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.

The Necessary Resurrection of Common-Sense Conservatism

Post-election season, a raging whirlwind of questions pertaining to the path the Republican Party ought to take has surfaced. Is a new direction really necessary, or is an improved strategy the key? Should the GOP abandon its namesake by incorporating liberal ideals in an effort to pander? Where should we go from here?

Contrary to what Leftist pundits would have you believe, however, Republicans made gains at the state level. Nationally, the GOP maintained control of the popular body of Congress, increased its control of governorships and legislative chambers. In Michigan, the GOP held onto power of Lansing, keeping an advantage in the State House (thus paving the way for Right to Work legislation) and on the Supreme Court. Michiganders rejected measures that sought to drastically alter its Constitution, namely a proposed amendment which would have enshrined collective bargaining rights for government-sector unions. Not all was lost on Election Day, but we must double-down on our efforts to educate – not pander to – the public en masse.

RINOs – Republicans in name only, who seek to turn the GOP into a watered-down version of the Democrat Party – have time and time again failed to lead to electoral success. John McCain got trounced last presidential cycle. Mitt Romney is not entirely at fault, although some issue planks could have been better articulated, such as the campaign’s lackluster response to the disgraceful Obama Care ruling.

A common-sense conservative approach is in order. The soft, we-are-not-as-bad-as-the-other-side tactic is a losing one. Strategically speaking, it is rather simple: focus on traditional values, i.e. legitimate fiscal restraint and respect for the freedom of the individual. Spending must stop, all human life deserves protection by law, and activist judges should not dictate their skewed interpretation of the natural law. Genuine conservatism will be given an opportunity to govern – it is only a matter of when.

Historically, these principles win elections. Is it any wonder why, when big-government policies are publicized for what they are, Leftists run as budget hawks? The most recent mid-term elections prove the point. Albeit contradictory to their agenda, Congressional Democrat candidates masqueraded as fiscally responsible lawmakers, even though they were responsible for fiscally insane legislation like Obama Care and stimulus spending. Fortunately voters saw through the lie. Under a second Obama administration, the Left cannot hide from their actions let alone pretend they are something they are not: conservative politicians.

The bumpy road toward rejuvenation begins now. Speaker John Boehner and his U. S. House colleagues would be making a terrible blunder, philosophically and politically, if they were to give in to Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid’s wish to raise taxes on Americans writ large. Republicans must stay true to their constituents by preventing any further tax increases. Americans are already saddled with debilitating debt and can ill afford to pay even more for Washington shenanigans.

Michigan Momentum for Mitt!

President Obama’s worst fear has come true: Michigan is in play.

Ever since 1992, Democrats have comfortably called the Great Lakes rust-belt home. Bill Clinton carried the state twice, as did Al Gore and John Kerry. The incumbent won by a wide 16.4% margin.

But things are different this time around. According to Real Clear Politics, a reliable polling average database, Michigan is a toss-up. Each candidate claims a 47% share of the anticipated vote.

Such a swing should not be too unexpected, however. Just last cycle Republican candidates swept all state-wide partisan offices (including the governorship), won a majority of House seats and clinched a conservative advantage on the Supreme Court. The GOP also holds a super-majority in the Senate chamber.

Because of the neck-and-neck poll numbers, the Obama campaign recently bought television advertisements in the Detroit market. They have been compelled to do the same elsewhere, i.e. Pennsylvania and Minnesota: two traditionally Democrat states.

Meanwhile, overwhelming enthusiasm for the Republican ticket is all too apparent. Michigan GOP volunteers have far exceeded their output of doors knocked and phones called from four years prior. Governor Rick Snyder (R-MI) visited the 1,000,000^th home late in the campaign.

Across the country there is the potential for a landslide victory. If we can more than merely compete – check – but win on liberal turf, the probability of a sound electoral mandate rises exponentially. Democrats are worried that the people have finally awoken to reality: a bad economy, weakened global status, and a failed agenda.

Momentum continues to build for Mitt Romney and the Comeback Team. Make the most of the final hours by volunteering now! An Election Day victory is in sight.

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!

