Free Republic

Former three-term state Rep. Bill Huizenga jumped into the race the day after Hoekstra announced he’d forgo another term in the House to run for governor. The two men have a long history together, as Huizenga was Hoekstra’s director of public policy for six years and ran three of his campaigns. Michigan’s term-limit law barred Huizenga, a former chairman of the state House Commerce Committee, from seeking re-election in 2008. His jump start for the 2010 campaign has helped him secure a number of early endorsements from current and former legislators in western Michigan. State Sen. Wayne Kuipers has taken...

(Headline courtsey of "THE BOSS" from "My Hometown") Obama was to speak at the Macomb County Community College in Warren, Michigan where he would inform them that the thousands of jobs lost in the collapse of the auto industry would never return and it was time to start looking to new industries for future employment, as well as the training of workers for those jobs. As to just what those industries might be or any specifics on the type of training needed it was too soon to say... Entire text at: http://www.edistojoe.com Edisto Joe "INCREASE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT"

Former Michigan and Buffalo Bills tight end Jay Riemersma has designs on Congress. Riemersma has filed paperwork to run for U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra's (HUCK'-struhz) 2nd District seat in southwestern Michigan. Hoekstra, a Republican, has announced his candidacy for governor in 2010. Riemersma also is a Republican. He is listed as Regional Director of Development on the web site of the Family Research Council.

State Rep. Bill Huizenga jumped first, but he likely won't be alone in seeking a U.S. House seat being vacated in 2010 by longtime Republican Congressman Peter Hoekstra. At a press conference today, Huizenga was to tout his legislative experience and his ties to Hoekstra in announcing he would seek to replace his former boss. "A lot of people have asked me to run and I feel I need to fill a void that Pete's announcement has created," said Huizenga, R-Zeeland. "I've been through every part of the district and I know it from every aspect, from fruit growers to...

One of the greatest Democratic tricks this past 8 years has been the Patriotism Dodge: their inexplicable ability to convince the press that their patriotism was being attacked at every turn. Sadly, the press rarely followed up the Democratic harumphing with a simple corrective: "However, nothing had been said about their patriotism." Their feigned outrage after the Max Cleland ad was probably the first notable example of this misdirection tactic, but they used it routinely. Even more impressive, if that is the word, has been the Democratic ability to play the martyred patriot even as they were explicitly questioning the...

Question Of The Day: Many in Michigan reacted Friday with disappointment and outright disgust to news that a $14 billion emergency bailout for Detroit's automakers collapsed late the night before in the U.S. Senate. Does the bill failure anger you? Yes No I don't care Poll is near the bottom of the page...

Michigan Christians for Life, a non-denominational Christian organization since 1997 endorsed McCain-Palin on September 19, 2008. There has been no reply from McCain-Palin notwithstanding MCFL's telephone calls, Email, snail mail and weekly Fax copies to Campaign offices in Arlington, VA and Michigan. What is going on? They need help in getting the message to Sen. John McCain or Gov.Sarah Palin, can YOU help?

Today's Rasmussen Reports Daily Presidential Tracking Poll shows John McCain reaching the 50 percent level for the first time since Barack Obama won enough delegates in June to nail down the Democratic presidential nomination. Ending with surveys taken Saturday night, McCain has maintained a three-point lead over Obama for three days and today leads 50 to 47 percent on a large sample of 3,000 likely voters. CLICK HERE for the poll summary. The Gallup lead for McCain is two points with a sample of 2,787 registered voters as of this morning. The number of voters who say they are undecided...

John McCain and Sarah Palin have received a rousing welcome in Democratic-leaning Michigan. As they made their post-convention debut they stressed a strong America and the economy. Big crowds cheered the Arizona senator and Alaska governor as they arrived at Freedom Hill Amphitheater in Michigan's Macomb County, the home to a multitude of working-class union members. Republicans hope to win the blue collar vote with conservative positions on cultural and social issues. Senator McCain told the crowd: "These are tough times for many of you, in the state of Michigan, times are tough. Many people here were worried about keeping...

