Tag: Jason Allen

Not that I didn't want to support Benishek, or think he was not worth the $25 contribution.  No.. Rather I didn't expect he would HAVE to spend a great amount of capital to win a race that should be so eminently winnable given the way in which Bart Stupak handled his affairs.  The spending levels shouldn't HAVE to be so high, as the corrective juggernaut which is fueled by a responsible government sentiment is just now fully underway.

I must give full credit to Jason Allen for his understanding the consequence of fighting among ourselves, and what copuld be viewed as self destructing because of a stroked ego.  He took the high road.  He understood oh-so-well, how its possible to wreck all that you stand for by allowing a personal, but misplaced sense of self to override a bit of common sense.  How splitting hairs over 'perfect' stands on some issues before a congressional candidate, might be used only to split votes in an election.

Betty Weaver is on the Bus..  What I find to be a strange event, is the appearance of Elizabeth Weaver at our Traverse city Pick up Spot for the Glenn Beck Restoring Honor Rally Bus heading to DC.  Had the pleasure of an hour long conversation between GR and Okemos, where she boarded the bus to head to the event.  Apparently a big Beck fan.

Robo Calls suck..  No fewer than 20 Robo calls a day as a reward for becoming a precinct delegate.  Bill Schuette, Michelle McManus and Mike Bishop topped the list. Question.. Do we have a THIRD alternative to the AG nod?

Non identified emails, and fake websites set up to encourage voting by delegates.. THEMICHIGANREPORT.COM is as fake as reporting blogs go.  Anyone who cannot put their name or normally used moniker on their work is hardly worth paying attention to.  FAIL.

God has gifted us with the greatest wealth on the planet.    The breath we take, the freedom of restraint, and the ability to build, create and grow.  His gifts are so valuable, that we elect governments to protect them for us.  He gave us choice, and will, and opportunity to learn.

We can achieve greatness by making the right decisions based on selflessness, and a trust in a higher power, or we can ignore life's lessons, by maintaining a pursuit for power or gain through an immodest "call to duty" that is merely self serving for physical and perceived rewards of stature. Service to community is a just and noble calling.   Some will be elevated in communities for the right reasons, and some will attempt to shorten their path in ways not so just.  

Ultimately, service to community is service to our creator and the decisions we make should be checked by the lessons he has provided.

In his decision, Allen notes the expense for both campaigns through a recount process lessens the opportunity that a conservative would gain the seat, and that further divisiveness within the party might only result in the same type of poor leadership from that seat through a McDowell win.

"A 15 vote separation through a recount and validation process might easily be overcome if there was a decision to do so.  There are compelling reasons to follow through and honor the wishes of those 27,000 voters who thought I might represent them.  I am humbled, and honored by their support, but at this time feel they might be best served without a recount process that would be damaging to both campaigns and would not serve the district well."

Folks, I am going to lay out something for you to chew on.  If Jason Allen were the nominee, the support structure, coupled with the ability to bridge partisan divides through appropriate compromise would make him a stronger candidate.  The first district overall, has a make up that is more centrist, thus Stupak has been able to hold it for so many years.  Allen has been able to maintain conservative principles while working with those on the other side for what he saw as the best way to serve his constituency.

There have been issues with Jason which many of the faithful here have argued.  But as you may have noted, my tone has been one of a casually supporting one at times.  The big picture, and an understanding of many things that are behind some of the decisions our legislators make is very important.  On absolutes and real rights infringements, Allen has been a stalwart conservative.  Yes I said it.  I have also indicated before that he has seen where his mistakes were and worked to rectify them before they became an issue.   But all the while, I have to some degree maintained a semi neutral tone, and wanted only the best result from a fair contest free of vicious hyperbole, and misleading commentary.

Allen has completely taken the high road with this decision that might well have ended like another campaign which gave us the likes of Dan Scripps for a state rep in the end.

My hat is off to Jason Allen for conceding to a better, and more unified conservative future in the 1st congressional district. He is a true patriot.

---UPDATE----

Dr. Dan Benishek statement on Senator Allen decision not to pursue recount in MI-1 congressional election:

"After a hard fought six way primary where many good candidates, who care about their country, stepped into the arena to fight for a new direction for our country, I am proud to be the Republican nominee for Congress in Michigan's 1st district. All of the candidates are to be commended for their hard work and for the massive number of voters that turned out to vote in our primary on election day- twice as many as voted on the democrat side. When the votes were tallied the count between Senator Jason Allen and myself came down to one of the closest margins in history.

Today Senator Allen demonstrated that he is a man who puts his country, his conservative principles and his party ahead of his own interests. While I am new to this political arena, I have learned very quickly how invested you become in winning, along with your family, your friends and your supporters. It is not easy to step back and do what is in the interest of the party, and ultimately the country, and to give Republicans the best chance of winning by laying down arms as adversaries and moving forward together as allies. To make the decision to step aside when your instincts are to fight, takes great courage and selflessness.

I will never forget, nor should the voters of this district forget, the courage that Jason has shown. Today we stand together as Republicans. I greatly appreciate Jason’s support and would be honored to have him and his supporters stand with us as we work to defeat Gary McDowell and take back our government from the failed policies of Nancy Pelosi and her liberal friends in Congress.”

This is an "official win," however, challenges may still be made, and it is unclear if the Allen team will pursue any beyond this point.

Another hitch in the situation might well be the arrival of a third party candidate, Glenn Wilson, a Rose City Businessman who has indicated he can self fund a reasonable bid of his own.  Conservatives worry that Wilson will siphon off votes from Benishek, and insiders report that an ongoing personality conflict between the UP Doctor and Wilson, might further encourage Wilson to remain in the race as a spoiler.

Not long ago, Jason Gillman wrote on this blog, "As there are often races where a few votes separate 1st place and 1st to lose, it could be YOU that makes a difference."  Last Tuesday, the 1st District proved him right.  In my campaign for the Republican nomination, we faced a tough opponent and fought for every last vote.

And as every count has established more convincingly than the last, we won.

If we must endure an expensive and time-consuming recount, a dedicated few could easily be the deciding factor once again.  That's why today, I need you.

If we want to uphold this conservative victory and retake the seat that Bart Stupak dishonored, we will have two critical needs: the resources to fight the legal challenge, and volunteers standing vigil in all 31 counties of the District.

Right now, we should be uniting around a single conservative banner, making the case for the reforms Washington needs, reforms that Gary McDowell and his allies will resist just as they have for the last four trying years under Speaker Nancy Pelosi.  But should we need one last push to affirm our victory, I hope you will help me see it through to the end.