Stabenow.... A picture is worth a 1,000 words
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September 30, 2006
Poll Watching
Here are two sites that are tracking most of the statewide polls and allows you to follow along. Remember, it's only a snapshot in time and we are happy to note the "trend" is in our favor!!!
OK, you political junkies...enjoy!
http://www.pollster.com/polls/?state=MI&race=governor_race
http://www.pollster.com/polls/?state=MI&race=senate_race
NRSC ad attacks Stabenow
Click on the link below to see the lastest ad paid for by the National Republican Senatorial Committee which invested over $800,000 in Michigan on behalf of the Bouchard campaign!!!
Click here to watch the video.
You'll need Quicktime to watch this clip.
Articles of Interest 9-30-06
38 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “Allow Public Schools to apply for MEGA grants to help teachers keep pace with new technologies.” (MEA Voice, October 2001)
RESULT: The Governor made no steps to accomplish this promise – and for good reason: It doesn’t make any sense. MEGA grants give Single Business Tax (SBT) Credits to businesses. Since schools do not pay the SBT, they can’t get the credit. One must wonder why this promise was made?
As you open up this message around 8:00am this morning, there are ONLY 924 hours left until the polls close November 7th. We have so much to do, so many voters to contact and lots of doors to hit…please join us.
The crunch is on…let’s make everyday count!
NY Governor George Pataki joined the Oakland County GOP at their annual Garden Party. It was a huge success as several hundred guests mingled among friends, talked with the Governor and took pictures. Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Lt. Governor nominee Ruth Johnson addressed the group, while Terri Lynn Land and I joined many other elected officials from around the county.
Governor Pataki gave a rousing speech as he passionately talked about what we as Republicans stand for and the fundamental principles of freedom and democracy that separates us from the rest of the world. He invoked the phrase “we the people” in discussing the values that our government is based on and stressed why it is so important that we win the Governor’s and U.S. Senate seat here in Michigan.
Many activists in attendance were impressed with the Governor. Pataki confidently worked the crowd, shared stories and overall made a great impression. Several asked, “is this guy running for President…he should,” I said “I think he is.” And so the march to 2008 continues through the grassroots of Michigan Republicans.
A special note of congratulations to Congressman Joe Knollenberg and his wife Sandi as they celebrated their 44th anniversary yesterday! Joe was in D.C. voting and Sandi joined us with Governor Pataki.
The first debate between Governor Granholm and Dick DeVos takes place this coming Monday. It’s “style” vs “substance”. If the press and the Governor play this on “style”, my guess is she has the upper hand and wins. She’s a trained actress, attorney and arguably has some of the best “stage presence” of any politician of late. However, if DeVos is able to focus the debate the issues, the Governor’s record and talk about what Governor Granholm’s record been over the last four years and who can provide the leadership to bring the change we need and jobs back to Michigan…Dick wins.
The Republican Governor’s Association started running a new ad in Michigan yesterday. Here is a copy of the ad. Very effective…hits home:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/09/republican_gove.html
The National Republican Senatorial Committee made their first investment in the Bouchard campaign. A new coordinated expenditure ad starting playing that takes Debbie Stabenow to task for her lack of accomplishments. This is the first investment the NRSC has made in any challenger race in the country. Another great ad that started playing last night, but I don’t have a copy of it yet. Over $800,000.00…we’re in the hunt!
Polling numbers continue to improve for both Devos and Bouchard campaigns. As we challenge two entrenched incumbents, poll numbers show us within striking distance. Here are some good tracking sites that follow various polls…notice how the incumbents are barely hanging on to their leads…
http://www.pollster.com/polls/?state=MI&race=governor_race
http://www.pollster.com/polls/?state=MI&race=senate_race
The Michigan Republican Party filed a Hatch Act complaint with the United States Office of Special Counsel against Jennifer M. Granholm for possible prohibited political activity.
I held a press conference Friday to announce the complaint. “Governor Granholm has abused the public trust by using the Office of the Governor for personal political gain. From online petitions, to staging campaign commercials in official offices, to hosting taxpayer funded pictures from a trip to Japan on her personal campaign website – Governor Granholm is in clear violation of the Hatch Act.
The Hatch Act expressly prohibits Governor Jennifer Granholm from using the official office for such purposes; the law was designed to prevent any on-the-job political activity. Senator John Glenn, who was the manager of the bill as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Government Affairs said in 1993, “We say there will be no political activity on the job. There are no exceptions to that. There will be no political activity of any kind on the job.”
These examples clearly show the governor has abused her office by using its influence to advance her own career. Michigan’s government belongs to the people, not to the Granholm for Governor campaign. Given the many problems that we face as a state, we deserve a leader in the Governor’s office who is focused on fixing those problems, not one focused on advancing a career.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis thanked Liz Boyd this afternoon for proving his point that the Governor is using state employees and state time to campaign.
Liz Boyd was kind enough to prove our point. We are adding another section to the Hatch Act complaint and sending it in today.
Boyd is on record in Detroit Free Press reporter Dawson Bell’s story as saying “Boyd called Anuzis' complaint "a public relations stunt" intended to divert attention from the abysmal record of Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos.”
Why is Liz Boyd, a state employee no doubt talking to a reporter from a state phone on state time, attacking Dick DeVos, a candidate for Governor? This is yet another example of the Granholm administration not seeing the line between what is campaign related and what is official state business. Michigan citizens ought to be outraged.
We are now “hours” away from election day….the polls close in 924 hours.
Join us, help make every day count…every hour! OK, I’m off to Kent County as wwe kick off door-to-door and phone bank activities in Grand Rapids. Thanks for all you do!
Saul Anuzis
September 29, 2006
Republican Governor's Association Ad...Right On!!!
Click on the link below to watch the newest independent ad by the Republican Govenor's Association...hit's it right on:
Click here to watch the video.
Quicktime is required to play this file.
Articles of Interest 9-29-06
39 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “A Granholm-Cherry Administration will provide incentives in order to retain certified and state-endorsed teachers” (Blueprint for Michigan, pg. 9, September 2002)
RESULT: No financial incentives have been enacted by Granholm to retain certified and state-endorsed teachers. Not even an apple for good teachers.
First Lady Laura Bush was in Michigan today. We had a great fundraiser for Dick DeVos and Ruth Johnson. Dick and Ruth joined the First Lady on stage as Mrs. Bush discussed the issues of jobs, education and leadership. Mrs. Bush graciously greeted the guests, took pictures signed autographs and passed out pictures of her dog!
Governor George Pataki will be in Oakland County tonight. The Oakland County Republicans are raising funds for their election efforts.
We’re excited that Governor Mitt Romney will be joining us for our “Count Down to Victory” fall dinner on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. Tickets are $500/person, $5,000/table of 10. It’s our last big push to get the needed money for our candidates before the election. Please contact the Finance Team at (517) 487-5413 to contribute to this event.
Michigan’s current U.S. Senator, Debbie Stabenow is continuing six years of doing nothing for the people of the state by ducking out of debate discussions.
I accompanied a live duck, visited the East Lansing Campaign Headquarters of U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow on Thursday to stress the point.
I went there yesterday to prove the silliness of Senator Stabenow’s debate ducking. The senator’s unwillingness to debate is a disservice to the people of Michigan. Voters deserve to see more than 30 second bits of rhetoric in the form of TV ads. The people of Michigan deserve an explanation from Stabenow on her six-year record of doing nothing for our state. She needs to be held accountable.
In 2000, then Candidate Stabenow publicly declared that the voters have a right to hear from candidates. The Stabenow for Senate Campaign acknowledged talking with Debbie Stabenow about Mike Bouchard’s request for more debates, but the campaign has gone incommunicado and has not been in contact with Sheriff Bouchard since the two campaigns spoke several weeks ago.
Stabenow’s campaign will tell you that they are ‘eager to debate,’ but like her six years in the Senate, there is no action. What are you afraid of, senator? Why are you ducking the debates?
Under what authority is Macomb County Clerk Carmella Sabaugh’s taxpayer funded "Get out the Vote" program being sent out to voters? The timing of this effort after being in office for 14 years and only now sending out these AV requests when she becomes a candidate for Secretary of State doesn’t pass the smell test.
This raises pratical concerns as well, that the county’s mailing duplicates efforts of other local officials and may confuse voters that are receiving absentee ballot applications from other sources. Every single municipality in Macomb county sends out applications to a permanent list it has developed. It is the legal duty of township and city clerks to distribute absentee ballot applications to voters. This authority is not extended to county clerks. Ms. Sabaugh has been a county clerk for 14-years. The fact that she chose to mail this application to all the seniors within the county at taxpayer expense - this year - while she is running for Secretary of State is questionable at best. Election law anticipates the need for absentee ballots and there are already programs in place that ensure that voters have access to absentee ballot applications.
Can Michigan afford a Secretary of State with questionable ethics??? You want to talk about an abuse of office…what’s next, an email petition to lower gas prices?