Female Muslim supporters were told, "because of the political climate in the world, it's not good to be seen on TV or associated with Obama."

off you go

Oh boy one has to believe that Huckabee will be getting some blow-back from this. These push polls have even brought out the South Carolina Attorney General to make this statement: “Last evening the Associated Press reported that that an out-of-state special interest group, Common Sense Issues, had launched a massive push polling effort disparaging John McCain and other candidates for president. In their push poll, Common Sense Issues makes several misleading claims regarding John McCain’s record.“Allow me to set the record straight. In the U.S. Senate, John McCain has been an unwavering voice for the rights of the unborn....

Conservatives, mainline Republicans and family history made it Mitt Romney's day in Michigan, underscoring the fractured nature of the 2008 Republican presidential race as he became the third GOP winner in the first three high-profile contests. In addition to restoring the former Massachusetts governor's fortunes, the outcome underscored Arizona Sen. John McCain's challenges translating support centered on independents and moderates in a party dominated by conservatives and mainline Republicans. It again showed former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to have a weaker lock on evangelicals than he enjoyed in Iowa. And it made former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani look less...

epublicans gear up for Michigan Getty Image removed Michigan could be make-or-break for Mitt Romney, analysts say Voters in the US state of Michigan are gearing up for the Republican primary on Tuesday in the next stage of the race for the White House.Polls suggest a very close battle between Arizona senator John McCain and local boy Mitt Romney. The Democratic contest has been weakened because Michigan chose to hold its vote early and the party barred its delegates from the final convention. Analysts say Michigan's fragile economy is the main issue. High unemployment Some commentators say this could be...

The liberal Web site Daily Kos is encouraging Democrats in Michigan to cross over and vote for Mitt Romney in Michigan Tuesday primary. Apparently, the thinking of the liberals encouraging the crossover vote is that a Romney victory there will further muddle the Republican presidential picture and help the Democrats win the White House in November. Fox News reports that “it’s a classic dirty trick, but perfectly legal. And while Machiavellian political ploys of this sort rarely work, the author’s logic is thus: ‘A Romney victory in Michigan will keep him in the presidential race. And the more candidates slugging...

The College Republicans at Central Michigan University introduced their concept for a "Turn Michigan Red in '08" t-shirt in April of 2007, both as a fundraiser for their origanization and in an effort to show Republican unity heading into the 2008 elections. In the last few years, Central Michigan University has hosted liberal speakers such as Michael Moore, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Thomas Hayden and Wes Clark. There have been no high profile conservative speakers brought to campus in recent history.

All right, a little grab bag for you here to polish off the highlights. It starts with what J-Pod calls the most “blatant act of obnoxious misbehavior during a debate” he’s ever seen and the long, awkward silence that ensues, then segues into the candidates’ dusting off some prefab zingers as the clock runs out. Fred did well here, especially in parrying Mitt’s “Law & Order” thrust. Like MK says, not a great performance but good enough overall. (VIDEO)

There's a debate coming up. Fred has made it pretty clear in the past that these little dog and pony shows don't do much for him as far as anyone getting any REAL chance to speak up and speak out. In fact, not so far back I mentioned his quote about accepting the fact that he needed to "be a good boy and stand in line and wait for them to throw me a fish just like everybody else." He continues to field the pot-shots about being lazy...that's fine-no one seems interested enough challenge his policy positions or his general...

U.S. Rep. Dave Camp got more company this week atop Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney's Michigan campaign team. Advertisement Camp, R-Midland, has been a co-chairman since January. Romney announced this week that Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard endorsed him and will be a co-chairman. The other co-chairmen are U.S. Reps. Pete Hoekstra of Holland and Joe Knollenberg of Oakland County's Bloomfield Township and Michigan House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche of Novi. Former Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus is honorary chairman. Bouchard, Michigan Republicans' 2006 U.S. Senate nominee, got 41 percent of the vote as he lost to Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow....

One of the hottest races in August features two Republicans going toe to toe in Michigan's 7th District. The incumbent, establishment candidate Joe Schwarz, is facing off against conservative challenger Tim Walberg in a Republican primary that will be decided next week, on August 8th. Because there is no serious Democratic challenger in the district, the winner of the primary will be going to Congress. Although Walberg tells me his internal polling has him up, 41-34 over Schwarz, this is an open primary. That means Democrats are allowed to vote and they're expected to heavily favor Schwarz. So, not only...

