Michiganders - what kind of Governor was Milliken?

[UrbScotty]

He's 82 today.

He was Governor from 1969 to 1982, the longest-serving governor we've had.

He was a Republican, though.

[ScreamingMeemie]

1. I moved here in '82...but I do know that in 1980 the brewing industry

started to go down the crapper. I'd be interested in knowing a little about him as well. :hi:

[5thGenDemocrat]

2. Bill Milliken was a wonderful governor

He was a Republican only because he came from a Republican family in Traverse City. His father was a State Senator for years and Bill followed in his footsteps just as I hold many of my political stances from being the result of four previous generations of Democrats.
Milliken was a liberal. Not a liberal Republican, a liberal liberal. I am proud to say that I voted for him in both 1974 and 1978, and would have voted for him again had he run. He makes no bones about the fact that the Michigan Republican Party no longer represents many of his most cherished beliefs.
He was a war hero -- a crewman on a B-24 bomber over Germany. In one incident, he was badly wounded in the stomach by a flak burst and, in another, he was forced to bail out (I think over France).
He was, curiously enough, also one of Detroit Mayor Coleman Young's best friends. The two had a true affinity -- though they couldn't have been more different. He was also a very strong environmentalist and is still involved with the cause.
Bill Milliken is truly a good, decent man. I'm proud he was our governor and I hope he lives for many more years and continues to share his views and his love and concern for our great state. I think he was one of our finest governors, ever.
John
Governor Milliken is A-OK in my book. I wish him the happiest of birthdays.

[Faygo Kid]

3. A Republican of compassion, conscience and competence.

We won't see his like again. Bill Milliken was a class act; the Republicans of that era (includes Gerald Ford, of Michigan) could be disagreed with civilly, without having your freedoms threatened. I am 52; I remember Bill Milliken well, and fondly. The GOP today has no place for a class act like Bill Milliken. 82? Geez. Hard to believe. Happy birthday, Bill.

[UrbScotty]

4. My parents thought he was only around 70.

LOL

[MrScorpio]

5. Milliken was one of the best governors Michigan ever had.

Detroit, still a liberal Democrat city in the truest sense, would routinely spilt the ticket for Milliken in the voting booth. Even over Democratic opponents.

We were his political base. Milliken came in office and was instantly a fresh breath or air after the horrid Romney administration. He was instrummental in soothing racial relations even in the face of white flight.

Unfortunately, his departure from office coincided with the rise of Reagan and the Taliban Wing of the Republican party, who cleansed their ranks of decent men like Milliken.

Milliken was a really great guy, a truly good man.