tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post3429281417740297382..comments2023-09-09T09:01:39.489-04:00Comments on CORE PRINCIPLES: The Straw Poll. Winners: Hoekstra and McManus. "Losers": Snyder and ScottAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04000930931176589718noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-6847837986285289542009-09-30T19:58:23.058-04:002009-09-30T19:58:23.058-04:00"What was a surprise was how well Pete Hoekst..."What was a surprise was how well Pete Hoekstra did. The Congressman from Holland is not as well known statewide as Mike Bouchard who ran on the statewide ballot in 2006 or Attorney General Mike Cox who has been elected statewide twice."<br /><br />I disagree. Hoekstra is very well known across the west side of the state. Bouchard may have recently run for Senate, but few people outside of Southeast Michigan can still identify him. For example, you ran for US Senate last year, however, I'm sure that if you ran for governor your name ID would still be lower than Hoekstra's whose district probably covers a geographic area larger than Oakland County and your former state house district combined.<br /><br />Hoekstra has been around the block enough to have known what was expected to win on the island. Sure Snyder was going to outspend everyone, but Hoekstra could have still focused on what was within his control. This included, showing up with at least 20 volunteers! Any Congressman in office for more than a decade who cannot scrounge up at least 20 volunteers has problems. <br /><br />A candidate cannot claim moral victory just because, after not trying hard enough, his opponent did not beat him as badly as his opponent should have. <br /><br />The reason why Hoekstra finished last was because his only real advantage in this race (besides being the only candidate who resides in West Michigan; Tom George doesn't count) was to run on a conservative platform. However, Hoekstra supported bank bailouts last fall as well bridge loans for the domestic autos, and finally, he even "outshilled" Thad McCotter by becoming the FOX News posterchild in favor of cash for clunkers. These are not the positions of an economic conservative, which Hoekstra "once upon a time" was. <br /><br />Many people asked after last fall's election whether the GOP lost because it became too moderate. And while I cannot say that the party has really gotten more moderate on social issues, it surely has gotten far too liberal on economic issues. And most Americans, moreover, most Michiganders care about "making ends meat" first and foremost. In Michigan, when the most "conservative" Congressman in the state is an economic populist and a placater of the militant Teamsters, it's not hard to figure out why the state has as many problems as it does. From a leadership standpoint, Pete Hoekstra is failing the conservative movement. And Jack I can only hope that you ascend as the leader of the conservative movement in Michigan. Because you are one of a very small group of people that I have met who will not compromise what is right simply to stay in office (or get elected to a new office such as governor).Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09525099321368605089noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-668918416973129522009-09-30T10:23:09.753-04:002009-09-30T10:23:09.753-04:00Great blog, Jack!!! Your name came up in a confer...Great blog, Jack!!! Your name came up in a conference call last night and everyone on the call spoke highly of you. We all agreed that you are a person who might be in politics, but is not a politician, and whose promise to do something is backed up with action.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-16138468701637505232009-09-29T19:56:34.610-04:002009-09-29T19:56:34.610-04:00My husband and I were at the conference and we wor...My husband and I were at the conference and we worked on the Snyder, Rick for Michigan, campaign. We were not checked on whether we voted for Snyder or not, just that we voted. I sure do hope that this will correct the information in the article.<br />Thank You,<br />Jeff and Diane Mysinger<br />DeWitt, MIDiane Mysingernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-77819703680744847172009-09-29T17:00:25.166-04:002009-09-29T17:00:25.166-04:00Also, my husband and I traveled to Burt Lake for a...Also, my husband and I traveled to Burt Lake for a short weekend at our cottage and we saw all the signs on the side of I-75 for the candidates. The Lansing State Journal's John Schneider saw them also and has an article on it quoting the State Police from Gaylord. Posting these signs is illegal and did not bode well for Atty. General Cox in the article. Was glad to see Hoestra did not have any signs anywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-23807590745804501472009-09-29T16:57:10.605-04:002009-09-29T16:57:10.605-04:00I really like Pete Hoekstra and think he would mak...I really like Pete Hoekstra and think he would make a great governor. I do not TRUST Mike Cox and while Bouchard is very likable guy I think he is just another politician.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-54363282714857421362009-09-29T11:42:40.925-04:002009-09-29T11:42:40.925-04:00When our LEADERSHIP, (both state and national) Tak...When our LEADERSHIP, (both state and national) Take a 10% pay cut as a lot of people had to do to maintain their jobs, and forfeit some of their fringe benefits, I will consider them to be leaders. Until then they are still just political junkiesAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2471227525958744648.post-63771561207348979792009-09-28T22:27:07.264-04:002009-09-28T22:27:07.264-04:00Interesting post, Jack. There was a funny youtube ...Interesting post, Jack. There was a funny youtube moment posted on RightMichigan (http://www.rightmichigan.com) that interviewed another Snyder supporter. <br /><br />I've endorsed Mike Cox. If someone puts me on the spot, I can give some good reasons why I support him (ability to win statewide, no tax pledge, street fighting candidate, GREAT on 2nd Amendment). Most of Mike's supporters have been there before. I know a lot of them. Bouchard and Land had their supporters and most I know there could give reasons for their support. Same for Hoekstra. <br /><br />I'm still undecided for Sec of State and AG since I happen to like both McManus and Norlander (nothing against Brown, I know the other two better), as well as both Schuette and Bishop. I'm waiting and seeing how things play out there since that's going to be two tough decisions for me. <br /><br />As far as Paul Scott goes, he did a great job winning a difficult open seat district that was democrat as recently as 2001 (Lockwood). He has my respect for that. I hope Dave Robertson or someone influential in that area gives him a call. We need Paul in Grand Blanc. I hope he stays there for two more terms. Maybe he can draw up a good congressional district there with redistricting to give Mr. Kildee a run for his money.Danhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11625371376786863084noreply@blogger.com