Where Are You Running?
The official announcement by James Craig of his candidacy for Governor was surrounded by controversy. Craig was unable to deliver his scheduled speech on Belle Isle as more protestors than supporters gathered to shout him down. He managed to say he was running for governor before he ran off to the more secure Icon Building to meet with reporters and formally declare his intentions. By all accounts the speech and interaction with reporters was less interesting than the colorful denouncements of Craig on Belle Isle.
While some commentators are suggesting that in the long run the controversy will not mean much, it is important to remember that candidates strategically select the places where they will make important statements. Candidates select places and dates as a way to signal their historical perspectives, allegiances, and future hopes.
For example, in 1980 Ronald Regan chose the Neshoba County Fair in Mississippi to define his effort to restore power to the states while diminishing the federal government. The site was near the town where three civil rights workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner had been brutally murdered in 1964. Similarly, Donald Trump chose to stage his first public rally of the last campaign on Juneteenth in Tulsa, the site of some of the most brutal anti-black, racist violence in US history. Both events were widely understood to symbolize the willingness of these men to embrace racism and violence.
It is fair to ask, then, what are the symbolic dimensions surrounding James Craig’s staging of his announcement to run for governor? The announcement on Belle Isle was the latest in a series of “announcements” of his candidacy. Nearly two months earlier, Craig announced in a Fox News interview with right wing host Tucker Carlson, “I’m running.” After the Belle Isle debacle, he returned to Carlson’s show. This time to denounce the demonstrators and allege the governor and state police were conspiring against him. Craig accused the demonstrators of being paid to show up and described their behavior as “childish, counter-productive and selfish actions'' that would ultimately inspire “a groundswell of support from families concerned about public safety to join our campaign and hold Gov. (Gretchen) Whitmer accountable.”
These statements reveal much to worry about concerning Craig’s leadership. His disdain for the foundation elements of democracy is clear. He has persistently and consistently denounced public demonstrations that challenge his view of the world. Calling activists against police brutality “leftists,”” Marxists,” “paid radicals,” “out of towners,” “conspirators,” and “violent,” has been standard fare for Craig. Rather than acknowledging the legitimate concerns being raised by people about police conduct, Craig has used his office and public voice to attack people legally and peacefully exercising their right to voice their ideas. His response to those who gathered on Belle Isle is no different.
He has also chosen to avoid local media in favor of Fox News talk shows that laud his ideas. He does not seem willing to engage in serious discussion with the press about what he thinks, what his plans are, or where he would like to take the state. Instead he is trotting out worn and dangerous republican talking points, evading serious questions about where he stands on such controversial issues as the handling of health emergencies and the attack on the Capitol.
James Craig could not stand in a public space for ten minutes. He ran to the protection of private developers, in a space removed from public access, to claim his desire to lead the state. He was unable to answer serious questions. He blamed others for his failures to organize. Craig’s run from Belle Isle tells us a great deal about what is behind his bid for governorship.