Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

More money could be spent improving local parks, beaches and trails thanks to new state grants
Tonya Schuitmaker easily outspent opponents Bobby Hopewell, Robert Jones in 20th District state Senate race
WMU medical school dean could be selected later this month or early 2011
Cory Bailes picked to replace Margaret O'Brien on Portage City Council
U.S. Census to help reshape Kalamazoo County Board
Oshtemo Township wrestles with fire chief's recommendation to ban burning yard waste
Kalamazoo City Commission asked to transfer 78 properties to Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority

Fraudulent Writing

This is an incredibly disturbing article about the rampant fraud in university paper writing.

The Shadow Scholar
The man who writes your students' papers tells his story

Three notes:
The author writes on all subjects in the humanities and social "sciences", but apparently not at all in math and science.
Students from public schools come to college barely or not at all literate.
If this author can write passing work in these subjects, including at the graduate level, without taking any classes in them, what does it say about the need for classes in these subjects?

POLITICAL UPDATE--Airport Security

This update focuses on airport security. Protests have mounted against the ridiculous and intrusive procedures of the TSA.

Gary North: TSA: Thou Shalt Acquiesce
Thomas Sowell: Airport "Security"?
Ann Coulter: Strange Men Grope Nancy Pelosi Or The Terrorists Have Won
Ann Coulter: Napolitano: The Ball's In My Court Now
Will Grigg: Daedalus Shrugged

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Weaver Censured

Recently resigned Michigan Supreme Court justice Betty Weaver was censured by the court for secretly recording deliberations without the other justices' consent. The recordings were used in malicious attacks against Justice Robert Young, who was reelected this month.

Weaver was censured not just by Republicans Corrigan, Markman, and Young, but also democrats Kelly and Cavanaugh. Democrat Hathaway opposed censure, while democrat Alton Davis did not vote, perhaps due to conflict of interest. Davis was Weaver's handpicked successor in a secret deal with governor Granholm.

This demonstrates once again that the problems on the Michigan Supreme Court were not due to partisanship, as often alleged in the media. They were due to Weaver. Good riddance.

Down With Upton

FreedomWorks has a website opposing Fred Upton as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

http://downwithupton.com/

They also have an extensive list of his votes.

You asked for it! A much, much longer list of Upton’s many, many votes for bigger and more intrusive government.

Over 11000 people have signed a petition against Upton.

National Conservatives Finally Notice Fred Upton

There has been controversy on the right in recent weeks over the prospect of Congressman Fred Upton assuming the chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee next year.

Republicans debate whether Congressman Fred Upton is conservative enough to lead House Energy and Commerce Committee
Critics Challenge Choosing Upton as Energy Chair
Nov. 17, 2010 - Gov plan to scramble your cell phone (AUDIO)
Conservatives burn over Fred Upton's light bulb law
Democrats Want GOP Victory to Mark the End, Not the Beginning
Caller Defends Rep. Upton and His Stupid Stance on Lightbulbs

Human Events: Upton Too Liberal on Energy and Commerce
Just Say No to Fred Upton
Upton's Duck and Weave
Fred Upton, Thomas Edison and Whirlpool
Upton Relied On Industry-Crushing Environmentalists
Examiner Editorial: Upton is wrong choice for Energy and Commerce

Upton has been trying to win over folks on the right without much success.
Transparency According to Carol Browner: "Put nothing in writing, ever"
Reduce out-of-control spending now

Many commentators on the right have cited a long string of bad votes by Upton, most notoriously his legislation to ban the incandescent lightbulb by 2012. They have asked how Upton could possibly keep getting reelected with this record.

The short answer: because people in this district don't know his record. Upton is certainly a hard worker with good constituent service who comes across as friendly, likable representative. He works the district hard and regularly appears on all the local media outlets.

And the local media loves him back. The Gazette in particular endorses him every two years and extols his 'moderate' record. Consequently, the local media does not report on his voting record. Oh, an occasional vote may be mentioned here or there, but they are often buried and always quickly forgotten. Upton almost never mentions his nonconservative votes in the district (with occasional exceptions such as the auto bailout), but he highlights his conservative stances such as opposing Obamacare and cap-and-trade, so many local Republicans think that his record is more conservative than it actually is.

