Tag: Paul Scott

And this isn't the only example of people that we need to be paying attention to.

Yessiree, ol Paulie is a special target nowadays.

So much so, that the Michigan MEA now 'All In' for the recall effort targeting Scott. So much so, that teachers are reaching for their last ten bucks, and by the looks of it even students are ponying up for the ongoing gig. I mean, $1 donations to the code named "CITIZENS AGAINST GOVERNMENT OVERREACH" or 'CAGO,' if you are trying to do finance searches.

The contrast, by the way quite impressive with the MEA cumulative total of $140,000 entered into a fund that has in total collected $146,880.  All to show Lansing that messing with the teachers will get you an F grade, and might get you expelled.

Yep.  I hope you teachers appreciate Ryan and Melissa's milk money.  We all know how much you needed it to leverage this important affair of yours.

I am not a big fan of Paul Scott.  He is not a BAD guy, but one that has a bad instinct as seen with the unconstitutional smoking ban vote. So when he is trying to obtain higher office, you will likely see me opine to his political detriment, or at least support opponents who have a better understanding of appropriate law.

But right now the MEA is flexing and using Scott as a bully might use the weak link on the school grounds; to intimidate any others who might oppose them.  But the MEA is rolling the dice a bit.  CapCon notes:

"When the MEA engineered the petition drive to recall Scott, it was taking a risk. If Scott manages to win the recall election, the MEA could have a tough time arguing that voters have rejected Snyder's policies. That makes Scott's recall election a high stakes event. With no other major election issues this fall, Republicans and groups that generally support them are willing to spend money in the 51st. This, in turn, is forcing the MEA and other union forces to spend money there as well."

Paul Scott promoted and was one of the sponsors to 2009-HB4377 which determined that "No business owner really has the right to decide what environment he or she shall provide."  It was passed in Dec 2009, and enforcement began 2010 preventing any business from allowing smoking inside or in serving areas.  It of course received the support of those legislators who held out for the casino constituencies and wanted to say "to hell with the 14th amendment, those places are exempt."  Scott was a founder of the smoking ban, and it says a lot about his philosophical 'nanny state' view of government.

So yeah, NOT a big supporter of the man, but ..

The MEA put $25,000 right out there for this recall attempt.  It is very targeted, and is designed for maximum effect on both Michigan's population, and to send a message to those who are in marginal districts that efforts perceived as anti-union will not be tolerated. And as the Snyder re-arranging of cheese goes on (yes I know there is some resistance here as well) there is a great deal of that A-U perception, right or wrong.

Let me be clear however, the MEA's political action to hit Scott will have a more chilling effect on those things WE IN THIS forum want.  While we rebuild a conservative base within the GOP ranks in Lansing, it will not help us if the other side of the aisle folks are putting fear of recall into the marginal areas that wind up giving the TRUE power in our houses; the majority.

The endorsement list includes the names of well known Party leaders, former legislators, current state Representative Paul Scott, Snyder campaign staff and a handful of paid staffers from the Michigan Republican Party.  

The only problem?  Tollis and others reached today by RightMichigan claim they never endorsed Snyder and are angry their names are being used to promote his campaign.

"I'm agitated," Tollis told RightMichigan.  "I am not endorsing anybody right now.  (Last weekend) I spent more time talking to Tom George than Rick Snyder.  Frankly, I'm disappointed in Snyder.  You've got to have a little more integrity than that."

Tollis claims he's received fifteen phone calls in the last day from puzzled friends and associates who received the Snyder email claiming his endorsement.

Last weekend the Michigan Republican State Committee held a regular meeting in Battle Creek.  According to several attendees Snyder and an entourage of campaign staffers joined committee members at a social function following the conclusion of business and actively circulated clipboards with forms which asked for names and email addresses.

14th District State Committee member Darlyn Vigh met Snyder and was asked by one of his staff members to sign a form.  "I know nothing about the man.  (The form) was to get our information for contacts," said Vigh.  "I asked at the time if this was an endorsement and they said "no.""

She was surprised several days later to read an email from Rick Snyder himself apparently claiming she'd endorsed him.  

"Yes, it did look like an endorsement," Vigh continued.  "Most people are going to take it as an endorsement.  I never said he was a good candidate.  That is deceiving!"

Jim Duistermars, a longtime State Committee member from the 9th Congressional District expressed confusion at the inclusion of his name as well. "I don't know why they would do that," he said.

The announcement of allegedly false endorsements obtained from Michigan Republican Party staff members Larry Ward, former Representative Tom Casperson and three MRP interns prompted the state Party to issue the following statement:

"The Michigan Republican Party and members of its full-time staff, have not and will not endorse candidates in the August 2010 Primary Election for Michigan's Governor.  We regret any misunderstanding that led to the publication of Mr. Tom Casperson or Mr. Larry Ward's support for a specific candidate.  Michigan Republicans stand united and ready for the energetic battle of ideas we are blessed with, unlike our opposition."

The names of State Representative Paul Scott and legislative staffer Kristin Fair also appear on the Snyder "endorsement list" but according to both, they've yet to throw their weight behind a candidate and did not intend to do so last weekend.

"If I endorse someone I'll send out a press release about it," said Scott.

Others were less magnanimous.  

"When are we going to learn as Republicans we need to be straight up?" asked Tollis.

The GOP House minority continues to sponsor and introduce legislation, to work behind the scenes and to try to figure out some sort of positive solution to this tax-hike / budget mess.

We rarely hear about that in the MSM.

Being a member of a legislative minority makes it tough to garner headlines. But they're working hard and they're trying to make a difference.

This week I spoke with Genesee County's freshman REPUBLICAN Representative Paul Scott.

Interview after the break...