Romney-Ryan, Walker Campaign in Michigan

The rejuvenated Republican presidential ticket – Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan – are slated to campaign as a team in Southeastern Michigan this Friday. Here are the details:

Victory Rally with Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan & the GOP Team in Michigan

Date ~ Friday, August 24

Location ~ 1540 East Commerce Road, Commerce, MI 48382

Time ~ Doors open at 9:30 am, event begins at 11:30 am

RSVP ~ http://bit.ly/Py8Z7m

Web ~ http://mi.tt/Qs2sa5

Congressman Ryan’s fellow Wisconsinite, Governor Scott Walker, will stop by the Great Lakes State in advance tomorrow. All the information you need is below:

Date ~ Tomorrow, Thursday, August 23

Location ~ 303 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503

Time ~ Event begins at 2:30 pm

Web ~ http://mi.tt/NlVu67

After Romney and company visit the presumptive nominee’s home state, they are off to the Republican National Convention in Tampa. Stay tuned for exclusive updates from sunny Florida!

 

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.

Senate Seat Needs New Blood

Below is an excerpt from my article published in The State News this Thursday:

The American Way
The voters ought to send a decorated school choice advocate to Washington. Amongst a long list of accomplishments, Durant served as vice president of Hillsdale College where he started Imprimis, an intellectual publication with over two million subscribers. From 1995 to 1999, upon statewide election, he served as President of the Michigan Board of Education. Durant has also sat on educational boards for University of Detroit Jesuit, 2001 to 2010, and the Skillman Foundation’s Excellent Schools Detroit initiative. Given the dire need for institutional innovation, the candidate focused on boosting the availability of a quality education is the evident choice.

Distinction in the D
As a longtime advocate of educational improvement in practice, Durant, an eager proponent of shaking up the traditional political landscape, co-founded Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools. The private-independent and charter system experiment has had great success, opening doors for hundreds of inner-city students a year. Stephen Henderson, Detroit Free Press editorial page editor, applauded the candidate for his effective work: “The charter movement, the number of independent schools cropping up around the city — it all really started with Durant and Cornerstone.”

Detroiters involved in the education reform movement — including numerous thankful families — are well-aware of Durant and his myriad contributions to moving the Motor City forward. For the past two decades, 95 percent of its students have graduated, compared to a worst-in-the-nation 25 percent rate for Detroit Public Schools.

Mayor Dave Bing had nothing but praise for the alternative academic startup, stating that “When a child attends Cornerstone Schools they are entering a learning community that brings together children, parents, teachers and partners all working toward a single goal: the success of our children,” according to CornerstoneSchools.org.

It is time Michiganians are represented by an individual with a proven track record of making a difference. A pair of D.C. insiders — Stabenow, whose approval numbers remain dangerously low and steadily are sinking, and the aforementioned Hoekstra — symbolizes all that is wrong with status quo politics.

We the people deserve better than that. Recent rallies and the midterm cycle made crystal clear that the current climate, filled with a clarion call for real change, suits the conservative underdog well. Clark Durant is the right man for the job.

…

*Read the rest here = http://bit.ly/Hq42Ky

Detroiters, Education Reformers Agree: Clark Durant for U. S. Senate

In Michigan, the Republican nomination for Senate creates quite a controversy. Pete Hoekstra, who spent eighteen years in Congress and produced this Super Bowl advertisement, is the perceived favorite.  However, a conservative activist, Clark Durant, provides competition for Hoekstra. Incumbent Senator, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), awaits a challenger, so a fed-up public needs to determine differences between the candidates and discern which one is the true conservative fit for the job.

As a long-time advocate of educational improvement in practice, Durant co-founded Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools. The private-independent and charter system experiment has had great success, opening doors for more than 1,400 inner-city students a year. Stephen Henderson, Detroit Free Press editorial page editor, applauded the candidate for his effective work: “The charter movement, the number of independent schools cropping up around the city — it all really started with Durant and Cornerstone” (Detroit Free Press, 8/25/11).

Detroiters involved in the education reform movement – including the plethora of thankful families – are well aware of Durant and his myriad contributions to moving the Motor City forward. For the past two decades, 95% of its students have graduated, compared to a worst-in-the-nation 25% rate for Detroit Public Schools. Mayor Dave Bing had nothing but praise for the alternative academic start-up, stating that “When a child attends Cornerstone Schools they are entering a learning community that brings together children, parents, teachers and partners all working toward a single goal — the success of our children.”

…

*Continue reading here => http://bit.ly/ADMoRg

Education reformers and Detroiters agree: Clark Durant for U. S. Senate

 

In Michigan, there is a battle brewing for the Republican nomination for U. S. Senate. Pete Hoekstra, who has spent eighteen (18) years in Congress, is the perceived favorite. However, a genuine conservative activist has come forward. While incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) awaits a challenger, a fed-up public will have to sort out the vast differences between the competing GOP contenders. 

