Duncan Hunter Calls on Reid to Resign
Presidential Candidate Duncan Hunter calls for Sen. Reid to Resign
Hunter, the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee and a candidate for President of the United States wrote in a letter that Reid’s comments “can have no effect but to demoralize the brave men and women, who are honorably fulfilling their mission in Iraq, and to encourage our adversaries.” Hunter continued, “Even if you sincerely believe it to be true, your pronouncement of failure will undoubtedly be used by terrorist leaders to rally their followers – inevitably leading to increased attacks on U.S. and coalition forces.”
Hunter wrote “In my opinion Sen. Reid, is having a demoralizing effect on our troops and, in effect, is encouragement our adversaries. I think it’s appropriate for Sen. Reid to resign his position as the leader of the United States Senate.”
Reid made his remarks Thursday, prompting an angry backlash from Republicans. Senate Democrats also appear embarrassed by Reid’s comments and have not publicly issued statements expressly agreeing with Reid’s remark. In his letter, Hunter said that lawmakers need to give the surge of troops a chance. “Currently, there are about 146,000 U.S. troops in Iraq. When the reinforcement operation is at full strength, this number will stand at approximately 157,000. How can anyone, including a United States Senator, possibly declare as a failure a reinforcement operation that is less than fifty percent complete?” added Hunter.
Hunter wrote that he has always considered Reid a friend, but that “my highest obligation is to our forces in uniform, especially during this time of war.”
“Given your position of leadership within the United States Government, I find your pronouncement of failure irresponsible and disserving to America’s armed forces. In light of the fact that this statement has both been used by our adversaries and has exhibited a marked lack of leadership to U.S. troops, I call on you to resign your leadership position,” concluded Hunter.
Hunter said “General Petraeus made it very clear that while we are making progress, he portrays this as a difficult challenge and didn’t try to sugar-coat the issue and the problems that face the American forces there,” and noted that comments like that made by Reid provide incentive for U.S. adversaries.
“It must come as a shock to our enemy to have an aide come into their safe house and tell them that Senator Reid has declared that, in fact, they are winning and the war is lost,” Hunter said. “I think it’s highly irresponsible for the leader of the U.S. Senator to have said that and, just speaking for myself as the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee, I think that the leader of the Senate should step down from that position.”
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April 29, 2007
ROBERT NOVAK novakevans@aol.com
McCain feels that his support for President Bush’s Iraq policy has soured his erstwhile reporter friends. Although Giuliani and Romney also have been criticized by the media, McCain privately expresses the view that they have gotten off easy.
A footnote: McCain insiders, worried about his campaign balance sheet, think the campaign must raise $20 million this quarter and fear that might be a goal too high. Friends of the senator say his staff is too large and spends too much money.
Mich. supporters give Romney $1M
Gordon Trowbridge / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Dems trail GOP in Michigan fundraising
Family ties and ideology have spawned an east-west Michigan split in the Republican chase for presidential campaign contributions, with the top two candidates each leaning on one of the state GOP’s pillars: Oakland County and Grand Rapids.
Oakland County native Mitt Romney, who impressed political analysts by out-raising his GOP opponents nationally in the first three months of this year, tapped his family and business ties to gather nearly $1 million in the state — including more than $800,000 in Metro Detroit. That’s five times more than any other candidate.
Arizona Sen. John McCain, who raised $317,000 in Michigan, was strongest outside the Detroit area, especially around Grand Rapids, where he out-raised Romney 3 to 1. McCain won Michigan’s 2000 presidential primary.
While the first votes in the 2008 race won’t be cast until early next year, the campaigns — especially on the GOP side — have been working for months in Michigan to gain endorsements, set up campaign organizations and, most of all, gather donations. McCain was in the state this month for several campaign events; Romney spoke over the weekend to GOP gatherings in Livingston County, Saginaw, Flint and Lansing. Raising money and building an organization are seen as crucial to succeeding when voters begin to pay attention to the race.
