Republican Michigander

• Rick Snyder Super Bowl Political Ad

  I just caught the Rick Snyder ad. It's slick. I'll take a look at the plan on his site and see if he actually has details for a change beyond platitudes and company line talk "Reinvent" etc.
  
  Apparently it did its job of getting noticed considering how many' [...]
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  Posted: February 07, 2010, 11:01pm EST
  

• House just voted to raise debt 1.9 Trillion

  A round of Bronx Cheers and boo birds go to the US House today. They voted 217-212 to raise the debt ceiling nearly $2 Trillion more dollars. Obama will sign this, proving that he is no fiscal conservative.
  
  From the AP
  
  
  The House on Thursday [...]
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  Posted: February 04, 2010, 2:52pm EST
  

• Michigan 11th District (MI-11) Updated

  Michigan's 11th District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Thad McCotter (R-Livonia)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 8
  Cook District Numbers - EVEN
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 54%
  McCain - 45%
  
  2004:
  Bush - 53%
  Kerry – 47%
  
  2000
  Bush - 51%
  Gore - [...]
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  Posted: January 31, 2010, 4:44pm EST
  

• Latest Polls. Mike Cox leads all

  When EPIC/MRA has you up by a good margin, it's good news. They usually have a democrat leaning to them.The Free Press has the news story on it
  
  Here's the numbers.
  
  Dem Primary:
  38% - Undecided
  23% - Denise Ilitch (undeclared)
  9% - Gary Peters (not [...]
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  Posted: January 30, 2010, 1:13pm EST
  

• Michigan 10th District (MI-10) Updated

  Michigan's 10th District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Candice Miller (R-Harrison Twp)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 8
  Cook District Numbers - R+5
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  McCain - 50%
  Obama - 48%
  
  2004:
  Bush - 57%
  Kerry – 43%
  
  2000
  Bush - 53%
  Gore [...]
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  Posted: January 30, 2010, 12:33pm EST
  

• Campaign Finance Statements are due February 1

  If you just filed for election, you better be ready for the campaign finance laws. If you filed your committee (or PAC) in 2009, your annual statement is due February 1 for the 2009 period. This is some free advice from a professional. Know the due dates. Don't wait' [...]
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  Posted: January 29, 2010, 11:37pm EST
  

• Lansing wants to raise Michigan's 33 cent (not 19) gas tax

  If you look at the media and their love of taxes, and not know how it works, you could easily fall for their lie, damn lie, and statistics that the gas tax is 19 cents, and supposedly low. It's not 19cents. That's right. Michigan's gas tax is currently 33 cents.  [...]
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  Posted: January 29, 2010, 1:15pm EST
  

• I saw this coming a mile away. Roeder's defense overruled

  (UPDATE - Roeder got convicted of murder)
  
  Scott Roeder likely just got himself a life sentence. A while back I wrote what I consider my most controversial writing comparing Scott Roeder to John Brown and the pre civil war before the civil war, Bleeding Kansas of the [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2010, 8:32pm EST
  

• There's Lansing. There's Bush. There's Obama. There's Matt Millen, and then there's the US Senate

  When it comes to fiscal irresponsibility, there several degrees of bad. Lansing is bad. The US House is worse. George W Bush was worse than the current and former US House combined. On spending, Bush sucked. Obama is worse than Bush. He really sucks. Obama isn't the worst though. There's [...]
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  Posted: January 28, 2010, 2:56pm EST
  

• RNC Litmus Test provision fails unanimously. Right decision.

  I think this is was a rash decision that needed to fail. I don't like RINOs, but this isn't the way to stop the DeDe Scozzafavas, Arlen Specters, Lincoln Chafees, Joe Schwarzes, Jim Leaches, and Chuck Hagels who go out and back leftist democrats. There's a difference between RINOs and [...]
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  Posted: January 27, 2010, 11:29pm EST
  

• Obama's new awakening on fiscal matters is absolute bullshit

  We have had record defects from Mr. Obama. These trillion dollar deficits dwarf anything that Bush delivered. The TARP bailout from the previous administration was also Obama's fault, as well as McCain's for that matter. Obama voted for it. He administers it today. We then had the stimulus bill that [...]
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  Posted: January 26, 2010, 11:43pm EST
  

• Buy American! Buy Big 3! Buy Ford!

