Political News and Commentary with the Right Perspective. NAVIGATION
  • Front Page
  • News
  • Multimedia
  • Tags
  • RSS Feed


  • Advertise on RightMichigan.com


    NEWS TIPS!

    Get the RightMighigan.com toolbar!


    RightMichigan.com

    Buzz

    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    Bobby Schostak: Grassroots Are Stupid


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 12:03:22 PM EST
    Tags: "DELE-GATE", Bobby Schostak, Corruption, Michigan, Republicans, Credentials, Spin, Tea Party, Grassroots, Base (all tags)

    Michigan GOP Chair Bobby Schostak ain't Obi Wan Kenobi.

    "There is no trouble" and "The ones you seek aren't here" and all the jedi mind trick posturing that Bobby will try, doesn't change the fact that the MiGOP betrayed the trust of Michigan Republicans. The treachery so obvious, that the credentials committee, occupied primarily by a single candidate supporting crew, couldn't even get a unanimous vote in its decision to cheat.

    So when those of us (who support honest dealings) see from people supposedly representing our values, an attempt to subvert political process, we bristle. And then we speak out.

    This is NOT Chicago. And we are NOT the Democrat party.

    However, given the RINO Power mentality which runs the Michigan Republican party it might just as well be.

    And doubling down below the fold, Bobby Schostak does the "suck it up sunshine" routine, attempting to make OUR efforts at transparency appear divisive.

    Jack Hoogendyk apparently has been asked to use his influence in the Tea Groups to get out some more spin from Republican leadership.  On his Core Principles website, he has published en toto, Schostak's [non]Apology, and call to "just get along", and of course to ignore the chattering naybobs such as those found in pages such as this.  He writes:

    Special Message From Bobby Schostak
    Dear Republican Party activist, tea party organizations, 9-12 groups and all conservatives across Michigan:

    As most of you know, I care deeply about the "family" of activists I address in this letter.

    Which is why he and others in the GOP stuck up for Bill cooper in 2010, after our "family" carried their asses over the finish line with jet packs strapped on.

    Oh wait..  right.

    I ran for this position so that together we would bond ourselves to the basic core values we all believe in so deeply as our purpose for existing. Specifically, conservative policies are pursued by our party with accountability and fairness and that I would be a chairman that would engage the grassroots, making them, (all of us), the priority, and serve in an open and honest way throughout my tenure.

    Cough cough.. sorry, I threw up a little in my mouth.

    It is with this as a backdrop that I address you today.

    There has been a lot of heated discussion about decisions made by the credentials committee, (which I sit on), regarding the awarding of the at-large delegates.

    Since the presidential primary election last Tuesday, I've spent hours speaking and emailing with hundreds of Republican grassroots activists throughout the state regarding the decision by the credentials committee. I thank all of you for your time, candidness and most of all, the overwhelming support - not only toward me, but more importantly for your support of the Michigan Republican Party.

    Its called CYA.  Calling and rallying support, because you KNOW you will need every pillar of virtue you can fool  to support the corrupt act you and 3 others perpetrated on the process on a particularly dark Wednesday evening.  They were being polite.

    As some of you may know, due to a request by one of the presidential campaigns, the process and dispute over a single delegate may be reviewed by the Republican National Committee and/or the Committee on Contests. Rest assured, whatever decision the Republican National Committee or the Committee on Contest chooses to make, we will not appeal, we will accept it.

    And as some of you may ALSO know, that will happen LONG after the intended effect of this CHANGE has already come about.  It is also past the usual short term memory capability of those who might be a little suspicious, yet not yet motivated to put the pressure on.  Make it look like an answer and pretend the honorable road is being taken.

    However, that does not address how this issue came about and more importantly ensuring that in the future, this issue never reoccurs.

    When I ran for chairman, I promised that when I leave the chairmanship, the party will be stronger than it was before my tenure. My observation is that this entire dust-up could have been largely avoided if the decisions made by the credentials committee were communicated more clearly and timely to the state committee.


    I don't even know where to begin.

    It couldn't have been communicated more clearly.  It was SO CLEAR that Bobby Schostak himself laid out the process to national media.  After the memo explaining the process was already on its way to the RNC.  And even after THAT, it was clear enough, that the RNC published the process on its communications page February 28th, the day of the primary.

