As you hear around every corner at the Detroit Regional Chamber Leadership Policy Conference, it has gotten so big that it has become the annual event for anyone who wants to be a player in Michigan politics. Both may be true. There are more people, more candidates, more events, and more demands on everybody's time than ever before.
Corporations spend thousands of dollars to sponsor events day and night.
The opening night reception, sponsored by Bank One, kept the attendees well-fueled with drinks, mounds of shrimp and sushi. Such events happen at every lunch, dinner and even some breakfasts. Attorney General Jennifer Granholm hosted hundreds of people at the Chippewa Hotel on Friday, an event paid for from her own campaign coffers. And Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard planned to wine and dine anyone who wanted to come to a reception today at the French Outpost Restaurant. Paid for by Flagstar Bank, the party will feature leather-bound cigar clippers made by Coach.