Expected Republican candidates for governor reviewed.

The Michigan Republican field can be quite interesting sometimes.

As many might already realize, a Democrat candidate could be a criminally challenged former State Representative, and still get the full (and active) support from the party of the left in a bid for major office. The bland but nevertheless regressive nature of the left allows even the most obscene stupidity in it’s ranks.  No special prerequisites for candidates other than kill babies, deny God, and let little boys be little girls if they want.

Republican contenders must have their own specific characteristics and features.  No such amorphous qualities are allowed to exist on the right (as they do in the left) to win over all factions of the GOP brand. Below is a list of the expected and declared Republican candidates for governor, and my own estimation of their specific advantage and disadvantages in securing maximum support from GOP supporters and grassroots.  They may or may not be in the order suggested by the title of this piece.

Brian Calley

Advantages

• Current Michigan Lt. Governor – Name recognition, legislative experience Eight years as lt Governor, four years as state rep, winning primary for State Senate before selection as lt. Governor running mate at convention.
• Likeable
• Conservative preferences declared – Pro life, Prayer.  Seen as family oriented, never afraid to show faith or opposition to abortion.
• Revived ‘mutton chops’ as a facial style.
• Priorities, Efforts – Part Time Legislature is seen as a positive by a majority of GOP voters according to at least one poll
• Plays the guitar in a bar band. – I mean, who doesn’t like a good cover of Green Day’s “Basket Case?”

Primary disadvantages

• Never used the power of lt. guv position to stop the growth of government. Not-at-all operationally conservative as claimed.
• Forced businesses to operate in certain manner premised on his own personal difficulties.
• He actually destroyed physical wealth ..on purpose.
• Has not even filed yet.

Summary:  Already Failed the test. May not even file

Calley was a nobody Representative until he was selected to act as a nobody Lt. Governor.  In 2010, Snyder’s team looked for someone who would pull in the conservative voting faction of the GOP, as the head of the ticket commanded only 36% in the GOP primary.  The fact that Calley could claim conservatism would be in the executive branch while having no actual influence was a bonus to the Snyder administration.

It should be clear to all that Brian Calley merely danced the monkey dance of big government while Rick Snyder was busy grinding the organ.  He will probably have fun on the island this weekend belting out the tunes.  He is not a bad musician either. He just fits in the entertainment industry much better than policy.

Jim Hines

Advantages

• Medical experience – A real doctor. Decades as a Pediatrician, realistically could have delivered Brian Calley.
• He probably did NOT deliver Brian Calley
• Likeable
• Service to community – Several faith based missions to provide critical health services around the world.
• Conservative Cred – Pro Life, Pro 2A, pro family. Website states several conservative issue positions
• Past CEO of major health organization.
• Has personal funding capability
• Healthy – will outlive most current millennials, and may well still deliver a future governor whom he will probably outlive.

Primary disadvantage

• Unknown.  Though a stellar human being, Hines has no political connections, no statewide infrastructure, and didn’t even know what a precinct delegate was until he filed to run as one.  His first political foray in a bid for governor is an impossible task. (Sorry to be a dream crusher Jim)
• Pollyanna – Just wants to do good, has few (if any) stated core missions.

Summary: Decent man, questionable capabilities, no name

Jim Hines began his campaign early on.  Presumably, he would have gained some traction by being ahead of all others.  Traveling around the state with a crew of about 10-20 of his crew, each stop was an opportunity to pick up new support.  One of his stops was in Traverse City, where I attended becoming impressed with the man, but not with his political strength.

He has no experience, and probably no business being in Michigan’s charged political atmosphere. This post alone could well provide a doubling to his political exposure at this point, for what that is worth.  So far, personal and family contributions exceed $300,000.   Some might question whether he ought to waste his time and money on this effort given his political ‘rookie’ status, but we should wish him well.

Patrick Colbeck

Advantages

• Legislative Experience –  Michigan Senator elected first in 2010 till today
• Education – Literally a rocket scientist.
• Limited government – Opposed higher taxes and growing government on TWO MAJOR fronts, offering non cost-raising alternatives for roads funding and options to avoid medicaid expansion (that now threatens state finances)
• Conservative Cred – Pro life, Pro family, Pro fiscal responsibility, won awards as “most conservative senator” as well as consistently earning high marks in our own legislative scorecard.  Perceived as a supporter of, and as someone who understands the constitution.
• Solid grassroots support – Throughout the state Senator Colbeck has earned name recognition and respect with conservative grass roots because of his consistent record on not simply opposing big government, but actively offering alternative routes to solve state issues.