Victory Centers need more callers, more volunteers to help with our voter identification efforts. Every hour you can give makes a difference. Thanks again for all you do!
Saul Anuzis
September 28, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-28-06
40 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “Improve road safety through design changes and better signage on state and local roads.” (Blueprint for Michigan, pg. 76, September 2002)
RESULT: No changes or improvements have been made. The Asset Management Council of MDOT began collecting data before Governor Granholm was elected in 2002, and is scheduled to make recommendations by the end of his year.
Michigan’s unemployment rate hits 7.1%…the worst in the nation. If this is how Governor Granholm’s “plans are working”…no thanks!!!
Feeling pressure from constituents and Republican challengers, Debbie Stabenow today voted in support of a measure to build 700 miles of fence along the U.S. - Mexico border. But Stabenow made a classic election year, flip-flop move.
Senator Stabenow may have voted for the fence this time, but the real Debbie Stabenow revealed her stance months ago. Just this July, Stabenow voted against funding this very same border fence, and also opposed funding for the government to hire additional, and much needed, border patrol agents. These votes are in addition to Stabenow’s decision to give illegal immigrants amnesty, and the senator voted to kill an amendment to the Senate Immigration Bill that would have put a stop to the stealing of Social Security benefits by illegal aliens.
Do not be fooled by today’s vote. Debbie Stabenow has had six years to stand up for the people of Michigan. Instead, Stabenow’s record shows she has chosen to do nothing to protect our employment, retirement or border security. Michigan cannot afford six more years of Do Nothing Debbie. We need a change.
It looks like another reason to duck debates…Debbie Stabenow owes the people of Michigan an open dialogue…Mike Bouchard is ready to debate….
The Site Selection Committee met today at the RNC headquarters in Washington and made the decision to ask the RNC Committee at the January meeting to accept their recommendation to have the 2008 Convention in Minneapolis/St Paul. The last National Convention held in the Midwest was the Detroit Convention held in 1980.
A special edition of Off the Record and in-depth view of ‘The Race for Governor’ was taped this week. Tim Skubick hosts DeVos spokeman John Truscott and I, as we face off with Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and Graholm spokesman Chris DeWitt. After an introduction of both campaigns and the candidates, we participate in a give and take on the issues of the day. If you missed the show, you can catch it on the internet at the following site:
http://www.wkar.org/offtherecord/program.php?num=2007-101
More and more volunteers continue to join us in Victory Centers around the state. We really need your help now, with only 7 weeks left to go. Our friends and neighbors need our help…the Granholm plan is a disaster for our children and grandchildren. If you can help, even for an hour or two a week, it does make a difference.
We need your help…for a listing of Victory Centers near you check:
http://www.migop.org/victorycenters/index.asp
Our thoughts and prayers are with Tim Walberg and his family. Tim grandson died this last Sunday night from complication that were caused at his “premature” birth.
Tim is the Republican nominee for Congress in the 7th District.
Please keep the Walberg family in your prayers.
Saul Anuzis
September 27, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-27-06
41 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “…recruit teachers from schools and have them sign an agreement that they’ll go to work in a hard to recruit area and then we’ll help pay their student loans back.” (Bay City luncheon, 10/29/01)
RESULT: Nothing. No Result.
Last night we held our first MRP update conference call. Starting October 9th, we will be holding a confidential conference call with State Committee members and County Chairs weekly. This call will be held every Monday evening starting at 6:30pm. If you would like to be added to the call list, please email Rob Macomber at rob@migop.org to get on the list of authorized callers. Unauthorized participation is a violation of federal law.
The Granholm vs DeVos debate schedule has been set:
The debates will be:
-Monday, October 2, at WKAR public TV station at Michigan State University
-Tuesday, October 10, at NBC affiliate WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids
-Monday, October 16, at ABC affiliate WXYZ-TV studios in Southfield
We will be having a debate watching party during each debate. Two at the D4G headquarters and one in the Kent County Republican headquarters.
Stabenow too “chicken” to debate Mike Bouchard???
We’re excited that Governor Mitt Romney will be joining us for our “Count Down to Victory” fall dinner on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids. It’s our last big push to get the needed money for our candidates before the election. Please contact the Finance Team at (517) 487-5413 to contribute to this event.
Indiana wants me, Lord I can’t go back there…but my kids might have to???
I held a live, remote teleconference at the Plymouth Foundry in Plymouth, IN Tuesday, highlighting the economic divide between Indiana and Michigan, despite the two states’ similarities.
I went to Indiana yesterday because, despite what Governor Granholm would have you believe, states like Indiana, percentage wise, have a larger manufacturing-base than does Michigan. And still Indiana has a far lower unemployment rate than Michigan, and is actually creating jobs. So what does that mean? It means that Granholm and company are getting outworked and the people of Michigan are paying the price.
In June, Honda Motor Company announced that it would build its new, $400 million manufacturing plant in Greensburg, IN, bringing with it the creation of 2,000 jobs. While Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels pursued the new plant for nearly a year, Governor Granholm and thusly Michigan, joined the fray in, what an industry analyst called, an “11th hour pitch.” And despite being in Japan for a photo-op, Granholm was ‘totally booked’ to personally meet with Honda executives. As Delphi Automotive struggled with bankruptcy and a union worker strike, the Granholm Administration claimed to be in a, “holding pattern” and was characterized as taking a “wait and see approach” to solving the problem. Meanwhile, Gov. Daniels actively worked with Delphi to solve the problem, leading the Indianapolis Star to say, “looks like Granholm’s taking care of politics while Daniels takes care of business.”
Sysco food distributor wanted to build an $80 million dollar plant that would employ 500 people and because they couldn’t get the “improvements” necessary approved by this Administration, they chose Indiana. This story was covered in the Kalamazoo Gazette and Indiana State Representative Heim share his experience in getting the plant to come to his district. Leadership, commitment and a job provider friendly state government.
Stabenow immigration record pointed out on RedState:
The “Lyle Van Houten Victory Center” held it’s official opening. At the dedication ceremony, Gaile Dedinas, Bill Runco and Judy Byrwa presented a framed copy of "Just One Vote" to Mary...which had been given to her by Lyle...about 35 people attended..
Mary & Margy were took part in the ceremony which included much of the "Lyle Van Houten extended family unit". It was a great event.
Tomorrow will be the first "Lyle Van Houten Wednesday night Phone bank"...Mary & Margy plan to be there and every Wednesday evening friends of Lyle will be gathering to help lead Republicans to victory this November.
Join your friends and neighbors as we make the calls and send out the door-to-door efforts needed to identify our voters…and then get them to the polls!
Republican Women of Kalamazoo County invite you to a special luncheon Saturday, October 14th, 2006 Holiday Inn West, Kalamazoo , MI at 12:30 p.m. Their Special Guest Speaker will be Governor Mitt Romney. Cost is $25 per person and RSVP by October 5th to colemanjeanie@yahoo.com . Reserve early as seating is limited.
A couple of questions for Governor Granholm:
What ever happened to the millions of dollars in your Partnership for Progress fund?
Do you have any other slush funds you are hiding from Michigan voters?
Is it Governor or U.S. Senator?
Did you know Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, our bordering states, have as high or higher percentage manufacturing than does Michigan…and they all created jobs?
Why doesn’t Toyota want you to use their name in any advertising?
President Clintons spin on his dismal record to fight terror and get Osama Bin Laden was further featured in National Journal’s Hotline which wrote:
Ex-advisers "ridiculed" Clinton on 9/25 for telling FNC's Chris Wallace that he had a plan to invade Afghanistan, topple the Taliban, and kill Osama bin Laden after jihadists attacked the U.S.S. Cole.
Michael Scheuer, who "led the CIA's hunt" for bin Laden during the Clinton admin.: "The only order we got from [Clinton] after the Cole was to put together a target list for air attacks. ... What I was involved in could in no way be called a full-fledged plan to attack and overthrow the Taliban."
Scheuer also "lashed out" at Clinton for "blaming subordinates for the failure" to capture bin Laden, claiming that they had ten chances to kill or capture him before 9/11/01. Scheuer: "I was responsible for sending men and women into harm's way to get information he didn't use."
Ex-Clinton NSC spokesperson P.J. Crowley: "It wasn't that there was a lack of plans, it's that there was a lack of actionable evidence." Scheuer and an ex-FBI official agreed that "they knew almost immediately" that al-Qaeda was behind the U.S.S. Cole bombing. The ex-FBI official: "We all said this was definitely bin Laden. But we couldn't take it to court and get an indictment."
Homeland Security Adviser Fran Townsend, who served as a DoJ intelligence officer under Clinton, "rolled her eyes" when asked about Clinton's "invasion plan." Townsend, on Clinton's comments during the FNC interview: "There were lots of things that seemed new."