The competing centers of financial power are partly about history: Romney, of Massachusetts, grew up in Bloomfield Hills and still has family there. Then there are political ties: McCain’s top supporters in the state include western Michigan GOP leaders such as national committeeman Chuck Yob. But religion and economics may also play a role.
“One of the big differences between the candidates is Romney’s being a Mormon, and I’m guessing that has some effect on his contributions from west Michigan,” said Corwin Smidt, a Calvin College political science professor who studies religion in politics. Traditional views of the state GOP — more evangelical Christians in the west, more moderate economic conservatives in Metro Detroit — may be a factor, Smidt said.
Setting state records
Romney’s Michigan financial performance in the first three months of the year was impressive. His $927,000 from supporters here was more than all 16 other Republican and Democratic candidates combined, according the Center for Responsive Politics, a campaign finance watchdog group. He raised $304,000 from Bloomfield Hills donors alone — more than his total in 32 states. He raised $816,000 in Metro Detroit — and that’s more, in just three months, than all but George Bush and John Kerry raised in the area during the 2004 campaign.
“No surprise,” said Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, a Romney ally. Patterson said a recent Bloomfield Hills fundraiser for the former Massachusetts governor drew “a who’s who in Oakland County business.” Romney’s brother, Scott, who lives in Oakland County, has aided his effort, as has John Rakolta, a top GOP fundraiser whose sister-in-law, Ronna, was married to Scott.
As for the geographic split, Patterson said it’s mostly due to Romney’s deep ties to Oakland County.
“The west side tends to be a little more conservative; maybe that’s the ideological bond (with McCain),” he said. “With Romney, once they get to know him and check out his business and political career, they’ll come around.”
Does money mean votes?
A McCain supporter said it’s the Arizona senator’s “straight talk” that helps him in west Michigan, where voters may be less forgiving of Romney’s changing positions on abortion and other issues.
“I don’t want to make it sound like people on the east side of the state don’t value truth or consistency as much as we do on the west side,” said state Rep. Lorence Wenke of Kalamazoo. “But maybe it’s just because we know McCain better over here.”
But neither money nor endorsements has translated into poll numbers for Romney or McCain. The most recent Michigan poll, by Republican firm Strategic Vision, had former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the lead, at 26 percent, followed by McCain with 22 percent and Romney with 10 percent.
Giuliani raised just $44,150 in Michigan during the first three months of the year.
When, if ever, will Romney’s huge advantage among Michigan donors translate to support from Michigan voters?
“I think it’s a matter of time,” Patterson said. “He’s got a pretty good story to tell, and money helps you get that story out.”
You can reach Gordon Trowbridge at (202) 662-8738 or gtrowbridge@detnews.com.
Primay
Illegal immigrants could earn citizenship under new Hagel planSioux City Journal, IA – 15 hours agoChuck Hagel. Hagel described his plan Friday as “digestible,” and said immigration reform would be more feasible if problems surrounding the issue are …
Hard Line Anti-Illegal Immigrant Mayor Sees Political Surge
Today, April 28, 2007, 8 hours ago foxnewsonline@foxnews.com
After trying to run illegal immigrants out of town, just about everywhere Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta goes these days, someone inevitably urges him to run for higher office: County commissioner. Congress. President of the United States.
