from M-LIVE coverage (1/1/11)
Richard Dale Snyder, the Ann Arbor business investor who goes by Rick and introduced himself a year ago as "one tough nerd," is now Michigan's 48th governor.
"Thank you for your confidence in making me your next governor. I'm truly honored to be able to serve," he said after taking the oath of office from Michigan Supreme Court Justice Marilyn Kelly on the east steps of the Capitol.
His wife, Sue Snyder, held the Bible. As siblings Jeff and Melissa looked on, daughter Kelsey led the Pledge of Allegiance for an audience of hundreds, assorted dignitaries, office holders and regular folks assembled on the Capitol lawn under blue skies.
Snyder's inauguration speech borrowed many of the same themes that propelled his run for governor. Michigan may be down, but is not out if its residents and political leaders park their differences at the door and agree to explore what he calls common sense solutions to get the state back on track.
"Many of us will have to make sacrifices in the short term to move us all forward in long term," Snyder said. "To move forward we have to include everyone. . . The reinvention of Michigan must not leave anyone behind."
The 52-year-old Republican ran as a moderate pragmatist in a time of increasing partisanship in state government. He asked that residents to view themselves less as inhabitants of a particular region or affiliates of a political party and more as "Michiganders" unified around an optimistic belief that Michigan can do better.
"We have spent too much time fighting among ourselves and have become our own worst enemy," Snyder said. "I have been hired to ... move us all forward together."
Snyder thanked outgoing Gov. Jennifer Granholm for attending Saturday and said he wished to celebrate the projects that began successfully during her term.
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