Part One of a Two Part Series
Pastor Glenn Plummer, a household name in the faith community, next Monday will announce his run for Congress in the 13th District, currently represented by Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. But first Plummer sat down with Michigan Chronicle senior editor Bankole Thompson for an exclusive interview focused on the issues he plans to tackle head-on if elected. In the marathon interview Plummer denies that he is a member of the Republican Party. Though he keynoted the Republican National Convention in 2004 in New York, Plummer said he is a card-carrying member of the Democratic Party laying out the principles that make him a Democrat.
Among other issues, Plummer said he is concerned about division along racial lines in Southeast Michigan. Excerpts from that interview follow.
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE: Why did you decide now to run for Congress?
GLENN PLUMMER: Actually it’s been about a little more than a year process. It really began for me more formally at the end of 2008 and it was not until 2009 that I really seriously consider forming an exploratory committee. But in 2008, as you recall, this city was really just beginning to go into unreal dire spin politically. So I really believe that I have some real answers. I think we have some fresh ideas. I personally have loved this city for a long time.
MC: You are running for a congressional seat, not for city council. How can the problems of Detroit that emerge from city hall be equated with congressional representation?
GP: Well, 2008 wasn’t just a shift in city council. We had a new president so there was a shift nationally. So the issue for me was not Detroit only. First of all let me back off and let you know that I really see Detroit larger than the city itself. I see Detroit as really the greater Detroit area. I was born in Brooklyn, New York. Then I’ve lived in a number of different places. Detroit is probably the only major city in America that is polarized as it is in three areas: the area of east and west, we have a suburb/city mentality where the lines are clearly and we have a Black/ White metality. Of all cities in America that have 100,000 population and more, Livonia is the most White city in America. Warren is number three. My point is we have racial polarization. My issue is Detroit is bigger than that and we have to somehow find a way above the divide and see our city as a regional area.
MC: Then wouldn’t it better if you ran for city council instead of congress?
GP: City council of what?
MC: The Detroit City Council.
GP: No. Why?
MC: Because you are talking about regional ism and running for congress.
GP: The 13th Congressional District is made up of 11 cities and Detroit is one of them. So we’ve got to embrace a larger perspective. It’s not just the city council.
MC: Are you running because incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick is seemingly vulnerable given what has happened in the last two years?
GP: No I think that is one of a multitude of reasons. The community is looking for a change. It is not a motivation on my part to come against Kilpatrick. In fact, it is my very strong belief that Ms. Kilpatrick will not be in the race.
MC: Why are you saying that?
GP: Let me finish. I actually think that when this primary is completed in August she would not have been in it. And if she does get in it she would not remain in it. So my motivation is not against Kilpatrick. I come from the perspective that I don’t even belief that she is even going to be in the race. She hasn’t filed and she has a variety of other challenges that she is going through right now. So I don’t even think she’s going to be in the race. So the issue is not Kilpatrick. During our exploratory phase I personally talked to a lot of people. I’ve gotten a very consistent response. Young and old, Black and White, have said she really needs to go. There have been polls that more formalize that.
MC: One would say that’s because of the era of anti-incumbency in Washington.
GP: Let me add one more thing to that. The Kilpatrick family saga is not a former mayoral saga. It is actually the Kilpatrick family saga. So it’s not just an anti-incumbent. So her problems are multiplying.
MC: Where do you stand on the current health care legislation that passed in Congress?
GP: I think that’s a good thing.
MC: You support it?
GP: I do.
MC: You’ve always been a registered Democrat?
GP: Let me say it this way. The bigger question is, “Aren’t you a Republican?”
MC: No I’ll come to that. I’m asking you. Are you a registered Democrat?
GP: When you say registered Democrat, define that?
MC: Have you always been a Democrat because you are going to be running in a Democratic district?
GP: I don’t know how….let me define it this way. I am a Democrat. I joined the party. I pay the dues. Now to some people that say they are Democrats, they don’t pay the dues and are not part of the party. There are other people that say they are Democrats, pay the dues and vote as an independent. Since I started voting — I will be 55 next week — I voted for Democrats. I voted for President Obama, I voted for President Clinton. During the Bush time there was a shift in my thinking. First as a pastor and as a Christian. And I was really challenged with some real social issues. But there have been times where I voted for both Democrats and Republicans.
MC: So you voted for both Presidents George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush?
GP: Well no I didn’t vote for the first Bush.
MC: But you voted for the son?
GP: I did the second time.
MC: Your critics say you are active in the Republican Party and you introduced President George W. Bush when he was here for a meeting.
GP: No. I introduced him in Nashville, Tennessee. He came to the convention that I chaired, the National Religious Broadcasters. I was both the chairman and CEO of all the religious broadcasters in America (Black and White). He came to the convention and I introduced him there. Here I was with a group of Black pastors that he met with very briefly but that really wasn’t public.
MC: Was that part of the Black ministers group that met with him at the White House about the notion of Contract with Black America?
