BREAKING: Carl Levin to Retire

[supermario21]

But in the grand scheme of things, losing 1 House seat means very little. There is not much of a difference in the GOP caucus with solely Ron Paul in it compared to now when you've got 3 or 4 superstars and another dozen or so solid allies. It's worth the opportunity of a Senate seat.

 

[FSP-Rebel]

It's interesting hearing the responses of those on the ground in Michigan. I'd love to see election results by county, might have to delve into that later.

This is what I've been trying to put into words about a midterm election here these days

And, this is what happens to back bencher dems as far as numbers go

Republican Rick Snyder 1,874,834 58.11% +15.81%
Democratic Virg Bernero 1,287,320 39.90% -16.46%
Libertarian Ken Proctor 22,390 0.69% +0.08%
Constitution Stacey Mathia 20,818 0.65% +0.46%
Green Harley Mikkelson 20,699 0.64% +0.12%

 

[FSP-Rebel]

Yeah but we don't want to lose that one seat to a hack.

I was looking at the roll call vote for the recent continuing resolution (the one that funds the govt thru Sept) and it appears that even when we have these newly elected/newfound allies they vote with the leadership (when it counts) so electing people to the House seems to be a wash in general. Key defectors towards establishment on fundamental fiscal matters: Bentivolio, Schweikert, Yoho, Chaffetz, Mulvaney, Labrador, Huelskamp, Huizenga, Duncan and Mullin to name a few.

 

[supermario21]

The problem is leadership does such a shitty job with organizing bills and amendments that are guys are usually torn between voting no because it's not perfect or yes because it has something good but also something equally bad. I wouldn't call every split a "defection."

 

[FSP-Rebel]

The problem is leadership does such a shitty job with organizing bills and amendments that are guys are usually torn between voting no because it's not perfect or yes because it has something good but also something equally bad. I wouldn't call every split a "defection."

I'm not really trying to make a big deal out of this but if JAmash and TMass are the leaders of the liberty/teaparty caucus it seems like the rule of thumb is to roll with them over the establishment every time. It's more than I'm making it out to be, sure, but then again it's not all that complex.

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

But in the grand scheme of things, losing 1 House seat means very little. There is not much of a difference in the GOP caucus with solely Ron Paul in it compared to now when you've got 3 or 4 superstars and another dozen or so solid allies. It's worth the opportunity of a Senate seat.

I don't know. Some people in this movement have been fighting for three or more decades to get a foothold. I want to hang onto everything we've accomplished for dear life. Even though Amash is young, he's still looked up to for guidance by our other liberty candidates in the House.

 

[itshappening]

I don't know what trend you're talking about. The trend is that Michigan is a purple state that can vote for either party. So we don't need to buck the trend. We just need this midterm election to go Republican just like the last one did.

Of course Amash is different than all the other Republicans. Just like Rand is. That makes him a better candidate, not worse. If even Rick Snyder can win a statewide race, how much more should Amash be able to.

Also, why do you keep using "60 years"? Do elections 60 years ago indicate more about Michigan politics today than elections 3 years ago do?

Believe me Amash would get burried by the slick Democrat Machine which will come out in force in a Federal U.S Senate election (supported by DNC)

All of Amash's votes against violence against women and liberal legislation would be demagogued to hell and back and they will be out in force to give him a resounding defeat.

They will never, ever send someone like Amash to the Senate so just drop the fantasy.

It's hard enough to pull off in a red state and that's why there's only a few senators like this... Rand Paul and Mike Lee where winning the primary was basically winning the general election. Flake is kind of libertarian and only won by 2 points in a heavily red state so that shows you how difficult it is. In Mich? don't make me laugh.

 

[Bastiat's The Law]

This is what I've been trying to put into words about a midterm election here these days

Now, THAT is interesting.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Just checking... Everyone so far that ACTUALLY lives in Michigan feel he can win. Those that DON'T live here and know the real time in the ground political wind think he can't

 

[supermario21]

I live in Ohio and in the part of the state which is pretty demographically similar to SE Michigan (very labor, blue-collar oriented). Amash's positions could probably play better with that group than other Republicans, especially on trade issues.

 

[kathy88]

It's worth much, much more than that. In the Senate one man with courage really can be a majority. In the House, he's just a gadfly. What Ron showed is that it takes a lifetime of amazing personal achievement and noble acts of principle to make a big impact in the House. What we've seen from Rand is that one man can really shine an infinitely brighter light on the sorry nature of the Washington establishment from the Senate, in a much shorter period of time.

The House is where we build and sustain the movement, the Senate is where we bring about political change.

Never thought I'd be outta rep for you but there it is.

 

[erowe1]

Just checking... Everyone so far that ACTUALLY lives in Michigan feel he can win. Those that DON'T live here and know the real time in the ground political wind think he can't

I lived in Michigan for the first 25 years of my life. I have close family there. I live 5 miles south of the border now. And I've been active in Michigan politics while living here.