    The rules were posted, followed, then changed.  Ipso Facto, the cheat.

    How much clearer must it be?

    Therefore at the next Michigan Republican State Committee meeting, I propose a resolution be adopted to improve the communication between the credentials committee and state committee.

    All decisions by the credentials committee should be brought to the attention of the all state committee members within 24 hours of any vote.

    I am also proposing that a special committee be comprised of each district chair, to make any further suggestions to avoid these mistakes in the future. This special committee will provide its list of suggested changes no later than July (next stand alone state committee meeting).

    Because we all know that the passion for truth is willingly satiated until summertime.  A new committee! An opportunity to fix this problem in July!  Whoo hooo!!  

    Is this guy on fire or what???!!!

    These changes are meant to augment the important decisions of the credentials committee and are by no means intended to disrespect the existing credentials committee and its members. I know we all have the greatest respect for its current members, and while there were some disagreements, I know they all acted in good faith and no one questions their integrity or honesty.

    No one?

    Oh yeah that's right.  This "family" you are trying to reach is completely on board and approves of middle of the night changes.  We believe that secret meetings, where changes are enacted to "correct" an error of understanding (by EVERYONE) after the election is something people with integrity do.  Such "good faith activities" are expected, so of course we support it.

    Is he insane?

    As one of the reporters I have spoken to recently opined "this really doesn't pass the smell test."

    Ya think?

    Furthermore, there has been a lot of talk about "assigning blame," and though there were errors, I have and will continue to refrain from looking to blame any person or persons and as the chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, whether it is fair or not, take responsibility for any errors in communications, process or execution of the decisions that were made by the credentials committee.

    I appointed the members, hence the responsibility for running a good committee falls on me and not the individuals on the committee. I take the responsibility for the miscommunication on this issue.

    So fall on your sword.  You have had your chance.  You have now made a bigger mess of this thing by covering for Saul, and now you are taking blame for a serious screw up.  

    Take it like a man.



    I feel, I also must address comments of mine that have been reported by the press and used by certain individuals to undermine the Republican Party. Personally, I did not communicate the intent of the credentials committee clearly. I continually reiterated that Michigan's primary allowed any candidate to compete with the chance to win delegates. However, I answered off the cuff quickly and misspoke.

    I cannot take back or change those words and I won't start or try to split hairs over my choice of words or offer any excuse. I misspoke and was reminded the hard way the importance of being careful while addressing the media.


    "I Misspoke" paraphrased.  The greatest get-out-of-jail-free card ever.

    When one wishes to absolve self of responsibility, and pretend the truth isn't the truth, he must rewrite his personal history in some way.  If that person cannot un-ring a bell, it is an imperative to redefine what was really said.

    Classic "It depends what 'is' is."

    And as far as undermining the Republican party? You need no help there.  This is the most tragic occurrence in my memory with regard to Michigan politics.  I have been busting my ASS trying to save this party.  I have fought tooth and nail for the clarity of purpose to strengthen the party.  There are folks on this site who have, in well articulated ways demonstrated the moral high ground one would find in Republican politics, as compared to the Democrats who would fake a political party to confuse voters.

    And in a dead of night phone call, four in leadership toss that distinction away, but using their authority to circumvent a legitimate result of a presidential primary.

    Shame on Bobby Schostak for attempting to blame the passengers in the back seat for running this car into a tree.

    I have and will do my 100% honest best to serve as your chairman. I apologize for my error because I am truly honored to serve as your chairman, but I will not apologize to those who seek to use any mistakes in this situation to fracture our party or to discredit my intentions.

    Sadly, there are folks trying to use our intra-party dispute for personal gain. That is wrong. It is disrespectful to all of you, to the presidential campaigns, to those in our party who deeply care about our values, and worse yet in the end it will only serve to assist our opponents in November.

    And let me be clear.  There is no gain for me.  I have damn near destroyed my business in pursuit of the truth.  I have strained my family relations so that I might better spread the word of responsive politics.  I have even gotten the prerequisite lobotomy, and sought public office under the Republican Banner to bring respect back to it, and it was Chetly Zarko (RIP) and my own efforts that may have SAVED the Michigan Republican party in 2010.

    And it all came at a cost.

    Perhaps it is NOW you are mis speaking?  Know who the friends have been.

