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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    Live Blogging the Defending the American Dream Summit


    By Nick, Section News
    Posted on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 12:20:25 PM EST
    Tags: (all tags)

    Update [2008-1-12 15:15:15 by Nick]: We'll see how the MSM spins it but having sat through the event, and with it fresh in my mind the winners and losers break down like this:

    WINNER: Michigan. Three candidates in one place at relatively the same time focusing, at least in part, on Michigan specific issues.

    WINNER: Mitt Romney. By default. He gave maybe the best performance I've ever seen him give but McCain's was just as well received until...

    LOSER: John McCain. He was going to walk away with this thing until he got tagged on immigration. One boo led to another. One cat-call to a second. Before he knew it half the auditorium was murmering or yelling one thing or another at him. Will any of that make the TV or radio coverage? Who knows. But it was the most trouble I've seen a candidate have with a "friendly" audience the entire cycle.

    LOSER: NBC News, just because I'm a fan of civilized behavior.

    EH: Duncan Hunter. Good guy. Right on the issues. What's his name again? Is it fair he has no juice? I don't know. But he doesn't.

    Update [2008-1-12 15:9:17 by Nick]: Aaaand here comes Duncan Hunter to deliver the same speech he gave the press earlier.

    And he's off the stage. Largely a good performance but the man really really got tagged on the immigration issue. Hard.

    Update [2008-1-12 15:3:11 by Nick]: Getting plants now. Questions about the war in Iraq and about a draft. But the question is, who planted them?

    And now he's getting booed. Not roundly, but the hecklers and the boo-birds are out on this immigration issue. Is this the man's achiles heel?

    Yikes, the hecklers are getting louder and longer but McCain just delivered. One heckler was yelling that all illegals must be deported. His response: "Ma'am, I'm not going to call up a soldier in Iraq to tell him his mother is being deported. You can do that."

    Update [2008-1-12 14:50:37 by Nick]: Uh-oh... FAILURE! Next question came from an 18 year old first time voter. 'You talk about reducing the deficit. What is the first government program you would cut?' McCain: "Uh... well... I'll tell you what, how about... uh... ethanol subsidies. Oh, and corn subsidies. Or some wasteful defense aquisition spending."

    He had a chance to be bold and stumbled a bit. Oops number 2.

    Now he's getting tagged by an audience member on illegal immigration.

    Read on...

    Update [2008-1-12 14:46:46 by Nick]: First question wasn't so much a question... typcial crazy guy gets up and wants to show how smart he is by rambling on about this problem or that... McCain says "I'll tell you what, give one of my staffers your cell number and I'll call you on the next leg of this bus trip and we can discuss your issues, how's that?" AWESOME answer. And one "lucky" crazy guy. Depending on your definition of luck.

    And now he's talking about "straight talk" again which is throwing poor E.M. into fits and convulsions. She's reacting to the phrase like some folks respond to Mary Hart's voice. Hope there's an EMT outside...

    Update [2008-1-12 14:46:46 by Nick]: McCain's line of the day came in his discussion of Time Magazine's decision to make Vladamir Putin the man of the year. His suggestion that General Petreus should have won that particular nod drew loud cheers and applause. All in all the Senator drew even with Romney in the applause game though the Governor's were a bit more spontaneous. McCains were standard and well placed applause lines complete with a dramatic pause in his presentation. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

    And bonus points for the Senator, he says he's going to take a little audience Q & A.

    Update [2008-1-12 14:34:1 by Nick]: Congressman Mike Rogers just took the stage to encourage everyone to fight the good fight and then gave way to Ann Arbor stalwart and former Ambassador Ron Weiser. Weiser was there for Senator John McCain but didn’t have to do much by way of introduction. No sooner did he say the man’s name than the Senator walked out onto the stage from behind the curtain. The crowd seems just about as warm to McCain as they were to Romney through the introductions.

    Quote of the day comes from E.M.’s liveblog at 2:20. Check it out, forthwith.

    While I’m not naturally inclined to support John McCain I can’t help but notice he’s totally jocking my style today, wearing slacks, a checkered shirt with no tie and a navy blazer. Well, he’s either jocking my style or I’m dressed like a 70 year old who might just be the next leader of the free world. I’ll let you decide.