 

[supermario21]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.co...-interested-in-2014-run-for-senate/?hpt=po_t1

Scott Romney looking at bid. Not to mention history, but Spencer Abraham defeated a Romney on his way to winning the last open seat in an off year...

 

[EBounding]

This is what I've been trying to put into words about a midterm election here these days

And, this is what happens to back bencher dems as far as numbers go

And I remember when Rob Steele gave John Dingell a run for his money in 2010. I'm hoping for a similar (or better) environment for congressional Republicans in 2014. To say Justin has no chance for Senate is ridiculous.

 

[Barrex]

Rand PAC?
Would Massie, Rand, Ron and others be willing to campaign for Amash? I dont mean just endorse him. I mean go in Michigan and really campaign. Hold more than just few events and speeches. These things are standard in Europe. Why? Because they work and are effective. 1 popular senator (Rand) having few speeches for Justin can be worth more than 100000 (or x amount for those who want argue about exact value.... assholes) dollars. Many elections were won because x candidate brought "bigger gun" to campaign for him. This is old tradition that was common in ancient Rome (Cicero). I didnt see that in US politics. I saw sign waiving. We dont have those here... dont think they are practical/that useful.

 

[compromise]

Rand PAC?
Would Massie, Rand, Ron and others be willing to campaign for Amash? I dont mean just endorse him. I mean go in Michigan and really campaign. Hold more than just few events and speeches. These things are standard in Europe. Why? Because they work and are effective. 1 popular senator (Rand) having few speeches for Justin can be worth more than 100000 (or x amount for those who want argue about exact value.... assholes) dollars. Many elections were won because x candidate brought "bigger gun" to campaign for him. This is old tradition that was common in ancient Rome (Cicero). I didnt see that in US politics. I saw sign waiving. We dont have those here... dont think they are practical/that useful.

It does happen sometimes. Ted Cruz had Rand, Santorum and Palin campaigning for him by appearing at his events. Palin and Ron were at Rand's events too. Rand campaigned on Ron's behalf in the 2012 presidential run in Iowa and helped us get some more mainstream voters. Rand's also planning to campaign for McConnell in 2014.

 

[erowe1]

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.co...-interested-in-2014-run-for-senate/?hpt=po_t1

Scott Romney looking at bid. Not to mention history, but Spencer Abraham defeated a Romney on his way to winning the last open seat in an off year...

I don't remember that. But Ronna Romney ran against Levin in 96.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Senate_election_in_Michigan,_1996

ETA: Oh she did lose a primary to Abraham in 94.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronna_Romney

 

[dusman]

It's worth much, much more than that. In the Senate one man with courage really can be a majority. In the House, he's just a gadfly. What Ron showed is that it takes a lifetime of amazing personal achievement and noble acts of principle to make a big impact in the House. What we've seen from Rand is that one man can really shine an infinitely brighter light on the sorry nature of the Washington establishment from the Senate, in a much shorter period of time.

The House is where we build and sustain the movement, the Senate is where we bring about political change.

Nailed it in my eyes. I agree.

 

[itshappening]

Rand PAC?
Would Massie, Rand, Ron and others be willing to campaign for Amash? I dont mean just endorse him. I mean go in Michigan and really campaign. Hold more than just few events and speeches. These things are standard in Europe. Why? Because they work and are effective. 1 popular senator (Rand) having few speeches for Justin can be worth more than 100000 (or x amount for those who want argue about exact value.... assholes) dollars. Many elections were won because x candidate brought "bigger gun" to campaign for him. This is old tradition that was common in ancient Rome (Cicero). I didnt see that in US politics. I saw sign waiving. We dont have those here... dont think they are practical/that useful.

WHat's the point? it would be an embarrassing and crushing loss.

Stebbenow just won there by 20 points. They do not elect libertarians or even GOP to the Senate. Just look at the record over 60 years.

Amash should swerve this at all costs and so should we.

Yes, the Senate is important but focus on red states where the primary is the election.

SC is more important and retiring Graham. That's a battle we can win. Spending millions in Mich is a waste of time no matter how much we like Justin it will be like Bills in MN

 

[itshappening]

Folks, you're not going to convince these liberal statist voters in MI to go against the DNC and vote in a GOPer to the Senate.

Yes, they will entertain a GOPer like Snyder for Governor but they will never send Snyder to the U.S senate unless he becomes really popular after 2 terms and retains a personal following. And Snyder is a big government dummy who wants to bankrupt his state through medicare expansion so liberal fools are happy with him.

If Amash ran for Senate it would be a crushing, embarrassing and expensive loss. He should stay in his SAFE district which has been carved out for him and which they tried to make more liberal to weaken him last time but that's his seat for a decade where they will try and make it even worse for him next time.