CPAC 2013: New Venue, Renewed Focus

The report is in the works!

Republicans Need New Blood

Stay tuned!

Michigan GOP Elects New Leaders at State Convention

On the heels of the rather disappointing 2012 fall elections, Michigan Republicans met this weekend to determine internal leadership posts, namely: state chair, co-chair, and six vice-chairs.

Friday evening, delegates settled into their new districts – congressional lines were redrawn according to the last census data, which eliminated one seat – for the purpose of electing a district chair and members of the state committee. Each position carries a two-year term.

Bright and early Saturday morning the general session convened. Governor Rick Snyder provided opening remarks, indicating that the next cycle could be as successful as 2010 if the GOP is able to thwart the Democrats’ right-to-work revenge maneuvers.

Final results were not announced until after 2:00 pm. By that point many attendees had departed, opting to get a head start toward home, which, for some, meant driving upwards of ten hours. (The Upper Peninsula is quite a ways away from Lansing!)

The battle for state chair captured the spotlight. Not since 1977 had there been a contested race at this biannual gathering. Incumbent Bobby Schostak successfully fended off a stiff challenge from Todd Courser, a recent State Board of Education nominee, 52-48%.

Republicans assembled elected the following individuals to lead the way:

 

Bobby Schostak, Chair

Sharon Wise, Co-Chair

Victor Diaz, Coalitions Vice-Chair

Kelly Mitchell, Outreach Vice-Chair

Nick Hawatmeh, Grassroots Vice-Chair

Linda Lee Tarver, Ethnic Vice-Chair

David Wolkinson, Administrative Vice-Chair

Blake Edmonds, Youth Vice-Chair

 

Meanwhile, Michigan Democrats held their convention in Detroit. Lon Johnson, a failed legislative candidate and private equity manager, replaced long-time leftist leader Mark Brewer.

School Choice is the Right Choice

Think our cookie-cutter education system is outdated? Support private vouchers and charter programs? Know about National School Choice Week?

According to SchoolChoiceWeek.com, ‘‘The point of National School Choice Week is to provide a concentrated focus for our mission – effective education options for every child – a time for the media and the public to hear our resounding message and a time to bring new voices to the chorus.’’

This year, coordinated events were hosted from coast to coast January 27 through February 2. Learn how to join the fight for commonsense classroom solutions by visiting their website today.

 

2/28 Update: The Alabama state legislature passed a bill that would provide a tax incentive to allow parents to transfer their children from failing to higher-performing public or private schools. Governor Robert Bentley (R-AL) is expected to sign the groundbreaking measure into law.

Michigan’s Pro-Life Youth March for Life

Washington, D. C. – The 40^th Annual March for Life, a national rally of pro-life activists featuring a March along the National Mall ending at the U.S. Supreme Court, was held Friday, January 25. Over 400,000 Americans sacrificed to speak up for the voiceless: about the same amount of attendees at the president’s second inaugural ceremony. Mainstream media outlets overwhelmingly opted to report the latter and not the former.

Because of the landmark judicial rulings in Roe vs. Wade and Doe vs. Bolton – both issued this month, year 1973 – more than 55,000,000 unborn American children have unjustly perished.

Pro-life youth from across the country, including two busloads of Michigan college students, traveled to our nation’s capital. Students for Life of Michigan, a statewide organization committed to promoting a culture of life on college campuses across the Great Lakes State, assisted the massive activism effort. Their mission is to end abortion by recruiting and training students for pro-life leadership, educating youth on life issues and pregnancy resources, and networking students within their communities to strengthen their impact.

In addition to the March, young activists had an opportunity to network with thousands of abortion abolitionists at the sold-out Students for Life of America National Conference, where they participated in sessions on activism, training and education led by prominent individuals such as Father Frank Pavone and Star Parker.

The pro-life movement is making exceptional gains among the Millennial generation. Just prior to her resignation in 2012, NARAL Pro-Choice America President Nancy Keegan told Newsweek that there is a large “intensity gap” among young people on the subject of abortion. An internal poll by NARAL shows that 51% of pro-life young people see abortion as an important electoral issue, while only 20% of pro-choice young people feel the same way.

 

Young Professionals for Life of Michigan, a networking outlet dedicated to advancing the pro-life cause amongst recent graduates and colleagues, contributed to this news update.

