Monthly Archives: July 2014

Will Momentum Cause Freak Out In The First District?

Paging Dr Dan Paging Dr Dan - you're needed on the campaign.. STAT!

CD1-TrendOne of the surprise campaigns of the year might be in Northern Michigan where veteran Alan Arcand has just crept up on CD1’s Dan Benishek and gave him a poll wedgie.

The Arcand camp is reporting that a three day series of polls in the first congressional district show a momentum surge that has brought upstart Arcand within the margin of error. From a press release:

Iron River, MI — The campaign of Republican challenger Alan Arcand today announced the results of three polls conducted over the week of July 28, 2014. Respondent surveys indicate a distinct trend of momentum shifting towards the conservative veteran in the final week leading up to the August 5 primary election. With the favorability rating of Congressman Dan Benishek at an all time low during this campaign cycle, newcomer Alan Arcand is poised for victory against the establishment incumbent.

The average of the results over the three-day period, which include 1,875 respondents, reveal the race is neck and neck. Arcand’s chipping away at Benishek’s fiscally irresponsible voting record has gained him 47% of the vote.

Campaign manager Ben Lazarus said, “The polls show people are not happy with the job Dan Benishek is doing in Congress. They want someone who will represent them.”

The universe of potential survey respondents was geographically proportional to the 2012 Republican primary election turnout, by county.

Polling conducted by the independent research group has a margin of error of +/-3.5%.

At this point, it shouldn’t surprise.

The Heritage rated 50% Benishek campaign has all but ignored Arcand, while he (Arcand) and his family have been working non stop to establish credibility and name recognition.  Signs may not win races, but as a political sign watcher, it should be noted that Arcand signs are popping up in locations and businesses normally associated with incumbency.  Benishek signs are nearly absent.

Aug 5 is going to be fun.

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Because Graham Beal Wouldn’t Take a Cut In Pay

No, not joking about Graham Beal (actually, Ron Weiser organized the theft from us for that money pit), as you soon will see who is selected to operate the DRIC boondoggle.

Canada appointed Kristine Burr and Genevieve Gagnon to the International Authority while Michael D. Hayes, Birgit M. Klohs and Matt Rizik [more Pricewaterhouse cronies just like Rich Baird] were appointed by Michigan [Slick Rick]. Burr will serve as the chairwoman of the authority. Officials said a third Canadian member will be selected soon by the new Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, which also had appointments announced Wednesday.

Burr recently served as assistant deputy minister of Policy for Transport Canada; Gagnon is president of XTL Transport Inc.; Hayes is president and CEO of the Midland Center for the Arts; Klohs is the president and CEO of the Right Place Inc.; Rizik is the chief tax officer for Rock Ventures LLC.

The International Authority will oversee and approve key steps in the procurement process for the crossing.

REST

I guess cousin George didn’t want a seat at the table (pun intended) of the NAFTA Bridge.

UPDATE: our good friend, Mr. Ed Arditti has more at Windsor Square.

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2014 Michigan State House Races

Cross-posted at The Western Right, Right Michigan, and Red Racing Horses.

All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives will be up for election in November. Republicans currently hold a 59-51 majority, following a 63-47 majority after 2010. There are 40 open seats, 21 held by Republicans and 19 held by democrats.  There are 30 open due to term-limits and 10 just seeking another office.

Republicans gained one new seat (73) and one existing seat (39) due to redistricting, but also lost one existing seat (55) in 2012.  They also lost five incumbents (52, 71, 84, 91, 110), not counting party-switcher Roy Schmidt (76).  They could have won several more seats with a more effective redistricting plan.

Democrats want to take back the state house, but face a difficult playing field.  Of the Republican-held open seats, only 56 and possibly 65 are competitive.  They will try to defeat some Republican incumbents, but it is not clear how they will beat incumbents this year that they couldn’t defeat in 2012.

Meanwhile, Republicans will seek to gain seats.  The best opportunity is the open 84, which was lost due to scandal in 2012.  There are two lean dem open seats (21, 62) that may be competitive.  Republicans will also try to defeat several incumbents who picked up seats in 2012 (25, 71, 91).