Rudy Giuliani Leads John McCain by More Than 2-to-1 in Race for …
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John McCain Complains About Media TreatmentNational Ledger, AZ – 15 hours agoJohn McCain, who was the darling of the political press corps during the 2000 election cycle, complains to friends that he is getting much rougher treatment …
Huckabee discusses immigration during Iowa visitWaterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA – 10 hours agoCEDAR FALLS —Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and a potential presidential candidate, restated his beliefs Friday that secure borders will be the …
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Romney wrapping up two-day tour through MichiganWOOD-TV, MI – 23 minutes ago… the US can remain competitive and slow the loss of manufacturing jobs, Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney told Michigan audiences Saturday. …
Romney wraps up 2-day tour through MichiganMLive.com, MI – 4 hours agoBy TIM MARTIN. AP. FLINT, Mich. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney on Saturday told a Michigan audience that the nation must invest in …
Romney tells Michigan he can turn nation aroundDetroit Free Press, MI – 21 hours agoBy DAWSON BELL. Former Massachusetts governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney returned to Michigan this evening, pitching his reputation as a …
Romney starts two-day swing through MichiganMLive.com, MI – 23 hours agoBy DAVID EGGERT. AP. LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney was expected to start a two-day swing through Michigan by accusing …
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Border security proponents air message on the radioLos Angeles Times, CA – 21 hours agoTom Tancredo, R-Colo., a firebrand immigration critic. This crowd loves Tancredo. Largely Republican, they have contempt for Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass. …
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Mitt Visits the Fighting 5th
Governor Mitt Romney attended two Lincoln Day Dinners in the 5th Congressional district today. First giving a speech in Saginaw at the Germania Club. Then again in Genesse County.
Toomey vs. Ponnuru on John McCain
Club for Growth President Pat Toomey will debate National Review’s Ramesh Ponnuru on Laura Ingraham’s nationally-syndicated radio show on Wednesday, May 2, 2007, at 11:15 A.M. The question: Is John McCain conservative? Go here to see what time Laura’s show plays in your area.
Congressional Cash on Hand
The cash-on-hand ranking is as followed:
1. Camp $950,004
2. U.S. Rep. Rep. Fred UPTON (R-St. Joseph) $858,125
3. U.S. Rep. Candice MILLER (R-Harrison Twp.) $827,080
4. Dingell $802,527
5. U.S. Rep. Dale KILDEE (D-Flint) $570,720
6. U.S. Rep. Mike ROGERS (R-Brighton) $393,097
7. U.S. Rep. Vern EHLERS (R-Grand Rapids) $391,798
8. U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks KILPATRICK (D-Detroit) $325,146
9. Knollenberg $279,794
10. U.S. Rep. Peter HOEKSTRA (R-Holland) $198,221
11. U.S. Rep. John CONYERS (D-Detroit) $183,846
12. Walberg $159,893
13. U.S. Rep. Thad McCOTTER (R-Livonia) $154,120
14. Stupak $130,093
15. U.S. Rep. Sander LEVIN (D-Southfield) $50,773
The fundraising ranking for the April 2007 reporting period is as followed:
1. Dingell $387,070
2. Knollenberg $264,311
3. Walberg $148,273
4. Conyers $142,868
5. Rogers $115,445
6. Upton $110,478
7. Stupak $92,092
8. McCotter $90,939
9. Camp $88,118
10. Ehlers $66,911
11. Levin $57,346
12. Kilpatrick $52,800
13. Kildee $42,616
14. Hoekstra $23,585
15. Miller $20,883
Kucinich Prepares Impeachment Articles Against Dick Cheney
WASHINGTON — Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich on Tuesday will announce articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney ahead of a series of protests this weekend calling for the impeachment of both Cheney and President Bush.
A spokeswoman for Kucinich, the most liberal member of the 2008 Democratic presidential candidate class, confirmed the congressman’s plans but would not discuss why Kucinich was bringing up the impeachment articles now.
According to The Washington Post blog The Sleuth, Kucinich actually crafted the articles of impeachment before the Virginia Tech massacre, but held off introducing them immediately after the mass shooting.
While Kucinich is not working in coordination with pro-impeachment groups that are planning more than 100 activities nationwide this weekend, he is attending Saturday’s California Democratic Convention in San Diego, where hundreds of delegates are expected to introduce an impeachment resolution against the president and vice president, said Jacob Park, national coordinator for the April 28 action.
Kucinich campaign manager David Bright said Kucinich is “doing an impeachment thing as a member of Congress but is going to the convention as a candidate” and while there, will focus on issues relating to the 2008 election. He is not a delegate and has “nothing in the schedule about meeting with supporters” of impeachment articles, Bright said.
