The Michigan Conservative Dossier

RCP Poll Averages

Republican Candidates in Michigan: The Scoop

Term limit changes pushed by group
LANSING — Now that Michigan has a Jan. 15 presidential primary date, a group pushing expansion of term limits for lawmakers sees a new opportunity to take its proposal to state voters.

EDITORIAL: Recall ends that ought not have begun
Adrian Daily Telegram – Adrian,MI,USA
Tim Walberg. Our view: Using a recall to express displeasure with the Iraq war, the 2006 election or other issues abuses the system.

Democrat leadership dogging Stupak for being pro-life

Warner will not seek reelection – By Aaron Blake
Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) announced Friday that he will not seek a sixth term in the Senate in 2008, bringing an end to more than three decades of service and setting in motion a battle for the open seat he will leave behind.
Speaking to reporters and constituents at the University of Virginia, Warner announced his intention to make this term his last.

White House Press Secretary Tony Snow steps down
http://www.politico.com/blogs/anneschroeder/0807/Buhbye_Snow.html

	Net Votes				+ Votes		- Votes
Brownback	-2762	-39.1%			1567	(22.2%)	4329	(61.3%)
Gingrich	419	+5.9%			3338	(47.3%)	2919	(41.4%)
Giuliani	170	+2.4%			3221	(45.6%)	3051	(43.2%)
Huckabee	718	+10.2%			3371	(47.8%)	2653	(37.6%)
Hunter	626	+8.9%			3266	(46.3%)	2640	(37.4%)
McCain	-4216	-59.7%			1028	(14.6%)	5244	(74.3%)
Romney	1534	+21.7%			3851	(54.6%)	2317	(32.8%)
Tancredo	-949	-13.4%			2480	(35.1%)	3429	(48.6%)
F. Thompson	2109	+29.9%			4050	(57.4%)	1941	(27.5%)

—

There have been emails going around called “Yob Watch.” I want to make clear that it is not me. If I had something to say about Mr. Chuck Yob, I would say it loud and often and you would most likely see it on my blog. The anonymous emails aren’t my style.

The following is a piece from MIRS News today. It appears the senile old man James Carr needs to remember to take his pills. (The left blogs aren’t the only ones who can be crude!) He tried to recall Congressman Nick Smith also, but must have forgot that US Congressmen cannot be recalled.

Walberg Recall Effort Killed
The short-lived and long-shot attempt to recall U.S. Rep. Tim WALBERG (R-Tipton) died Tuesday after a Lenawee County Circuit Court judge agreed with the Congressman that the U.S. Constitution doesn’t provide for recall.

The decision from Judge Harvey KOSELKA was not much of a surprise, seeing Lansing attorney Eric DOSTER drove to Adrian to argue Walberg’s case. The head of the recall effort, retired school teacher James CARR of Jackson, told the local media he was not interested in engaging in a court fight over the matter and agreed to quit collecting signatures.

Carr was attempting to recall the freshman 7th District Congressman for voting to support the Iraq War while allegedly not providing for the necessary money to go along with it (See “Jackson Man Calling For Walberg Recall,” 7/18/07).

More news on the National Committeeman race

Two More Names For GOP Committeeman
Michigan Republican Party (MRP) Chair Saul ANUZIS said today two new names have emerged as potential challengers to National Committeeman Chuck YOB’s re-election this coming February.

Outside of Oakland County Chairman Paul WELDAY, Ingham County Chairman Norm SHINKLE and U.S. Senate candidate Rocky RACZKOWSKI, the names of former 7th Congressional District chair Mike TROUTMAN and former MRP chair Rusty HILLS were floated, but sources close to Hills say its highly questionable whether Hills, the spokesman of Attorney General Mike COX, is truly interested (See “Yob May Face Challenge To Post,” 8/29/07).

One source also reported that Shinkle is in the process of making calls and trying to round up support.

Fred Thompson to announce his candidacy for 2008 GOP nomination on Sept. 6 via webcast.
Full story: http://www.politico.com/blogs/jonathanmartin/0807/Thompson

Anti-War Rally at State Capitol
WLNS – Lansing,MI,USA
They’ve been out all summer hoping to pressure Congressman Mike Rogers into changing his position on the war in Iraq. Bernard Doyle Jr., Michigan peace

Protesters pressure Ehlers on Iraq
The Grand Rapids Press – MLive.com – Grand Rapids,MI,USA
Americans Against Escalation in Iraq is targeting five other Michigan members of Congress, all Republicans: Reps. Fred Upton, of St. Joseph; Mike Rogers

I was talking with MSU YAF Chair Kyle Bristow yesterday and he had mentioned that Ben Morlock, the MSU CR Chair would not allow him to speak at the CR meeting.