Probably the most prominent media outlet to regularly report on Upton's voting record is... this blog.
Fred Upton's Ten Worst Votes
Upton's Light Bulb Ban

As for national conservatives who wonder how Upton keeps getting elected, where were they four months ago when Upton was fending off the toughest primary challenge of his career? Former state rep. Jack Hoogendyk racked up 43% against Upton on a shoestring budget with only radio ads for advertisement. Practically no national conservatives mentioned the race. Jack's total was, as far as this blog remembers, the highest percentage of any unsuccessful challenge to a Republican congressional incumbent this cycle. The only House incumbent to lose a primary challenge this cycle was Rep. Bob Inglis, who was savaged by Glenn Beck for statements attacking conservatives.

Meanwhile, Fred Upton's voting record always seems to get more conservative when he faces conservative scrutiny. His most conservative year according to the American Conservative Union was 2002, when he faced a primary challenge from Dale Shugars. Upton's voting record has been similarly good this year, far better than the 44% he got in 2008. It would be nice if Upton would start voting consistently conservative, but history doesn't suggest that this is likely.

POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War

This update focuses on the culture war.

James Fulford: The Fulford File: Mormons and Migration
Phyllis Schlafly: Judges Get Their Comeuppance
Pat Buchanan: Tea Party's Winning Hand
Steve Sailer: How Obama Could Earn Re-Election—Abolish Quotas!
Phyllis Schlafly: Government Trampling on Constitutional Rights of Parents
Gary North: Lose Your Government Chains
Steve Sailer: “Can HBD Trump PC?” Steve Sailer’s Address To the H.L. Mencken Club
Thomas Sowell: The Multicultural Cult
Phyllis Schlafly: Marriage Is the Key to Spending Cuts

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Air Zoo expansion to consolidate exhibits
Air Zoo plans 50,000-square-foot addition for exhibits, aircraft and library
Six seek to replace Margaret O'Brien on Portage City Council
Opinions mixed on backyard chickens in Portage
Dean hopeful for WMU med school stresses communication
WMU Med school dean candidate here Thursday: Says Kalamazoo has "all the pieces in place"
Republicans debate whether Congressman Fred Upton is conservative enough to lead House Energy and Commerce Committee
Western Michigan University growing enrollment, jobs, despite funding erosion
Kalamazoo College launches 'transformational' campaign to raise more than $100 million
Local GOP lawmakers James "Jase" Bolger, Tonya Schuitmaker get leadership posts in Legislature

POLITICAL UPDATE--Immigration

This update focuses on immigration.

Washington Watcher: “Rubio Republicans”—How Different From The Old Hispanic Republicans?
Federale: Will A GOP Congress Block Obama’s Ongoing Administrative Amnesty?
Virgil Goode: Pandering to the Hispanic Vote: Ideological Compromise with No Rewards
Steve Sailer: Diversity Is Strength! It’s Also…Problematic (Legal) Immigration From The Land Of Defunct Empires
Steve Sailer: What GOP Should Say To Hispanics: Vote Like Americans!
Michelle Malkin: Harry Reid's Illegal Alien Student Bailout

For more on immigration, see VDARE.com.

Gloatfest 2010

POLITICAL UPDATE--Election 2010

This update focuses on the 2010 election.

Ann Coulter: We're All Bigots Now!
Gary North: How the Republicans Will Sucker the Tea Party
Don Devine: The Election No One Won
Steve Sailer: Election 2010 And The Unmentionable Sailer Strategy: White Vote Still Key
Washington Watcher: Election 2010: A Step Forward—But Still A Long Way To Go
David Kopel: The Second Amendment’s Great Election Night
John Gizzi: Voters Wrestled with Referenda Nationwide

Election Results: NY Times

Election News

Election results around Kalamazoo.

State Rep. Jase Bolger elected Michigan House speaker
Tonya Schuitmaker selected president pro tem of the incoming Michigan Senate
State Rep. James "Jase" Bolger poised to be Michigan's next House speaker
Election of new Kalamazoo County commissioners could boost arena tax question
Absentee ballots not a factor in 20th District Senate race
Allegan County to regroup on jail
Buchholtz to seek chair of Kalamazoo County Board: Nieuwenhuis says she won't actively seek leadership

Election results: Federal and state voting numbers, Southwest Michigan state races
Upton's 13th term may bring prized post: Schauer swept out by Republican wave
Allegan County jail defeated again
Nesbitt plans to bring 'new energy' to Lansing: Former legislative aide among 2 new state reps from area
Republican Margaret O'Brien claims 61st District House seat
McCann wins easily in the 60th District
Republicans reclaim Kalamazoo County Board: GOP takes 10-7 majority after taking two seats from Democrats
Southwest Michigan 2010 election results roundup
Voters see red, Democrats feel blue: Change in national mood fuels big gains for Republican party
Schuitmaker wins big in 20th District: Lawton Republican outdistances Kalamazoo mayor (update)
Complete election results by county in Southwest Michigan

