Daily Archives: August 24, 2014

State Convention Notes

Snyder gets his man…reprise…

Convention

The state GOP elite marshaled its forces over the summer with the intention of protecting the Lt. Governor, and they succeeded. While the voting delegate count remained static, the outcome was reversed in comparison with the 2012 result that replaced Saul Anuzis in a conservative push that nearly unseated State Chair Bobby Schostak. A victory for the incumbent regime, or is it? With Common Core looming, and the the tie breaking vote on the Medicaid Expansion in Calley’s political resume’ , the conservative wing of the party may not be finished yet. There is still the November election.

The nomination of Wes Nakagiri was not just a symbolic gesture on the part of conservatives in the Republican party, it was a message to the established leadership that something has to change, and soon. The party has had four years to absorb the conservative message, and has chosen to reject it on a consistent basis. Rules changes for the nomination process were designed to discourage candidates from entering the political fray, not encourage them, and to further the debate. Nakagiri overcame all of them but in the end, the packing of the delegate convention with establishment types; including Lansing staffers; preserved the big government, “little tent” leadership. The decision, and effort, to exclude the conservative base from the party conversation has never been more obvious.

You Betcha! (24)Nuh Uh.(3)

Sunday Open Thread – After Convention Edition

Good morning. Start the conversation.

The convention is over.

west-jasonAs usual, there is much to talk about as those of us who attend, rest up, decompress, etc.   Snyder got his ‘conservative’ to run with again, the U of M regent race mixed it up a little differently than some might have expected, and there is a renewed impetus to get behind Terri Lynn Land.

A quick summary of my own thoughts

  • Snyder-Calley yuck ticket.  Missed opportunity and a race to watch (shades of Romney; w/6 million sitting on hands) in disappointment.
  • Land moved to top of ticket and should stay away from embracing the homophile agenda or risk losing remaining conservatives.
  • Ruth Johnson is still THIS VOTER’s top of ticket.
  • U of M ticket construct may have made it possible for MiGOP to win Regent races as well as assist in higher ups (reverse coattails)
  • Sakwa Foster Ticket may even do well this time.

I will try to elaborate tonight or tomorrow.

Thoughts?

You Betcha! (11)Nuh Uh.(1)