Primary disadvantage

• Politically fresh – Not a long term political player,  While name recognition good with political workforce, it is less-so with voting population.
• Money – May have weakness in funding of sufficient campaign efforts, particularly in primary.

Summary:  Capable, with allies, yet underdog.

Pat Colbeck is the guy most conservative republicans have been waiting for.  An intellectual, an engineer, well educated, and apparently understands the proper role of government.  His family and personal life’s influences on policy provide unique solutions rarely found from the perpetually political cast of government careerists.

This is not someone who has made life plans on being a political participant, but has found a path of public service at a time that desperately needs fresh ideas and top down reign-in on the institutions of government.  If Pat Colbeck can pull together enough local organizational effort in key areas of the state, he may have a chance to increase name recognition and household popularity.

Money as always, is not the friend to the politically fresh (8 years is indeed fresh), and the ‘bigs’ who have been running campaigns for 30+ years will be better prepared with full war chests.  The organizational grassroots efforts noted above will be especially critical, even with some outside influence mailers and broadcast support that comes with these types of campaigns.

There are a few organizations that would likely ‘support his positions’ if he demonstrates sufficient organizational efforts.

Bill Schuette

Advantages

• Extensive political experience. –  Over three decades of political successes, with only one loss in a major race.  Congress, Statewide elective and bureaucratic office, Judicial and district elective as well.
• Conservative Cred – Pro life, Pro family, pro law enforcement
• Popularity & name recognition – There are few in politics today who are known statewide as is Bill Schuette.
• Lawman – Brought overdue justice to Detroit victims of sex crimes. Tough on crime.
• Likeable – Pours a mean cup of coffee, and means it.

Primary Disadvantages

• Out of control AG office – Pig Farmers, MDEQ, Private property disputes, malicious prosecution, Marijuana
• Supreme Court failure  – Efforts to stop assault of Michigan 2004 referendum on Marriage were weak and without constitutional application.
• Superficial – 33 year run for governor widely apparent

Summary: Top of the heap politically, but with minor baggage.

Bill Schuette is a household name in Michigan.  He has led a fight against human trafficking in our state and as AG straightened out Detroit’s rape test fiasco. He is a tough law enforcement officer when it comes to criminal enterprise, and prosecutes well when necessary.  His office unfortunately has run afoul of citizen farmers (pigs), the medicinal marijuana initiative, and several of his former friends in the Flint water fiasco.

Personally, people really like him.  No matter what is going on, he is affable funny and approachable.   His individually local BBQs are of legend, and attract political players and office holder of all status levels.  If one wants to meet the movers and shakers, go to a Bill Schuette BBQ. He’ll be sure to even pour you a cup of coffee.

The 2018 Gubernatorial election is Bill Schuette’s to lose.  He is arguably the favorite in the Republican primary, but his efforts to provide pension protections to labor in the Detroit bankruptcy dispute, and his prosecutorial efforts in Flint should be seen positively by swing voters who pay attention.

His major weaknesses however, could provide doubt if enough of the grassroots abandon the efforts necessary to win in the general.  Dispassionate activists who feel antipathy toward a candidate because there is no dog in the hunt for them (they win nothing toward their political goals), might look to a protest vote.  Aggrieved conservatives who equate Schuette with Rick Snyder might well be apt to prefer a non-performing Democrat to a high impact Republican who runs the table with many of the left’s (or worse, ‘cronyist’s’) principle goals.

 

Other Republicans who have filed:

Joseph Derose – No Information available
Earl Lackie – Filed a couple of days ago
Mark McFarlin – Originally filed as a Democrat with reporting waiver
Evan Space – Does not expect to spend more than $1000

Advantages

• Not Rick Snyder ..or Michael Moore.  Or Jeffrey Feiger

Primary Disadvantages

• Who Dat?

Summary: Other.

As far as I can tell, there aren’t even dedicated websites for any of these four. Nuff said.