I was shocked to say the least. I asked him to clarify for me what he had planned on saying, and he told me that he just wanted to make a simple announcement about the speaker that he was bringing in. Not to give a speech, just an announcement.

Below is an exchange between Ben Morlock and Kyle Bristow:

Before I read the following exchange, I thought that Bristow was exaggerating. It turned out that that is not the case.

Morlock closed with this, “As far as who will and will not speak at CR meetings, as chairman I reserve the right to make that decision.”

We suggest that Morlock brush up on his parliamentarian procedure, or attend a county party meeting. If the organization is governed by p.p, there is no provision allowing the Chair to block a member in good standing from making announcement at the designated time during the meeting.

The following prominent members of the MSU CRs have also been members of YAF:

Jeff Wiggins – YAFer and former CR Chairman

Anna Marie Cooper – Took part in YAF protests

Craig Burgers – CR Officer and formed YAF Chairman

Kyle Bristow – Former CR Secretary and current YAF Chairman

Nate Sherman – Former CR Officer and current YAF Officer

Luke Pelican – Former YAF Chairman and CR member

Brenda Alves – Former YAF Officer and CR member

It is also relevant to point out the current affiliations of the officers of the MSU CRs:

The Vice Chair and Treasurer, Leo Madarang and Priti Kothari are both active with Mitt Romneys campaign.

The fund raising chair is active in Rudy Giulianis campaign. His facebook picture is a picture of Rudy and him on a tarmac.

The rest of the members’ endorsements are unknown to me at this time, but I suspect they will be similar.

Every couple of the years, the MSU CRs go from party people to conservative activists. From Plato and Phelps to Wiggins and Miller.

Stu Kelly confirmed with me that the decision to ban Bristow is not just the doing of the Chair.

Pictured above: Ben Morlock with a “Fire Granholm” sign with the YAF logo in the corner

Hoekstra calls for Craig’s resignation
MLive.com – MI,USA
In a news conference, Craig said three times that he was not gay and said his arrest and subsequent guilty plea to disorderly conduct was an error in …

I couldn’t resist posting this piece on Rep. Cushingberry (D-the hood)
He told MIRS today:

Conceding that he may end up in the woodshed for opposing it, Rep. George Cushingberry said today he’s a no vote on creating a presidential primary in Michigan, calling his opposition a matter of “principle.”

“I can’t give welfare mothers an increase yet you want me to spend $5 million for a presidential primary. I’m not voting for it,” the head of the House Appropriations Committee told MIRS.

Cushingberry has to be one of the dumbest members of the Michigan House. From trying to tax EVERYTHING without considering cutting anything, to trying to recall a county commissioner from Macomb County, and now this.

Is there an affirmative action policy in House races? I can’t get over this guy, what a joker.

Yob May Face Challenge To Post
As many as three prominent members of the Michigan Republican Party (MRP) are having their names circulated as potential challengers to National Republican Committeeman Chuck YOB at the party’s February convention.

Ingham County Republican Chairman Norm SHINKLE, former Oakland County Chairman Paul WELDAY and U.S. Senate candidate Andrew “Rocky” RACZKOWSKI are asking Republican activists to “keep their powder dry.”

The movement comes only days after the party brass hammered out its final arrangements for the 2008 presidential primary at a MRP executive meeting, a process that sources indicate pitted various forces within the party against each other. In the center of it all was the powerful Yob, whose pull over a considerable amount of the party’s grassroots is something others within the party would like to dilute.

Yob led the way against changes to a party convention system that he’s been able to master for years, his biggest successes being the nomination of John SMIETENKA for Attorney General in 1998 against the wishes of then-Gov. John ENGLER.

But this weekend, sources indicated Yob didn’t fare as well in the battles he picked, potentially signaling some degree of weakness and leaving him vulnerable to be defeated for the National Republican Committeeman post he’s held since 1989.

This afternoon, Yob officially announced his intention to seek re-election, telling grassroots Republicans that he has traveled thousands of miles, attended hundreds of Lincoln Day dinners and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the good of the party and he plans to continue his hard work in the years ahead.

“I pledge to work hard to bring our party together and forge consensus with other party leaders for victory,” Yob wrote. “But unity does not mean betraying our conservative principles. We must not waiver.”