Michael Bouchard was a full-time public safety officer at age 20. After a few years in police work, he grew frustrated with a legal system he said was sometimes unfair to victims of sexual assault and other crimes. He sought out Oakland County candidates he thought might make good judges and began working on their campaigns in the mid-1980s. Bouchard soon decided he should dive deeper into politics and run for office himself, helping to make the laws rather than just enforcing them. “It opened my eyes to another reality,” said Bouchard, now a Republican primary candidate for U.S. Senate....

Mich. Rock star Ted Nugent is speaking out again, this time for Michigan Republican U-S Senate candidate Mike Bouchard. Nugent and Bouchard, the Oakland County, Michigan, sheriff, met with supporters tonight before the "Motor City Madman" performed at a Sault Sainte Marie casino. Bouchard faces Troy minister Keith Butler in the August-eighth G-O-P primary. The winner will face incumbent Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow in November. The 57-year-old Nugent lived in Michigan most of his life before moving in 2003 to Crawford, Texas -- where President Bush has a ranch. Nugent endorsed Bouchard in January.

Yesterday Senator Debbie Stabenow voted against an amendment that would have funded construction of the fence and vehicle barriers that she voted to build in May. (S.2611, CQ Vote #126: Adopted 83-16: R 55-0; D 28-15; I 0-1, May 17, 2006, Stabenow voted Yea; H.R.5441, CQ Vote #200: Rejected 29-71: R 27-28: D 2-43; I 0-1, July 13, 2006, Stabenow voted Nay) “Debbie Stabenow says that she wants to secure the borders, but votes against funding the technology designed to protect our families,” said Michael Bouchard, U.S. Senate candidate. “She is saying one thing in Michigan, but voting another way...

Mitt Romney to us, his neighbors...

The Branch County 4-H Fair will be underway, and on Tuesday of that week, Aug. 8, there may very well be a couple of real horse races coming down to the wire as voters go to the polls.

Key races in Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, and Washington State are covered.

"Dick DeVos is a man of integrity," said Hoogendyk, R-Kalamazoo. "He has a track record of leadership in business and a history of leadership in working to improve education in our state. Furthermore, he is an example of leadership by the way he lives his life and I have great respect for him. We need a leader for Michigan that people can put their trust in to do what is needed in this state to change the economic climate. I am happy to offer my endorsement and I look forward to helping him any way I can as he continues...

You guys should check this group out. I met one of their members out in Ohio working with a congressional candidate. They knew what they were doing and I was impressed but i didn't realize that Alex had his own team until yesterday. I looked at their website its got some really solid ideas in terms of strategy. Check it out: http://www.vandenberg-strategies.com

OFF TO THE RACES Butler's Chances Black Minister From Detroit May Prove To Be A GOP Exception By Charlie Cook Tuesday, May 3, 2005 Central to the job of a political analyst is to assess the partisanship and voting patterns of a state or congressional district, the strengths and weaknesses of the incumbent if one is running and of the other candidates in the field, the availability of resources and any other circumstances that might become important in the contest, and then weigh the importance of each of these factors. After almost three decades of watching congressional elections, I have...

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Decision 2004: American Jews must make our voices heard American Jews, who value Israel's security, have an important stake in this election. Senator John Kerry has been endorsed by Arafat, and hundreds of Muslim leaders, including the Protocol spouting form PM of Malaysia, Mohammed Mahathir. Senator Kerry's vision is increased reliance on the UN and European Union, both of which are anti-Israel. He has made it clear that he would support former President Carter, James Baker, or someone similar to pressure Israel on the Palestinians. President Bush, while imperfect on Israel, has supported the right of Israel to define the...

Every republican should by Fahrenhype 9/11. Then they should have a party watching first MOOREs movie and then the rebuttal. This is the best way to get liberals to see Fahrenhype, because you will tell them that you will watch Fahrenheit 9/11 if they do so. None of them want to admit that they won't listen to both sides of the story. So they will come. (I suggest also copying Stolen Honor onto a cd or dvd to show afterwards). I am doing this at work in California and I have got a lot of people together to watch them...