  Everytime something happens with a Big 3 automobile, we get a lot of crap thrown away by the Big 3 haters. Outside of wear and tear, I haven't have any major problems with my 2002 Ford truck built in . Same goes for my 99 and 93 that I used' [...]
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  Posted: January 26, 2010, 11:17pm EST
  

• Latest on McDonald case (NRA vs Gura)

  I found this interesting. Orin Kerr of the Volokh blog, posted this. He's not a fan of Alan Gura's argument on the privileges and immunities clause regarding the 2nd Amendment, so keep that in mind.
  
  The Blog of Legal Times notes that the Supreme Court granted the [...]
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  Posted: January 25, 2010, 7:40pm EST
  

• Joe Schwarz for Governor? What a joke.

  That's what Joe Schwarz is. A joke. From Skubick's blog
  
  But Dick Posthumus got the GOP nomination and now Schwarz is left to flirt once more with running for governor but as an independent candidate.
  He's been here before, lots of times.
  "The climate for an independent is" [...]
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  Posted: January 25, 2010, 1:32pm EST
  

• Mike Cox event February 6th

  It's campaign season, and a lot of events early on cost money and are fundraisers. This one isn't costing a dime.
  
  Mike Cox, who I have endorsed for governor is having a big rally February 6. This is right in the democrats own backyard as well. Southfield, Michigan.' [...]
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  Posted: January 25, 2010, 12:50pm EST
  

• Primary for 22nd State Senate seat

  I'm not surprised that we're going to have a primary election here. State senate seats do not open up as much as state house seats, and there is never a coronation. Valde Garcia was primaried in most of his elections here, and always expected one when he ran.
  
  Paul [...]
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  Posted: January 25, 2010, 11:09am EST
  

• Michigan 9th District (MI-09) Updated

  Michigan's 9th District - Congress
  
  
  Incumbent - Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Hills)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 2
  Cook District Numbers - D+2
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 56%
  McCain - 43%
  
  2004:
  Bush - 51%
  Kerry – 49%
  
  2000
  Bush - [...]
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  Posted: January 23, 2010, 10:14pm EST
  

• Democrats want to once again raise debt ceiling - 1.9 TRILLION

  From Politico
  
  
  
  Upping the ante just a day after losing their 60th Senate seat, Democrats moved Wednesday to seek a $1.9 trillion increase in the federal debt ceiling and give the Treasury adequate borrowing authority past November’s elections and into next year.
  
  Republicans were [...]
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  Posted: January 21, 2010, 2:39pm EST
  

• Not just a Southern Party after all

  One thing that absolutely got my Irish up was the pundits in 08 talking about how the GOP is dead and buried everywhere outside of the South and parts of the West. While there's a lot I love about the South, I'm a Midwesterner, and we're not dead here yet. [...]
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  Posted: January 19, 2010, 11:12pm EST
  

• Brown wins in Massachusetts! Keith Olbermann - IN YOUR FACE!!!!!!

  Great news. Scott Brown defeated Martha Coakley to replace of all people Ted Kennedy (and the appointed Paul Kirk) representing Massachusetts in the US Senate. With 95% of the vote in, Brown leads 52%-47% with 1% going to Joe Kennedy (not RFK's son).
  
  This sends some gigantic messages [...]
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  Posted: January 19, 2010, 10:16pm EST
  

• Ungovernability?

  I caught this on Red State this morning. When you hear talk about America being "ungovernable," buy lots of ammo today, because they are going after the checks and balances of this country.
  
  Erick Erickson of Redstate said:
  
  
  When the left starts talking about nations [...]
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  Posted: January 19, 2010, 3:33pm EST
  

• Tim Walberg leads Mark Schauer in early polling

  I got this in an email press release from Tim Wallberg's campaign. I normally don't pass these along, but the poll numbers are being released.
  
  
  Tipton, MI- Recent polling demonstrates that Freshman Democrat Congressman Mark Schauer is very vulnerable to defeat, as Republican Challenger Tim Walberg leads' [...]
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  Posted: January 19, 2010, 2:48pm EST
  

• Congressional District 7 (MI-07) Updated

  Michigan's 7th District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 2.
  Cook District Numbers - R+2
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 52%
  McCain - 47%
  
  2004:
  Bush - 54%
  Kerry – 45%
  
  2000
  Bush - 51%
  Gore [...]
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  Posted: January 16, 2010, 1:13am EST
  

• Scott Brown and Massachusetts - Act like we're down 5 points.