Clinton spokesperson Jay Carson "stood by" Clinton's story. Carson: "A plan existed, but the ability to act on it was not corroborated by intelligence until after President Clinton left office" (Meek/Bazinet, New York Daily News, 9/26).
Dick Morris writes, Clinton's "self-justifications constitute a mangling of the truth which only someone who once quibbled about what the 'definition of 'is' is' could perform."
According to Clinton, conservatives "were all trying to get me to withdraw from Somalia in 1993 the next day" after the attack that killed American soldiers. But "the real question was whether Clinton would honor the military's request to be allowed to stay and avenge the attack, a request he denied."
Clinton told Wallace: "I authorized the CIA to get groups together to try to kill bin Laden." But "actually," the 9/11 Commission was "clear that the plan to kidnap" bin Laden was derailed by ex-NSA Sandy Berger and ex-CIA Dir. George Tenet "because Clinton had not yet made a finding authorizing his assassination."
Clinton, on bin Laden: "I worked hard to try to kill him." If so, "why did he notify Pakistan of our cruise missile strike in time for them to warn Osama and allow him to escape? Why did he refuse to allow us to fire cruise missiles to kill bin Laden when we had the best chance, by far," in '99?
Clinton "is fully justified in laying eight months of the blame for the failure to kill or catch bin Laden" at Bush's doorstep. "But he should candidly acknowledge that eight years of blame fall on him" (The Hill, 9/26).
Stickers…now my son has had two people ask him where he can get DeVos/Bouchad stickers for his car when he stopped to fill up with gas. He now has a few extras with him to hand out when needed….people in Michigan are looking for a change…be part of it. Do you have a sticker on your back window or bumper?
Saul Anuzis
September 26, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-26-06
42 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “Respect communities living in high-traffic areas.” (Blueprint for Michigan, pg. 78, September 2002)
RESULT: It is difficult to know what exactly this promise means. If the Granholm administration meant “neglect critical construction needs in high density traffic areas,” then consider this promise fulfilled. Twenty-five road improvement projects were vetoed in 2005 alone.
Vice President Dick Cheney was our special guest at several fundraisers last night. U.S. Senate nominee Mike Bouchard raised over $360,000 dollars for his campaign efforts. The State Party raised another $250,000 plus.
Held at the home of Joan and Peter Secchia, the event was elegant, intimate and fun as hundreds of west Michigan Republican gathered to support our cause. The Vice President graciously talked with guests, answered questions, took pictures and laid out the challenges that face America.
As the final numbers roll in, this maybe the largest fundraiser we have ever held in west Michigan. Thanks to all who attended and helped make this a huge success.
“As the commercial, industrial and auto center of China, direct commercial air service to Sanghai will stimulate economic opportunities in the metropolitan Detroit area and many other commercial centers thoughout the eastern United States…would provide needed assistance to bloster U.S. trade opportunities with China while improving access for business and leiser traverlers.”
Guess what politician just wrote a letter in support of increasing “commercial air service” with China to “stimulate economic opportunities”???
Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Granholm joined a bipartisan group of Michigan leaders to encourage increased travel and trade. How ironic and hypocritical, when the Governor attacks Dick DeVos for developing business relationship with China and then applies a double standard to every other company in Michigan that has Chinese or foreign operation.
Granholm…politics as usual. We deserve better.
Wether Granholm ultimately wants to be Governor or U.S. Senator, we deserve an honest debate on the issues. The Governor’s attempt to scare Michigan families as we continue to lose ONE job every TWENTY minutes she’s in office is a cheap shot.
Yesterday Mike Bouchard's campaign launched a new web ad (http://mikeformichigan.com/2/?p=209) which calls Debbie's latest twisting-of-the-truth for what it is: WASHINGTONSPEAK! Make sure you check out the ad and help Mike by sending it to all of your email contacts.
When it comes to debates, Do-Nothing Debbie continues to find excuses not to get in the ring and take on Mike Bouchard. Of course in 2000, candidate Debbie Stabenow made it a point to say that "the voters have a right to hear from us," but now she's flip-flopping. Her campaign obviously has one strategy: Duck-and-Cover. Fortunately, that strategy doesn't pay off. DEBBIE - the voters STILL want to HEAR from YOU. And YOU have a lot of explaining to do.
For example, why did you vote to allow Social Security benefits for illegal immigrants? That's a question we all want answered.
I’m on my way to Indiana today…to make a point. Stay tuned!
Saul Anuzis
September 25, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-25-06
43 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “…The state should conduct an ‘independent audit’ of the state’s finances…” (MIRS, 2/10/03)
RESULT: No independent audit was completed
Vice President Dick Cheney will be in Grand Rapids tonight for U.S. Senate nominee Mike Bouchard. The Bouchard campaign is looking to raise over $300,000 for his race against Debbie Stabenow.
Stabenow is trying to play herself off as a “bi-partisan” legislator who gets things done. Rather, her record shows her to be one of the most partisan members of the Senate who is willing to play politics with Presidential appointments, Judicial Appointments and has ONLY passed one bill, to rename a federal building in Detroit.
Voting against securing our borders, voting for “amnesty”, voting against English as the official language and then voting to provide Social Security for illegal immigrants….Debbie Stabenow is WRONG for Michigan and should be voted out!!!
Granholm for U.S. Senate??? Talk this weekend is about an “exchange” we heard about. Supposedly someone asked Granholm if she would consider running for Levin’s seat. Granholm said she was flattered but that she enjoyed being Governor. Then when asked if she would commit to serve our her full term if re-elected…they did not receive a straight answer?!?
Talk has been that Levin may resign, Granholm appoints herself and gives Cherry a head start on running for Governor. The other option discussed is that she actually just runs for the Levin seat next time around if Levin doesn’t run.
Talk about “calculated politics”. Should we expect anything less from this gang?
Here is a link to a NY Times Magazine article about Ken Mehlman and the work he is doing on behalf of our party. Of interest to us in Michigan, is that this article talks about one of his visits to our state and some of the observations he made. To see the complete article go to:
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/24/magazine/24melman.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Senator Sam Brownback was in Michigan over the past few days….he participated in a Right to Life dinner, met with Oakland County Republicans and then ended up on Saturday in Kent County, thanking local activists for all they do for the party.
A special edition of Off the Record and in-depth view of ‘The Race for Governor’ was taped this week. Tim Skubick hosts DeVos spokeman John Truscott and I, as we face off with Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and Graholm spokesman Chris DeWitt. After an introduction of both campaigns and the candidates, we participate in a give and take on the issues of the day.
If you missed the show, you can catch it on the internet at the following site:
http://www.wkar.org/offtherecord/program.php?num=2007-101
We as a party, need to identify our supporters and get them to the polls. That’s what we will be doing from now on and out through the election. Please join us, as we do our part to help turn Michigan around!
Saul Anuzis
September 24, 2006
Artilces of Interest 9-24-06
44 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “Pass strong ethics legislation for politicians and candidates for office.” (State of the State, 1/25/06)
RESULT: This one looks good – until you look at the results. Legislation was introduced, but no further action has been taken.
Michigan Republicans hit the streets yesterday statewide. I joined the Oakland County GOP as around 60 volunteers gathered at the headquarters to hits the streets doing voter id’s and dropping literature for candidates. State Senate, State Representative and local County Commissioner candidates joined the volunteers, as neighbors talked to neighbors about our Republican message.
Thousands of Republicans statewide took their message to the streets. We had folks at the U of M game and a major effort at the MSU v Notre Dame game.
During the afternoon tailgate over 100 CR’s and other volunteers gather to distribute literature, get id’s and distribute lawnsigns, bumper stickers and lapel stickers as we received a great response from the participants. Congressman Mike Rogers was the guest who joined us. He thanked the volunteers and then made the rounds around the various tailgate parties. Mike Bouchard showed up next. Mike did several interviews and was followed by TV crew as he worked the crowd. Terri Lynn Land and Ruth Johnson came by to work the MSU crowd. Both did interviews and spent some time with our volunteers thanking them for all they do.
Dick and Betsy DeVos came by and joined many at the game. They walked through several lots and shook hands. It was pretty clear from the response Dick was getting, folks had recognized him and were ready for a change. We had thousands of people as for stickers and wear the DeVos for Governor t-shirts throughout the evening.
I had my separate tailgate set up around 200 feet from the “official” tailgate we had for all the volunteers. We had lawnsigns out and my old favorite sign with the message that said: “Hey Jennifer, let’s see if you can find a job in Michigan!”. We had great responses and people came by to take pictures next to the sign, pick up stickers and lawsings…or just give us a thumbs up. Overall…a great success.
Good news on the polling front nationwide…which will help us here as well.
