Tag Archive for Michigan

Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

RightMi.com Voting Recommendations Part 2

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Suggestions for Michigan's contested State Senate seats in the Republican Primary

Several contested Republican races around the state are worth noting.

In this edition, the State Senate contests are looked at.  We should note that several candidates are lousy at getting their message out, have inadequate websites, and may have not social media skills.  If we had to look too hard to find info on them, it was not helpful.

7TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR – Pat Colbeck vs. Matt Edwards

colbeckRightMi.com gives a hearty recommendation for Patrick Colbeck

This is the guy who has faced down Obamacare, Common Core, higher gas taxes, and general laziness and stupidity in the State Senate for the last four years. Do we agree always? Not so much, however Colbeck is hardly a stick-in-the-mud, and has carefully reviewed alternatives when challenged.

Easy choice for Pat Colbeck

10TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR Jake Alexander Null vs. Tory Rocca

RightMi.com Has no recommendation.

12TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR Bob Gray vs. Jim Marleau

RightMi.Com Recommends a change from Marleau, who barely hit the 31% on the RightMi.com legislative scorecard.

The former Teamster, UAW, and NEA member cannot be any worse.

13TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR Ethan Baker vs. Al Gui vs. Marty Knollenberg vs. Chuck Moss vs. Rocky Raczkowski

RightMi.com Has no recommendation.

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Elections, Michigan Politics

2014 Michigan State House Races

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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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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Philosophy, Republicans

Who Says It Won’t Happen?

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A Political Star Is Born On Facebook

Need some conservative inspiration? Last May, 17-year old, Saira Blair, walked away the winner in a West Virginia Republican primary for the state legislature. If Blair wins the November election, she will become the youngest lawmaker in West Virginia history. There’s more rising stars, and for those who prowl Facebook well after the stars have risen, here is one you may have missed….

rigasAngela Rigas was born trailer-park poor in Hastings, Michigan, 39 years ago. Her mother had serious personal issues and walked out on the family when Angela was thirteen years old. “My grandmother was the only person who loved me,” Rigas said during a July 14 interview. “When she developed Alzheimer’s, I had to watch while she forgot me.”

There were two choices she could make: become a victim or become a champion. Her story speaks to spiritual deliverance, and to turning anger into a loving toughness that put her squarely on the path to becoming a voice for those who have been denied having one.

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Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Republicans

Calley Ended The MBT, So There.

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Brian Calley was instrumental in ending the "stupid" business killing Michigan Business Tax

I’ll be clear, my preference for a challenge in the executive arrangement for Michigan would have been to go after the Governor directly.

However, the cost difference between a statewide gubernatorial contest versus a delegate election is significant, and Wes Nakagiri in his bid for LT Gov at convention STILL has a high hurdle to leap. Especially with MiGOP resources being used to recruit ‘establishment-GOP’ loyal delegates throughout the state; with rumored bribery in some districts raising eyebrows. Some delegates might already have made up their minds whom they will support if they are selected to go to state convention. I wonder if all the delegates are even aware of easily identified history?

I wonder too, if it even matters to them.

This weekend’s Governor’s breakfast in Traverse City had all the top players present.  The guv, lt. guv, AG, SoS, and candidate Land all there.  Brian Calley was touted by the governor as the man responsible for eliminating the MBT. 

The MBT as you know, was a stupid tax.  No Doubt about it. Snyder even said so.  Right in this video:

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Michigan, Philosophy

M.I.C.E. Alert – July 14

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UPDATE 07-14-14 – FACEBOOK is removing all references to this post.

I have heard about post removals, but have never seen how sneaky and underhanded the operators of face are firsthand.  Facebook CANNOT be trusted as an information outlet.

 

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Michigan Politics, Opinion, Republicans

No Powder In This Cannon

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Truth be told, THAT gun has probably never been fired.

poachingMichigan is indeed a sportsman’s paradise.

Naturally, the coveted NRA scoring and endorsement will be flaunted by would-be Michigan politicos who want an edge up on their opponents.  In the strange circumstance however, the NRA has been rewarding legislative support for ammo registration in Michigan yet is fighting it in California.

