What constitutes an ‘Establishment’ player?
Since the rise of the ‘Tea Party’ movement, certain elements of it have been co-opted by those who were originally threatened by it. The reality that money is the mothers milk of politics cannot be ignored however. The left has their billionaire backers, and we have our own.
Power is an aphrodisiac.
After spending more than a couple million in political expenditures attempting to gain a regents seat on the most liberal university in our state, Ron Weiser finally succeeded in 2016. Riding the coattails of the now-president, a man who was one of the few candidates he did not financially support prior to Trump winning the GOP nomination.
That is how it works however, when an power seeking opportunist with a full wallet wants access to the oval office perhaps? Truth be told, the $120,000 (roughly) given to the Trump Victory PAC may well have played a small part in Trump’s victory in Michigan. Even one stop missed (easily $100K in expense) might have spelled doom for the effort.
And let me be clear, the political opportunism for those with cash does not necessarily mean that a person is ‘bad.’ Being in the ‘establishment’ is not so bad itself is it?
Ask Kerry Bentivolio. (yes it’s Eileen’s contribution) or Tom McMillin.
But who’s complaining?
In any event, Ron Weiser will be the Michigan GOP chair soon. Weiser, who (for example) plays the game this way (note that all are pre-primary reportings):
| WEISER, EILEEN | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48105 | SELF-EMPLOYED | HOMEMAKER | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 06/23/2016 | 2700.00 | 201612069037663036 |
| WEISER, EILEEN | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48105 | SELF-EMPLOYED | HOMEMAKER | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 06/23/2016 | 2700.00 | 201612069037663036 |
| WEISER, EILEEN | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48105 | HOMEMAKER | HOMEMAKER | ALLEN, JASON EDWARD VIA JASON ALLEN FOR CONGRESS | 03/12/2016 | 2700.00 | 201604159012566998 |
| WEISER, EILEEN MS. | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48105 | WEISER, EILEEN | HOMEMAKER | CASPERSON, TOM VIA CASPERSON FOR CONGRESS | 12/14/2015 | 2700.00 | 201601309004950956 |
| WEISER, RONALD | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48104 | MCKINLEY ASSOCIATES INC | FOUNDER AND CEO | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 04/28/2016 | 1700.00 | 201612069037663037 |
| WEISER, RONALD | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48104 | MCKINLEY ASSOCIATES INC | FOUNDER AND CEO | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 06/23/2016 | -1700.00 | 201612069037663037 |
| WEISER, RONALD | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48104 | MCKINLEY ASSOCIATES INC | FOUNDER AND CEO | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 06/23/2016 | 1700.00 | 201612069037663038 |
| WEISER, RONALD | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48104 | MCKINLEY ASSOCIATES INC | FOUNDER AND CEO | BERGMAN, JOHN VIA BERGMANFORCONGRESS | 06/23/2016 | 2700.00 | 201612069037663037 |
| WEISER, RONALD | ANN ARBOR | MI | 48104 | MI REPUBLICAN PARTY | CHAIRMAN | CASPERSON, TOM VIA CASPERSON FOR CONGRESS | 12/14/2015 | 2700.00 | 201601309004950956 |
One way or the other, access granted?
Scott Hagerstrom has decided to withdraw from the race for Michigan GOP Chair. Today, he posts this on FB:
The best way to help Make Michigan Great Again
Friends,
After meeting with multiple members of the Trump White House, I’ve decided that the best way I can help make Michigan Great Again is to withdraw from the race for MIGOP Chair.
I would like to thank all of my supporters for believing in me, and especially Meshawn Maddock for her commitment to conservative principles, incredible work ethic and her unwavering support for Mr. Trumps message.
This is not the end, but the beginning of something great. I am confident that Ron Weiser understands that the future of the Michigan Republican Party lies in embracing the constitutional principles that led to President Trump’s historic victory.
Ron has a history of showing the foresight to work with, not against, conservative Republicans. Not only was Ron a top fundraiser for the Donald J. Trump Presidential campaign, but he also played a pivotal role in making Michigan a right to work state.
Now is the time for all of us, as a united Michigan Republican Party, to get to work helping implement President Trump’s vision for the future. I look forward to working with all of you towards this goal, in whatever role God has in store.
Scott Hagerstrom
Take it where you want.
(6)Nuh Uh.
(0)
Well, that went over like a kick to the head (with an iron boot).
And here I was hopeful to see Mr. Hagerstrom stomp a mudhole in Ron Weiser's machinations and prevent him from regaining the Chair again.
I honestly couldn't care who the Weiser Family has on their speed dials or how much coin they dropped during past campaigns (sorry, Jason).
But with the strings Ron Weiser was pulling behind the scenes regarding the Michigan Taxpayer funded Detroit Bailout, to Mrs. Weiser's unwavering support for common core, my Magic 8-Ball is telling me that a certain political party is about to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again.
Anyone here want to take any bets on how badly Team "d" will crush Team "r" in the next gubernatorial race?
wasn't so much on how MUCH they spent, but the way in which it is done. Hedging bets with the three main candidates in the 1st CD congressional contest? I KNOW it has a profound impact when the race is done.
Having been a candidate, it was easy enough to see that the lure of the campaign donation can make it real hard to ignore someone. A candidate can pump all their personal resources in, yet a lousy $100 will (and should) get the decency of a thank you in some way. Weiser gets it.
And we quickly find that much of the money to many former 'tea types' promotes amnesia.
Think frank Foster, and maybe even now ..his successor.
Scott--just so you know--we've just spent six years getting our voices to count--and you, dear sir, are directly responsible for much of this success. We are hell-bent on continuing our momentum which involved de-elevating elitist RINO's wanting to keep business as usual. What you witnessed is the likes of RINO's wanting so badly to infiltrate and ride the coattails of a man who has already made English Only White House page, rid us of TPP, rid us of NoBama Care financial mandate fines--this is the momentum we require at home. I've watched in just his last week how he's destroyed everything clouding his path to the MI GOP. Too Bad Scott, I truly was looking forward to your leadership.