President Bush's Job Approval Rating Rises A Net Of 11 Points. The President's job approval rating has increased from 40% in August to 45% today, while the number saying they disapprove has fallen from 58% to 52%. (LA Times/Bloomberg, 9/16-9/19)
Approval Ratings Rising On Iraq, Economy As Well. Since August, the President's approval ratings on Iraq and the economy have increased by nets of 6 points and 13 points, respectively. (LA Times/Bloomberg, 9/16-9/19)
Voters Are More Likely To Support Candidates Who Back President Bush. Forty-five percent (45%) of likely voters say they will be more likely to vote for a candidate for supports the President on terrorism, compared to 28% who say they would vote for a candidate who opposes the President. (Gallup, 9/15-9/17)
Americans Also Agree That President Bush's Policies Have Made America More Secure. Fifty-six percent (56%) say the President's policies in the War on Terror have made America more secure, and 48% say the President's policies on the War on Terror and Iraq have made the country more secure. (LA Times/Bloomberg, 9/16-9/19)
The Generic Congressional Ballot Continues To Tighten. The latest Gallup poll shows Republicans and Democrats tied at 48% among likely voters for the fall election, and a recent FOX News poll showed Republicans and Democrats in a statistical tie among likely voters, 38% to 41%. (Gallup, 9/15-9/17; FOX News, 9/12-9/13)
We’re on a roll folks. We continue to lead the country in voter contacts….our volunteers and candidates continue to criss-cross the state, taking our message to the streets.
Join us, as Michigan Republicans prepare to make help turn Michigan around!
Saul Anuzis
September 23, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-23-06
45 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “I will oppose with all the vigor I possess any unilateral scheme to market, bottle, trade, or give away Great Lakes water to anyone, anywhere, anytime.” (Detroit News, 3/3/02)
RESULT: Governor Granholm turned around and signed legislation that expressly allows the sale of bottled water in Michigan. (SB 850-852, SB 854, SB 857 of 2006)
Friday nights is High School football in Michigan and I joined Mike Bouchard and his team as they visited a couple of games in the Lansing area. Mike came by our tailgate to Lansing Catholic Central’s game against DeWitt. The game was called because of “lightning” and will be finished tomorrow morning at 10:00am.
Saturday morning at 10:00am…I’ll be joining the Oakland County Republicans as they kick of their door- to-door efforts throughout the county. We will be doing lit drops as well as door-to-door id’s to help improve our Voter Vault and GOTV efforts.
Michigan continues to lead the country in voter contact and voter id work. Michigan Republican are launching the most extensive and comprehensive door-to-door and telephone canvass of voters in Michigan that has ever been conducted. Every door we knock on, every phone call that is made helps make a difference.
Join us…everybody makes a difference. There is NO doubt that this is going to be a very close election and every vote, every volunteer, every call and every voter contact helps!!!
This afternoon, hundreds of volunteers will be joining Dick DeVos, Mike Bouchard, Terri Lynn Land and other statewide candidates as we hit the tailgates and crowds before the MSU v Notre Dame game in East Lansing. It maybe a bit wet out there, but Spartan fans tend to be pretty resilient and we expect a pretty good turn out for the big game.
We need to use every effort we can to get our message out to the voters, introduce our candidates to the people of Michigan and help be part of our effort to help turn Michigan around.
With your help, your time and money…we will make a difference. Got to hit the road!
Saul Anuzis
September 22, 2006
Off The Record: The Race for Governor
A special edition of Off the Record and in-depth view of ‘The Race for Governor’ was taped this week. Tim Skubick hosts DeVos spokeman John Truscott and I, as we face off with Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and Graholm spokesman Chris DeWitt. After an introduction of both campaigns and the candidates, we participate in a give and take on the issues of the day.
If you missed the show, you can catch it on the internet at the following site:
http://www.wkar.org/offtherecord/program.php?num=2007-101
Articles of Interst 9-22-06
46 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “Lead the fight to make our streets safer and our neighborhoods secure.” (Blueprint for Michigan, pg. 74, September 2002)
RESULT: We’ll let you be the judge: 1) Michigan has 1,500 fewer police officers on the streets and in our neighborhoods since fall 2001; 2) In 2005, Detroit and Flint were ranked the second and fourth most dangerous cities in the nation; 3) 95 felons tracked by electronic tether or in halfway house programs are listed as “escapees” and remain at large; 4) Six people have been murdered because of mistakes in our Corrections department. Do you feel safer? (Michigan Municipal League, 3/14/06; Lansing State Journal, 11/21/05; Department of Corrections, 3/29/06)
The Michigan Democrat Party began airing yet another television attack-ad on Thursday, attempting to discredit Dick DeVos for his successful business leadership.
Look at the facts. The foreign trade agreements that Granholm and company complain as unfair were strongly endorsed by Granholm-backed Democrats like Al Gore, John Kerry, and Bill Clinton who signed the agreements into law. The Michigan Manufacturer’s Association, who broke from tradition last week and declined to endorse the incumbent Jennifer Granholm, said foreign trade agreements are not the main source of Michigan’s job loss.
While Governor Granholm continues to say that ‘we are working the plan, and the plan is working,’ Michigan continues its economic slide – Michigan now has the highest unemployment rate in the nation. The governor should be asking the 100,000 Michigan workers who find themselves without a job how her plan is working for them. The real question is, is Michigan better now than it was four years ago? Quite simply, the answer is no. Governor Granholm has had 4 years and has failed. Michigan needs a change and fast. If we want a better economy we need a better governor.
Stabenow dodging debates. When Debbie Stabenow first ran for office, she said the voters deserved to hear directly from the candidates. Now she refuses to accept any debates with Mike Bouchard. What is she afraid of?
A Bouchard vs Stabenow debate would be a contrast in ideas, styles and substance. Mike Bouchard is a law enforcement official who has first hand knowledge about what it takes to fight the war on terror, he opposes “amnesty” for illegal immigrants, he supports English as the official language of the U.S., he supports the House passed bill to stop Canadian trash from coming into Michigan. Most importantly he says himself, it the ONLY thing I accomplish after 6 years in the United State Senate is to pass ONE bill the “rename a federal” building in Detroit…fire me!
I get it…I know what Debbie Stabenow is afraid of…
In other news…Mike Bouchard continues to creatively use “alternative media” to get his message to ALL the voters of Michigan. Mike new and improved interactive web page and video blogs are making the rounds. In the latest “new” move he’s doing “blogger interviews” to reach out to activists statewide…and potential donors nationwide. To hear Mike’s latest blog interview go to RedState at:
http://www.redstate.com/stories/podcasts/redstate_radio_sheriff_mike_bouchard
Mike Cox was endorsed my the Teamsters!!!
Building on his strong first term record of producing results and protecting Michigan, Attorney General Mike Cox today announced the endorsement from the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43. The Michigan Teamsters Joint Council 43 joins the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 324, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951, and the Laborers Local 334, which represent over 170,000 union members from their respective organizations.
Over the last week volunteers in our victory centers made 152,077 calls. That beats the best weekly performance of any week during the 2004 presidential election - and we topped it 7 weeks in advance of Election Day. Yesterday more volunteers that we have ever had came out to make calls and we had our best day contacting voters, getting id’s and getting our message out to the people of Michigan.
This is how we win this November. Michigan Republicans need to identify more of our supporters and then get them to the polls. It’s a huge team effort that is full of challenges, frustrations and work…lots of volunteer work! We need you to volunteer a couple of hours a week at a local Victory Center near you…we have 27 statewide.
Michigan’s future depends on our efforts…thanks for all you do!!!
Saul Anuzis
September 21, 2006
Articles of Interest 9-21-06
47 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “...By 2007 we will have brought high speed internet service to every corner of our state…” (State of the State, 2004)
RESULT: Sound familiar? Apparently the Governor felt this issue was so important that it was “re-promised” two years after the first promise. And we’re still not even close to having high speed internet throughout the state.
Michigan’s unemployment rate hits 7.1%…the worst in the nation. If this is how Governor Granholm’s “plans are working”…no thanks!!!
More and more volunteers continue to join us in Victory Centers around the state. We really need your help now, with only 7 weeks left to go. Our friends and neighbors need our help…the Granholm plan is a disaster for our children and grandchildren. If you can help, even for an hour or two a week, it does make a difference.
Mike Bouchard launches a great new ad on jobs. Go to his web page and take a look at what will be playing statewide over the week or so.
The campaign to re-elect Debbie Stabenow issued another television advertisement on Wednesday, proclaiming Senator Stabenow as a leader fighting to protect retirement benefits.This is another issue where Stabenow says one thing to the people of Michigan, yet does nothing in Washington.
Senator Stabenow claims in her new TV Ad to have supported a bill to save workers their retirement pay, but when it comes to saving the nation’s retirement system, Social Security, Stabenow has done nothing to fix it. Debbie Stabenow says that she is going to make sure that, ‘every single person who pays into a pension gets it,’ yet she leaves our Social Security system on the brink of collapse. Just a few years from now the government will begin to pay out more in benefits than it takes in, and by 2041, Social Security will be completely bankrupt. Senator Stabenow’s most memorable action on Social Security was to vote to give full benefits to illegal aliens. America’s retirement security is more important than partisan politics, and Debbie Stabenow has done nothing to protect it. Michigan deserves a senator in Washington who really will fight for Michigan.