As a long-time advocate of educational improvement in practice, Durant co-founded Detroit’s Cornerstone Schools. The private-independent and charter system experiment has had great success, opening doors for more than 1,400 inner-city students a year at last check. Stephen Henderson, Detroit Free Press editorial page editor, applauded the candidate for his effective work: “The charter movement, the number of independent schools cropping up around the city — it all really started with Durant and Cornerstone” (Detroit Free Press, 8/25/11).

Detroiters involved in the education reform movement – including the plethora of thankful families – are well aware of Durant and his myriad contributions to moving the Motor City forward. For the past two decades, 95% of its students have graduated, compared to a worst-in-the-nation 25% rate for Detroit Public Schools. Mayor Dave Bing had nothing but praise for the alternative academic start-up, stating that “When a child attends Cornerstone Schools they are entering a learning community that brings together children, parents, teachers and partners all working toward a single goal — the success of our children” (CornerstoneSchools.org).

Amongst a long list of accomplishments, Durant served as Vice President of Hillsdale College where he started Imprimis: a conservative intellectual publication with over two million subscribers. From 1995-99, upon state-wide election, he served as President of the Michigan Board of Education. Durant has also sat on educational boards for University of Detroit Jesuit (2001-10) and the Skillman Foundation’s Excellent Schools Detroit initiative.

Any doubt surrounding Durant’s fundraising abilities can be put to rest. Having just formally announced his candidacy, third-quarter reports confirm the campaign raised an impressive $750,000 in a span of three weeks. To boot, a few years back, Durant co-hosted The Turning Point Invitational with golf legend Arnold Palmer. The highly successful event brought in over $6 million for charitable organizations like Cornerstone Schools (GoldDigestPlanner.com). Given Hoekstra’s financial woes in his failed 2010 gubernatorial bid, Durant is in prime position to make the leap to front-runner status.

Of course key votes cannot be cast, necessary funds cannot be collected, and elections cannot be won without a top campaign team. Accordingly, Durant has tapped political guru Dick Wadhams as his chief advisor. The Colorado GOP Chairman boasts a near-perfect record in high-stakes electoral contests. Notably, Wadhams is responsible for Senator John Thune’s (R-SD) 2004 upset victory.

It is time Michiganders are represented by an individual with a proven track record of making a difference. A pair of Washington insiders – Stabenow, whose approval numbers remain dangerously low and are steadily sinking, and the aforementioned Hoekstra – symbolizes all that is wrong with status quo politics. As Tea Party rallies and the mid-term cycle made crystal clear, the current climate filled with a clarion call for real change suits the conservative underdog well.  Clark Durant is the right man for the job.

 

Nicholas Kowalski (@NKowalski) is a blogger for National School Choice Week (NSCW).  The upcoming event is slated for January 22-28, 2012. Learn more at www.SchoolChoiceWeek.com.

Mackinac Wrap-up: Romney Steals the Show, More Party Drama

 

Based on genuine time and resources spent in the Great Lakes State this past weekend, there is no question that Mitt Romney is the home town favorite. The former Massachusetts Governor arrived on the Island early Saturday afternoon via ferry and stayed through Sunday. His counterpart and fellow top White House contender Rick Perry only spent a few hours in Michigan and departed by way of private helicopter.

Team  Romney was in full force throughout the Conference. Blue t-shirt-clad youth volunteers distributed campaign stickers and literature in the Grand Hotel, on Main Street, and at relevant reception events. A large swath of supporters greeted the man whose father served as the state’s leader in the 1960s. Romney also met with hundreds of geeked GOP activists while en route on Lake Huron, during dinner on Saturday, and with youngsters and donors that night. Peculiarly, Perry did not have a booth presence nor organized ground game. It is highly likely that many attendees were not even aware that the Texan was in town.

Following suit, Romney (51%) dominated the National Journal Hotline straw poll, winning by a wide margin over the distant second-place finisher Perry (17%). Remaining notables include:  Herman Cain (9%); Ron Paul (8%); Michele Bachmann (4%); Newt Gingrich (4%); Rick Santorum (3%); John Huntsman (2%). All in all, ‘twas a fine albeit expected performance for the Michigan native.

In other news, State Senator Mike Kowall (R-MI 15) announced that he will seek the Republican nomination in the 11^th Congressional District next year. Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI 11) currently holds the seat. McCotter, while driving up north on Thursday, pulled the plug on his lackluster presidential bid in order to focus on being reelected to Congress.

And that puts a wrap on this edition of the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference. Until September 2013, the historic Land of Fudge will be anything but a dark shade of red.

Nicholas Kowalski is a blogger for The Other Side. Follow him on Twitter (@NKowalski) and email (Nicholas.Kowalski@rocketmail.com) with any questions.