Tag: Endorsements

AYES: Benishek, Camp, Huizenga, Miller, Rogers, Upton, Walberg

We've seen the movie before.  Spoiler alert: in this sequel, Paul Ryan and John Boehner lie, and the Marxstream Media prints the lie.  Once again, the Michigan GOP delegation majority has voted with Gary Peters, which is their ongoing endorsement of Gary Peters for U.S. Senate.

I cannot do much in other congressional districts, however, I am aware of what I can effect in CD-1.

Congressman Dan Benishek, go f#@% yourself.  With a chainsaw.

Considering the ridiculous assertion by Wayne Schmidt in 2012 that he was a superior gun rights advocate with his deceptive bright orange mailer which stated: "Vote on August 7 to protect your gun rights"; with no candidate carrying anti gun views in competition at that time.  The implication that voting for the challenger (myself) would imperil such rights was frankly, "Nutty"

Schmidt's progressive attitude with regard to big government, complete streets, expensive transportation schemes, expansion of welfare, and pandering to whomever is in power demonstrates a left of center (read: Democrat) socio-type,  and should hardly leave anyone comfortable with him protecting such rights anyhow.  And as for the gun positions, in 2012, he wasn't even rated by Michigan Coalition For Responsible Gun Owners like most other candidates.

Jeez Mike, you sure talk a good game when the camera is on but, your vote says you're lying.

As posited by Scales (a thoughtful and accurate analysis) in his comment:

"Benishek, Camp, Rogers, and Upton just endorsed Gary Peters for US Senate!"

On matters of amounts, levels of funding, and minor issues like renaming parks for your friends agreement across the aisle might not be such a big thing.  However in this issue of surrendering Principle and giving the worst president in the history of this nation a football spiking win and subsequent destruction of our healthcare?

It must be intentional.  They mean it.  They agree with it.  They want it, and so does Gary Peters. The similarity of thought is amazing.

On December 8th, 2012 while attending the Michigan Republican Party State Committee Meeting, I came across a pile of fliers. "Bobby Schostak for Chair - Overwhelming Grassroots Support!"

It was a list consisting of State Committee Members, District Chairs, County Chairs, Tea Party Leaders, and Grassroots Activists. Going through the list, my endorsement appeared, Oscoda County Chairman - Doug Davis.

I was immediately upset and offended that my statement of not endorsing ANYONE until January was not taken seriously, even after stating it THREE TIMES, especially being the newly elected Oscoda County Chair for the Michigan Republican Party!

To make matters worse, an email of the list was sent out on December 7th, 2012 to the entire state Republican Party, which I didn't receive until the day after the State Committee Meeting.

In the last two weeks, I have had at least 5 separate invitations to participate in conference activities. Each of them more tempting than the last.  Maybe next time.  And as it turned out, the business needed my presence Friday, and today the funeral for a friend's father. And overall, my significant other who has suffered well through the miscellany of political activities that keep us apart too often, seems to be happy.

The Lord does indeed work in many mysterious ways.

One of those ways is how we move the debate here.

As noted a couple of days ago, there was a concern I penned about Michelle Bachmann endorsing Pete Hoekstra, who would not go on record supporting right to work.  As expected there was a bit of noise going on in the background throughout the state party and establishment types.   As expected it was picked up in a national piece the following day.

Strategic National (Yob) who is managing Hoekstra's campaign likely had not planned for the "Tea Party" blast advertisement to come out a day early, as the "official" endorsement was to come out the next day.  It did. the "Tea Party" email blast by the way, is from merely another group who likely believes in most Tea Party values, yet is willing to capitalize on the theme as much as it is there to advance it.

This site for example will take advertising from nearly anyone who doesn't violate core principles.  I get it.

If Michelle Bachmann is even aware of the thing (below the line) that is being sent out, she has made a GRAVE error.  Signing on for any single US Senate candidate when trying to establish a broad base of your own is problematic enough, but with 4 other declared candidates, you risk spooking an entire pool of voters.  Its done it to me.

Michelle, here is a clue: I don't know of any Tea Party actives who think Hoekstra is worthy of their support.  There may be quite a few, but in the circles I run, Randy Hekman, Gary Glenn, Peter Konetchy, or even Clark Durant would be more acceptable.

TARP, failure to endorse Right-To-Work, and an entrenched DC mentality are other clues that might give you a picture of who Hoekstra is.  The guy is willing to throw Michigan under the bus for the likes of Jimmy Hoffa.

Yeah. Tea Party. Yay!

Some question has been raised as to why several Michigan daily newspapers have endorsed Jocelyn Benson (D) instead of the clearly better-qualified Ruth Johnson (R) for Secretary of State. The answer requires  an understanding of newspaper editorial boards, rather than an understanding of the candidates.

Most local newspapers are granted a high degree of autonomy by their corporate ownership,when it comes to editorial policy. Endorsements in a presidential or gubernatorial race might be dictated, but rarely an endorsement below that level.  Newsmen and editorial writers of local papers are generally"soft-left", fitting the characterization of mainstream media.

Elections featuring several offices pose a problem for that mindset.  The editorialists want to be seen (and see themselves!) as thoughtful and even-handed. They feel their influence in a community will be compromised if the public sees the local paper as overwhelmingly one-sided.  Thus it is required that a demonstration of thoughtful deliberation and "fairness" be reflected in the editorial page endorsements before every election.

And how does all of this translate itself for the 2010 election in Michigan?