  Right now the big special election is in Massachusetts. January 19th is the day. One thing I've always said about special elections is throw the rules out. Turnout is lighter, and usually the winner is who gets their people out to the polls. It doesn't matter where. These are different [...]
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  Posted: January 15, 2010, 9:45pm EST
  

• Congressional District 6 (MI-06) Updated

  Michigan's 6th District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 24.
  Cook District Numbers -EVEN
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 54%
  McCain - 44%
  
  2004:
  Bush - 53%
  Kerry – 46%
  
  2000
  Bush - 52%
  Gore -' [...]
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  Posted: January 12, 2010, 3:17pm EST
  

• Update in McDonald v Chicago (and list of Congress members who support the Chicago gun ban)

  I most recently posted the filings and background on December 9th.
  
  If those who are following the 2nd and 14th Amendment case McDonald v. Chicago,  also known as the Chicago Gun Case, click on the December 9th link above for background information and comments on the pro-side filings.
  [...]
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  Posted: January 08, 2010, 6:42pm EST
  

• Conservative Libertarianism's Comeback

  A good column by David Paul Kuhn was published in Real Clear Politics. I don't think conservative libertarianism (small  l) ever completely went away, but it was dormant for a long time, with grumbling during the 2002-2008 period. Conservative libertarians (which I consider myself to a degree) were still' [...]
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  Posted: January 08, 2010, 1:34pm EST
  

• Congressional District 5 (MI-05) Updated

  Michigan's 5th District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Dale Kildee (D-Flint)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 34.
  Cook District Numbers - D+11
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 64%
  McCain - 35%
  
  2004:
  Kerry – 59%
  Bush - 41%
  
  2000:
  Gore 61%
  Bush 37%
  [...]
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  Posted: January 07, 2010, 5:34pm EST
  

• Congressional District 4 (MI-04) Updated

  Michigan's 3rd District - Congress
  
  Incumbent - Dave Camp (R-Midland)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 20.
  Cook District Numbers - R+6
  
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  Obama - 50%
  McCain - 48%
  
  2004:
  Bush – 55%
  Kerry – 44%
  
  2000:
  Bush 54%
  Gore 44%[...]
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  Posted: January 05, 2010, 10:48pm EST
  

• John Cherry drops out of the race

  I'm shocked at this. I thought Cherry was much stronger than his numbers suggested. He's strongly organized, extremely friendly to labor, neutralizes the gun issue, and good one on one with people (which I know from experience at one of his gun events). If he hit the doors and met' [...]
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  Posted: January 05, 2010, 2:21pm EST
  

• Congressional District 3 (MI-03) Updated

  Michigan's 3rd District - Congress
  Incumbent - Vernon Ehlers (R-Grand Rapids)
  Years in office as of 2010 election - 17.
  Cook District Numbers - R+6
  
  Barone’s numbers
  2008:
  McCain - 49%
  Obama - 49%
  2004:
  Bush – 59%
  Kerry – 40%
  2000:
  Bush 60%
  Gore 38%
  [...]
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  Posted: January 03, 2010, 4:06pm EST
  

• Dems go after pollsters?

  Unbelievable. From Politico
  
  
  Democrats are turning their fire on Scott Rasmussen, the prolific independent pollster whose surveys on elections, President Obama’s popularity and a host of other issues are surfacing in the media with increasing frequency.
  
  The pointed attacks reflect a hardening conventional wisdom [...]
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  Posted: January 03, 2010, 3:08pm EST
  

• Upset Watch

  This goes into the "I'll believe it when I see it" category, but nobody expected the Giants to beat the Patriots either.While most pundits laughed at Howard Dean's 50 state strategy - it worked. The Republicans need to do the same thing. It looks like they MIGHT be making a' [...]
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  Posted: January 01, 2010, 10:34pm EST
  

• Congressional District 2 (MI-02) - Updated

  The 2nd Congressional District (MI-02) is opening up for the first time in decades.
  
  Michigan's 2nd District - Congress
  Incumbent - Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) - Not running for re-election - running for Governor.
  Candidates:
  GOP - Bill Cooper, Bill Huizenga, Wayne Kuipers, Jay Reimersma
  Dems - Fred Johnson
  [...]
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  Posted: January 01, 2010, 4:19pm EST
  

• Washington again thinks it knows best for our schools

  Notice the first word here. Washington. Not Obama. The reason is that Bush gave us "No Child Left Behind" and Obama is just building on what Bush did. It's "more of the same" and that's not a good thing when it comes to the federal government's propensity to micromanage things. [...]
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  Posted: December 31, 2009, 2:02pm EST
  