Gannett Fails One-Newspaper Communities/Counties- Port Huron Times Herald a Queue for Government Intervention? In particular, with today’s concentration of all reporting medium with just a few companies- who determines the void or lack of reporting in the best interest to citizens. I’ve challenged a Gannett newspaper, the Times Herald of Port Huron Michigan of its obligation citizens in one-newspaper counties. There appears to be an immediate need to make certain legislation be brought requiring corporate newspapers to better report news and serving the communities they cover. At a crucial time with the 2004 Primary literally days away- this particular newspaper,...

The poll of 600 likely Republican voters in St. Clair County Michigan’s State Representative District 81 countywide found Alloway leading Pavlov by 12 points, 48 percent to 40 percent in a three-way race with Yale Republican Steve Pray Nader included in the ballot test.

This is a call to verbal arms. The Lenawee County of the GOP, is now actvating a branch here on the Freep's. I [TMSuchman] will be the liason for this. I can be contacted at the following e-mail sgtsman1@yahoo.com,"snail-mail" at Mike Suchman 6547 Winter Rd. Addison, Mi. 49220. Phone [both voice & fax] at [517] 547-4032, or by freepmail. We are now trying to country the liberal media here in southeast Mi. TO ARMS, TO ARMS. We must get the consertives elected at all costs!

“A Michigan Impossible until we work together ending illegal state house electioneering practices” Joe Alloway-R Michigan House District 81 St. Clair County Michigan PORT HURON – JULY 11, 2004 - Please listen to a recent interview (http://66.92.134.175/~benburch/old/TrupianoShow-(10-5-2004).mp3) exposing Michigan’s #1 area to reform and that’s ending illegal activities in Michigan’s House Republican Caucus Communications Office! Very few citizens asked have no idea of what that word means. Folks, the bottom line is we’ve had some major problems in this antiquated, 50-person staffed office and they’re just coming public. Take recent revelations of state employees assigned to representatives as campaign managers...

I just got back last week from driving across the country, I live in Washington State and drove to PA in see my wifes family and took I-80 and I-90 back home. With my Bush/Cheney sticker from 2000 in my back window along with my W-04 sticker I got a aproviel rating of about 75% judging from the honks and thumbs ups from fellow drivers. Funny how I got the 1 finger salute from the folks with the Kerry stickers. My question to you is do you vent your hate and anger at fellow drivers on the road with a...

Last night, I was told that a report was recently published by some DC think-tank. This report ranked members of congress in order of taxpayer-friendliness, i.e. it examined their votes on tax-related bills and determined where any particular member of congress came in on higher or lower taxes for their constituents. The same person who told me about the report told me that a whopping 75% of house and senate members from my state were in the top 20 LEAST friendly to taxpayers in their voting records. Have any of you heard of this report? Can you point me to...

Good morning! Welcome to Grand Rapids! Thank you for taking the time to be here. I know it is a sacrifice.on a Saturday in May, there are soccer games, track meets, and plenty of yard work, so we truly do appreciate your commitment to be here. I'm going to warn you up front; I'm going to say some things today that aren't usually said in polite conversation, but they are things that need to be said, things long overdue. I'm going to give voice to some things that you have likely been thinking, but haven't quite gotten up the courage...

7th District GOP race pits five conservatives against a moderate By DEE-ANN DURBIN The Associated Press 5/19/2004, 11:45 p.m. ET BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (AP) — Michigan's 7th congressional district stretches from Washtenaw County in the east to Battle Creek in the west. On the way, it takes in the city of Jackson, the farms of Hillsdale County and every kind of Republican voter, from religious conservatives to ticket-splitting moderates. This summer, six candidates are aiming to win the hearts of the district's Republicans and find out just how conservative the voters are in this longtime GOP stronghold. Five of the...

Area Democrats eye term-limited seats Web-posted May 12, 2004 By SVEN GUSTAFSON Of The Daily Oakland Press Hoping to regain power in the state House, local Democrats have their eyes on four Oakland County seats up for grabs due to term limits. With filing deadlines having passed Tuesday, voters in Oakland County will face choices in all 14 state House districts covering the county and in each of the county's four U.S. congressional districts. In the Michigan House of Representatives, two Democrats and one Republican will square off for the 26th District seat vacated by Dave Woodward, a term-limited Royal...