    There is a lot at stake this year. The progress made by our Republican leadership in Lansing is up for grabs including our Republican led state house, the rule of law majority on the supreme court, congressional seats across Michigan, a U.S. Senate seat and of course, the control of the White House.

    This issue is deeply important to me and I hope to continue to speak with members of our grassroots about other ideas in order to never allow this to happen again, however, I will also not allow those who seek to disrupt our party to be successful. While continuing to discuss this issue with members of the grassroots, I will continue to work hard each and every day to advance our cause, spread our message, raise the necessary financial resources and defeat President Obama's radical agenda.


    If you want to stop the disruption, don't look at those of us who are the conscience of the party.  You need to look instead to those elements that continue to poison the party with backroom dealings, and manipulation.  Your words reach out to assure grassroots that you want to do what is right, yet you refuse to acknowledge the problem is in your own clique.

    As always, do not hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns.

    I look forward to working with you, shoulder-to-shoulder, as we fight on to November.
    Thank you and God bless,

    Bobby Schostak

    Indeed God Bless.  We will need all the help we can get.

    < Explain To Us Again Why Detroit Doesn't Already Have a EFM | Any Which Way The Wind Blows ...or Doesn't >


    Share This: Digg! StumbleUpon del.icio.us reddit reddit


    Display: Sort:
    Onay Itewashwhay (none / 0) (#1)
    by Corinthian Scales on Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 12:51:00 PM EST

    Ya, ya, ya, suuuuuure Baghdad Bobby Schostak, America has heard your nonsense before.  As like before, the results should be the same.

    "I have this crazy idea that you follow the rules," said former Attorney General Mike Cox after a 4-2 vote by a Michigan GOP credentialing committee, according to the AP. "I'd love to give the at-large delegates to Mitt Romney, but our rules provide for strict apportionment."

    Go fly a kite, Baghdad Bobby.

    U.S. attorney Barbara McQuade better start digging a little deeper in the corruption rabbit hole for...

    Indeed.

    Looks like the only "saving grace" (none / 0) (#2)
    by Bruce on Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 01:36:58 PM EST
    is that the damage was minimized by another tactical error:

    http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2012/02/mitt-romney-michigan-delegates-rick- santorum-/1#.T1eqcc1SSfo

    If you can call it a "saving grace...."

    Eeeeesh (none / 0) (#3)
    by Corinthian Scales on Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 02:55:36 PM EST
    Money can't buy you love, Baghdad Bobby Schostak.

    Not a Scarborough fan at all, but who'd ever thought we would be sitting here today, after all the 2010 momentum, with now looking at a potential Republican loss in 2012?

    I sure as hell never imagined it.

    Discredit? Assure Bobby he will get credit 4 his (none / 0) (#4)
    by maidintheus on Wed Mar 07, 2012 at 08:40:21 PM EST
    actions. His decisions will be fully accredited back to himself.

    Michigan Republicans are the majority in both houses yet, bills important to citizens are held up while "they" play politics. This is more playing, lacking regard for the citizens.

    There are people here at rightmichigan.com who have proven their trust worthiness to "us." For me personally, there are those who are willing to self correct, as well. Trust and self correction is sorely missing in this "dele-gate" situation. History examples that a cover up is often worse then the problem.

    Please, Bobby, do the next 'right' thing and quit dressing down the "troops."    

    More proof (none / 0) (#5)
    by LookingforReagan on Thu Mar 08, 2012 at 10:06:58 AM EST
    That as far as we Conservatives are concerned it is time to go. Leave these dolts to their own devices. They can't win without us and we can do better on our own. Soon the RINO party will be but a dim distant memory.

    Friday night "honor" for y'all (none / 0) (#7)
    by Corinthian Scales on Wed Feb 20, 2013 at 11:47:44 AM EST
    https://twitter.com/BobSchostak/status/303957766765154306

    Somebody please take photos/video of the putzes in the "grassroots" who actually show to kiss Baghdad Bobby's ass.

    Their names, and faces should be documented.

    • Good bump. by JGillman, 02/20/2013 12:12:51 PM EST (none / 0)
    Display: Sort:

    Login

    Make a new account

    Username:
    Password:
    Tweet along with RightMichigan by
    following us on Twitter HERE!
    create account | faq | search