Analysis: Governor

Republican Rick Snyder trounced democrat Virg Bernero in the race for Michigan governor. Snyder won 58.1% to Bernero's 39.9%. Snyder won all but five counties (Wayne, Genesse, Washtenaw, Ingham, Gogebic) and he was within 5% in the last four of these. He topped out at 79.1% in Ottowa, 76.7% in Missaukee, and 75% in Livingston County. See county-by-county results here:
NY Times: Michigan election results

Snyder benefited from a national anti-democrat tide and an even stronger such tide in Michigan after eight years of misrule under Granholm and company.

Virg Bernero's anti-business demagoguery looked like more of the same. Rick Snyder appealed to the public as someone from the business world who could create jobs. He was rather vague about the specifics of what it would mean to "reinvent Michigan". Snyder wisely avoided debates as much as possible, which would have played to Bernero's strength, but he held his own in their one debate.

Four years ago, dubious charges of outsourcing and anti-rich class warfare helped Jennifer Granholm defeat Dick DeVos. Four years and no jobs later, voters weren't falling for the same trick again.

Snyder was fortunate to face a weak opponent. Bernero had little name recognition and struggled to raise money. Trailing badly in the polls, he saw potential donors send their money to other more winnable races.

Snyder self-funded his campaign, at least for the primary, but smartly avoided spending too much. He spent enough to get out his message, but not so much that he alienated voters. He avoid the trap that Meg Whitman, Linda McMahon, and many previous self-funders fell into.

Did Snyder's moderation help the Republican ticket? This blog thinks so, but not for the reason one might think. The conventional line from moderates is that Republicans should nominate moderates to appeal to centrist voters. This blog has argued, citing substantial evidence, that Republicans win by nominating conservatives and motivating their base to turn out. This is what happened nationally thanks to the Tea Party movement, as well as in Michigan. Instead, Snyder helped Republicans because democrats were not motivated to turn out to vote against someone so bland and unthreatening.

This blog has not been a big fan of Snyder, due to his vagueness and some liberal positions. But the unexpectedly large Republican majorities in the legislature should help to check Snyder's more liberal impulses.

Analysis: Michigan

Republicans in Michigan won a victory of epic proportions in the November election. They won everything. Well, almost every race that they seriously contested.

NY Times: Michigan election results
Statewide offices, ballot proposals, courts, university boards
U.S. House of Representatives races
State Senate races
State House races

Rick Snyder won the governor's race 58.1% to 39.9% over Virg Bernero. This race is analyzed in more detail in a separate post.
Analysis: Governor

Bill Scheutte won the Attorney General race 52.6% to 43.5% over David Leyton. Scheutte's campaign seemed to focus on saying that Leyton is a bad prosecutor.

Ruth Johnson won the Secretary of State race 50.7% to 45.2% over Jocelyn Benson. Benson is a radical leftist supported by George Soros. She would have been the next Jennifer Granholm, but she was stopped this time. Johnson won with the support of the Tea Party after she exposed the Fake Tea Party voter fraud by democrat party officials, one of whom was employed by Benson.

Republicans won both Supreme Court races. Challenger Mary Beth Kelly got 30% and incumbent Robert Young won 28%, outpacing democrat incumbent Alton Davis with 19% and Denise Morris with 17%. Libertarian Rob Roddis got 6%. Young triumphed over a smear campaign engineered by democrat party boss Mark Brewer that falsely claimed he slept on the bench. Davis was the beneficiary of a backroom deal with Jennifer Granholm engineered by renegade moderate Republican Elizabeth Weaver. Republicans have reclaimed a 4-3 majority on the court. This sets Young up to become the Chief Justice next year. This will also protect the rule of law against liberal activists and the market against greedy trial lawyers. It should also protect a Republican redistricting plan.

Republicans swept the education board races. This follows democrat sweeps in 2006 and 2008. These races were somewhat closer. In the closest, Dr. Richard Zeile won second place for State Board of Ed over democrat Elizabeth bauer by 17000 votes. Conservative Mitch Lyons won the seat of moderate Don Nugent at the Republican convention.

Proposal 1, the constitutional convention, lost 67% to 33%. This proposal will come up again in 2026. Proposal 2, banning felons from office, won 75% to 25%.