Bright noted that Kucinich has plenty to share with the California delegates, who make up 10 percent of the Democratic national convention being held next year in Denver, but impeachment is a moot point for the 2008 campaign.
Park offered three reasons why activists can’t wait until the election to be rid of the president and vice president.
“One, they misled the nation into war, an aggressive and illegal war that has obviously been catastrophic,” Park said. “They are currently violating the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act” by ordering wiretap warrants without FISA court approval and they are committing torture in violation of the Geneva Conventions.
“Very few people will deny those charges whether they support impeachment or not,” Park said.
But two Republicans dismissed impeachment calls as just politics, and said Kucinich hasn’t got a case.
“If the political pros can’t predict the charges that Kucinich would bring … then it doesn’t sound like it’s justified,” said Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif. “I have no idea what Kucinich would charge Cheney with.”
“I think the Democrats in Congress are going to use every legislative means at their disposal to cripple this president,” said Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind. “It’s not surprising.”
Park acknowledged that the decision to bring the impeachment resolution to the floor of the California convention is to raise the stakes, particularly since congressional Democrats, save Kucinich, are otherwise not inclined to bother.
“Bush is such a catastrophe that (Democrats) know he’s just dragging the Republicans down, and if they just let Bush and Cheney go … they are poised for 2008 and that is easier than to just hold them accountable,” Park said. “April 28 is really the beginning of what we hope will be a groundswell of support and people coming out and voicing their opinion … getting this back on the table.”
FOX News’ Molly Hooper and Sharon Kehnemui Liss contributed to this report.
Rhode Island CR In the News
A friend of mine and a 2005 CRNC player Ryan Bilodeau made headlines when his CR Chapter offered a “White Heterosexual Scholarship.”
Emotioal Proletarian Hordes Disupt Simcox Event
http://www.statenews.com/video/yaf_event_04.19.07.mov
For more information, contact:
MSU YAF Chairman Kyle Bristow, yaf@msu.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
*** UPDATE – SELECTED VIDEO CLIPS INCLUDED. ***
EAST LANSING, Mich. (April 20, 2007) – A speech by the cofounder of the Minuteman Civil Defense Corps was disrupted by radical Hispanic activists at Michigan State University on Thursday.
Chris Simcox was on campus for an event sponsored by Young Americans for Freedom and the College Republicans, but his appearance was heavily delayed after approximately 75 hooligans disrupted the speech for almost an hour as both police officers from both the MSU and East Lansing departments responded to Conrad Hall.
“It’s amazing how these people say they’re for free speech, yet they did everything they could to prevent a civil dialogue about the threat of illegal immigration,” said Kyle Bristow, chairman of MSU’s YAF chapter. “It’s really unfortunate because these individuals really embarrassed Michigan State University by not only disregarding orders from police officers to stop protesting, but also by assaulting numerous students trying to learn about the issue of illegal immigration.”
Police arrested five individuals and at least two are facing felony charges, reports indicated late Thursday.
“I know of at least one person who was physically assaulted after the speech by an angry mob – he was slew footed, knocked down to the sidewalk and apparently spat at by unknown protestors,” said Bristow. “Police had to escort him and others out of the area, and there was even talk of using tear gas to disburse protestors.”
YAF has high-quality, unedited video of the entire speech and related protests – before and after – for members of the media.
Young Americans for Freedom, founded in 1960, is the country’s oldest, largest and most active conservative youth organization. Its national leadership includes Vice President Dick Cheney, Senator Orin Hatch, former Attorney General John Ashcroft and numerous others as advisers. The Michigan branch of YAF has chapters at Albion College, Alma College, Central Michigan University, MSU, Western Michigan University and the University of Michigan.