Michigan now has the dubious honor of having the worst unemployment rate in the United States, tied with hurricane-ravaged Mississippi. Yet Governor Granholm continues to live in the state of denial, stating in her weekly radio address 3 weeks ago, “we are working the plan, and the plan is working.”
Governor Granholm’s plan isn’t working, it hasn’t worked, and it isn’t going to work. The only thing this governor’s plan is doing is dragging Michigan further into its economic slump.
Michigan is in desperate need of change. We need a leader who will turn Michigan around. Governor Granholm has had 4 years and has failed. The Governor’s response? ‘The plan is working…in 5 years you’ll be blown away…’ We can’t wait 5 years. Michigan needs a change. Now.
A special edition of Off the Record and in-depth view of ‘The Race for Governor’ was taped this week. Tim Skubick hosts DeVos spokeman John Truscott and I, as we face off with Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and Graholm spokesman Chris DeWitt. After an introduction of both campaigns and the candidates, we participate in a give and take on the issues of the day. If you missed the show, you can catch it on the internet at the following site:
http://www.wkar.org/offtherecord/program.php?num=2007-101
We need your help…for a listing of Victory Centers near you check:
http://www.migop.org/victorycenters/index.asp
Polls are going to jump up and down for the next 7 weeks. What matters now is the poll taken on election day. We are challenges incumbents at the top of the ticket and should expect to be behind from now on. The key is it’s close, this early out. We are within striking distance and that draws attention to the races and allow those independents to really take the time and analyze where the candidates stand on various issues.
We as a party, need to identify our supporters and get them to the polls. That’s what we will be doing from now on and out through the election. Please join us, as we do our part to help turn Michigan around!
Saul Anuzis
Speaker Pelosi??? Make sure you know where she stands?
THE DEMS' CHOICE: SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE NANCY PELOSI (D-SF)
The Dems Would Make A Liberal Partisan Who Doesn't Even Believe We Are At War Third In Line For The U.S. Presidency
_____________________________________
MEET THE DEMS' CHOICE FOR SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
If Democrats Won Control Of House In November, Rep. Pelosi Would Be Speaker Of The House:
"[Rep. Pelosi Was] Elected By Her Colleagues In The Fall Of 2002 As Democratic Leader Of The House Of Representatives ..." (Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Website, www.house.gov/pelosi/, Accessed 9/13/06)
Even Rep. Pelosi's Own Dem Supporters Have Said She Is Not "The Ideal Spokeswoman" For The Party. "Even [Pelosi's] supporters acknowledge she's not the ideal spokeswoman for the Democrats in public." (Perry Bacon, Jr., "Anybody Knows Not To Mess With Me," Time, 9/4/06)
THE DEMS' CHOICE FOR SPEAKER DOESN'T BELIEVE WE ARE AT WAR
Rep. Pelosi Doesn't "Really Consider Ourselves At War":
Less Than One Year After 9/11, Rep. Pelosi Said She Did Not Consider Us At War. Rep. Pelosi: "I don't really consider ourselves at war ... We're in a struggle against terrorism throughout the world ..." (Miles Benson, "Democrats Show Greater Audacity In Criticizing Bush," Newhouse News Service, 5/6/02)
Rep. Pelosi Does Not Believe National Security Should Be A Campaign Issue In 2006. Rep. Pelosi: "It [the election] shouldn't be about national security." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Press Conference, 9/14/06)
Rep. Pelosi Sees No Benefit In Catching Bin Laden:
Rep. Pelosi Says Capturing Bin Laden Doesn't Make U.S. Any Safer. Rep. Pelosi: "[E]ven if [Osama bin Laden] is caught tomorrow, it is five years too late. He has done more damage the longer he has been out there. But, in fact, the damage that he has done ... is done. And even to capture him now I don't think makes us any safer." (Rep. Pelosi, Press Conference, 9/7/06)
Click Here To Watch Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) Say Catching Osama Bin Laden Would Not Make Us Any Safer.
Rep. Pelosi Opposed The Patriot Act:
Rep. Pelosi Opposed The PATRIOT Act And Other Anti-Terrorism Measures:
March 7, 2006: Rep. Pelosi Led 123 Other House Democrats To Vote Against Final Passage Of The PATRIOT Act Reauthorization. (S. 2271, CQ Vote #20: Adopted 280-138: R 214-13; D 66-124; I 0-1, 3/7/06, Pelosi Voted Nay)
December 14, 2005: Rep Pelosi Led 154 Other Democrats To Vote Against The PATRIOT Conference Report. (H.R. 3199, CQ Vote # 627: Adopted 251-174: R 207-18; D 44-155; I 0-1, 12/14/05, Pelosi Voted Nay)
July 21, 2005: Pelosi Led 155 Other Democrats To Vote Against The House Version Of The PATRIOT Act Passage. (H.R. 3199, CQ Vote #414: Adopted 257-171: R 214-14; D 43-156; I 0-1, 7/21/05, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Pelosi Was One Of Only 33 Members To Vote Against Prohibiting "U.S. Citizens And Companies From Conducting Any Financial Transaction With Countries That Have Been Identified By The State Department As Active Sponsors Of Terrorism." (H.R. 748, CQ Vote #249: Passed 377-33: R 212-3; D 164-30; I 1-0, 7/8/97, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Voted Against Creation Of Homeland Security Department:
In 2002, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against Creation Of Homeland Security Department. (H.R. 5005, CQ Vote #367: Passed 295-132: R 207-10; D 88-120; I 0-2, 7/26/02, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Said Homeland Security Legislation Took "Giant Step Backwards" And Was "Exercise In Futility." ("Partisan Tone Is Struck At Homeland Security Markup," National Journal's CongressDaily, 7/19/02)
Rep. Pelosi Resisted Homeland Security Bill Because It Gave "Too Much Power" To The Executive Branch. (Rupert Cornwell, "Liberal Poised To Be First Woman To Lead Party In Congress," The Independent, 11/11/02)
Rep. Pelosi Opposed To Terrorist Surveillance Program:
"U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor ... Became The First Judge To Strike Down The National Security Agency's [Terrorist Surveillance] Program, Which She Says Violates The Rights To Free Speech And Privacy." (Sarah Karush, "Federal Judge Rules Surveillance Program Unconstitutional," The Associated Press, 8/17/06)
Rep. Pelosi Says Judge Taylor's Decision Refutes President Bush's Assertion Of Unlimited Authority To Conduct Terrorism Surveillance. Rep. Pelosi: "The decision by a federal judge that the President's electronic surveillance program is unconstitutional is a repudiation of Mr. Bush's dangerous assertion that he has unlimited authority to conduct wiretapping activities in the United States." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "Pelosi Statement On Court Decision On NSA Wiretapping Program," Press Release, 8/17/06)
Yet Rep. Pelosi Agreed With Program When Briefed, Did Not Think President Bush Broke Law. "Rep. Nancy Pelosi [D-CA], one of the Congressional leaders ... was briefed about the program ..." (Maura Reynolds, "Cheney Defends Domestic Spying," Los Angeles Times, 12/21/05)
Rep. Pelosi Voted Against Resolution That Condemned The New York Times Disclosure Of Classified Information:
Rep. Pelosi Was One Of 174 House Democrats To Vote Against The Resolution That Condemned "[T]he Disclosure And Publication Of Classified Information That Impairs The International Fight Against Terrorism And Needlessly Exposes Americans To The Threat Of Further Terror Attacks ..." (H.R. 895, Introduced 6/28/06; H.R. 895, CQ Vote #357: Adopted 227-183: R 210-8; D 17-174; I 0-1, 6/29/06)
Rep. Pelosi: "You're asking us to vote on something that we absolutely cannot attest to." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Floor Statement, 6/29/06)
Rep. Pelosi Has Repeatedly Voted To Cut Intelligence Funding Both Before And After 9/11:
In 1993, Rep. Pelosi Voted To Cut Intelligence Authorization By $500 Million. (H.R. 2330, CQ Vote #393: Rejected In Committee Of The Whole 134-299: R 13-159; D 120-140; I 1-0, 8/4/93, Pelosi Voted Yea)
In 1996, Rep. Pelosi Voted To Reduce By 4.9 Percent The Total Amount For Intelligence In The Fiscal 1997 Intelligence Authorization Bill. (H.R. 3259, CQ Vote #187: Rejected 192-235: R 37-193; D 154-42; I 1-0, 5/22/96, Pelosi Voted Yea)
In 2004, Rep. Pelosi Voted For An Amendment To Withhold 25 Percent Of Intelligence Funds, Including Appropriations For The CIA, Until Congressional Committees Could Review Documents Relating To War On Terrorism Detainees. (H.R. 4548, CQ Vote #297: Rejected 149-270: R 3-220; D 145-50; I 1-0, 6/23/04, Pelosi Voted Yea)