• Congressional District 1 (MI-01) - Updated

  I'm switching up from County to Congressional District/State Senate/State House updates. I debated this with 2011 redistricting, but I'd like to get before and after comparisons. Counties are good for red/blue maps and farm clubs of candidates. Districts are what is won and lost, and are the real meat and [...]
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  Posted: December 30, 2009, 4:57pm EST
  

• Craig Ruff of Dome Magazine and Public Sector Consultants on constitutional convention

  I was looking up some writings on the constitutional convention proposal which we will be voting on in 2010, and found some interesting stuff in Dome Magazine. Surprisingly to me, I haven't been familiar with it. It's quite interesting, and has some interesting comments on the articles, including Bob' [...]
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  Posted: December 23, 2009, 8:32pm EST
  

• Arenac County Updated

  Arenac County is one of the more consistently democrat leaning counties in Northern Michigan, and in the cluster of counties in Northern Michigan (along with Clare, Gladwin, Ogemaw,  Roscommon, and Iosco Counties) that makes this part of the state up for grabs. It's heavily tied to the corrections industry in [...]
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  Posted: December 22, 2009, 12:12am EST
  

• Antrim County Updated

  Antrim County is one of the Republican base counties in North Michigan. It is between Charlevoix and Grand Traverse Counties to its North and South, and Otsego County to its east. The southern portion (Elk Rapids) is heavily influenced by Traverse City. The Northwestern part is Torch Lake, home of [...]
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  Posted: December 20, 2009, 8:17pm EST
  

• Congress votes to raise debt ceiling

  In a big showing of fiscal mismanagement, Congress votes to raise the debt ceiling. From The Hill.
  
  
  In an end-of-session nail-biter vote, the House passed a short-term increase of the debt limit Wednesday, setting the stage for a February showdown on deficit spending.It was not a popular [...]
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  Posted: December 17, 2009, 6:17pm EST
  

• Alpena County Updated

  Alpena County is the anchor county for the sunrise side of Northern Michigan. While Northwestern Michigan is more affluent (although less so with the economy), Northeastern Michigan is more working class and populist in its leanings. There is a union influence more in this part of the state compared to [...]
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  Posted: December 13, 2009, 1:23pm EST
  

• SCOTUS to hear McDonald 2nd and 14th Amendment case

  This case, McDonald v Chicago, is one of the biggest cases in SCOTUS (Supreme Court of the United States) history. It is the most important 2nd Amendment case in history, and one of the biggest in regards to the 14th Amendment. This is a rare direct shot against some bad [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 11:31pm EST
  

• Allegan County Updated (Part 2, 2006 to present)

  Part two of Allegan County
  
  In 06, the trouble started to roll. 06 and 08 were disasters statewide, but the GOP took a major beating in West Michigan, by our standards.  Republicans need to win Allegan County big, not just win it. Take a map of the townships from [...]
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  Posted: December 09, 2009, 10:24am EST
  

• Transportation Tax passes committee

  You got to be kidding me. This is the last thing we need right now in this state. Higher diesel taxes. That means there is going to be an increase in shipping costs. Be prepared to pay more for food and everything else that is shipped.
  
  From [...]
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  Posted: December 08, 2009, 7:16pm EST
  

• Global Warming Hypocracy

  If you can't live what you believe and preach, sit down and shut the hell up.
  
  From the London Telegraph. The headline says it all. 1200 limos. 140 private planes.
  
  Ms Jorgensen reckons that between her and her rivals the total number of limos in Copenhagen' [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 3:33pm EST
  

• Bipartisan Big Government at it again.

  Here's the usual definition of bipartisanship. Both parties get together, come up with a scheme, and screw over the people and take away our freedoms. That's the case on the horizon here with the smoking ban issue. Big government statists are at it again.
  
  From Gannett via [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 3:19pm EST
  

• Bruce Nichols - longshot running for governor

  The Argus had an interesting piece today. Bruce Nichols enters the gubernatorial race.
  
  The Brighton Township Republican recently announced his run for governor, and is in the process of gathering some 30,000
  signatures — and raising lots of money — to become the Republican nominee to succeed term-limited [...]
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  Posted: December 07, 2009, 10:36am EST
  

• Argus pushing for consitutional convention in 2010

  There's been a push for a constitutional convention (con-con) by a small, but influential group of Lansing elites and their followers. This has been going on for the last three years. I'm strongly opposed to opening Pandora's Box here. The Argus fails to make a solid case for it here.' [...]
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  Posted: December 06, 2009, 6:25pm EST
  

• Independent files in Hamburg

  This is going to be interesting. There's now a 3-way race. Normally, I think that would favor a democrat, but I think it favored the Republicans in 2008 in Hamburg.
  