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Minutemen protesters disrupt talk; 5 arrestedLansing State Journal, MI – 10 hours agoEAST LANSING – For 20 minutes after Chris Simcox took the microphone Thursday night at Michigan State University, he could barely make himself heard above …
Local Illegal Immigration Speech Meets ProtestWLNS, MI – 6 hours agoThe scene at Conrad Hall, a few minutes after Chris Simcox took the stage to talk about the problem of illegal immigration, was chaos. …Local Speech on Illegal Immigration Expected to be Heated WLNS4 arrested at Minutemen co-founder’s speech Lansing State JournalLocal news briefs Lansing State Journal
Photos from the Campaign Trail
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore speaks during the Republican party of Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln Unity Dinner, Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa.
Republican Presidential hopeful Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kansas, carrying his BlackBerry unit, walks by the Supreme Court in Washington, Wednesday, April 18, 2007, after the court’s decision on partial birth abortion.
Former Wisconsin Governor and Republican presidential hopeful Tommy Thompson talks to college Republicans in the Pappajohn building on the University of Iowa Campus in Iowa City, Iowa, Thursday, April 19, 2007. ‘I intend to win Iowa,’ said Thompson. And his plan for winning the nation’s first caucus is simple: he holds three or four events in Iowa each week, often in rural towns. ‘People say you’ve been here so long you’re going to have to start paying taxes, ‘ said Thompson
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee plays bass guitar with his band Capitol Offense following the Republican party of Iowa’s Abraham Lincoln Unity Dinner, Saturday, April 14, 2007, in Des Moines, Iowa 
Former Mayor of New York City Rudy Giuliani hugs search and rescue dog Pokie at the field of chairs at the Oklahoma City National Memorial in Oklahoma City, Thursday, April 19, 2007. Giuliani, speaking at ceremonies on the 12th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, said the response to that deadly attack serves as an example to others recovering from violence.
Republican presidential hopeful, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney serves himself dinner at the Sullivan and Merrimack County annual Lincoln Day Dinner in Newbury, N.H., Sunday, April 15, 2007 
Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., signs autographs at the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Summerville, S.C., Wednesday, April 18, 2007.Photos Courtesy of Michael Jefferies
NO NEW TAXES!
Escaped alzheimers patient makes a sign
Rep. Jack Hoogendyk address’ the crowd
State Capitol rally
Crowd listening to anti tax speakers
Anti Tax people detain Lt. Governor John Cherry on a trailer
Justin Zatkoff, MFCR Chair Elect & Andrew Boyd MFCR Executive Director in waiting at pride week…I mean an anti tax protest.Youth Update
I emailed the person who wrote the article in the Michigan Daily a few days ago, about Justin Zatkoff using his position to recruit McCain people in the CRs.
She told me that she made a mistake, and that he stated in his interview with her that he said he wants CRs to support who they feel is most fit to be President.
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It appears as if though the MFCR is going to do away with the conference call option. We are not sure that this is a good idea. A compromise should be made, as it would be exclusive to end the conference call option outright.
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At the Republican state committee meeting this past weekend, the Teenage Republicans amended their constitution to grant the Chair “emergency powers” with a 4/5ths vote. After the amendment passed, they voted to give the chair “emergency powers.” This gives the chair the power to replace chapter chairs that disagree with him with no accountability to the Executive Board.
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The MFCR urgently needs to develop a fair credentialing process. Reforms need to be made before other candidates start surfacing for the next election.
The last several years, the Chair has been almost entirely responsible for credentialing. These powers have almost always been abused.
Tax Protest and Primary News
**If anyone has any pictures/video clips of the Tax Protest please email them to me. Be sure to include who is to get credit for the photo. cheneygun@gmail.com
The Supreme Court Wednesday upheld a controversial law banning a specific abortion procedure critics call “partial birth,” a ruling that could portend enormous social, legal, and political implications for the divisive issue.
Edwards campaign picks up the tab for pricey haircuts
Hunter urges boost in Iraqi army training
United Press International – Duncan Hunter, R-Calif, the ranking Republican member of the Armed Services Committee of the House of Representatives, reflected growing concern among US …
Huckabee Starts New Hampshire Campaign Day WIth 5K
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee started his campaign day in New Hampshire on Wednesday with a 5K run.