In 2006, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against House Passage Of The Fiscal 2007 Defense Authorization, Which Provided Funding For Intelligence Agencies Including The CIA, The National Security Agency, The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, And The Defense Intelligence Agency. (H.R. 5020, CQ Vote #108: Passed 327-96: R 224-3; D 102-93; I 1-0, 4/26/06, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Supports Immediate Withdrawal From Iraq:
Rep. Pelosi Led 126 Democrat House Members Who Voted Against The Use Of Force In Iraq. (H.J. Res. 114, CQ Vote #455: Passed 296-133: R 215-6; D 81-126; I 0-1, 10/10/02, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Called Iraq War "A Grotesque Mistake." Rep. Pelosi: "This war has been a grotesque mistake that has diminished our reputation in the world and has not made America safer." (Elizabeth Wolfe, "Pelosi Calls Iraq War 'Grotesque Mistake,'" The Associated Press, 9/25/04)
Rep. Pelosi Supported Rep. John Murtha's (D-PA) Plan For U.S. To Cut-And-Run From Iraq. Rep. Pelosi: "Yes, I will be supporting the ... Murtha Resolution. ... I, myself , support the course of action that Mr. Murtha has put forth. And let's be clear about what it is. Mr. Murtha said, Yes, let's bring the troops home." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Press Conference, 11/30/05)
"[M]urtha Called For U.S. Troops To Begin Returning Home And Said A Complete Pullout Could Be Achieved In Six Months. He Introduced A Resolution In The House That Would Force The President To Withdraw The Nearly 160,000 Troops In Iraq 'At The Earliest Practicable Date.'" (Liz Sidoti, "House Democratic Leader Endorses Murtha's Call For Withdrawal," The Associated Press, 11/30/05)
THE DEM'S CHOICE FOR SPEAKER WOULD INCREASE TAXES
If Rep. Pelosi Had Her Way, The Tax Cuts Would Not Be Extended, Resulting In A Nearly $2.4 Trillion Tax Increase:
Failing To Extend Bush's Tax Cuts Would Result In A Nearly $2.4 Trillion Tax Increase Over The Next 10 Years On American Taxpayers (2007-2016). ("Fact Sheet - 2011 Taxes: Millions Could See Billions In Increases," Office Of Tax Policy, U.S. Department Of The Treasury, 8/25/06)
Rep. Pelosi Attacked Tax Cuts As "Trojan Horse." Rep. Pelosi: "Once again, the Republicans are using a misfortune in our country as a Trojan horse. They are wheeling in this Trojan horse on the guise of assistance and using it instead as a way to give tax cuts to the wealthiest people in our country." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "Pelosi: Republican Budget Is Another Rip-Off Of Middle Class Under Guise Of Helping Katrina Survivors," Press Release, 10/19/05)
Rep. Pelosi Has A Long Tax-And-Spend Liberal Record:
In 2001 And 2003, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against President Bush's Tax Cuts. (H.R. 1836, CQ Vote #149: Adopted 240-154: R 211-0; D 28-153; I 1-1, 5/26/01, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 2, CQ Vote #225: Adopted 231-200: R 224-1; D 7-198; I 0-1, 5/23/03, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Because Of The 2001, 2003, And 2004 Tax Cuts, This Year:
111 Million American Taxpayers Will Save An Average Of $1,877;
A Family Of Four Making $40,000 Will Save $2,010;
More Than 5 Million Individuals And Families Will Have Their Income Tax Liabilities Totally Eliminated;
44 Million Families With Children Will Save An Average Of $2,493;
14 Million Elderly Individuals Will Save An Average Of $2,043;
25 Million Small Business Owners Will Save An Average Of $3,641. (U.S. Department Of The Treasury Website, www.treasury.gov, Accessed 4/12/06)
In 1993, Rep. Pelosi Voted For Almost $241 Billion In Additional Taxes, The Largest Tax Hike In American History. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I 1-0, 8/5/93, Pelosi Voted Yea)
Most Recently, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against The FY 2006 Budget Reconciliation, Which Saved Taxpayers Nearly $40 Billion Over A Period Of Five Years. (S. 1932, CQ Vote #4: Adopted 216-214: R 216-13; D 0-200; I 0-1, 2/1/06, Pelosi Voted Nay)
THE DEMS' CHOICE FOR SPEAKER OUT-OF-TOUCH ON SOCIAL ISSUES
Rep. Pelosi Is The 17th Most Liberal Representative On Social Issues:
Rep. Pelosi Has A 96 Percent Liberal Rating On Social Issues From The Nonpartisan National Journal, Making Her The 17th Most Liberal Representative On Social Issues. (The National Journal Website, www.nationaljournal.com, Accessed 9/13/06)
Rep. Pelosi Is Wrong On Welfare Reform:
In 2003, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against The Welfare Reauthorization. (H.R. 4, CQ Vote #30: Passed 230-192: R 219-2; D 11-189; I 0-1, 2/13/03, Pelosi Voted Nay)
In 1996, Rep. Pelosi Voted At Least Twice Against House And Final Passage Of The Welfare Overhaul Bill, Which Ended Guaranteed Welfare Benefits. (H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #331: Passed 256-170: R 226-4; D 30-165; I 0-1, 7/18/96, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #383: Adopted 328-101: R 230-2; D 98-98; I 0-1, 7/31/96, Pelosi Voted Nay)
In Addition, Rep. Pelosi Voted At Least Three Times Against Welfare Work Requirements. (H.R. 4, CQ Vote #259: Rejected 96-337: R 81-148; D 15-188; I 0-1, 3/22/95, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 3734, CQ Vote #328: Adopted 239-184: R 213-14; D 26-169; I 0-1, 7/18/96, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 4737, CQ Vote #170: Passed 229-197: R 214-4; D 14-192; I 1-1, 5/16/02, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Is An Extreme Abortion Supporter:
Rep. Pelosi Received A 100 Percent Rating From NARAL Pro-Choice America In 2005. (NARAL Website, www.naral.org, Accessed 4/26/06)
Rep. Pelosi Received A Zero Percent Rating From National Right To Life Committee In 2005. (National Right To Life Committee Website, www.capwiz.com, Accessed 4/26/06)
Despite Widespread Public Support, Rep. Pelosi Voted At Least Three Times Against Unborn Victims Of Violence Act (Laci's Law). (H.R. 1997, CQ Vote #31: Passed 254-163: R 207-13; D 47-149; I 0-1, 2/26/04, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 503, CQ Vote #89: Passed 252-172: R 198-21; D 53-150; I 1-1, 4/26/01, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 2436, CQ Vote #465: Passed 254-172: R 198-21; D 56-150; I 0-1, 9/30/99, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Voted At Least Three Times In Favor Of Allowing FDA To Use Federal Funds To Test, Develop And/Or Approve Drugs That Chemically Induce Abortion. (H.R. 4101, CQ Vote #260: Adopted 223-202: R 188-37; D 35-164; I 0-1, 6/24/98, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 1906, CQ Vote #173: Adopted 217-214: R 181-40; D 36-173; I 0-1, 6/8/99, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 4461, CQ Vote #373: Rejected 182-187: R 149-34; D 32-152; I 1-1, 7/10/00, Pelosi Voted Nay)
Rep. Pelosi Is Out Of Touch On The Death Penalty:
Rep. Pelosi Has Voted At Least 12 Times Against The Death Penalty. (H.R. 5210, CQ Vote #298: Adopted 299-111: R 161-9; D 138-102, 9/8/88, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 3371, CQ Vote #311: Rejected 101-322: R 5-156; D 95-166; I 1-0, 10/16/91, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 3371, CQ Vote #313: Adopted 213-206: R 150-10; D 63-195; I 0-1, 10/16/91, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 3371, CQ Vote #327: Passed 305-118: R 94-68; D 211-49; I 0-1, 10/22/91, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 3371, CQ Vote #413: Motion Rejected 155-271: R 127-38; D 28-232; I 0-1, 11/21/91, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 5517, CQ Vote #428: Motion Agreed To 264-129: R 146-7; D 118-121; I 0-1, 9/24/92, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 4092, CQ Vote #107: Rejected In The Cmte. Of The Whole 111-314: R 6-165; D 104-149; I 1-0, 4/14/94, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 729, CQ Vote #107: Rejected 139-291: R 7-221; D 131-70; I 1-0, 2/8/95, Pelosi Voted Ye a; H.R. 729, CQ Vote #109: Passed 297-132: R 226-1; D 71-130; I 0-1, 2/8/95, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 2799, CQ Vote #421: Rejected 85-339: R 3-219; D 81-121; I 1-0, 7/23/03, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 10, CQ Vote #514: Adopted 344-72: R 218-3; D 126-68; I 0-1, 10/8/04, Pelosi Voted Nay)
"A California Congresswoman Has Vowed To Introduce A Bill To Abolish The Death Penalty, But Even She Admits Her Plan Has No Chance Of Approval Against A Rising Tide Of Opinion That Favors Capital Punishment." (Carol Emert, "Anti-Death Penalty Bill Planned," States News Service, 8/5/92)