    McCain’s talking points are as follows: ‘I’m strong on defense. I want to cut taxes on the middle class. I won’t let the Democrats roll back the Bush tax cuts. Tax cut, tax cut, tax cut. In fact, I want a 3/5ths majority threshold to raise taxes. I’m a deficit hawk too. Did I mention tax cuts? Oh, and healthcare is way too expensive. And lead toys suck.’

    If you’ve heard any of the candidates speak before you aren’t hearing much new outside of a specific Michigan focus with one notable exception. There’s been a reversal in the level of ease with which they’re speaking. While Romney has, in the past, been stiff on the stump and appeared very well rehearsed (almost robotic) today he appeared very much at home and relaxed compared to Senator McCain. McCain’s been much better in the past. His gaffe about the government “almost” shutting down and his inability to get off the page (he read his entire speech and rarely looked away from the podium) looked very… political.


    Update [2008-1-12 14:29:3 by Nick]: McCain's on the stage and talking about tax cuts. He just mentioned that Michigan's economy got worse last year after the State Government "almost shutdown." Almost, Senator? Who's writing this guy's stump speeches? Way to prove you're not quite as in-touch with Michigan's issues than you'd like the voters to think.

    Update [2008-1-12 13:55:53 by Nick]: John Stossel is A) smart and B) hilarious. That is all.

    Update [2008-1-12 13:49:10 by Nick]:Had a chance to catch up with Chetly Zarko from Outside Lansing and Oakland Politics as well as the American Princess and I couldn't help but give a plug... rumor has it E.M. had a near-death experience at the hands of the Huckabeast, the Huckster's campaign bus. She's also liveblogging on her own site right now... check it out HERE!

    Update [2008-1-12 13:37:50 by Nick]: Duncan Hunter just made his way up to the press pool and jumped right into a semi-stump speech about the necessity of fair competition with foreign nations and currency manipulation in China. Oh, and they’re out-producing the United States three to one in new submarines.

    He then suggests imposing “countervalue duties” to level the playing field. And “mirror-trade.”

    Currency manipulation, countervalue duties, mirrors and submarine deficits… it’s a wonder the man’s message hasn’t caught on with sound-byte America.

    If Hunter’s candidacy has any value (and I believe it does) at this point it’s in his ability to almost single-handedly bring the fair-trade issue to a place of national semi-prominence.

    He’s right, of course, about most things he says. And he is always more than happy to talk about how fair trade would positively impact Michigan’s manufacturing industry. We have an entire slate of Democrat candidates who may or may not even know that Michigan HAS a manufacturing industry.

    Sadly the current state of American politics demands a certain… charisma. Hunter did enter the press room chugging a Pepsi, though, so he gets bonus points there.

    Update [2008-1-12 13:8:21 by Nick]: Three guesses on what the buzzword of the day was but you’ll only need one. That’s right, change. Romney started his speech talking about his personal family experience with change in business and the necessity of change. The fact that everything changes. Except government. Romney talked a lot about change, unless, of course, it has something to do with fundamental values. Basic stump speech fare with discussions of LEGAL (emphasis his) immigration, love of God and Country, a strong national defense and the importance of the traditional family. And he’s giving a hard-sell about his specific concern and interest in Michigan.


    The crowd, for their part, is loving it.


    DMOnline highlighted a story from the AP this morning about anemic crowds and responses to Romney’s presentation. Not the case at this venue. Looks like these are his people and the place is packed. I ducked downstairs to take in part of the introduction and it isn’t just standing-room only. The hallway outside the auditorium is also packed shoulder to shoulder. AFP and the candidates have really turned folks out.

    We’ll see what sort of reaction Hunter and McCain draw.

    Biggest crowd reaction came from Romney’s statement that Michigan must once again lead the nation in all the right places through lowering taxes and restoring the domestic autos.

    Biggest reaction in the press pool came from Romney’s assertion that every child should be raised in a family with a married mom and a dad. One young, female reporter threw her hands up in disgust, saying something smart while several others shook their heads affirming her opinion. Not sure if this particular press pool dislikes moms, dads, kids or just marriage...

