Michigan Attorney General Talks Public Safety, Mitt Romney and Kid Rock in Royal Oak Visit

Anyone who is familiar with Bill Schuette knows Michigan’s Attorney General has worn a lot of hats–congressman, state senator and judge.

Thanks to his role as Mitt Romney's Michigan campaign co-chairman, there is one more title you can add to his resume: Kid Rock's presenter.

The father of a college sophomore and high school senior jokes that introducing the Detroit rocker at Romney rallies, including one at the Royal Oak Music Theatre in February, might just be the job that earns him the most respect from his kids.

“I get to introduce Mitt Romney, Ann Romney and yes, Kid Rock. And that is pretty cool,” Schuette said.

On Tuesday morning, the Midland native spent time at Leo’s Coney Island on Main Street, talking to local media about his career, public safety and his friend Carlo Ginotti, a candidate for 44th District Court judge.

Here are some of the things Schuette had to say.

On Mitt Romney:

“We don’t need four more years of America not working and policies that have led to 48 months of unemployment rates above 8 percent,” Schuette said. “This election is about deciding what you want your future to look like. Do you want more paychecks or more food stamps?”

Describing Obama’s presidency as lackluster, the attorney general said he does agree with the president on one thing: The contrast between the candidates couldn’t be clearer. Schuette has supported Romney since June 2011.

On Carlo Ginotti:

The AG was the guest of honor at a Tuesday afternoon fundraiser at the Emagine Royal Oak for Ginotti, who works for Schuette as an Assistant Attorney General.

When describing the judicial candidate, Schuette used a long list of adjectives: skilled, hard working, honest, no-nonsense and funny—yes, funny.

“Carlo is the kind of guy you want to hangout with and have a beer,” Schuette said. “He’s a good guy, but he’s also mature, smart and fair. He’ll make a splendid judge for Royal Oak.”

The attorney general said he was delighted to be in Royal Oak to help Ginotti raise money.

On public safety:

The job of the attorney general is to enforce the law and protect the constitution, Schuette said. 

“As a father of two, I am concerned for the safety of Michigan families,” Schuette said. “And, as a dad, I have done my share of solving math problems.”

The math is simple when it comes to public safety, he said. More cops on the streets plus tougher laws equals a safer Michigan, he said.

When asked to comment on Royal Oak’s public safety millage, Schuette said he believes it’s important for locals to make their own decision.

“But I can tell you this, we cannot have a competitive economy in Michigan without strong public safety,” he said. “There needs to be a complete public safety commitment. We cannot attract new business if there are not safe streets. People are going to have to decide what they want.”

Schuette is proud of legislation passed in August that requires a mandatory minimum 25-year sentence for certain repeat criminals who have committed four felonies.  

“I have a keen interest in protecting our communities,” he said. 

On L. Brooks Patterson:

“I saw Brooks when he was in the hospital,” Schuette said. While acknowledging the Aug. 10 crash left the Oakland County Executive in rough shape, he described Patterson as lucid, funny, sharp and “on the job.”

“He’s a great guy, and he’ll be re-elected.”

On his current job:

“The toughest part of my job is there are not enough hours in the day,” Schuette said.

He described his days as a legal smorgasbord. Like the dinner rolls and a tossed salad at a buffet, there are always a few issues that he knows will be on his plate, he said, but there are never two days that are the same and he likes that.

“Our goal is to be the best AG office in America,” Schuette said. “We want to be the solution. It’s easy to say ‘no.’ We want to get to ‘yes.’”