Michigan GOP Nominates Comeback Team for Judicial, Education Posts

The Michigan Republican Party nominated a slate of candidates for the remaining state-wide races at their convention in Grand Rapids. These folks will appear on the November ballot:

 

Supreme Court (non-partisan)

 

Justice Stephen Markman

Justice Brian Zahra

Colleen O’Brien

 

State Board of Education

 

Tom Courser

Melanie Kurdys

 

University of Michigan Board of Regents

 

Dan Horning

Rob Steele

 

Michigan State University Board of Trustees

 

Melanie Foster

Jeff Sakwa

 

Wayne State University Board of Governors

 

Michael Busuito

Satish Jasti

 

Pete Hoekstra – former Congressman from the 2nd District – received the most August GOP primary votes and will oppose unpopular, incumbent Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) in the general election.

At the top of the ticket presidential nominee Mitt Romney, along with running mate Paul Ryan, will set the stage for the comeback team. Romney seeks to win the predominately blue-collar Midwestern state, which he proudly calls home.

The winner of Michigan will receive sixteen electoral votes. A total of two hundred-seventy are necessary to reclaim the White House.

There are also a bevy of proposals up for Michiganders’ consideration. Please check back for a thorough review of each!

Mitt Romney Accepts 2012 Presidential Nomination at RNC

As delegates, alternates, guests and members of the media file into the Tampa Bay Times Forum this evening, Mitt Romney prepares for the biggest speech of his political career.

The Republican presidential nominee is set to provide the keynote address at around 10:30 pm. U. S. Senator Marco Rubio will introduce the former Massachusetts Governor.

Congressman Paul Ryan, who accepted the vice presidential nomination last night, and Ann Romney headlined the RNC: day three. Condoleezza Rice and Governor Susana Martinez (R-NM) also gave rousing orations in front of a fired-up crowd.

Actor Clint Eastwood is rumored to make an appearance on stage too. Other celebrities in town for the GOP festivities include Kid Rock, a Detroit native, the bands Journey and Three Doors Down, and country music star Trace Adkins.

Democrats will convene next week in Charlotte, North Carolina, to nominate President Obama for a second term.

Paul Ryan is the Next Vice President

All indicators point to an end to the GOP veeptstakes this morning. According to the Associated Press, Fox News, and the official “My VP” application, Mitt Romney will select Paul Ryan – Wisconsin Congressman and Chair of the House Budget Committee – at 9:05 am Eastern.

Ryan as Romney’s running mate signals that the focus of the general election ought to be the economy. The seven-term Member of Congress from Janesville, WI, is known for his reform recommendations to the federal budget. Look into the Roadmap for America’s Future here ~ http://bit.ly/NpFm5r.

Romney is the Pro-Israel Candidate

Romney is the Pro-Israel Candidate

Presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney released a pro-Israel advertisement, which can be seen here ~ http://bit.ly/N2PnEP.

In an email entitled Israel, our ally sent out on Monday, the campaign wrote:

“It was a deeply moving experience to be in Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, last week.

You can’t get much closer to the ideals and convictions of the United States than you do in Israel. We’re part of the great fellowship of democracies. We speak the same language of freedom and justice and believe in the right of every person to live in peace.

The story of how America — a nation still so new to the world by the standards of this ancient region — rose up to become the dear friend of the people of Israel is among the finest and most hopeful in our nation’s history. Israel and America are in many respects reflections of one another, and I am happy America has such a great friend and ally.”

Romney is the pro-Israel candidate; the electoral decision is clear. The Jewish nation – the lone stable, democratic state stationed in a geopolitical region plagued by turmoil and uncertainty – deserves the full support of our Republic.

Mitt’s in Michigan!

Attention: GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be in Lansing tomorrow! Here are the details ~

Event with Mitt Romney

Tuesday, May 8th, 2012 | 12:00 PM

Dart Auditorium at Lansing Community College

500 North Capitol Avenue in Lansing, MI

RSVP/Questions: RomneyMI.com | TeamMI@MittRomney.com | (313) 744-3526

For Important Campaign Updates: Text MI to GOMITT (466488)

Come hear the likely Republican nominee give a pivotal policy speech near the Capitol of the Great Lakes State. Of note, George Romney – Mitt’s father – was the Governor of Michigan from 1963-1969.