    Update [2008-1-12 12:53:34 by Nick]: Romney is on stage right now delivering his speech but I can't help but drop a quick anecdotal note. Watching the speech from the press room with a bunch of folks from the national media. Most folks are very respectful and watching, taking notes. Not true of the three person contingent from NBC News. No on-air talent in the room and if it weren't for the labels on their tags and computers I wouldn't even know they were with. But yikes. Romney can't deliver a line without one of the three responding with a smart remark, making a funny face, grumbling or feigning laughter. That's when they aren't yelling at eachother. Literally yelling at eachother. Even the other pool reporters are starting to give them dirty looks.

    Real classy team, NBC. Well done.

    Update [2008-1-12 12:23:29 by Nick]: Getting our first word on candidate arrival times and schedules. Mitt Romney is due any minute followed by John Stossel, Duncan Hunter and then John McCain.

    The most interesting bit of buzz in the building right now centers around the fact that McCain's people apparently demanded the wide berth between he and Governor Romney. In fact, I've been told by several insiders with AFP that McCain pretty much refused to enter the building were Romney still on site. Sounds like a little bit of the Senator's legendary vitriol, ability to hold a grudge and hot temper are starting to seep into the race...

    Folks are starting to fill up the main auditorium at Laurel Manor in Livonia for the American's for Prosperity DAD Summit.  Due to the necessary fluidity of candidate's schedules there's no hard and fast timeline for the day's action but I'm hearing that Mitt Romney and John McCain are both expected right around noon.

    So far the only campaign with a visible presence on-site is the Huckster's.  He's got a few enthusiastic young ladies holding a large banner and waving signs outside the building greeting everyone on their way in.  The Fair Tax folks are doing the lit and stickering too.  Natural fit for an event like this.

    Will update this story as things pop throughout the day.  Other than that, consider it an open thread (meaning it'll likely devolve into a Ron Paul flamefest in 3...2...1...)

    < Romney's Last Stand | Michigan's Economic Recovery >


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    Display: Sort:
    Nick (none / 0) (#1)
    by LX on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 01:12:50 PM EST
    Please try to follow what Duncan Hunter has to say. I am unable to attend this event and it seams that everyone in the GOP ignores this man for some unknown reason.

    Thanks.


    The Summit in Livonia (none / 0) (#3)
    by jrfoleyjr on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 01:53:32 PM EST
    Nick, I was going to go and had emailed my reservation. We have the flu making the rounds of my house and I became its latest victim last night. I am going nowhere today. I'll have to depend on you guys as to how things are going.

    I dearly wanted to go because I was prepared to ask some pointed questions to get to the root of changes or the appearance of changes in the stand on amnesty by certain candidates. We all know how easily a campaign promise can be broken... "Read My Lips..."

    Have fun and I will be reading to see what happened that I missed.

    Great Job (none / 0) (#4)
    by Shell on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 06:02:52 PM EST
    My husband and daughter just got back, so they were able to fill in some of the blanks for me.  My darling husband got a question taken by John McCain (who must've though it was on the Fair Tax since he was wearing the hat), but instead got nailed with one about illegal immigration and the 9/11 hijackers.

    My daughter had a great time and got to shake Romney's hand...AFTER nearly being run-down by a 90-ish little old lady who was Romney's 1st grade teacher!

    Shell,
    The Conservatrarian

    Good event (none / 0) (#5)
    by Republican Michigander on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 07:18:05 PM EST
    I thought Romney did much better than he did at Mackinac where I thought he laid an egg. He sounded a lot more "real" today speaking strictly on business issues and economics.

    I'll give McCain credit for one thing. He's got guts. I almost NEVER see pols willing to answer questions from the crowd anymore.

    Duncan Hunter is a good guy and I hope he runs for Senate in California. I wish he was polling more than 1% here. Those who hear him tend to like him, but most just don't know anything about him. That's his trouble.

    John Stossel for President.....

    Re: McCain answering questions (none / 0) (#6)
    by John Galt on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 08:06:49 PM EST
    RepublicanMichigander mentioned he was impresed with McCain... (most pols don't answer questions from the audience anymore).

    I'm sure McCain will think twice before doing it again, considering how rude and disrespectful the audience was to his answers.

