PENCE POLITICS

Imagine holding a political dinner in Oakland County, bringing in the Vice President of the United States – and then not inviting any leading Republican lawmakers from the county. That’s what occurred on September 27, when Michigan Republican Chairperson Ron Weiser of Ann Arbor planned a little get-together of special donors at the Bloomfield Hills home of Lauren Fisher and husband Philip, the only son of the late businessman and philanthropist Max Fisher who was a close advisor to Republican presidents from Dwight Eisenhower to George W. Bush. Along with Weiser and his wife Eileen, a member of the Michigan Board of Education, breaking bread with Vice President Mike Pence, the Fishers and low-key (but wealthy) donors were Attorney General (and gubernatorial hopeful) Bill Schuette, Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, running for attorney general, and Dr. Rob Steele, a conservative activist and RNC committeeman. “Word is that Ron Weiser is picking winners and losers for who he wants on the ballot next November,” said one disgruntled Republican, who found out about the dinner the following day, at an event at the American Axle plant in Auburn Hills after Pence spent the night at a hotel in Troy.