The problem is that people are fed up. Big spenders are big spenders. Tax hikers are tax hikers. As has been pointed out numerous times on this site, we have a wall of shame for Dems, but none for Republicans; yet, they are just as culpable.

When people look at economics and see that they lose with either party, they start looking at where they can win - at least in their estimation. The GOP has their set of "Welfare Queens," (e.g., Chrysler and AIG), and the common folks are sick of it. They want some of that $700B for themselves (wrongly of course but it's true).

True free market advocates would have a leg to stand on in this election - but you cannot, like John McCain, vote for big business giveaways, and then criticize "the other guy" for his socialism. Corporatism ain't much better - and in most folks eyes, it's even worse.

WE know that giving tax breaks to large corporations is a good thing. Joe Six-Pack doesn't. He looks at it from a corporate welfare standpoint. He wants to know why he has to pay so much for health care, why he can't get insurance. He wants to know why he has to struggle to make ends meet, as wages drop and prices rise, while bankers and corporate execs go on vacations on the government dollar.

The GOP needs to do two things: 1) educate the masses in basic economics (anyone remember Ross Perot?), and 2) get back to free market, constitutionally limited government. Joe Six-Pack needs to know that cutting the corporate rate will bring jobs back to America, rather than leaving them in Ireland or Australia. He needs to know that low interest rates/easy credit cause inflation, and artificially drive up housing prices. He must be educated in the fact that government mandates drive up the cost of health care, and make it prohibitely expensive.

Most of the GOP office holders don't know squat about economics. Watch McCain try to explain one of his economic policies. He doesn't know. He has a position because an "economic advisor" gave him one, but he is not able to articulate it, or debate it. I would have wiped the floor with Obama - with half my brain tied behind my back. McCain? Not so much.

It's sad, but America is on the verge of becoming a Third World country - one that can be easily taken over by Radical Islamists, or, perhaps worse yet, Radical Environmentalists, hell-bent on making us a truly socialist country.

Or whatever.

But again, according to well-placed, knowledgeable, and elected sources, several state GOP House seats will be lost to the Dems on Tuesday.  I don't think the act of reporting that equals spreading doom & gloom.

And yes, when one's Party takes that kind of hit after passing up a golden opportunity to make substantial gains, I do vote for replacing the current state GOP power structure.

Might we lose fewer seats? Perhaps.  But I still think the time has come to shake things up on the state Party level and bring in new blood that knows how to win elections.

DCuz
www.RightCuz.com

"The Democratic Party that has been in charge in Michigan for the past 6 years..."

Just curious... Who are Governor Granholm's "thugs" in the State House of Reps?  Republicans controlled the State House from Jan. 1999-Jan. 2007.  How could Democrats have been "in charge" in Michigan over the past 6 years when the Republicans controlled the State House and State Senate during Granholm's first term (2003-2007) ?

Democrats at all levels haven't made any changes, let alone the governatrix herself.

Boo-hoo, we're going to lose 6-7 state house seats.  It's over and the voters haven't even cast their votes.  Before it gets to the voters, it starts with each and every one of us.  

Are you a Republican precinct delegate?  If not, sign up.  Call your local county GOP office.

If you are a Republican precinct delegate, have you walked your neighborhood?  Do you have a voter list?  Have you talked to your County Chair about getting active?  This starts with each and every one of us.  

It's excellent to get pissed off.  People were pissed off 2 years ago when DeVos lost.  They didn't think "the voters" were that stupid.  They swore they'd get involved.  And they fizzled out.

I never voted third party. I joined the Libertarian Party, which last time I checked didn't require me to vote third party "or whatever."

I sure as hell don't give a rip about being "bullied" into voting McCain. I'm voting for Mac for the same reason I voted for Bush - the alternative sucks. Barr was a poor choice for Libertarian candidate.

I still maintain that if enough people would stop sticking their heads up the "blue-bloods" Republicans collective rear ends and actually vote for truly free-market fiscal conservatives, who will not only cut taxes but spending as well (I would use the word "slash" here, but I'm afraid Mr. Galt [sic] would begin ranting again about how he doesn't want to hurt poor people or some such nonsense).

Truth of the matter is that McCain with a Democrat Congress will most likely do nothing of what he says his policies are. There's only one thing better than implementing good free market conservative policies; and that's to do nothing. So, even if McCain's presidency was an accomplish-nothing administration, we'd be better off than under Obama's "change" administration.