  From WHMI
  
  11/30/09 - A new candidate has emerged in the Hamburg Township Clerk race. The [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 8:43pm EST
  

• Republican comeback in the Northeast?

  While the big story for 2009 was the takeover of the governor's mansion in New Jersey and Virginia, there's more good news for the GOP, and the disasters of 06 and 08.
  
  2006 and 2008 was a disaster for the GOP. Republicans were wiped out in much of the [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 2:17pm EST
  

• Jim Neilson picked as Republican nominee for Hamburg Township Clerk

  This is interesting to see and somewhat surprising to me. I did not expect the township committee to select the same candidate who was hired as interim clerk by the board.
  
  I don't know much about Neilson or the other nominee, so I don't have any strong opinions [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 4:34pm EST
  

• Hamburg Clerk Replacement Race

  This February, there will be a new elected Hamburg Township Clerk to replace Matt Skiba, who was recalled.
  
  The township committee decides the candidates. They are members of the executive committee who live in the township. They must be a minimum of two and no more than five. [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 3:11pm EST
  

• Obama lecturing about debt is like the Detroit Lions talking about winning

  Who the hell is Mr. Obama to say anything about debt? He makes Bush look like a moderate spender. From Reuters
  
  BEIJING, Nov 18 (Reuters) - President Barack Obama gave his sternest warning yet about the need to contain rising U.S. deficits, saying on Wednesday that if government [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:25am EST
  

• The rise of the Open Carry of firearms

  I caught this in the Argus today. Open Carry made the news today.
  
  From the Argus
  
  An Ohio man was ordered at gunpoint to lie on the ground in July after someone called 911 to report that he was walking down the street with a handgun, [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 10:38am EST
  

• Five years in prison for not buying government approved insurance

  Forget tea parties, I want a pitchfork party. THIS is what I hate about big government most of all. It always comes with a gun pointed at you, handcuffs, and prisons. We put too many people in jail to begin with in this country, and this will only add more. [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:14pm EST
  

• You got to be kidding me

  This is a joke. Charlie Crist, the establishment supported (NRSC) economic liberal governor of Florida and senate candidate now wants us to buy this.
  
  From The Hill
  
  
  
  Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) is now denying that he endorsed the stimulus package, the same package he [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 2:56pm EST
  

• The races outside of Michigan

  Outside of Michigan, we had several races out there.
  
  Virginia was a blowout. Straight down the line.
  
  Bob McDonnell is a strong conservative. He's no liberal, not even a moderate. However, he won 59%-41% in a state that has two democrat senators, went for Obama, and' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 12:51pm EST
  

• Livingston Results (UPDATED) - Skiba was destroyed, Anderson and Vieau projected winners in Brighton Schools

  Hamburg Township sent a message with an exclaimation point. I predicted Skiba would be gone by a 60-40 percentage. I was way off.
  
  Hamburg's precincts are in, and the result is clear. With all precincts in, the numbers are this.
  
  Skiba Recall:
  Yes - 4227 - 79.21%
  No - 1104' [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:00am EST
  

• Nofs blows out Griffin

  This is a blowout in the 19th district.
  
  Calhoun County Results - 100% in.
  Mike Nofs - 10919
  Marty Griffin - 5184
  Other - 998
  
  Jackson County Results  - 89% in
  Mike Nofs - 8041
  Marty Griffin - 5690
  Other - 472
  
  This one is [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:10pm EST
  

• Update

  VERY LOW turnout in Green Oak. I was number 34 at about 1PM. There were about 250 if you count all the absentees. That's still not much.
  
  I took a drive around. Hamburg turnout seemed low (although higher than Green Oak) in all but one station where there was a' [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 2:00pm EST
  

• Biased tripe in the 3rd most leftist media outlet

  If I want to find a good left wing biased media source, I can always count on MSNBC with that little wuss Keith Olberman, The New York Slimes, or the standard setters in the media, the AP/Associated Press. Those three set the standards of leftism.
  
  Normally, I don't even' [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 7:55pm EST
  

• Election 09

  Tuesday is the first semi-major election day since Mr. Obama and his people took over Washington. There are no federal races outside of the special election in New York's 23rd district, however, so other dynamics besides the federal issues do matter.
  