GP: strong>No, I wasn’t part of that. I wasn’t part of a formal group. This was just local pastors in Detroit. He came to the Hyatt Regency. That was the length and breadth of that relationship.
MC: So your activeness with the Republican Party has been with both Bush administrations?
GP: No, not both. I wasn’t actively involved with the administration. I don’t think that would be a good characterization.
MC: No, I’m saying with the Republican Party.
GP: No. As a matter of fact, let me help you with that. You asked because you really want to know?
MC: Yes, I want to know. Our readers want to know all about you. Is there a stigma to be associated with the Republican Party (now)?
GP: For an African American, yes. Would you say it is a stigma for Michael Steele to be chair of the Republican Party? I think so. First of all I’m a Democrat for specific reasons. I was never a Republican. So if nothing else, I want you to hear that. A couple of times I was asked. I spoke at the National Republican Convention in New York City.
To be continued in next week’s edition of the Michigan Chronicle.
Second of two parts
Pastor Glenn Plummer, a household name in the faith community, announced on Monday his run for Congress in the 13th Congressional District currently represented by Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick. But first Plummer sat down with Michigan Chronicle senior editor Bankole Thompson for an exclusive interview about the issues he plans to tackle head-on if elected. In the lengthy interview Plummer denies that he is a member of the Republican Party. Though he keynoted the Republican National Convention in 2004 in New York at the invitation of former GOP Congressman J.C. Watts, Plummer said he is a card-carrying member of the Democratic Party, laying out the principles that make him a Democrat. Among other issues Plummer said he is concerned about division along racial lines in Southeast Michigan.
MICHIGAN CHRONICLE: Why would the Republican Party pick you to address their convention if you are not a member of the GOP?
GLENN PLUMMER: Because I had a message to give. Maybe you’ve heard me speak. Have you?
MC: (Laughs) No, I have not.
GP: Let me say this. I have been asked to speak in Israel multiple times. I have spoken at embassies. I do that. When I was asked to speak for the Republicans I was most sensitive because it was in a political context. But it was a prayer breakfast. It was Pastor Plummer they asked to speak. And I was introduced as Pastor Plummer.
MC: Your company owes $500,000 in taxes to the IRS. Will you pay that money as you are edging to Congress?
GP: I certainly hope so. I’m not sure yet. The IRS has very interestingly said a few things to me. One is we want to help you. I have been talking to them for months and the reason why they filed those leins is to secure their position as I go forward in what my plan has been. So actually they have been helpful. I signed an agreement with a new network for my TV station. I think that will arguably shift my posture as it relates. Our station didn’t go digital. We are going digital this summer. So part of the agreement is that we are building a new digital station. Plus the IRS has offered a significant reduction in payoff If I’m willing to do that.
MC: But don’t you think voters will look at you and say if you are going to be a guardian of the publlic trough, you should be an example?
GP: And I think I have been an example. Let me share with you. Maybe you are aware but I’m not aware of many African Americans who own a television station in any major market. So let me tell you the example that I have been. I’m still on the air 24 hours a day. I’ve employed over the years — I don’t even know the number — but its got to be well over couple of hundred that have been both trained and equipped in this industry. Some are still with me and some have gone into a career path. So it depends on how you would define success. If you define success as someone who doesn’t own money….
MC: No, no. I understand what you are saying about helping a lot of peopple and building a company. I’m talking about public service here. You were involved in the private sector. Here is a candidate who is running for Congress that owes taxes. What does it say?
GP: I think it says that I understand what it feels like to owe money. Everyone doesn’t have that experience. But I will tell you that probably the greatest majority of Americans know what it feels like to owe. I don’t know how many people owe taxes, but there is a certain sensitivity I have for those who do owe and the experience that I’ve gone through in owing those taxes. I am not a person that has great wealth.
MC: So you are not wealthy?
GP: No, I would not define myself as wealthy. That’s a real subjective term.
MC: Wealthy economically?
GP: I don’t think so.
MC: What do you make of the Tea Party movement here in Michigan that is working together with Attorney General Mike Cox to opt out of the health care reform?
GP: Look, first of all the Tea Party is kind of an offshoot, in my opinion, of the Republican Party and those who are in the Republican camp. So its no suprise that there is going to be tactics, strategy to unravel what happened. I don’t think they will be successful.
MC: Was it a wise idea to bail out the auto industry?
GP: If the money is paid back I would say yes.
MC: If you were in Congress would you have supported the bailout of the auto industry?
GP: That’s a great question because really what they were saying was they were bailing out Detroit. And the fact they weren’t bailing out Detroit, that’s my issue. They weren’t saying we are bailing out the automobile industry. They were saying they are bailing out Detroit. What was needed in Congress was leadership defining the fact that you are not bailing out Detroit. You are bailing out the auto industry. But to bail out Detroit means a whole lot more. They didn’t bail out Detroit. Would I have supported it? Probably.