Posted on 08/16/2011 1:28:24 PM PDT by presidio9
The Republican presidential hopeful who came in last at the Iowa “Straw Poll” here said to consider his appearance at Ames “a debut” and to keep an eye on his longest-shot candidacy for 2012.
“We got invites to speak to party organizations in four different counties,” five-term Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich) told HUMAN EVENTS, shortly after he drew 35 votes in the straw poll won by Michele Bachmann, “So look at it as an introduction, a debut. We’ll build a campaign as we go on.”
McCotter spoke to us after he had addressed what he called “the biggest audience I have ever spoken before” at the Iowa State Coliseum and between performances in which the rock-loving congressman played guitar with a group known as the “Screaming Leamurs” (“Leamurs is an extraction of monkey,” the group’s drummer explained).
As much a long-shot as the group considered McCotter, he nonetheless drew strong applause for his address, in which he called for recapitalizing banks that had failed America and hit hard at trade with Communist China.
Pointing out that he hits on themes “that Republicans have never heard about from the other candidates,” McCotter said that he will continue to hit hard at his themes of capitalism, dealing harshly with hostile countries abroad, and freedom. In his words, it will be “like hearing a band for the second time and liking the music” for possible supporters.
In his five trips to the polls as congressman from the suburban Wayne County (Detroit) district he has represented since it was created in ’02, McCotter has had some closer-than-expected contests. Some critics of the conservative lawmaker have said that surprising votes he has cast—notably a recent vote in favor of the Davis Bacon prevailing wage rules on government sites—are a response to the strong union presence in his district.
Will McCotter leave the House to focus on a presidential bid, we asked?
“Who knows?,” he replied, “Look, right now I’m focused on this race and I’m not thinking about what may or may not happen. If I decided not to run, there will be crowded Republican field, no doubt about it. We have until May of next year, so I will know by then whether I will be the Republican nominee for President, so we’ll see what happens then.”
I don’t know much about this guy, only his recent TV appearances. I have heard far to little to make any judgement. Shed some light for me.
He’s a RINO.
Just like Tim Pawlenty, but without the panache and the name recognition
He supported Card Check. He claims to have recently come to his senses after the union thuggery in Wisconsin, but McCotter is a union tool. This is a vanity campaign, he has zero chance to even be noticed in this race.
He struck me as spending $15k for the spot at the Straw Poll as for an ego trip, and have a bunch of people listen to his band. I got a mailer from him, and it showed him with his guitar.
He speaks like a drone, rocks out like a party animal. Not sure what to make of the guy.
Why? Because you disagree with him on one issue? I guess that makes Reagan a RINO too, right? Be honest: How much do you really know about the guy?
Actually, the real reason he's running is probably to gain name recognition, so he can go up against Debbie Stabenow for US Senate.
I'd agree a difference on a single issue doesn't necessarily make one a RINO, but Card Check? Supporting that certainly qualifies him as a union tool.
Anyone who supported taking away our right to a secret ballot in union elections is simply unacceptable as a Republican presidential nominee. Geeze, even George McGovern fought hard against Card Check.
He’s probably not running against Stabenow, Pete Hoekstra has announced for that one. McCotter will probably run for Levin’s seat in 2014.
My bad. I think you were the one that pointed this angle out in the first place.
Great videos:
“Thaddeus McCotter Teaches Us How to “Speak Democrat””
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPc9xG1sajI
“Thaddeus McCotter, Huckabee & The Little Rockers with Kelly Wright play “Let it Rock” (6.25.2011)”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNzjqFQ-1aM
30 minute C-SPAN interview:
http://www.c-spanvideo.org/program/McCott
He’s done a lot of things I don’t like but considering his district he’s a regular right wing extremist.
In that district, its him or a Dingell clone.
He always sounds great on Red Eye.
I listened to this guy speak... wow, he droned ... on and on and on... It almost put me into a comma.
A RINO? Do you even know what that stands for? McCotter backed the unions once. He may be a CINO if you what to slam him, but as far as I see he is a solid Reagan Conservative. I don’t see how you are going to get the GOP to be in lock step on every single issue like the Rat Party. McCotter is a good man.
For anyone who blindly suggests that Thad McCotter is a RINO, I suggest that you read his book, SEIZE FREEDOM. I’m quite sure you’re thinking will turn around quickly.
ditto.
A dry witted, bald headed, geeky looking conservative Congressman from a union stronghold district. Electrifying he aint. I would vote for him in a mili-second against Obama. There is no way he’ll be president in 2012 but he has the makings of a very good Vice President. Hope he can stay in the race.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thaddeus_McCotter
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