  The biggest ones to watch are Virginia and' [...]
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  Posted: November 01, 2009, 11:36am EST
  

• Granholm signs budgets

  The budget has been signed.
  From Peter Luke
  
  
  
  "The budget is signed. State government will not shut down," Granholm said in a conference call with reporters. "This is the state budget we have, but it is not the budget we need."
  Granholm blasted the Republican-controlled [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 7:43pm EDT
  

• Brian Rooney running in wrong district (Congress, District 7)

  Maybe I could move to the 7th district in run. I have more ties to the district as one of the GOP challengers. Brian Rooney, who is part of the Steeler's Rooney Family, and has a brother Tom in Congress, has decided to move from Canton to Jackson and run' [...]
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  Posted: October 30, 2009, 7:06pm EDT
  

• Clustermuck in upstate New York

  There's a special election coming up in upstate New York, Congressional district 23. It's a close district, but has gone republican for congress for a long time. Moderate incumbent John McHugh left to take a job as secretary of the Army.
  
  The special election in New York has no [...]
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  Posted: October 25, 2009, 11:53am EDT
  

• Texting while driving. We don't need more laws.

  This is in the Argus. Good intentions, but I don't support it.
  
  
  Reading, writing or sending text messages while behind the wheel of a moving vehicle would be banned in Michigan under legislation approved by a House committee this morning.
  Responding to concerns about the potential' [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:10pm EDT
  

• Cox has highest lead in general election poll (45% Cox, 30% Cherry)

  Now this is real early, but the results are so far promising. EPIC/MRA, a democrat leaning polling firm, has all GOP candidates leading Cherry in the General election except Rick Snyder. The taps were posted by Wood TV in Grand Rapids. Some interesting results.
  
  Direction (US).
  35% - Right [...]
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  Posted: October 21, 2009, 12:53pm EDT
  

• I actually partially agree with Mr. Obama on something. Holy Smokes.

  As obviously known from my prior postings, I'm not a fan of Mr. Obama.That includes how he acts as a person, how his people runs his campaign, and his policies that 99% of the time results in more government and less freedom. This is one of the 1% exceptions (or' [...]
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  Posted: October 19, 2009, 7:45pm EDT
  

• Alger County - Updated

  Alger County is in the UP. It contains Picture Rocks National Lakeshore on its east side. Its west side is close to Marquette. Alger County, like many counties in the UP, leans democrat, although Bush won it in 2000. Social moderate-conservative (pro-life) democrats run best in these parts, and they [...]
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  Posted: October 18, 2009, 10:16am EDT
  

• Alcona County - Updated

  We're going in alphabetical order, and the county updates are going to be coming back, hopefully in time for the 2010 primaries. Alcona County is first.
  
  Background:
  Location - Northeastern Lower Michigan
  Population estimates - 11,719 (2000 census)
  County Seat - Harrisville (Population 514)
  Ethnic makeup - 98.0% White,' [...]
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  Posted: October 17, 2009, 12:24am EDT
  

• Off the Record

  Recently, I was on the TV show "Off the Record" with Tim Skubick and three other bloggers. This was a bloggers edition of the show that is on PBS (WKAR was the flagship) stations across the state. There were two liberals and two conservatives on the show. Myself and Wes [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 4:27pm EDT
  

• $120 Million in stimulus spending creates 370 jobs

  I called this one a long time ago. Stimulus packages only stimulate government, not the economy. 
  
  From Ann Arbor Business
  
  The 397 jobs created or saved in Michigan come from $120 million in contracts, amounting to a cost of about $300,000 per job. But contract spending is [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 3:57pm EDT
  

• Part 2 - November 3rd Elections - 2009 - Local Elections

  While the big elections in Michigan this November is the State Senate's 19th District, along with Detroit's mayoral and city council elections, Livingston County has its share of elections as well.
  
  First off  - Hamburg:
  
  Hamburg has a recall election on the ballot. It's a simple yes or [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 1:43am EDT
  

• New Format and Layout

  We are testing a new format here. After several years, we decided it would be best to update the templates. I was not happy with how the 19th Senate District posts came up. I had some rare time, went into a zone when I started writing on this district, and [...]
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  Posted: October 16, 2009, 12:52am EDT
  

• Pardon the formatting troubles

  Unfortunately, the tables and polls/sidebar encroach on each other. I'll work on that later tonight or tomorrow.' [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 6:11pm EDT
  

• Part 1 - November 3rd Elections - 2009 (19th District, State Senate)

  While most of the hype for 2009 is for the elections in Virginia and New Jersey, we have several important elections here in Michigan.
  
