Tag Archive for Republicans

All the Other Stuff, Conservative News, Cronyism, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans

Ethics, Integrity, And Long Knives

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wayne-afp009“He’s our hometown boy.” Said one of the executive committee members of a vote taken this last Thursday.

The vote, was one by the executive board of the Grand Traverse County Republican Party on whether to endorse State Senate Candidate Wayne Schmidt over Greg MacMaster in the 37th State Senate primary contest.  The vote to choose one candidate over another in partisan (GOP) races would normally be considered off the table except under extraordinary circumstances.  At least that is how it is designated in the by-laws of a number of other GOP county parties.

Questions must be asked.  Is it prudent or even a legitimate practice? Is it fair to the candidates?  Is it fair to the membership, and does it misrepresent the opinion of the party at-large?

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Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

The Reagan Rule Breaker

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Here’s the deal people…I take a lot of grief from the establishment type Repubs for many things, and some from conservatives for not getting ‘on board’ with candidates that PRESENT themselves as conservatives…Reagan said that we “Shall NOT speak ill of another Republican”… Which Republican party was he referring to???…The one on paper, or the reality???

Conservatives need to realize that we need each other to win anything!!!…I have spent years trig to referee between Tea Party folks, GOP and blue collar Dem conservatives, and the C4L types…Being inflexible and unswerving to your own principles is admirable, but gets in the way when all the above can agree on 90% of any given issue or candidate…

What we all need to realize is that we are in dire need of conservative leadership, regardless of how one defines ‘conservative’…Let’s face it…even the liberals know a conservative when they see one!!!…So here is my Reagan rule breaker…

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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Arcand Materializes As A Serious Contender In The 1st Congressional District

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Michigan's First District Will Have A Primary Battle

arcandAlan Arcand (R-Iron River) announced today that his campaign has surpassed the 1,000 signature minimum to qualify for the August Republican primary race against incumbent Dan Benishek. Arcand achieved the benchmark during a weekend visit to the Traverse City area, collected some 300 signatures in 3 days.

A veteran of the Air Force, he will be gathering approximately 200 more signatures to ensure a cushion against any challenge, and will file in Lansing once this goal has been met. “Our visit to the Bay region was both fruitful and invigorating.” he said, “The reception and help we received was encouraging, and we look forward to our next visit in May.”

Arcand is challenging two term incumbent Republican Dr. Dan Benishek in Michigan’s largest Congressional district. His website is: arcandforcongress.com, and information on Arcand can also be found on Facebook HERE.

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Michigan Politics

The Looting Continues Unabated

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While All Is Not About ONE MAN, This Example Of Pay For Play Is Clear

pure-somethingThere is an explanation I have always used for my sincerest dislike of the MEDC, its mission, and how it takes advantage of the taxpayer for political payoff.

“If a business owner finds it necessary to take taxpayer dollars to start, maintain, or expand their enterprise, then that business model is already in trouble.  If there is no NEED for the money to survive, then it is simply a matter of theft.”

Its hard to be any clearer than that.

Any politico who uses the term “Jobs created” when discussing the MEDC grants, is trying to justify the stealing that must happen first, and is central to the MEDC program. In the history of subsidizing business, one would think that the predictions of ‘job growth’ with accomplished results would speak for itself.  In fact,  one might think such mechanisms insofar as they are touted, would make the news at least once a month if not weekly as a raging human interest success worthy of celebration.

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Michigan Politics, Philosophy, Republicans

A Short Treatise On Extremism

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EOne of the most concerning comments a Constitutional Conservative Republican can hear from a fellow Republican is that they are “extreme” in their views.

The schism within the party should seem a remarkable thing if one was to examine what ‘extremism’ truly is.  Is there a defined line in the sand, or a point in which an accumulation of thoughts and philosophy render one susceptible to branding with a scarlet “E”? And like much of the politics playing out across the US, Michigan has developed what appears to be a Left-Right paradigm within a party presented as being on the right side of the political spectrum as long as can be remembered.

That, OR the window of tolerance for views once held as standards has been closed.

Extremism is subjective.  It is a moving target. And it is a relative condition that exists ONLY from the perspective of those who would label one with such hyperbole. This is unarguable.  If someone were to examine another person’s political views and agree with them, they would not likely make the claim that they too, are ‘extreme.’  Their philosophical centering at-rest is the foundation on which their opinions are formed, decisions are made, and with politics, support and votes are rendered.

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Elections, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Straw Poll Eye Opener

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Its already assumed by many within the Michigan Republican party that Governor Rick Snyder will essentially cruise to a win over a scandal ridden Schauer campaign.

wes-nakagiriWe have had a different take on it; essentially arguing ANYONE could beat Schauer, so why not have a robust primary on the GOP side?  Alas, as there are few who wish to spend money fighting both the candidate, AND risk being on the outs in the GOP in the future, we are relegated to the squishy liberal incumbent.

Someone HAS taken a cue from the weakness of the establishment in the supporting organization however.  When challenger Todd Courser came within a couple dozen votes to oust sitting MiGOP chair Bobby Schostak in a prior convention, it sent a message that a shakeup is in the works.  By the time the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference had happened, no challenger had yet appeared to depose Snyder, but a contender willing to stand before Republican Delegates in 2014 and challenge Sitting Lt Governor Brian Calley had made it clear he was in it to the end.

Wes Nakagiri announced his candidacy, and the Snyder Calley folks took him seriously.

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Elections, Republicans

GOP Party Unity – Fact or Fiction

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We ask: "Wouldn't it be better for the party if David Trott were to actually challenge a Democrat?"

Trott_DavidbentivolioFabulously wealthy foreclosure attorney and generous friend of the GOP, David Trott, decides it’s time to fulfill his lifelong dream of becoming a United States Congressman.

He claims to be conservative, and Lord knows we need all we can get in Congress, so that should be a huge and appealing plus. But, instead of throwing his considerable assets and resources at a vulnerable and flaming liberal Congressman Sander Levin, who is older than dirt and an avowed leftist- Mr. Trott would instead prefer to challenge one our own, GOP freshman Congressman Kerry Bentivolio.

Granted, Trott does live in Bentivolio’s 11th Congressional District- but just barely.

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Michigan Politics, Republicans, Sports

37th District Slaughter

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BLOODyMichigan’s 37th Senate District race promises to turn out like one of those movies Mommy didn’t let you watch as a kid.

The poll paints Wayne Schmidt as an undesirable Republican candidate for the 37th district seat.  The poll of 599 likely Republican primary voters who were reached last Monday, February 10, said no to the big spender by more than 20 points, even WITH the MOE. (Margin Of Error of 4.0%) Maybe its something about Schmidt’s willingness to expand government into places where it ought not go?  Maybe its his Welfare expansion vote?  Maybe its his affinity to give Southern Michigan more tax dollars?

But ..wow

Greg MacMaster……………….41.57% (249)
Wayne Schmidt………………..17.36% (104)
Undecided……………………41.07% (246)
Total………………………100.00% (599)

Of course polling is only a snapshot in time, but the advantages of incumbency no longer exist, AND something else revealed itself in the polling done by the MacMaster campaign. One of the largest blocks of voters has Schmidt getting an electoral intent wedgie at about the margin of error.

Grand Traverse County (Schmidt’s home turf) favors MacMaster 34% 29%

Continued below the fold

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