THE DEMS' CHOICE FOR SPEAKER FOCUSED ON LAUNCHING BITTER PARTISAN INVESTIGATIONS
Rep. Pelosi Is A "Hyperpartisan" Obstructionist:
"The 66-Year-Old San Francisco Lawmaker Is An Aggressive, Hyperpartisan Liberal Pol ..." (Perry Bacon, Jr., "Anybody Knows Not To Mess With Me," Time, 9/4/06)
"[D]emocrats Finally Have A Legislative Leader ... Who Understands That ... The Business Of The Democrats Is To Oppose." (Harold Meyerson, Op-Ed, "Dean's Band Of Outsiders," The Washington Post, 12/10/03)
"[Rep. Pelosi] Has Employed Tactics Straight Out Of Delay's Playbook: Insisting Other House Democrats Vote The Party Line On Everything, Avoiding Compromise With Republicans ..." (Perry Bacon, Jr., "Anybody Knows Not To Mess With Me," Time, 9/4/06)
o "Pelosi Has ... Ordered Democrats Not To Work On Bills Or Even Hold Press Conferences With Republicans Whom The Party Is Trying To Defeat In November." (Perry Bacon, Jr., "Anybody Knows Not To Mess With Me," Time, 9/4/06)
Rep. Pelosi Would Push An Agenda Laden With Investigations And Impeachment Hearings:
Rep. Pelosi Has Promised Investigations On Energy Prices And The War On Terror. NBC's Tim Russert: "So there would be investigations." Rep. Pelosi: "Well, what I told them is we will have an investigation of energy prices. We will have an investigation." ... Russert: "How about of the war?" Rep. Pelosi: "That would be if - I said we'd have hearings on the war. We'd have hearings on the war." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/7/06)
Rep. Pelosi Has Left Impeachment A Possibility. NBC's Tim Russert: "Is impeachment off the table?" Rep. Pelosi: "Well, you never know where the facts take you ..." (NBC's "Meet The Press," 5/7/06)
36 House Democrats Have Already Embraced Rep. John Conyers' (D-MI) Impeachment Plan And Are Cosponsoring The Bill. (H. Res. 635, Introduced 12/18/05)
THE DEM'S CHOICE FOR SPEAKER WOULD INCREASE ENERGY COSTS
If Rep. Pelosi Had Her Way, American Families Would Be Spending An Additional $930 On Gasoline Each Year:
In 1993, Rep. Pelosi Supported The Clinton Btu Tax. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #199: Passed 219-213: R 0-175; D 218-38; I 1-0, 5/27/93)
The 1993 Clinton Btu Tax Would Have Increased The Price Of A Gallon Of Gasoline By Six Percent. At Today's Average Price ($2.50), That Is A 15 Cent Increase Per Gallon, Or $165 A Year For A Family With Two Vehicles. (Robert Reischauer, Committee On Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 2/24/93; Energy Information Administration Website, www.eia.doe.gov, Accessed 9/6/06; AAA Website, www.aaapa.org, Accessed 8/28/06)
In 1993, Rep. Pelosi Voted To Increase Gasoline Taxes By 4.3 Cents Per Gallon. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I 1-0, 8/5/93)
The Tax Increase Would Cost A Family With Two Vehicles An Additional $47.30 A Year. (AAA Website, www.aaapa.org, Accessed 6/13/06)
If Rep. Pelosi Had Her Way, The Kyoto Treaty Would Pass, Adding 65 Cents To The Price Of A Gallon Of Gasoline, Or A Total Of $715 A Year For A Family With Two Vehicles. (Bernard J. Wolfson, "Study: Global Warming Treaty To Spike Energy Costs," Boston Herald, 6/26/98; AAA Website, www.aaapa.org/pdfs, Accessed 4/27/06)
Rep. Pelosi: "Instead of stepping forward as the world leader on climate change ... the Bush Administration is clinging to the role of world obstructionist. In defiance of the overwhelming evidence of global warming, the Bush Administration has rejected the Kyoto Protocol and international cooperation." (Rep. Nancy Pelosi, "Rep. Pelosi: 'Bush Administration Clinging To Role Of World Obstructionist On Climate Change'," Press Release, 2/15/05)
Add The Three, And American Families Would Be Spending An Additional $930 On Gasoline Each Year.
Rep. Pelosi Supported Higher Energy Taxes, Voted Against Energy Solutions:
Rep. Pelosi Has Voted For Higher Gas Taxes At Least 5 Times. (H.R. 3566, CQ Vote #338: Passed 343-83: R 101-61; D 241-22; I 1-0, 10/23/91, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #199: Passed 219-314: R 0-175; D 218-38; I 1-0, 5/27/93, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #406: Adopted 218-216: R 0-175; D 217-41; I 1-0, 8/5/93, Pelosi Voted Yea; H.R. 3415, CQ Vote #182: Passed 301-108: R 208-15; D 92-93; I 1-0, 5/21/96, Pelosi Voted Nay; H.R. 2400, CQ Vote #97: Rejected 98-318: R 82-138; D 16-179; I 0-1, 4/1/98, Pelosi Voted Nay)
In 2005, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against The Energy Bill, Which Encouraged Expansion Of Nuclear Energy, Encouraged Greater Use Of Ethanol, Reauthorized The Energy Savings Performance Contract Program, Which Allows Private Contractors To Help Federal Agencies Improve The Energy Efficiency Of Their Facilities, And Provided Tax Credits For Energy Efficient Hybrid, Clean-Diesel, And Fuel-Cell Vehicles (H.R. 6, CQ Vote #445: Adopted 275-156: R 200-31; D 75-124; I 0-1, 7/28/05, Pelosi Voted Nay; White House Website, www.whitehouse.gov, Accessed 4/22/06)
In 2004, Rep. Pelosi Voted Against A Bill To Streamline The Process For Approval Of Alternative Energy Projects On Federal Lands. (H.R. 4513, CQ Vote #242: Passed 229-186: R 200-18; D 29-167; I 0-1, 6//15/04, Pelosi Voted Nay)
In 1993, Rep. Nancy Pelosi Supported The Clinton Btu Tax, Which Closely Related To The Carbon Tax, Would Would Have Increased The Price Of Gasoline By Six Percent And Cost The Average Consumer More Than $320 A Year. (H.R. 2264, CQ Vote #199: Passed 219-213: R 0-175; D 218-38; I 1-0, 5/27/93, Pelosi Voted Yea; Federal Budget Issue: Do We Need An Energy Tax?" National Center For Policy Analysis, 6/4/93, p. 2; Dr. Robert D. Reischauer, Committee On Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, Hearing, 2/24/93)
THE DEM'S CHOICE FOR SPEAKER HAS QUESTIONABLE ETHICS
Rep. Pelosi's Team Majority PAC Ran Afoul Of Federal Election Laws:
"A Controversial Fundraising Committee Run By House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) Was Slapped With A $21,000 Fine By The Federal Election Commission For Enabling Pelosi To Funnel More Than $100,000 In Illegal Contributions To Democratic Candidates In Late 2002 As She Was Vying To Become Democratic Leader." (Jennifer Yachnin and Brody Mullins, "Senate Mail Halted," Roll Call, 2/9/04)
"Despite The Fine, Pelosi Has Not Shuttered Her Second Political Action Committee, New Campaign Finance Reports Show. Instead, She Used The Remaining $140,000 In The Team Majority PAC To Subsidize Other Fundraising Expenses, Such As The $300,000 Salary Of Her Top Fundraiser And The Cost Of Renting An MCI Center Luxury Box For An Event At A Simon & Garfunkel Concert." (Jennifer Yachnin and Brody Mullins, "Senate Mail Halted," Roll Call, 2/9/04)
"Pelosi Ran Afoul Of Campaign Finance Regulations In Late 2002 When She Started A Second Leadership PAC In Order To Circumvent The $5,000 Annual Donation Limits." (Jennifer Yachnin and Brody Mullins, "Senate Mail Halted," Roll Call, 2/9/04)
"After The FEC Began Looking Into The New Account, Team Majority PAC Asked The Nearly Three Dozen Democrats Who Had Received Excessive Contributions From The Fund To Return The Money. The PAC Also Gave More Than $100,000 Back To Individual Donors Who Had Contributed To The Committee." (Jennifer Yachnin and Brody Mullins, "Senate Mail Halted," Roll Call, 2/9/04)
Rep. Pelosi Funneled Money To Her Campaign Treasurer's Think Tank:
"House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi Of San Francisco Has Pushed Through $1 Million In Federal Funds For A Think Tank Started By Her Longtime Adviser And Campaign Treasurer, Former Lt. Gov. Leo T. McCarthy, Sparking Concerns That She Is Rewarding A Supporter With Taxpayer Money." (Edward Epstein, "Pelosi Accused Of Pork-Barrel Politics," San Francisco Chronicle, 2/21/03)
"Pelosi's Office Confirmed Thursday That The San Francisco Democrat, Who Was Elected House Minority Leader In November, Obtained The $1 Million For The USF Center, Without Requiring McCarthy And USF To Go Through The Normal Application Process For Such Grants." (Edward Epstein, "Pelosi Accused Of Pork-Barrel Politics," San Francisco Chronicle, 2/21/03)
Rep. Pelosi Admitted To Taking A "Hands-Off" Approach When She Served On House Ethics Committee:
"Pelosi, Who Served For Seven Years On The Ethics Committee, Has Stated Numerous Times That She Has Nothing To Do With The Decisions Made By The Ethics Panel, And Knows Little Or Nothing Of What Is Happening Inside The Committee." (John Bresnahan, "Pelosi Monitors DeLay Probe," Roll Call, 9/27/04)
"'As You Know, And I Have Said Over And Over Again, I Keep At Arm's Length From The Ethics Process,' Pelosi Said June 24." (John Bresnahan, "Pelosi Monitors DeLay Probe," Roll Call, 9/27/04)