Asked about perceptions that Yob’s strength may be weakening, Yob’s son, John YOB, pointed out that Chuck Yob did vote for the final “unity agreement” at the executive committee level. Pressed on the issue, John Yob said, “We are pleasantly surprised by how quickly the grassroots support is coming together and we will be making significant announcements in the coming days.”

Interestingly, among those actively pursuing the post is Raczkowski, a former member of the “Yob Machine,” who Yob pushed to run against Saul ANUZIS for MRP Chair in 2004 (See “Anuzis Throws Hat In Party Chair Race …” 11/30/04).

Three years later, Raczkowski said “quite a few party leaders” have told him they believe he’s the best person to become the state’s new national committeeman, to “seize this incredible opportunity to change the face and focus of the Republican Party in this state.”

“Chuck has done a good job for 20 years, but there seems to be a lot of disappointment out there regarding Chuck himself,” he said. “I’ve been a good friend of Chuck and we’ve been supportive of one another for many years, but it’s obvious that there is a lot of individuals that are disappointed by him.”

Asked to be more specific with the word “disappointment,” Raczkowski said, “People feel that the party has lost some focus.”

Meanwhile, Shinkle confirmed that he, too, is testing the waters for support, but declined invitations to rip into Yob.

“I don’t want to throw out criticisms,” he said. “I want Republicans to know I would be a person who could better unite the party.”

Welday, founder of Michigan-based Strategic Public Affairs, has had working relationships with former gubernatorial candidate Richard HEADLEE and U.S. Rep. Joe KNOLLENBERG (R-Bloomfield Hills).

Welday told fellow Republicans in an e-mail Tuesday, “While I have been approached about running for Republican National Committeeman from Michigan and I am considering it, there are a number of very qualified individuals also looking at the possibility of seeking this post next year. I applaud all those who are testing the waters for this position and strongly encourage our party’s leadership to keep our powder dry while reviewing all of our options.”

Rumors also have emerged about possible challengers to National Committeewoman Holly HUGHES, but none have seemed to materialize into anything more than names being thrown out at this time, according to Anuzis’ daily e-mail to Republicans.

A conservative blog, the “Michigan Conservative Dossier,” is gauging support through an on-line poll for Wayne County Commissioner Laura COX, Genesee County Republican Chair Denise GRAVES, Ingham County Republican Vice Chair Linda Lee WILLIAMS and former National Committeewoman Sharon WISE as potential challengers to Hughes.

Yob-backed Hughes defeated Wise in 2004 for the post (See “Hughes Unseats Wise As Committeewoman,” 5/21-22/04).

Update: Another 17 votes have been logged from Detroit. 16 votes will be deducted from Yobs total.

Someone at Ave Maria Law has voted for Chuck Yob 33 times (I won’t mention any names).

Dan Carlson, the almost unanimously unpopular former College Republican Chair will have one vote.

So 32 votes will be subtracted from Yobs final total.

Note: A different formula will be applied to Holly’s multiple votes.

Navigation Path

I won’t catch every instance of cheating on this poll, but I will try.

Dear Grassroots Republican,

I am writing you today to officially announce that I am running for re-election as Republican National Committeeman.

I have traveled thousands of miles, attended hundreds of Lincoln Day Dinners, raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for party organizations, and offered early support to some of our most successful Republican candidates.

There is one thing that has stood out in my time as national committeeman. When our party is united we win. When our party is divided we lose. We need to do everything we can to unite as a party and prevent the losses of 2006 from happening again in 2008.

I pledge to work hard to bring our party together and forge consensus with other party leaders for victory. But unity does not mean betraying our conservative principles. We must not waiver. That is why I am proud to say that I was one of the few Republican Party leaders to support the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. It was good policy, and it was good politics. I was also one of the very few party leaders to support the anti-abortion petition drive. I am proud to stick with my principles and strongly believe that Republicans win by acting like Republicans.

I am also proud of the role that I played in the election of some of our recent successful candidates for important offices across the state. It is the candidates who deserve congratulations for their victories but grassroots activists and leaders can also be proud to say we supported winners and they were successful.

Lastly, I have served our state well as Vice Chairman of the Republican National Committee representing the Midwest Region and will continue to be a leading voice on the RNC for our state and our party.

Please take a moment of your time and send an email to yobchuck@aol.com if you will endorse my campaign for re-election. Strong and early support is appreciated so we can move forward toward uniting our party in 2008 and defeating the real enemy – Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Your Friend,

Chuck Yob

Vice-Chairman, Republican National Committee

Republican National Committeeman for Michigan

Below is an article in todays MIRS news which shows some dissent in the McCain campaign:

Yob Not Jumping
Today, John YOB, son of Republican National Committeeman Chuck YOB, told MIRS his father is not contemplating a jump into the presidential campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy GIULIANI.