  The first is the 19th State Senatorial District race. Unfortunately, my county/district profiles are severely out of date. This one is up for grabs.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 15, 2009, 6:09pm EDT
  

• Washington Establishment gets right hook

  Politico has a great article today that leads to this long editorial.
  
  I've said for almost four years that the Republican Party is at a crossroads, mainly due to fiscal issues. It can follow the lead of the Republican Study Committee, Mike Pence, Jim DeMint, and Jeb Hensarling' [...]
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  Posted: October 11, 2009, 1:02pm EDT
  

• Rocky for Congress - 9th District

  We have some good news in the 9th District. Rocky Raczkowski is running against Gary Peters. Rocky's a good candidate who has a history of winning tough races. He won three times in Farmington Hills against democrats in a democrat leaning district won by Gore, Kerry, and Obama. He even [...]
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  Posted: October 10, 2009, 4:58pm EDT
  

• Bad company, that they can't deny. Bad Bad Company, till the day they die

  To paraphrase Paul Rodgers, Bad Company. That's what the Nobel Peace Prize is these days. It is no longer about world peace, but world leftism. It is what it is.
  
  2009 - Mr. Obama. His qualifications. Four Years in the US Senate and one year as the resident [...]
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  Posted: October 09, 2009, 2:06pm EDT
  

• Livingston County Takes on Blue Cross

  From the Argus.
  
  Livingston County has hired an attorney firm to take legal action and recoup an estimated $500,000 to $1 million in alleged overcharges from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.
  Advertisement
  
  County Commissioner Dave Domas said the county board recently voted to take the step [...]
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  Posted: October 08, 2009, 11:42am EDT
  

• Roll Call on Tax votes. Who voted what.

  Tim Bledsoe and Dan Scripps voted for some, not all of the taxes. They are still tax raisers and need to be treated as such election time. Don't let them have things both ways.
  
  HB5352 - Income Tax increase
  
  Voting Yes:
  Kathy Angerer (D) - Monroe County
  Fred' [...]
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  Posted: October 07, 2009, 10:47am EDT
  

• More on the tax votes

  While the source is left of center, Ed Brayton and Michigan Messenger has more information than has been reported from the AP wires so far.
  
  On the tax bills:
  Among the bills passed were:
  
  HB 5352, which freezes the the yearly inflation adjustment on the personal [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 10:30pm EDT
  

• Bill Rogers on the tax votes

  I just got an email from Bill Rogers right after my post on the doctor tax. Here's what Bill sent out to us.
  
  House Democrats Vote To Raise Your Taxes
  Tonight, Lawmakers Penalize Taxpayers, Business Owners and Doctors
  
  I am outraged that tonight, the House Democrats [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 9:01pm EDT
  

• Michigan House Democrats raise taxes on doctors

  Way to increase health care costs with taxes, dumbasses. It's time for us to call our state senators tomorrow morning. Valde will be getting a call on this.
  
  Bad news from USA Today
  
  The Democratic-led Michigan House has voted to put a 3 percent tax on [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 8:50pm EDT
  

• Tax Votes Today?

  I caught this from Michigan Liberal of all places. Eric Baerren posted a snippet from Gongwer that shows possible tax increases being voted on today.
  From Gongwer via Michigan Liberal:
  he House is expected to vote on five revenue bills during Tuesday's session.
  
  House Democrats are expected [...]
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  Posted: October 06, 2009, 11:57am EDT
  

• Hugh Hewitt - talk show host - speaking at AFP

  Several things where Hugh Hewitt gave his opinions.
  
  1. "Wait not till November of 2010, but November 2009." That was a point that needed to be made. That is a reference to New Jersey and Virginia elections. On the same note, here in Michigan, we have a big race [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 11:37am EDT
  

• Jim DeMint, one of the few good Senators in the US, speaking at AFP

  Steve Moore of the Wall Street Journal was one of the introducers of DeMint and gave a speech. He said that Obama said the stimulus package was supposed to keep the unemployment number below 8%. It's 9.8%.
  
  Biden said the bill worked beyond his wildest dreams.
  
  [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 10:29am EDT
  

• AFP: Opening Speaker - Newt Gingrich

  Our first speaker is Newt Gingrich. Remember when we had a balanced budget? Thanks, Newt.
  