There are a number of interesting primaries in August.  A bunch of Republican incumbents are being challenged due to their support of Medicaid expansion, Common Core, and the Detroit Bailout.  Most will win easily, but there is the potential for a few to be surprised (39, 79, 107).  The open seats feature more competitive primaries, many of which also feature establishment versus Tea Party battles.  Establishment candidates are receiving support from the Chamber of Commerce and Great Lakes Education Project.  More conservative candidates are receiving support from Americans for Prosperity and Madison Project Michigan.

State house fundraising is analyzed in the following article.

Michigan State House Fundraising

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BLACK LEADERS DENOUNCE ACCUSATION OF RACISM AGAINST GARY GLENN

Sent to me by Stacy Swimp

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Rev. Levon Yuille: 734-657-1640

BLACK LEADERS DENOUNCE ACCUSATION OF RACISM AGAINST GARY GLENN

We the undersigned Black Christian pastors and leaders are writing to defend our Christian brother Gary Glenn and denounce the scurrilously false attacks accusing Gary of being associated with or in any way empathetic towards racist persons or ideas.

Voters in Midland have recently been confronted with false mailings and radio ads by the Great Lakes Education Project, or GLEP, a political action committee that has endorsed Republican candidate, Karl Ieuter.

Voters should know what’s really behind these attacks. GLEP is directed by Greg McNeilly, a prominent political operative who recently “married” another man. That’s the real reason they’re attacking Gary, who’s a widely respected leader in defense of traditional marriage between one man and one woman. In fact, Gary coauthored the Marriage Protection Amendment approved by Michigan voters in 2004.

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Our ‘Conservative’ Candidates

Why is it harder for some to speak their 'conservative' principles outside of the election cycle? Why will some avoid conservative forums?

In the Republican primary, EVERYONE is a conservative.

I have done a great deal of door knocking as a candidate for the Grand Traverse County Commission.  I have held my record out as one of conservatism, but when approaching the potential voter, its natural to introduce myself as a “constitutional conservative,” or “conservative Republican.”  Usually, the latter is used (by habit), and I can read the face of the person I am talking with so as to determine whether they want to hear anymore.

One woman I spoke to said “Conservative? Everybody is a conservative nowadays!” She then described her potential of possibly not participating in the election process any longer. She explained her disappointment with the Republican candidates who make the claim, yet hardly stand for the values that are expressed in the platform, much less hold up to the promises they make while electioneering.

She was not the only one to express this perspective.

You Betcha! (10)Nuh Uh.(1)

Michigan State House Fundraising

July 25 was the deadline for campaign finance reports for Michigan legislature. Here are summaries of the total amounts raised in competitive Republican primaries and general elections for Michigan state house. Ratings are included. Based on fundraising, 52 and 110 move to safe D, and 91 moves to tossup.

1. (D) Banks 26K Thompson 55K (12K self)
19. (R) (Likely Cox) Cox 62K Crider 21K (20K self)
21. (Lean D) (R) Fausonne 58K (D) Mathis ? Mosher 63K Pagan 88K (23K self)
23. (Lean R) (R) Somerville 118K (D) Haener 5K Linko 36K Ptaszynski $100
25. (Lean D) (R) Hawatmeh 47K (D) Yanez 96K
30. (Lean R) (R) Farrington 82K (D) Bogdan waiver Karpinsky 28K

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PETAphiles pay for 10 Detoilet Deadbeats: Get Lambasted by The Left

Sometimes it is entertaining to take a look at what the Utopians define as *logic*. Say for instance something like THIS. See that? Even “free money” and “free food” from a group of loons is not enough. Now, it’s “food deserts” to blame. Never mind the abundant supply of EBT Cards in the land of redistribution plenty Detoilet (access denied in casinos and booby bars – draconian, yes?).

facts-27
So, water is a human *right*. Access is provided to all, and the burden of collecting on the debt for provided access now transcends to the pursuit of Happiness. Rewarding bad behavior only begets more bad behavior. Deadbeats loafing in an abundance of taxpayer provided hammocks still bitch and whine in the Nerdpublican’s “Grand Bailout” Detoilet.

Bottom line. Progressivism is a mental disorder. Being stupid should be painful.

Yes, I already know… That’s Rayciss!

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