants to lower business taxes to make the state more competitive -- a move that could increase the shortfall.
"There is no magic solution to our problems," he said. "Many have already made sacrifices. Many of us need to join those who have already contributed."
Some audience members said they expect Snyder to bring a new way of thinking about Michigan's problems, and hope a new approach will be just what the struggling state needs.
Debbie Hayes, a 57-year-old retired teacher from Midland, said she considers herself an independent but got involved with Snyder's campaign early on. She said the new governor is "a guy with a heart, very intelligent" who will bring new insights.
Her husband, Mike Hayes, was a state House member in the 1980s and now heads the Midland Center for the Arts. He said he's counting on Snyder to tone down the partisanship that has often left the Capitol gridlocked in recent years.
"I've been around politics since the sixth grade. This is the most excited I've been," Mike Hayes said.
Although he'd never held political office before running for governor, the 52-year-old Snyder beat four GOP rivals during the primary with an upbeat campaign promoting himself as "one tough nerd."
The multimillionaire donated nearly $6 million to his campaign, running as a political outsider who could end the gridlock in Lansing and spur businesses to create more jobs. He easily beat Democratic Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero in the general election.
Snyder noted Saturday that his grandfather, Charles Howell, worked as a janitor at the Capitol during World War II, and said he was pleased he now would be working in the same building. He'll have Republican majorities with in the House and Senate, but the moderate governor could face battles with more-conservative members of his party.
At a reception later Saturday, hundreds of guests stood on the stage of the Wharton Center on the campus of Michigan State University. They dined on items that included products made in the state, such as sliders topped with Michigan cherry barbecue sauce.
A video was shown of Snyder and other state officials from the inauguration. Snyder and Calley made brief comments echoing their earlier remarks, and Calley thanked Snyder for wearing a tie -- something the new governor generally tries to avoid.
The band then began playing the Black Eyed Peas song "I Gotta Feeling" as Republicans celebrated having one of their own back in office.
Also sworn in Saturday were Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Bill Schuette, Supreme Court Justices Robert Young and Mary Beth Kelley and eight Court of Appeals judges re-elected in November.
Kelly also gave the oath of office to members of the State Board of Education and the boards of Wayne State University, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
Published: Tue, Jan 4, 2011