How Jim Gilmore Wins The Republican Nomination
Post Chronicle – Jim Gilmore has six months, unless former Sen. and movie star Fred Thompson puts his hat in the ring earlier, to move from distant second tier candidate to …
McCain promises public briefings on Iraq war if elected
San Diego Union Tribune, CA -MANCHESTER, NH – As he campaigned in New Hampshire on Wednesday, Republican presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee hit the ground the running. …
Romney goes hunting…for votes
Pulse of the Twin Cities, MN – Now comes a chip off the old block, George’s son, Mitt Romney, presently running for president. Mitt’sa Republican, so he’s trying to show the extreme right …
Corzine’s SUV going 91 mph when crashed
The superintendent of the New Jersey state police says the SUV carrying Gov. Jon S. Corzine was traveling about 91 mph before it crashed.
Brownback pushes flat tax rate plan
Republican presidential candidate Sam Brownback, looking ahead to Tuesday’s tax return deadline, on Monday suggested a flat tax as an option for taxpayers.
Thompson apologizes for Jewish comments
Republican presidential candidate Tommy Thompson told a Jewish group Monday that earning money is “part of the Jewish tradition,” a remark for which he later apologized.
White House may find millions of e-mails
The White House should be able to recover an undetermined number of e-mails – perhaps millions of messages – that accidentally disappeared from its servers during a program conversion, an administration official said Monday.
The speech Ron Paul has to make if he wishes to win the GOP nomination
American Chronicle, CA – Ron Paul is staking a lot on the war as well, his opposition to it. Running an underdog campaign, it’s probably the only way he can win the GOP presidential …
Today’s Giuliani Agrees With Court Decision
New York Observer, NY – Here’s Rudy Giuliani’s statement on today’s Supreme Court decision upholding a nationwide ban on partial-birth abortion. …
Giuliani joins GOP praise for abortion decision
Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R), who in the past has supported a woman’s right to a form of…
Tancredo Welcomes Court Ruling On Abortion
cbs4denver.com, CO – (AP) DENVER Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo on Wednesday praised the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a nationwide ban on a controversial …
Pure Horserace: It’s All In The Timing
CBS News, NY – Tommy Thompson has been seeking the GOP nomination for weeks, but he’s flown well under the media radar since announcing his bid. This week, he finally got …
Allard Endorses Romney
Allard endorses Romney
Colorado Republican Sen. Wayne Allard is endorsing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney for president, the campaign announced Monday.
Allard praised the candidate as someone who could bring “a much needed breath of fresh air to Washington.” He is the fifth GOP senator to publicly back Romney.
“After reviewing Governor Romney’s impressive resume and having the opportunity to visit one-on-one with him about his vision of innovation and change for America, I am proud to announce my endorsement of him,” Allard said in a statement.
McCain Vows to Fight Wasteful Government Spending
April 16, 2007
John McCain stressed the need to fight wasteful government spending on Monday.
Leading GOP candidates causing ‘angst’ among 2nd Amendment …The Hill, DC – Ron Paul (Texas), Duncan Hunter (Calif.) and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, as well as Democratic Gov. Bill Richardson (NM), have not been faulted by …
The Chairmen Cash InPolitico, DC – Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), ranking member of the Armed Services Committee, didn’t raise any money into his House campaign committee. …
Rudy Giuliani: Lifelong LiberalPolitico, DC – Former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani has been barnstorming the nation, claiming the Ronald Reagan mantle. Recent opinion polls suggest his campaign is …
The Temptation to Tax
The free market think-tank the Mackinac Center is now jumping on board with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in support of a state gas tax increase, with one of its analysts suggesting today a 6-cent increase in gas tax and a 10-cent bump in the diesel tax.
Before publicly declaring its position, the Mackinac Center put out a road funding study, which showed that the state’s current funding mechanism will not support the current upkeep of state and local roads.
