Both sides learned a lot, and the state party and it's citizens should prosper as a result of it.

Once again, we all have reaped the fruits of competition. Had it not been for Courser entering the race- despite his late arrival, Mr. Schostak would've completed his term unopposed with little incentive to offer a plan to improve his record in the upcoming elections.

But he did, and now that he has, he will be held accountable to his supporters and detractors.

When it was clear that he had won, many supporters swooped in on us demanding that Todd immediately make a concession speech and ask for a declaration of a unanimous vote for Schostak- in an attempt at showing "party unity". We weren't having it, and thankfully, Todd and Cindy Gamrat held their ground.

The Courser campaign represented principled Conservatives from across the state, and the slim margin of victory clearly illustrated widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, the lack of adherence to basic, longstanding principles, and a strong and resounding call for a change in course.

A distinct heavy-handedness was exhibited by many members of the party during those tumultuous minutes, and it was met with resolute resistance to sweeping the ills of the party under the rug.

A request was made to speak with Lt. Governor Brian Calley about the results, and it was met with disdain and an assurance that only a concession and call for a unanimous vote would have our wishes honored.

Eventually, Brian did agree to meet with us after it was disclosed that we would leave the building soon if our concerns were not addressed quickly and openly.

And because of this, there's a very good chance that the party can indeed heal, appeal to a considerably larger swathe of it's base, and get on with the task of re-electing the GOP members of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branch of our state government.

During our discussion with Mr. Calley, he readily admitted that the Conservative grass roots have been mistreated, that changes need to be made, and that they will be made. Without prompting, he acknowledged that the state party can not win any elections without the principled Conservative grass roots being supportive and engaged.

He asked that the grass roots leaders help in making this happen, and I will certainly try- as long as I'm not required to violate my principles or ask others of similar mind to do so either.

In response to his request, it was made very clear regardless of what any of us says, the Conservative base of the party will always act and vote their consciences. They believe that increasing taxes while fiscally irresponsible programs remain in place is a recipe for apathy at the polls. We all feel that expanding Medicaid eligibility is a guarantee that we'll once again be holding the bag on a program with $2 Billion in debt like we did with Granholm- who paid it off with stimulus dollars. And once again trying to ram a health insurance exchange down our throats will not only incur the wrath of tens of thousands of Conservatives upon passage, it will certainly inspire them to go fishing during the lead up to next year's elections.

Mr. Calley was not happy to face this reality, but he is smart enough to know that this isn't personal, this is simply a factual explanation of how a very large part of the party actually feels. It should also be noted that holding the line on taxes, government bloat, and inefficient policies and programs is not just held near and dear to the hearts of principled Conservatives, but by all members of the MRP, as well as thousands of independents and fiscal Conservative Democrats as well.

In closing, our differences in the party were finally brought out in the open and addressed in a full frontal assault. No longer can they be denied or downplayed. This can be both healthy and healing- if handled properly.