The MiGOP chair once again screwed up an opportunity to mend fences with the conservative base.
Bobby Shostak hoping to catch some of the CPAC love fest action for Michigan Republicans makes this announcement about 86th House District Representative Lisa Posthumus-Lyons who was featured and honored as one of the Conservative Political Action Conference's (CPAC) 10 conservatives under 40. Lyons District is in Kent and Ionia Counties, and serves as the Assistant Majority Floor Leader. :
"Rep. Lyons is a tremendous leader in Michigan and she's a strong advocate of the common sense conservative policies that are resulting in Michigan's comeback."
The release continued:
" Rep. Lyons is recognized as a "Rising Young Conservative Leaders," which relates to CPAC's theme this year, "America's Future: The Next Generation of Conservatives. New Challenges, Timeless Principles."
Timeless principles?
"Timeless principles" must have a meaning I am not familiar with. Perhaps its those progressive principles they call timeless. If this is the next generation of conservative, I'm out. And a note to our MiGOP, the activists you will find below the fold are just a few of those who would disagree with this blind accolade.
Very much so - Continue on below.
A press release issued today in response:
Lansing- March 18, 2013 Tea Party leaders and grassroots activists voiced their response to the March 13, 2013 MIGOP News Release, entitled "Michigan's Rep. Posthumus-Lyons honored at CPAC"
"Apparently the MIGOP believes that a representative (Rep. Lyons) voting to help implement an (Obamacare) Health Insurance Exchange is ' a tremendous leader in Michigan and she's a strong advocate of the common sense conservative policies that are resulting in Michigan's comeback,' as quoted by Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak in an MIGOP News Release. [1] We disagree, voting to implement an Health Insurance Exchange is either Conservative nor a sign of Republican leadership", said Joan Fabiano, founder of the limited government group Grassroots in Michigan.
Fabiano goes on to say, " Unfortunately, there is disconnect between the MIGOP and its grassroots activists. The fact of the matter is that many normally Republican voters of all stripes will be refusing to support or vote for Republican candidates in 2014 that continue to advance policies that limit personal liberty, private rights, promote excessive taxation, and renounce the sanctity of life.
Mark Petzold, founder of River City Patriots of Kent County said, "The majority of the people that took part in the 2010 landslide were focused on Liberty not the GOP. If the GOP is not a source of Liberty the participants will look elsewhere or not participate at all as was the case in 2012."
Jason Gillman, Conservative author said, "Defeating Obamacare was the holy grail of conservatives in 2010. The 'shellacking' the Democrats received nationally was centered around disarming the legislation that would, and is, destroying our healthcare system. Anyone who supports any involvement in Obamacare needs to be replaced, not praised."
Yep. I said that.
The release included a number of names who on short notice wished to be included as opponents of the exchange and those who supported it.
Joan Fabiano Founder Grassroots in Michigan
Mark Petzold founder of River City Patriots of Kent County
Thomas Biggs D.V.M, Manistee Area Tea Party
Jason Gillman, conservative author, RightMichigan.com
Bill Gavette, Lapeer County Tea Party
Vickie Kahle, Oakland County precinct delegate
Monte Blachford, Newaygo County activist
Donald Eckland, Co Chair Mid Michigan Patriots Croton Twp Delegate) precinct delegate
Andrea Blachford, Newaygo County Precinct Delegate
Marcy L. Desmond Jankovich, Precinct Delegate, Summit Township,
Jackson County Republican Committee, founder of Michigan Right to Life
Randy Jasky, Director - FedUpUSA
Marian Sheridan, Lakes Area Tea Party founder, vice president West Bloomfield Republican Club,Oakland County precinct delegate
Republican hands MUST be clean of the Obamacare gimmick known as the HCE in Michigan. 'Managing' the expansion of government mandates hardly fits any "timeless principles" held by the Republican party. Denying it's interface on all levels is the mandate Republicans have been charged with, and should honor.
Belligerence in that task is not worthy of support.