According to the study, authored by John C. TAYLOR of Grand Valley State University, the state spends up to $3.4 billion a year on roads. However, the five-year plan shows that the state will have $1.23 billion a year to spend on roads by 2011, according to the report.
“Absent new spending, MDOT (Department of Transportation) forecasts that the surface and more important sub-surface life and condition of our state-owned roads will deteriorate from 92 percent “good” to 68 percent by 2014,” according to the report.
The state is also more congested than other Midwest states. Michigan has a 29.6 percent congestion rate and the Midwest average is 19.4 percent. This will only get worse if the state doesn’t take care of its roads.
“Maybe it shouldn’t come as such a big surprise that the Mackinac Center supports increasing the gas tax to fund our transportation needs,” said Mike NYSTROM, vice president for government and public relations for the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Associate.” After all, the person who wrote the report has to avoid the same potholes that the average driver does when they get behind the wheel in Michigan.”
Increasing the state tax from 19 cents a gallon to 25 cents and increasing the diesel tax from 15 cents to 25 cents will help the state get the roads in a condition that will let Michigan compete in the 21st Century, according to the report, “Road Funding, Time for a Change.”
The report recommends that the tax be phased in over three years and removed after six years unless the Legislature votes to extend the increase.
“The tax should be indexed to Consumer Price Index inflation as was the case prior to 1984,” according to the report. “Virtually all of Michigan’s taxes are in effect indexed to inflation as they are tied to the value of goods or income. After the full phase-in, but before indexing, these taxes would raise $388 million per year. The indexing would raise the gasoline and diesel tax by approximately 75 cents per gallon per year at 3 percent inflation, and should be capped at 5 cents per gallon.”
The Center also recommended closing several loopholes in registration fee collections and reducing registration and other fee payments that go to the Secretary of State through the Michigan Transportation Fund.
The Center estimated that all together, the proposal would raise $486 million per year in state fuel taxes and registration fees before indexing.
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Which Republicans’ Would Back Tax Hike?
Normally, the Senate Minority Leader’s job isn’t to count noses in the majority caucus, but Senate Minority Leader Mark SCHAUER (D-Battle Creek) is doing just that and he predicts there will be enough Republican “noses” to pass some sort of tax increase this year.
“You can do the math. Democrats have 17 votes so we need some help from the other side,” Schauer said, expanding on remarks he originally made in the Kalamazoo Gazette earlier this week.
Schauer said he figures some on the Republican side don’t want to reduce essential services and that they would be open to joining Democrats in voting to raise more revenue through tax increases.
Schauer refuses to name names, but the list could likely include: Sen. Mark JANSEN (R-Cutlerville), Senate Appropriations Chairman Ron JELINEK (R-Three Oak), Sen. Randy RICHARDVILLE (R-Monore), Sen. Roger KAHN (R-Saginaw) and, perhaps, Sen. Gerald Van WOERKOM (R-Norton Shores) and Sen. Bill HARDIMAN (R-Kentwood).
If the minority leader can hold all of his votes, he would, of course, need three from that list to pass any tax hike.
Note that Senate Majority Leader Mike BISHOP’s name is not included, but Democrats would be more than happy if Bishop allowed a vote to be taken on a tax hike, which would give the Democrats a fighting chance to get to 20 votes.
Of course, remember that Republicans did take a vote on Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM’s proposed two-cent service tax last month, but it went down on a party-line vote with the Democrats’ most politically vulnerable first-term member voting no with the Republicans.
(Contributed by Senior Capital Correspondent Tim SKUBICK.)
“LSA junior Justin Zatkoff, the chairman-elect of the Michigan Federation of College Republicans, endorsed McCain in March. Zatkoff said he plans to mobilize young Republicans in the state to support McCain in the primary election. “
Buwalda Wins @ WMU
Meghan Buwalda, former MFCR Co Chair candidate won her election tonight as WMU College Republican Chair beating Mikhail Fedewa handily.