Candidates show up in droves for public office By Chad Selweski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer May 12, 2004 A crowded field of 157 candidates took shape for federal, state and county offices Tuesday as the filing deadline for Election 2004 passed, setting the stage for a high-profile race for county prosecutor waged by 15 contenders. Just hours before the 4 p.m. deadline, the biggest story of the day was shaping up as Carl Marlinga, the embattled county prosecutor who's facing criminal charges in federal court, said he was going to run for state House. Marlinga had already announced weeks ago...

Open Michigan House seats that could factor in to fight for majority The Associated Press 5/11/2004, 12:58 a.m. ET (AP) — Some of the open state House seats that could play a big part of the fight between Republicans and Democrats for majority in the 110-member chamber: _15th House District that includes the city of Dearborn. Now held by Republican Rep. Gary Woronchak of Dearborn. _17th House District that covers Redford Township and parts of Dearborn Heights and Livonia in north central Wayne County. Open since January when Democrat Dan Paletko resigned to become the mayor of Dearborn Heights. _26th...

Bisbee gains Chamber of Commerce endorsement The Associated Press 5/10/2004, 5:49 p.m. ET LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State Rep. Clark Bisbee has received the endorsement of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce's federal political action committee over five other Republican candidates in the race for a conservative congressional seat in southern Michigan. "Clark Bisbee has the campaign skills, political base and work ethic to win the August Republican primary," chamber President and CEO James Barrett said in a news release. He praised Bisbee for being "pro-business, pro-jobs and pro-taxpayer." It was the second influential endorsement for Bisbee in two weeks. Late...

Are you a registered voter?? Do you know anyone who needs to register?? Check this out: http://www.ConservativeAlerts.com/vote.htm Ultra liberal "MoveOn" is attempting to register 100,000 new left wing voters. WE need to register 200,000 new conservative voters!! Just click on the above link, click on your State, fill in the necessary information, print it out, and mail it in!! It's a simple as that!! As you all know, this will be the most important election in our lifetime. Our future depends on it, and the future of our children depends on it. It is an election we MUST win!! DO...

Right to Life endorses Bisbee in primary for conservative 7th congressional district The Associated Press 4/26/2004, 10:35 a.m. ET JACKSON, Mich. (AP) — State Rep. Clark Bisbee has received the endorsement of Right to Life of Michigan over other Republican candidates who advocate against abortion in the race for a conservative congressional seat in southern Michigan. "It's going to help out tremendously," Bisbee, of Jackson, said Monday about the endorsement for the Aug. 3 Republican primary for the 7th District seat. Right to Life of Michigan doesn't typically endorse in primaries that feature more than one candidate who advocates against...

DeRossett, Schwarz leading race for congressional seat The Associated Press 4/20/2004, 6:42 p.m. ET LANSING, Mich. (AP) — State Rep. Gene DeRossett and former state Sen. John Schwarz are leading fellow Republicans in the race for a congressional seat in southern Michigan, according to a poll released Tuesday. A third candidate, attorney Brad Smith, won the endorsement of the conservative Club for Growth on Tuesday. The endorsement could bring an infusion of cash to Smith's campaign; the Washington-based group said its members will donate total contributions "in the six-figure range." Smith is the son of U.S. Rep. Nick Smith, R-Addison,...

GOP rivals raise cash in race for U.S. House 6 Republicans in 7th District have over $100,000 7th District GOP race Here's how much Republican candidates in the 7th Congressional District have on hand as of March 31, according to campaign finance records released Thursday: Rep. Gene DeRossett: $547,000 Former Rep. Paul DeWeese: $261,000 Attorney Brad Smith: $239,000 Rep. Clark Bisbee: $201,000 Former Sen. John Schwarz: $144,000 Former Rep. Tim Walberg: $102,000 By Chris Andrews Lansing State Journal State Rep. Gene DeRossett has a substantial money advantage over Republican rivals in the 7th Congressional District race to succeed U.S. Rep....

Williams running for County Commission By Dan Meisler DAILY PRESS & ARGUS Steve Williams of Marion Township, who was nearly elected to the state House in 2000, has announced he will seek a seat on the Livingston County Board of Commissioners. Williams, 43, lost by a narrow margin to Judie Scranton in 2000. He ran again in 2002, only to drop out after being called to overseas active duty with the U.S. Army. He said he had been thinking about running for public office again ever since he heard that County Commissioner David Reader would not seek re-election in order...