    And I don't agree with his answers or his stance.  But I wouldn't boo the guy.

    Heh...Rumor?!? (none / 0) (#9)
    by American Princess on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 09:50:55 PM EST
    Yeah, I almost got run over by the Huckabus. I consider it Karma. I didn't even think it was moving, and then suddenly I am like...uh...that would be a bus...oops.

    I also got accosted by a dude dressed like a snowman. He was sad because of Global Warming. I'm not really sure what he planned to do about it, because he will melt, but you know.

    I was surprised with the questions and not pleasantly. I think we've decided, as a group, that the Presidential election is nothing more than a more important version of American Idol. Some people needed a lesson in respect.

    On the floor (none / 0) (#10)
    by chetly on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 10:42:19 PM EST
    I was on the floor during the boos and hecklers - an experience different than what I heard from my sources upstairs. Yes, the hecklers were loud and had their moment. But seeing McCain in person physically and you got the impression that 1) he's dealt with it before 2) deflected them nicely. The first heckler, a woman who tried to interrupt a different foreign policy question, was pumped down by McCain -- it was hard to hear either, but he scolded her and said he wouldn't be rude if he was in her shoes and that he was going to finish the other man's question, and then he'd get around to her (he never did). Though he did immediately get around to several immigration questions - which was the topic of the heckling. There were no more than a dozen jeer-ers in the crowd, sporadic. I could see how it might have seemed significant on the feed - my feeling though was that McCain retained control over the room, though he clearly let the questioning go too long (and he let an after-session go too long at the next event on his trail, at Clawson High School, which is my current hometown and I felt compelled to cover as well since I can literally walk to). He deserves respect for taking questions - and taking a lot them. And remember - this is Romney country (who took no questions), especially compared to, say, West Michigan, where McCain's endorsements and support is strong. Additionally, McCain packed Clawson High School, so there is no question that his campaign is able to draw a crowd. I don't know if it was just good planning or a palpable measurement in popularity or the type of event.


    Chetly Zarko
    Outside Lansing & Oakland Politics
    Romney's Performance (none / 0) (#11)
    by deezer on Sat Jan 12, 2008 at 10:42:34 PM EST
    Maybe people are picking up that Romney is a little shaky himself?  http://trueromney.com/

    McCain (none / 0) (#13)
    by liz on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 12:42:35 PM EST
    I was at DAD summit yesterday and I thought McCain bombed.  He was reading his speech from a paper on the podium, and looked up every few seconds.  His hand gestures appeared phony and his voice was mono-tone throughout the entire speech.  I can now definitively cross McCain off my list.  


    • Hi, Liz... by Nick, 01/13/2008 02:37:52 PM EST (none / 0)
    A message to fellow Republican Primary Voters (none / 0) (#15)
    by Steve DeWitt on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 05:24:42 PM EST
    Ronald Reagans only come around once in a lifetime.  As a result, as it likely did for many Michigan Republicans, it took me a long time to decide who to support in the Republican Presidential primary.  Months ago, I did send $50 in support of Mitt Romney's campaign.  But at the time frankly, it came more from the wallet - than the heart.

    In the weeks since I've had a chance to take measure of the other Republican primary candidates, as well as Governor Romney.  Now my support comes from a sense of conviction and certainty - so much so that I sent in an additional $50 check and spent several hours on the phone yesterday calling Republican voters to ask for their support.  

    I am deeply concerned that we could see the two leading conservative candidates forced out of the primary race, leaving us more moderate, even liberal Republicans to be our standard bearer next fall.  I believe that would be the worst of all possible outcomes for our country.

    As I contemplated the various candidates, their track records, behavior and experience - I made up my mind for the following reasons.  I hope you'll consider them as you head for the polls on Tuesday ... even if it's to vote for the other guy.

    (Presented alphabetically)

    Rudy Giuliani:  There's no denying he showed true leadership in the aftermath of 9-11.  I believe he is a fiscal conservative.  I am discomforted by his stands on social issues, but believe him when he says he'd appoint strict-constructionist judges.  I am equally bothered by his two divorces and why they took place.  However, if he runs against Hillary that issue becomes moot, for painfully obvious reasons.  However, should he become our candidate in November, I will volunteer my time and financial support.  His strategy to wait until February makes that unlikely, perhaps even impossible.