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Giuliani Says States Should Decide Confederate Flag Issue
Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani waded into the debate over the Confederate flag during a stop in Alabama on Tuesday, saying he believed it should be up to states to decide whether to fly it.
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For Immediate Release
Contact: Senator Wayne Kuipers
4/12/07
(616)-393-7700
McCain Wins Ottawa County Straw Poll
Shows Strong Support in West Michigan
Holland, MI – Today, the Ottawa County Republican Party held their annual Lincoln Day Dinner celebration at the Tulip City Airport. Senator John McCain was the event’s guest of honor and featured speaker.
A 2008 Presidential Straw poll was held at the event among the attendees and members of the Ottawa County Republican County. With a total of 1683 votes cast, the results were as follows:
McCain 69%
Romney 14%
Gingrich 5%
Giuliani 5%
Rest 7%
“Senator McCain’s message is clearly resonating among the members and supporters of our Party,” said Senator Wayne Kuipers. “Republicans in West Michigan respect Senator McCain’s principled and consistent positions on the issues facing our nation and strong support for winning the war in Iraq.”
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Romney Names West Michigan Team
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt ROMNEY announced today his Romney for President West Michigan Leadership Team, consisting of 31 men and women.
Members include U.S. Rep. Pete HOEKSTRA (R-Holland), as chair of the Romney For President West Michigan Leadership Team, and J.C. HUIZENGA as Romney for President West Michigan Finance Chair.
Others of note on the “team” include:
Sen. Cameron BROWN (R-Fawn River Twp.), Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Ron JELINEK (R-Three Oaks), former Senate Majority Leader Ken SIKKEMA, Rep. Goeff HANSEN (R-Hart), Rep. David HILDENBRAND (R-Lowell), Rep. Neal NITZ (R-Baroda), Rep. David PALSROK (R-Manistee), Rep. Tom PEARCE (R-Rockford), Rep. Tonya SCHUITMAKER (R-Lawton), Rep. Rick SHAFFER (R-Three Rivers), Rep. Fulton SHEEN (R-Plainwell), and former Rep. Jerry KOOIMAN.
CMU Gay Controvery
Michigan State University YAF: HATE GROUP
Central Michigan University YAF: HATE GROUP
University of Michigan YAF: ??
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CMU Youth Organization Being Called A Hate Group
(TV5) — Is a hate group operating at a Mid-Michigan university? That’s the debate after members of the Student Government at Central Michigan University declared the “Young Americans for Freedom” a hate group. The declaration stems from a troubling incident on campus.
No one has hard evidence that Dennis Lennox’s group chalked the anti-gay messages on Central Michigan University’s campus sidewalk. Pictures showing messages like “Straight Power” and hearsay is what’s convicting the student group Young Americans for Freedom.
Lennox adamantly refutes the allegations. “I didn’t do it. None of our members did it. I think it’s outrageous.” CMU’s Student Senate passed a resolution to label YAF a hate group, and is trying to have the Student Government Association formally recognize YAF as a hate group.
The Student Government Association had no comment. The Gay Straight Alliance believes the Senate was too quick to condemn YAF. The senate bypassed a standard two week waiting period for resolutions to pass the resolution before the end of the semester. The Alliance says they need hard evidence of YAF’s guilt before condemning them.
This isn’t the first time YAF has been targeted as a hate group, and Lennox believes there could be some personal vendettas. If the resolution is recognized by the entire Student Government Association, YAF says they may take legal action.
The YAF chapter at Michigan State University was recently labeled a hate group by the Southern Press Law Center.
CMU Student Govt: YAF is a Hate Group
WNEM News Clip
I emailed Ben Dotson the Co President of the Gay Straight Alliance and this is part of his response to me:
“As offensive as the chalkings were, CMU and the student community support the
right to freedom of speech and these chalkings are certainly protected under the
1st Amendment. As Co-President of the Gay-Straight Alliance, an organization
that clearly would have problems with the anti-gay hate chalkings, I still
support the absolute right to free speech.”
Dotson admits at this point that their are many rumors about the chalking.
