Splitting the Conservative Vote in Michigan's First District

jennerationx.com ^ | 8/24/10 | Jen Kuznicki

[jenk]

In the aftermath of the very close MI01 Republican primary, won by Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls by 15 votes, several things have transpired that has tested the friendships and trust of tea party members and patriots, and the movement itself.

Glenn Wilson, a self-proclaimed independent, has entered the first district race and has co-opted former leadership of the tea party movement. In a Politico article Wilson is cited as being, “backed by several tea party groups.” When in reality, he has hired the former leader of the Petoskey Tea Party and has the support of disgruntled libertarians. Rich Carlson is no longer the leader of any tea party group, and his friend, Randy Bishop, has completely alienated the tea party folks in Emmet County and many of the supporters he had in his bid to become State Senator to replace Jason Allen in Michigan’s 37th.

Carlson, a former supporter of Tom Stilling’s campaign for the Republican nomination for MI01, had discontinued attendance at the regular meetings for the Petoskey Tea Party group, which prompted the group to elect a replacement leader, Dennis Kelly.

[jenk]

Thankfully, most tea partiers are more intelligent than the one's associated with Wilson.

[samtheman]

Can someone please bottom-line this very long article.

Thanks.

[jenk]

Stupak’s seat, Republican Benishek, Democrat McDowell, Independent Wilson.

Wilson is paying former tea party leaders to work for him, and is getting support from disgruntled losers in 6-way Republican primary.

Cooler heads in tea party speak out against third parties.

Wilson assured Republicans during the primary that he would not run in the general unless the most liberal Republican won.

Wilson, his co-opted staff and his backers all lied and are running third party against Dan Benishek.

Wilson has said nothing derogatory toward McDowell, only Benishek.

(I threw a couple of tidbits in this explanation just for you.)

[samtheman]

Thanks. What are the chances the voters will wise up and ignore the bait of an “independent”?

[jenk]

good, but all he needs is to siphon a few thousand votes from Benishek to lose the District to McDowell, a Stupak Stooge.

This is a problem.

[deadrock]

Michigan has enough conservatives to split? Who knew.