  Gingrich made the point. With Obama's election, this was "their moment." "Their moment" was Henry Waxman (elected in 1972) and Nancy Pelosi. The dems are moving heavily to the left. The Stimulus is [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 10:20am EDT
  

• Pence Speaks at AFP conference

  As I posted in my half asleep post last night, Mike Pence was one of the two keynote speakers at the AFP conference last night. Politico covered the speech.
  
  Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.) exhorted Republicans Friday to rally against fiscal excess, promising a conservative crowd that the [...]
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  Posted: October 03, 2009, 8:41am EDT
  

• Update from Americans for Prosperity Conference

  I'll post more on this tomorrow since I got zip, zilch, zero sleep last night.
  
  There is 2000 people attending the conference. That's a good turnout for a DC area conference.
  
  There was a rally at the Capitol earlier. I have some pics there, albeit cell' [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 10:07pm EDT
  

• Live from Arlington, it's the Americans for Prosperity Conference

  We're here from "Defending the American Dream" in Arlington, VA. This is from the Americans for Prosperity conference. This conference is a group of fiscal conservatives coming together to bring back (or just bring) fiscal conservatism back to Washington.
  
  We'll be posting updates tonight and especially tomorrow when [...]
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  Posted: October 02, 2009, 12:05pm EDT
  

• Michigan Government Shutdown again

  The state legislature and the Matt Millen of Governors failed as of 12 midnight to reach an agreement.
  
  Keep in mind as you read this. The Senate Republicans passed a budget in June. They did their part. If the Democrat controlled House did the same thing and built from [...]
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  Posted: October 01, 2009, 12:44am EDT
  

• Election Day November 3rd

  There are some elections on November 3rd this year. The big one is the State Senate, district 19. It's a swing district that covers all of Calhoun County and part of Jackson County. Mark Schauer held that district before going off to screw us in Congress.
  
  The two [...]
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  Posted: September 30, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
  

• Are you running or managing a campaign, PAC, or ballot committee? Hire the best.

  Normally I prefer to talk about topics here instead of myself, but this is a shameless plug. If your committee needs a treasurer, let me know. Here's my business website. Republican Michigander Consulting LLC.
  
  This is a personal blog not tied to the business, so I'll go into' [...]
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  Posted: September 29, 2009, 3:20pm EDT
  

• Mackinac 2009 and updates

  It was interesting up at Mackinac this year.
  
  Unfortunately, I didn't catch the speaking dinners because of price constraints. Contrary to the myth, Republicans aren't all rich. I didn't care about Charlie Crist or Romney, but I did want to hear Tim Pawlenty speak. The best panels there' [...]
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  Posted: September 27, 2009, 9:33pm EDT
  

• Plaxico Burress - Two years in prison. You have to be kidding me.

  Two years in prison. That's what former Spartan and Giants Wide Receiver Plaxico Burress got for the infamous incident where he shot himself in the leg at the bar. He plea bargained to that after facing 31/2 to 4 years if he was convicted in New York City on firearms [...]
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  Posted: September 22, 2009, 1:15pm EDT
  

• Recent 2012 Straw Poll (Family Research Council)

  I found this interesting out of Politco
  
  
  Mike Huckabee cruised to an easy victory in a presidential straw poll taken among attendees at a social conservative conference, beating a group of four other Republican contenders by an over two-to-one margin.
  
  Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and [...]
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  Posted: September 20, 2009, 11:40am EDT
  

• Governor race updates, Mackinac Conference

  Mike Bouchard named Terri Land as running mate. WDIV reporting. That's not a real surprise since Land decided last July she was not running and endorsed Bouchard almost immediately. Does it effect the race? Maybe to a small extent. This is from the David Bonior playbook back in 2002. [...]
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  Posted: September 16, 2009, 1:02pm EDT
  

• Business Leaders for Michigan plan - Some of it good, some of it horrible

  The group that used to be Detroit Renaissance is now "Business Leaders for Michigan." Some hype came out about the business plan it endorsed. The Detroit News has its proposal out.
  
  From the Detroit News

  
  

  A newly formed coalition of Michigan CEOs announced Thursday it would support extending [...]
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  Posted: September 11, 2009, 5:53pm EDT
  

• Granholm wants to raise taxes again

  I'm shocked that Granholm, the Matt Millen of Governors, wants to raise taxes yet again after promising that it won't happen.
  
  There are three plans out. House Republicans plan (cuts), Senate Republicans (which passed and balanced the budget without raising taxes), and Granholm Democrats. Granholm was the last to [...]
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  Posted: September 09, 2009, 4:45pm EDT