Michigan GOP leaves Justin Amash to fend for himself

[jct74]

Michigan GOP leaves Justin Amash to fend for himself
In-state and national party support for congressman lacking

MARISA SCHULTZ
May 6, 2014 at 1:00 am

Washington— Not one fellow Michigan congressional Republican has donated money to U.S. Rep. Justin Amash in his competitive GOP primary race against Grand Rapids area businessman Brian Ellis.

In fact, two retiring congressmen said they are considering giving cash to the Cascade Township Republican’s opponent.

His GOP Michigan colleagues have funneled money to other vulnerable members, including Reps. Dan Benishek in the Upper Peninsula and Tim Walberg of Tipton.

U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, the House Intelligence Committee chairman from Howell, has gone so far as to say he would “likely” support Ellis — a highly unusual move for a colleague to take against an incumbent from the same party. “I think he’d far better represent that district and the values that they hold true,” Rogers said.

House GOP leadership hasn’t backed Amash either, but Speaker John Boehner of Ohio and Majority Leader Eric Cantor of Virginia have contributed $20,000, combined, from their leadership political action committees for freshman Rep. Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, who also faces a heated primary challenge.

“This is extraordinary unusual,” said Norman Ornstein, congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. “When you have leaders supporting a candidate against an incumbent, it’s clearly because they’ve been deeply frustrated because of what they see as a complete lack of loyalty on the part of the member.”

...

read more:
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/...Michigan-GOP-leaves-Justin-Amash-fend-himself

 

[Vanguard101]

Dear...

 

[BamaAla]

Guess we'll have to pick up the slack.

 

[UtahApocalypse]

Which tells me that Amash is the real deal. Going to have to donate another $50 later today.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

Would be great if Amash pulled off a win anyway without their help.

 

[economics102]

Don't worry Justin, we've got your back. And you won't owe us any political favors in return...

 

[twomp]

I hope they burn all their money trying to take Amash down. I will be readying a donation myself soon.

 

[pcosmar]

In fact, two retiring congressmen said they are considering giving cash to the Cascade Township Republican’s opponent.

Why does this not surprise me at all.

 

[Mr.NoSmile]

Think priority should go to helping Amash as much as possible now.

 

[DeMintConservative]

Why does this not surprise me at all.

Amash and his people should read these comments:

Amash's politics are reasonable but he's a big jackass
I think his viewpoints are generally reasonable. His problem is that he decides to be a showboat.

Justin Amash
I had a 20 minute discussion with him in his office last March, and he didn't come across as a jackass. In fact, he came across as sincere and humble.

The problem is the antics
I'm sure that Amash is very sincere in his beliefs. The problem is that a lot of his tactics come off as pure attention-seeking that do nothing to advance the causes he champions.

Thomas Massie, for example, is very similar to Amash politically, but doesn't come off as badly.

I borrowed these quotes (ipsis verbis) from a discussion base conservative Republicans who tend to be highly informed were having on this same issue. Any of them would vote for Amash in a general election, maybe even in the primary. Yet they realize he isn't perfect and that there's reason why he isn't simply cruising through the primary. In politics, antagonizing those you want on your own side doesn't work:

“This is extraordinary unusual,” said Norman Ornstein, congressional scholar at the American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. “When you have leaders supporting a candidate against an incumbent, it’s clearly because they’ve been deeply frustrated because of what they see as a complete lack of loyalty on the part of the member.”

Sometimes an outside perspective can be quite useful.

 

[twomp]

I borrowed these quotes (ipsis verbis) from a discussion base conservative Republicans who tend to be highly informed were having on this same issue. Any of them would vote for Amash in a general election, maybe even in the primary. Yet they realize he isn't perfect and that there's reason why he isn't simply cruising through the primary. In politics, antagonizing those you want on your own side doesn't work:


Sometimes an outside perspective can be quite useful.

Oh please, you and your usual "play along to get along" comments. I don't know if you've noticed. According to a poll in February, Amash was up by 40+ points on Ellis and has raised more money than his opponent. Just because your GOP overlords don't support Amash, it doesn't mean the people don't support him.

 

[jllundqu]

Amash > GOP asshats

//

 

[EBounding]

Thomas Massie, for example, is very similar to Amash politically, but doesn't come off as badly.

So where did these comments come from? Massie is in a much safer district (like Ron Paul was). I guarantee Thomas would be getting just as much grief as Justin if he was in MI-3.

 

[DeMintConservative]

Oh please, you and your usual "play along to get along" comments. I don't know if you've noticed. According to a poll in February, Amash was up by 40+ points on Ellis and has raised more money than his opponent. Just because your GOP overlords don't support Amash, it doesn't mean the people don't support him.

Huh? I support Amash and I think he shall win the primary and the GE without any trouble. I was just explaining how some people who are actually sympathetic to his views see him and why he's more likely to draw primary challengers than other incumbents with similar views.

So where did these comments come from? Massie is in a much safer district (like Ron Paul was). I guarantee Thomas would be getting just as much grief as Justin if he was in MI-3.

Being in a safer district is immaterial when it comes to primaries. Only relevant in general elections.

 

[twomp]

Huh? I support Amash and I think he shall win the primary and the GE without any trouble. I was just explaining how some people who are actually sympathetic to his views see him and why he's more likely to draw primary challengers than other incumbents with similar views.

He is more likely to draw primary challengers because the party apparatus has decided they want to cut the head off the snake. Amash is currently the leader of the "liberty caucus" in the house. This group has been defiant towards the establishment. This is the reason they choose to go after him. You make it seem like he is "antagonizing" the establishment while we view it as him standing up for his principles. Since when did voting with the constitution become "antagonizing" to people.

 

[RandallFan]

He should get Gohmert, Ted Yoho and Rohrabacher to help him. I wondered why no one helped Walter Jones.

The Michigan delegation seem like a bunch of RINO wimps with no personality.

Maybe Rohrabacher and Amash can jam.