“That’s just not the case,” said the younger Yob, who is state director of the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCAIN (R-Ariz). “He’s not even remotely considering moving over to the Giuliani campaign.”

MIRS has published two articles speculating on rumors in Republican circles that Chuck Yob, a long-time McCain backer, was positioning himself to hop on over to the Giuliani camp if McCain’s struggling campaign tanked.

“This weekend he (Chuck Yob) cast his vote for the convention,” John YOB said. “He was opposed to the open primary. What you’ve written would have been more accurate if you’d substituted the name (Republican National Committeewoman) Holly HUGHES for Chuck Yob.”

Hughes was pushing for an open primary and many Republican insiders consider her to be a surrogate for Chuck Yob.

BREAKING: CMU hired Peters over Sikkema

For more information, contact:
Dennis Lennox, studentsagainstgarypeters@gmail.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (Aug. 28, 2007) — Internal documents released by Central Michigan University through a Freedom of Information Act request indicate the school hired congressional candidate Gary Peters over former Republican Senator and Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.

Peters, an Oakland County Democrat, is running against Republican Congressman Joe Knollenberg despite signing a three-year temporary assistant professor contract with CMU. He was the only candidate interviewed by CMU and was considered hired until Sikkema was interviewed, according to Political Science Department meeting minutes from March 14.

“It’s clear that CMU was bent on hiring a political crony for the non-partisan position,” said Students Against Gary Peters spokesman Dennis Lennox. “Between the trustees and the search committee, the evidence is overwhelming.”

The search committee with professors Delbert Ringquist, James Hill and Larry Sych was entirely Democratic and Trustees Brian Fannon and Sam Kottamasu, who have given significant campaign contributions to Peters, are Democrats.

“Gary Peters was hired even though he admitted to ‘exploring’ a campaign at the time he was interviewed,” said Lennox. “The education of students is sacrificed every day Peters remains in the classroom without committing to Congress or campus.”

##

Update: Former US Senate candidate Rocky Raczkowski has also expressed an interest in running for National Committeeman.

Paul Welday, Founder and Partner of Strategic Public Affairs, and former Chief of staff for Congressman Joe Knollenberg has sent out an email saying that he may be interested in taking on Chuck Yob for National Committeeman.

Former State Senator, and Ingham County Chairman Norm Shinkle also sent out an email urging people to “keep their powder dry,” and not endorse Yob because he may interested in running also.

I will have a poll up at the right very shortly on the National Committeeman and woman race. Be sure to vote in it!

There is a new blog out. Many of you know which one I am talking about. It is full of slanderous lies. It’s so profoundly crude and slanderous that I will not mention the name or link to it.

Allegedly it is written by a College Republican, but they misidentify many of the people that they feature such as Craig Burgers and Ryan Fantuzzi.

Also they claim that Pat Buchanan is going to speak at MSU, and anyone involved with CRs and YAF know that that is not accurate.

The author of the blog is clearly a liberal, who is being fed inside information.

If you have any ideas, please don’t hesitate to contact me so we can expose this coward.

-Joe

National Committeeman Chuck Yob has begun making calls to make sure his support is still in line. He must see a threat to begin calling this early on.

On Saturday, the Republican Committee ratified a contingency plan to hold a presidential selection convention on the weekend of Jan. 25-26 if the proposed primary is not held. It’s expected that former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt ROMNEY would do well in either an early primary – and especially at a convention.

Recall that this fallback plan was the real issue to be decided by the state GOP this past weekend. It was generally assumed that the Republican Committee would endorse an early primary, but the back-up plan debate was expected to be contentious, (See “Yob Watch,” 08/24/07).

Sources tell MIRS that this weekend National Republican Committeeman Chuck YOB continued to press for an open primary as a fallback plan. This has heightened speculation, both within and outside of the U.S. Sen. John McCAIN (R-Ariz.) presidential campaign, that Yob is positioning himself to jump to the campaign of former New York City Mayor Rudy GIULIANI if drops McCain out of the race.

It’s generally believed an open primary would benefit Giuliani, not McCain.