THE DEMS' CHOICE FOR SPEAKER HAS EXTREMELY LIBERAL RECORD
Rep. Pelosi's Liberal And Partisan Record:
Rep. Pelosi Says She Has "Pride" In Being A "Liberal." Rep. Pelosi: "[I] pride myself in being called a 'liberal,' so I'm not dodging that word." (Marc Sandalow, "Nancy Pelosi," San Francisco Chronicle, 6/9/96)
Rep. Pelosi Has A 90 Percent Liberal Rating From The Nonpartisan National Journal. (The National Journal Website, www.nationaljournal.com, Accessed 9/13/06)
Rep. Pelosi Has Voted With The Democrat Party 97 Percent Of The Time. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 9/13/06)
Rep. Pelosi Has A 96 Percent Lifetime Rating From Americans For Democratic Action.(Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 9/13/06)
Americans For Democratic Action Is "A Prominent Liberal Organization." (Jonathan Riskind, "Strickland Doesn't Always Fit 'Liberal' Label," The Columbus Dispatch, 9/2/06)
Rep. Pelosi Has A 3 Percent Lifetime Rating From The American Conservative Union. (Congressional Quarterly Website, www.cq.com, Accessed 9/13/06)
September 20, 2006
New Poll: Strategic Vision - Gov & Sen close
A new Strategic Vision poll was released today:
Below are the results of a three-day poll of likely voters in the state of Michigan. Results are based on telephone interviews with 1200 likely voters in Michigan, aged 18+, and conducted September 15-17, 2006. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.
16. If the election for Governor were held today, whom would you vote for Jennifer Granholm, the Democrat or Dick DeVos, the Republican?
Jennifer Granholm 47%
Dick DeVos 46%
Undecided 7%
17. If the election for United States Senate were held today, whom would you vote for Debbie Stabenow, the Democrat or Mike Bouchard, the Republican?
Debbie Stabenow 51%
Mike Bouchard 44%
Undecided 5%
Articles of Interest 9-20-06
48 Days to Victory!!!
Broken Promises Calendar: No Results from Governor Granholm
PROMISE: “The Michigan First Health Care Plan will provide affordable health care coverage to every citizen in Michigan.” Unveiling new “details” of her health promise, Office of the Governor press release, 5/11/06).
RESULT: Now the Governor commits to provide health care for EVERY citizen. Still, no details. No legislation, no waiver, no funding source…and NO RESULTS.
Sorry for the delay, but a heck of a morning…
“Michigan has suffered long enough!”
So said Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao as she addressed our POWER event last night at the home of Teri Spiro. Secretary Chad addressed the gathering of women and specifically pointed out Lt. Governor nominee Ruth Johnson and said the economic and regulatory policies in Michigan have left it behind the national recovery.
Secretary Chao was very engaging, thoughtful and insightful as she discussed various economic issues of the day. She addressed foreign trade, America’s competitive advantage and why U.S. companies can and should compete internationally…normally winning with superior products, innovation and our system of entrepreneurship.
Everyone was very impress with the Secretary and looked forward to the next POWER event. Joining our GOP Co-Chair Jane Abraham was Lt. Governor nominee Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Mike Cox’s wife Laura, U.S. Senate nominess Mike Bouchard’s wife Pam, National Committeewoman Holly Hughes and over 50 other women leaders as they networked with one another and discussed how Michigan Republicans were going to help turn Michigan around. I was lucky enough to be one of two males at this event, Teri husband Tim crashed the event and helped the bar tenders.
Thanks again to Secretary Elaine Chao and Teri & Tim Spiro for a wonderful evening.
Chrysler Corporation turnaround guru Lee Iacocoa hit the airwaves on behalf of Dick DeVos. He clearly and straightforwardly addresses the fact that Dick DeVos is a manufacturer who created and kept jobs in Michigan by turning his company into an international leader in their field. It’s a great ad. To see is go to the main web page and click on the clip from “Lee” at:
New poll numbers…race remains tight. Again, don’t get too caught up in the polls through the end of the campaign. Numbers will continue to pop up and down, DeVos will be up, Granholm up…tied. The bottom line is this race is tight, we are the underdogs running against tow statewide incumbents….and these races will remain competetive and it’s up to us at the grassroots to get our supporters to the polls.
Both Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox have relatively weak and under funded opponents. Most expect these popular incumbents to help bring our Republican voters statewide.
Here is the latest SurveyUSA poll that shows the race in a dead heat:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/09/governors_race_.html
Lights, Camera, Pretend to govern!
In a new television ad Tuesday, the Granholm for Governor campaign continued to trumpet the governor’s “plan” as one that is working for Michigan, despite the dismal economic reality that Michigan faces. It is just more of the same from Governor Granholm.
The governor’s ad campaign tells stories of doing all sorts of things to fight for Michigan, but where are the results? In the newest TV Ad, Governor Granholm says that she is working the most aggressive plan in the nation. Where are the results? This governor has had four years to deliver on the many promises that she made in 2002, and yet Michigan is suffering. Already in a single-state recession, one economist recently said that Michigan is now, ‘coming closer to seeing a one-state depression.’ No state has lost more jobs over the last three years than Michigan; while Michigan lost 104,600 jobs, the rest of the country created over 5.5 million. And while Ms. Granholm talks of education and healthcare, such costs have continued to rise under this administration, making them less, not more affordable.
There is so much more to do, and this governor and this administration have proven they don’t have what it takes. It is time for Michigan to have a leader who doesn’t just talk about bringing jobs back to our state, but makes it happen. A press release, a news conference, a TV commercial—none of these demonstrate leadership. This Governor is about politics, not progress; Granholm is about limelight, not leadership. It is time for a Governor who will not just talk about turning Michigan around, but will make it happen.
Michigan Republicans will be conducting a statewide 72-Hour “test drive” September 21-23. We will testing and teaching our field staff, volunteers and local party officials what we will actually be doing, implementing and expecting from folks in order to implement ourGOTV 72-hour program.
It will take place this Thursday-Saturday. The intent of this program is to give our Field Staff and Victory Center Directors a chance to understand what it will be like in the final 72 hours of this campaign. We want to be able to identify kinks in the system and how we will be able to make the program as sound as possible.
We need our local volunteers and county leaders to come out and fill as many shifts as they can. We currently do not have enough volunteers to make this program resemble what it will look like on election day. Practice makes perfect, and your efforts and assistance in completing this “test run” will go a long way towards being ready come November.
Please join us and help us make this the best GOTV 72-Hour program and election day operation in the country. With your help…and a little practive…we will help turn Michigan around.
Last night they aired a special edition of Off the Record and in-depth view of ‘The Race for Governor’. Tim Skubick hosts DeVos spokeman John Truscott and I, as we face off with Democratic Chairman Mark Brewer and Graholm spokesman Chris DeWitt. After an introduction of both campaigns and the candidates, we participate in a give and take on the issues of the day. If you missed the show, you can catch it on the internet at the following site:
http://www.wkar.org/offtherecord/program.php?num=2007-101
OK…test drive the Victory Centers for yourself. More importantly, please take part in our “test run” of the 72-Hour GOTV effort. We need a broadbased effort to work out the kinks, kick the tires and make sure we have covered our basis.
Michigan Republicans smell blood. Together, we will make a difference.
Saul Anuzis
Do-Nothing Debbie Stabenow continues to claim she is "working hard' for Michigan, yet the facts once again fail to support her campaign rhetoric. Michigan voters deserve better.
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