James Johnston "Jim" Blanchard was born August 8, 1942.  He is a politician from the state of Michigan.  Blanchard served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975-1983), and as the 45th Governor of Michigan for two successive terms (1983-1991).  He received a B.A. (1964) and an M.B.A. (1965) from Michigan State University.  He received a J.D. from the University Of Minnesota Law School in 1968.  He practiced law in Lansing and served as legal advisor to the Michigan Secretary of State (1968-1969). Blanchard was Assistant Attorney General of Michigan (1969-1974) administrative assistant to the attorney general (1970-1971) and assistant deputy attorney general (1971-1972). President Bill Clinton appointed him Ambassador to Canada, (1993 - 1996).  He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Law and Politics at the University Of Minnesota Law School.  Oakland University awarded Blanchard an honorary degree, doctor of laws, in 1984.