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Giuliani, in Detroit, wants Chertoff for top attorney
DETROIT — Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani suggested Monday before a fundraiser here that President Bush might want to look to Michael Chertoff, whom Giuliani once hired, when seeking a replacement for embattled outgoing Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
—

McCain qualifies for public funds

By: Kenneth P. Vogel
Aug 28, 2007 04:15 PM EST

John McCain on Tuesday became the first 2008 presidential candidate to be found eligible to receive taxpayer dollars for the primary election.

The move is likely to be interpreted by opponents as a sign of desperation, even though it does not lock him into the public financing system.

McCain has lagged behind the Republican front-runners in the polls and in fundraising. Participating in the public financing system would allow him to get an infusion of loans by borrowing against the promise of taxpayer dollars.

But the system is a trade-off, since it would also cap at about $50 million the amount of cash his campaign can spend during the primary – a limitation that would go into effect immediately.

The leading contenders for the nomination will likely quickly eclipse that level of spending, potentially putting McCain at a distinct disadvantage in early states.

McCain spent $21.9 million in the first six months of the year, according to a report he filed in July with the FEC. It showed he brought in $24.8 million, and racked up $1.8 million in debt.

The matching public funds would be provided starting in January, but McCain, a senator from Arizona once considered the leading candidate for the GOP presidential nomination, could use the FEC certificate promising the funds as collateral for loans.

The maximum amount a candidate could receive is currently estimated to be about $21 million.

I can think of nothing more detrimental to Republican prospects in the 2008 election than supporting an increase in Michigan’s personal income tax. Except, maybe, if that tax increase is tied to an expansion of casino gambling.

Yet that is exactly the option Michigan House Democrats are dangling in front of Republicans who control the state Senate. They are trying to entice a few GOP senators to go along with a “temporary” increase in the state income tax by agreeing to repeal it should Michigan voters approve an expansion of casino gambling at horse tracks.

Given the thrashing voters gave a similar casino expansion plan in 2004, the odds of a different outcome next year are pinched tightly between slim and none.

Still, this gambit by House Democrats is a siren song designed to lull the GOP into the rocks of Election Day defeat. Republicans in the Michigan Legislature should avoid this latest hair-brained scheme and take the opportunity to finally force state government to live within its means. If working families can make the hard decisions required to tighten the belt, Lansing can, too.

Thankfully, Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop reiterated last week that the Republican caucus’ intention to balance Michigan’s budget without a general tax increase.

Make no mistake; there has never been a “temporary” tax of any kind that went away on its own. Once ensconced in statute, this tax increase will live on in perpetuity, or at least until Michigan once again has a Republican governor with sense enough to know that more tax revenue is created by letting 9.5 million people decide how to spend their own money than by turning over that task to the government.

Resist spending tantrums

For months, every agency bellied up the public trough has been to Lansing predicting an end to civilization unless there is an increase in funding. Just like the teenager throwing a tantrum for a new pair of designer jeans, these public rent-seekers have been turning up the volume to drown out the more measured and prudent call for fiscal restraint. They will settle for nothing less than more of our money.

It is time for Republicans in Lansing to stiffen their resolve and send these spoiled children to their rooms until they learn to behave.

The drumbeat for a tax increase is deafening, and many good, fiscally conservative lawmakers are starting to march along to it. That’s unfortunate, and it won’t bode well for Republican chances next year. Voters will rightly question whether we’ve abandoned our principles.

The ill winds that blew last November, changing the balance of power in Washington and Lansing, are blowing again. Republicans rose to prominence in the 1990s — nationally and here in Michigan — with a pledge to fight for beliefs and values that matter to families, and to be, most of all, a party of change and innovation.

Supporting a tax increase is a bit like playing Russian roulette. The fact that Democrats are promising to eliminate such a tax increase if voters approve an expansion of gambling only adds one more bullet to the revolver.

If that’s the best solution Democrats can come up with, Republican shouldn’t give them the votes to accomplish it. Michigan voters will remember when the elections roll around.

This article was published in the Detroit News on Monday.

Contact: Tyler Whitney
Tel. 517/XXX-XXX
E-mail: TylerDWhitney@gmail.com

Taxpayer Activists Launch Committee Opposing Rep. Richard Ball

Citizens Group Threatening Recall if Ball Supports Tax Hike

Clinton County, MI – On Monday, citizen activists formed an organization threatening to oust incumbent Representative Richard Ball should he support a potential income tax increase. Tyler Whitney, Executive Director of “Taxpayers for Recalling Rep. Richard Ball” stated that he doesn’t intend to go through with the recall if Ball “simply represents the interests of his economically-struggling constituents.”

