Tag: Character

A predetermined candidate would have no problem with an integrity breakdown in Michigan politics.  By golly OUR credentials committee would NEVER stoop to this miserable level of candidate manipulation, right?  Right???

"This year, the Wisconsin GOP is on track for something like 2,000 delegates, which would be double the largest state convention. The majority of those are opposed to Tommy Thompson.

Asa result, the GOP "Credentials Committee" met and tried to disqualify new delegates who signed up after county caucuses (signing up after the county caucuses is permissible under Article XIII, Section 4 of the Wisconsin GOP's constitution). The motion was defeated 7 to 5 with 4 absences. Now the state GOP wants to re-fight this fight tonight and get the 4 absentee committeemen to show up."

Our guys have integrity.

Some of those who pretend they deserve the leadership positions within the Michigan GOP probably wish the issue could be silently allowed to pass on. The campaign which had been affected most directly has already made a point that it takes such underhanded manipulation of the rules a little more seriously.  Only a few days ago, the story began appearing in the regular media again.  This time with a promise by Reince Priebus that it would be looked into:

"Now, Santorum campaign officials say Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus has offered personal assurances to a lawyer for Santorum that the RNC would look into the matter.

Priebus, according to sources on Santorum's team, recently told Santorum campaign counsel Cleta Mitchell, a prominent Washington lawyer, that he would take action on a letter she sent to the RNC earlier this month requesting an "investigation" into what led a six-member committee of Michigan GOP officials to award 16 delegates to Romney and 14 to Rick Santorum after the race appeared to end in a delegate tie."

We have demonstrated it already, with the rules, with statements by those voting FOR the change, (Schostak Feb 8) and with statements and memos by the honorable folks like Mike Cox, and Eric Doster.  We have pointed out the glaring hypocrisy, underhanded subterfuge of the process, and the subsequent damage control efforts convincing decent folk to support such treachery within the grand old party in Michigan.

Tonight, eight Republican presidential candidates square off again for two hours of highly structured questions and answers.  This time, the debate takes place on the campus of Oakland University and will be televised by CNBC.  

What to expect?

At a correspondents breakfast this morning, debate moderators Maria Bartiromo and John Harwood forecast that the debate would center primarily around jobs and the economy.  The Michigan setting lends itself to that discussion, since the Enchanted Mitten is home to a reawakening automobile industry and a burgeoning renaissance of its own, courtesy of a Republican governor and Republican-controlled legislature.

Still, we won't escape more questions on the Herman Cain sexual harassment allegations.  Should this be a topic during this precious time?  Good question, but here's why I think these questions will get asked:

1.  This is television, it's about viewers and ratings.  The prurient element is a big ratings-getter.

2.  It's the topic of the day, especially with Cain's press conference yesterday.

3.  The moderators will want to see whether the other seven will rise to the occasion (sorry about that) and try to take advantage of Cain's misfortune.

4.  Voters are certainly interested in whether a candidate can handle a crisis, especially since Obama has demonstrated he cannot.  These unconfirmed allegations may not be worthy of much, it's hard to say, but this is a situation where a nonsubstantive issue bumps up against the need to discern character, composure, and integrity.