    Mike Huckabee:  A humorous and gifted orator, Governor Huckabee does a great job on the stump.  However, he raised Arkansas taxes by $500,000,000 in his years as Governor.  That's no small amount for a state the size of Arkansas and hardly the hallmark of a fiscal conservative.  He supported higher education benefits for children of illegal immigrants and opposed a 2001 bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote.  That one "You Tube" of Huckabee begging for taxes was telling for me.  A nice man, but not a conservative.  For my lifetime, one President from Arkansas will just have to do.

    John McCain:  I supported the Senator in the 2000 Michigan primary.  In watching him in the years since, I realize that was a mistake.  He opposed the Bush tax cuts which were largely responsible for our national economic growth in the years since.  He wanted to give illegal immigrants defacto-amnesty last summer.  I support legal immigration, but can't support McCain for what he nearly did with Senator Kennedy last year.  His campaign finance reform limited free speech and gave rise to these 527 orgs that don't have to disclose their contributors.  He's never run a business, and has never been a ch ief executive of a state, county, or even mayor of a city.  He's been in DC for over 20 years, a consummate, sometime effective Washington insider.  A national hero, but he lacks the administrative experience I believe a President needs.  I believe he'd serve us all better as the "Sheriff" of spending in the Senate until he retires.

    Ron Paul:  A fundraising powerhouse who deserves credibility for that reason.  However, I do not believe he will win a single primary, nor do I believe he can win in the general election.  Just one man's opinion, and rendered with all due respect to the fervency of his supporters.

    Mitt Romney:  The 2002 Winter Olympics were in complete disarray when Romney was brought in to turn things around.  He erased a deficit of over $300 million, and lead thousands of volunteers in producing what was widely acclaimed as one of the most successful Olympics ever.  Upon election as Governor of Massachusetts, Romney faced a projected $3 billion deficit, but a previously enacted $1.3 billion capital gains tax increase and $500 million in unanticipated federal grants decreased the deficit to $1.2 billion. Through a combination of spending cuts, lower state taxes, and increased fees, the State had a $700 million surplus by 2006.  I wish he'd been Governor of Michigan these past few years.  His business experience is unmatched by any Presidential candidate.  That experience served him well as Governor of Massachusetts and would serve us all well in Washington.

    Fred Thompson:  A solid conservative, but too slow out of the gate to make an impact in the early primaries.  Should Fred become our party's candidate for President, I will strongly support him.  The credentials are there, but because he's polling in single digits in Michigan, he can't win here.  People in South Carolina have an opportunity to maintain the viability of one of two conservatives remaining in this race.  Republicans here in Michigan do too.  

    But I believe we also have a greater opportunity to send someone who is superbly prepared to become, not simply a good President, but a great one.  Obviously, I believe that person is Mitt Romney.  

    We know for certain that our party's candidate will be running against one of three Democrat senators.  Obama has less than one term of experience, Edwards served just one term, and Hillary is in her second term in the Senate.  The Democrat party seems content with serving up "experience-lite" agents of change.

    In light of the economic problems facing Michigan and our country; in light of the threats we face from terrorism; as we grapple with the need to secure our borders and discourage illegal as we encourage legal immigration ... I'll take Mitt Romney, and his tremendous experience and results, every time

    Steve DeWitt

    If you agree with Steve DeWitt's message .... (none / 0) (#18)
    by Steve DeWitt on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 05:31:03 PM EST
    Please cut and paste them into a email and send to your friends.  Spread the word!  We need to keep two viable conservatice candidates in the race!

    If you don't ... don't.

    ;o)
    Steve DeWitt

    Sad but true.. (none / 0) (#19)
    by rdww on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 05:35:26 PM EST
    (meaning it'll likely devolve into a Ron Paul flamefest in 3...2...1...)

    (only if we allow it to)

    Thank you (none / 0) (#20)
    by liz on Sun Jan 13, 2008 at 10:02:44 PM EST
    Your analysis of each was great and very helpful.  Since my two favorite candidates (Hunter and Thompson) are not front runners I have been searching for a front runner to vote for in the primaries who will defeat Huckabee.

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