“Michigan’s economy is struggling and an income tax increase is the last thing this state can afford. Instead of cutting into the wallets of struggling citizens, Representative Ball needs to cut waste in Lansing.” Whitney further explained that most citizens are rightfully angered by a potential 15% percent income tax increase and he feels that his organization represents the desires of taxpayers.

In 1983 after a similar tax increase proposed was by the legislature, two incumbent State Senators were recalled by voters. The recall initiative requires a lengthy process of signature gathering but Whitney says that his group is “willing to spend all the time, money and energy it takes to fight tax increases on hardworking citizens.”

###

Conservative activist Randall Thompson organized a support our troops event today in Novi with Congressman Thaddeus McCotter and Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

“You need to know we do not agree with the protesters who are calling for surrender, calling for appeasement – calling for pacifism. For those of us that are here today – and the millions of others around this nation – from those that have a yellow ribbon in front of their house or a magnetic U.S. Ribbon on their car; to those that simply pray for your safety before dinner each night; to those that kiss their children goodbye and proudly yet fretfully watch them walk away to serve our nation – we say we love you. We’re proud of you. We thank you for your service. They don’t speak for America, they speak for themselves.”

McCotter provided the entertainment with his guitar. Two truck loads of goods were raised to send to the troops.

The New Centurion program will have a year long seminar to study conservative books and the other half will be centered around communication strategies.

Classes are once a month for 12 months. Each class is approximately 3 hours long.

Participants will receive free copies of the following books that will be studied:

This sounds like a great program, and I plan on taking part as soon as the final details are set for this area.

Visit the website

Citizens Organize Recall Committees Against State Lawmakers

Citizens have filed ‘Statements of Organization’, the first paperwork required to begin the recall process against an elected official, with the Secretary of State and local clerks in several counties today.

Senator Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores)
Senator Dennis Olshove (D-Warren)
Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland)
Representative Andy Dillon (D-Redford)
Representative Mary Valentine (D-Muskegon)
Representative Ed Gaffney (R-Grosse Pointe Farms)
Representative Gino Polidori (D-Dearborn)
Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville)
Representative Dick Ball (R-Laingsburg) have had recall committees filed against them by local activists assisted by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance (MTA).

“The filing of organizing paperwork does not mean that a recall effort against these lawmakers is certain,” MTA Executive Director Leon Drolet stated. “First, a legislator would have to vote ‘yes’ on a tax increase.”

Drolet added that paperwork would soon be filed against other lawmakers that MTA activists consider “vulnerable Democrats or possible RINO Republicans.” RINO is an acronym for ‘Republicans In Name Only.’ Paperwork is expected to be filed against Senator Valde Garcia later this week.

“Quite a few more recall committees will be formed in the coming weeks. Filing against a wide array of possible tax-raisers is a tactical move,” Drolet said. “Its one less thing that will have to be done after a tax increase vote. At least some of the required paperwork will already be done.”

I contacted the MIGOP youth chair, Matt Hall today and he agreed to do an interview this week with me. Stay tuned, it’s sure to be a must read conversation!

I also agreed to do an interview for The Political Update during the Mackinac Leadership Conference.

Holly Hughes looked rough this morning. I haven’t seen her so run down since her victory speech over Sharon Wise for National Committeewoman. She managed to put on a smile for a few moments during her brief speech, but that was the only time she could be seen smiling.

When the head honchos were being introduced at the start of the state committee meeting, Saul received a drawn out applause. The committee appeared to be showing them that they know what’s going on and they support him.

Then came Chuck Yob’s time to speak. At first it almost appeared as if there would be no applause, but his son John Yob started the clapping and it caught on. Not even half of the people in the room clapped, and it was very brief, almost a courtesy as to spare him embarrassment.

Hughes generally received the same response.

Perhaps one of the biggest smack downs of the day occurred when Hughes proposed amendment 13. Amendment 13 called for a totally open primary. Who was she trying to help here, Rudy Giuliani?

Laura Cox delivered the shocking smack down when she read comments from McCain state chairman Mike Cox that made it clear that [proposal 13] was not the McCain’s campaign position and that key leaders [Holly Hughes] were being deceptive as to the campaigns support.

The amendment lost 19-88.

Chuck Yob sat on his hands almost the entire time, other then in his introduction speech he told everyone how he was going to vote. His minions stood up and were knocked down, one after another (a pleasurable experience for many no doubt) But not Chuck, he’s too smart for that.

People were speculating that black Republican activist, Linda Lee Williams is said to be eying the National Committeewoman’s spot now that it appears to be in a vulnerable state.