Go figure.

Yes, in Michigan, several legislators are being punished by the NRA scoring process for voting against a package of bills designed to ‘Keep ammo out of the hands of felons.’ Certainly the NRA is acting responsibly, right? Until you carefully think through what it takes to enforce such an act.

Lets consider what the NRA uses as legislative candidate scoring criteria first.

A+: A legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.

A: Solidly pro-gun candidate. A candidate who has supported NRA positions on key votes in elective office or a candidate with a demonstrated record of support on Second Amendment issues.

AQ: A pro-gun candidate whose rating is based solely on the candidate’s responses to the NRA-PVF Candidate Questionnaire and who does not have a voting record on Second Amendment issues.

B: A generally pro-gun candidate. However, a “B” candidate may have opposed some pro-gun reform or supported some restrictive legislation in the past.

D: An anti-gun candidate who usually supports restrictive gun control legislation and opposes pro-gun reforms. Regardless of public statements, can usually be counted on to vote wrong on key issues.

Emphasis in bold.

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Michigan Politics

Rob Steele In Traverse City

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SteeleA few Nights ago, we had the pleasure of a visit in Traverse City by Dr Rob Steele for a visit with Representative Greg MacMaster, a talk on the ACA and health care in general.

Dr. Steele has a place up in this neck of the woods, and is quite at home in his home away from the Peoples Republic of Ann Arbor. In 2010, Dr. Steele came as close to victory as any have over congressman John Dingell; holding Dingell to his lowest percentage of votes in his 55-year career in Congress.  He is again pursuing a spot as U of M Regent.

In any event, we recorded his presentation.  Enjoy.

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Michigan Politics

FreedomWorks Mi Score Card

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FreedomWorks Issues Its 2014 Key Votes Scorecard.

A reliably conservative watchdog, FreedomWorks reflects the views of many conservative and tea types

Not surprisingly, certain lawmakers scored higher than their supposedly ideological brothers.  We have seen the squishy unprincipled selling out of the USA for far too long to not expect it to be revealed in this type of scoring.

MI-Congress-2014-FW

The card can be maximized by clicking on the image.  the corresponding votes are below.

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Conservative News, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy

Michigan Blogger Round Up

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A round up of Michigan bloggers and their work

logo-sphereFrom The Right –  Michigan Gives Up – A reminder the the GOP totally caved to progressive goals.

PartTimeMi.com – Suspension of the Part Time Legislature Ballot Initiative Due to numerous reasons it will not happen in 2014 by ballot.

Republican Michigander TWOFER –

Michigan Capitol Confidential – Yeah, Detroit is going to get even more of the pie.  It’s Just amazing

The Shekel – Firearm Law Improvements in Michigan A couple of improvements, and looking for more.

The Voice of One Crying Out in Suburbia – When Did Modesty Become An Ironically Dirty Word? Seriously.

WatchDog Wire – Izzy tells us how ‘eco-tourism’ gets a great big boost from the starry eyed pols in Emmet County – $15 million in bonds approved by county commissioners and fulfilled by taxpayers.  Whatta bargain!

If you have a Michigan based blog that should be included, or have a Michigan based story that cannot be missed, shoot a message over via the tips link above.

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Conservative News, Cronyism, Democrats, Elections, Michigan, Michigan Politics, Opinion, Philosophy, Republicans

Minimum Wage Insanity Passes GOP ‘Firewall’

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Sausage Grinding In All Its Glory. Minimum Wage Today, Higher Gas Taxes Tomorrow.

snyderIn a move reportedly designed to head off a ballot initiative, a higher minimum wage was passed and signed by Governor Rick Snyder.

Snyder yesterday signed ‘bipartisan’ legislation raising Michigan’s minimum wage by September to $8.15, and to $9.25 an hour by 2018, a move he said “will help hard-working residents without hindering the state’s improving economy.” SB 934 is now Public Act 138 of 2014.

Oh, and by the way; It should be noted that a majority of the House Republicans voted NO on this. (albeit a small one)

We support those voting no, including one of our Northern Michigan legislators who gets it.  Greg MacMaster (R-105) says

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