Glad to see it.

I like the sound of "The Conservative Party".

Or maybe, "American Tories".

Or how about "The Reagan Party"?

Just a thought.

DCuz
www.RightCuz.com

I don't know what you're egging on here or why you feel personally hurt, but you need to calm down and focus.  I'm certainly not your enemy (and never have been).  You keep attributing things to me I've never said, done, or advocated.  

Coffee sounds good - beer sounds better. No fists, I promise.

First, ask other GOP folk in you hood' to come to County GOP functions (picnics, plank meetings, dinners, committee meetings).  Find out why they are GOP? See how they can help out and ask for their help.

Second, all PD's are 100% active during the last 72 hours of any race.  Going door to door, making calls, calling volunteers, delivering yardsigns.  This is criticls in GOTV activities and this is how most races are truely won.

Third, on election day, PD's work the polls all day 7am - 8pm.  Each polling location should be covered in your precinct.  PD's become the face of the GOP - meet and greet voters and pass out GOP voter guides.  Smile, shake a hand, Thank each voter for voting.  They will remember you.

I have worked the polls in Michigan for 10 years now and just smiling and giving out a voter guide does have a great effect on some of those "undecideds" - believe it - some folks walk up to the polls not sure of who to pick until the ballot is thrust upon them.  Many really don't know who to support in down ticket, proposals and non-partison sections.

How true!

Every campaign could have run against Granholm this year - (ala the dems crushing Bush in 2006).  But no.  MIGOP was Silence. (insert crickets chirping here).

Ammo all around us . . .

Dillion was recalled - MI Citizens were outraged - WSJ even gushed against Granholm.   Pocket book issues abound.  Just think of pictures of little Bobby and Susie with Mom and "all their belongings" pictured in front of their foreclosed house.  Think of Beer can Jack, holding his hardhat, standing outside his closed factory, a "Moved to Indiana" sign on the 6 foot chain link fence.  Photos of lines infront of the unemployment office, Uhaul trucks (with Michigan plates) passing the "Welcome to Illinois" sign.  
And Granholm Blowing us away.

After the Dems forced the 1.5 Billion tax increase.  Granholm walks freely amoungst us with an economy in complete collapse.

Saul blew it.  

And most of us will also be doing what we can to get like-minded folks to the polls as well.

Letting the folks blow off a little well-earned steam will not be the reason we lose - if we do lose.  Most of us are extremely frustrated by what we see as incompetence or intimidation in our Party leadership.  Any self-respecting Republican who's been politically plugged-in over the past 10 months is at his wit's end at this point.

The folks who comment here clearly care a great deal about their country, state, and local community.  They wouldn't be commenting here if they didn't.

So please do not assume because we're pissed off that that means we're throwing in the towel.

To the contrary.  We're the folks who will successfully re-build the conservative Republican brand.

DCuz
www.RightCuz.com

But organizations such as the MI GOP are there for a specific reason: To recruit viable candidates, to develop a strong, persuasive argument, to excite and encourage their base to contribute and volunteer, and to conceive and execute an aggressive campaign to sell our message/ideas to the voters and get them to the polls.

Did you know that Saul and the executive committee is voted on?  By Precinct Delegates who go to County and State Conventions?

There are organizations on all levels - local GOP clubs, county GOP Parties, congressional district parties, and the state party?  Each of these groups have a say and can help out?

Criticizing an organization is certainly your right - but you too can work to recruit viable candidates.  You, too, can work to help get them elected.  And you can participate in the governance of the party.

There was fear earlier this year that Ron Paul supporters were going to "take over" the local organizations.  They were outnumbered, but there was an organized effort.  I think you can be smarter about it - and effect real change.  That's what many of us are trying to do.

But it all begins with us.  We can blame some faceless "giant organization", or we can become one of the many thousands of individuals that make up that organization.

I haven't. And I am supporting McCain. Don't worry, I'll take enough crap from the Paul camp for that - but I'm doing it anyway. Better 77% McCain) than 10% (Obama).

I would say though that Saul frequents this site. So, our participation in this site is a participation in the state party. If our comments here did not amount to political participation, then we would have to conclude that think tanks like Heritage Institute and American Enterprise Institute are not political either. Cato and Reason would be ruled out for those of us of a more libertarian bent.

So, let's not minimize our influence here, and on other blogs. That blogroll of Nick's is impressive. I think the state GOP is listening/reading.