Republicans picked up two seats in Congress.
1st district (northern Michigan) Tea Party Republican Dan Benishek won 51.9% to 40.9% over Gary McDowell. Northern Michigan swung heavily to Republicans, as did the demographically similar "Northland" (northern Wisconsin and Minnesota) where Republicans picked up two seats in northern Wisconsin and one in the Iron Range of Minnesota. Republican Michigander has a detailed breakdown of the vote in northern Michigan.
A Closer Look at Northern Michigan's results

3rd district (Kent County) Tea Party libertarian Republican Justin Amash won 59.7% to 37.5% over democrat Pat Miles. Amash is a constitutionalist in the mold of Ron Paul. He easily held off a credible challenge by Miles. A hundred or so local RINOs endorsed Miles, claiming Amash is too conservative. Amash is a huge improvement over retiring moderate Vern Ehlers.

6th district (Kalamazoo, St. Joseph) 24-year incumbent Fred Upton racked up another easy reelection, again defeating Don Cooney. He won 62%, up from 59% in 2008. Third party candidates for the Constitution and Libertarian parties won 2% each.

7th district (Calhoun, Jackson) Staunch conservative Tim Walberg won a rematch 50.1% to 45.4% with democrat congressman Mark Schauer, who defeated him 49% to 46% in 2008. Walberg has an ACU rating of 98%. This seat has changed hands each of the last four elections.

9th District (Oakland County) Democrat congressman Gary Peters won a narrow reelection 49.8% to 47.2% over Rocky Raczkowski. Rocky was far from the best possible candidate for this district, and he had to win an ugly Republican primary over Paul Welday. Peters shouldn't celebrate too much, though, as it is likely that his seat will be cut to pieces in redistricting.

Republicans held geriatric democrats Dale Kildee and John Dingell to the mid-50s in the 5th and 15th districts, bu thiey never really had a chance in districts so packed with democrats. There will now be three staunch conservatives (Benishek, Amash, Walberg) in Michigan's delegation, up from zero presently.

Republicans picked up four seats in the state senate. Shockingly, they won three of them by double digits. Tory Rocca won 54% in central Macomb, David Robertson won 55% in western Genesse, Mike Green won 59% in The Thumb, and Tom Casperson won 56% in the UP. Most of supposedly competitive open seats were similarly lopsided. Tea Party Republican Patrick Colbeck won 52% to 41% in Western Wayne, Tonya Schuitmaker won 58% in Kalamazoo, David Hildenbrand won only 52% to 46% in Grand Rapids, and Geoff Hansen won 58% in Muskegon. Republicans now have a 26-12 majority, which is more than two-thirds.

Republicans picked up a shocking 20 seats in the state house, winning a 63-47 majority. They defeated nine democrat incumbents, winning back five of the nine seats they lost in 2008 and narrowly missing the other four. They won five seats in the 1st congressional district in northern Michigan. The seats won were in Northville/Plymouth, south Wayne, St. Claire Shores, northeast Macomb, western Washtenaw, west Monroe, east Monroe, Lenauwee, west Jackson, east Jackson, Montcalm, Sanlilac/Port Huron, Tuscola, Muskegon suburbs, northwest LP shoreline, northcentral LP, Alpena area, Mackinaw area, southern UP, and western UP.

Conservative Jase Bolger will be the next speaker of the Michigan House. Moderate-conservative Randy Richardville will be the next Senate majority leader. Conservatives in the legislature may check Rick Snyder's more liberal impulses. There is a chance of moving major legislation such as right-to-work. Republicans will control redistricting and can draw maps favorable to themselves for the next decade.

Along with power comes responsibility, of course. They must avoid the mistakes that led to the loss of their house majority in 2006. Voters will expect results, and if Republicans can't deliver, they will soon find themselves out of work.

Analysis: Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo County Republicans cleaned up in the November election, at least outside of the city and township of Kalamazoo. There was a stark divide between those two jurisdictions ("the Kalamazoos") and the rest of the county (ROC). Turnout was fairly low, typically 30-50% in conservative areas and 15-35% in liberal areas. The results cited in this analysis are available at Election Magic.

Rick Snyder racked up 59.4% of the vote in Kalamazoo County. In the Kalamazoos, Snyder won only K Township 2, 3, 6, 7, 9, 11 (all but 9 narrowly) and Kalamazoo City 16, 17, 18, 25 (all narrowly). In the ROC, Snyder lost only Cooper 5 and Oshtemo 5. Republicans swept every other statewide race in Kalamazoo, though by smaller margins. Congressman Fred Upton got 57.8% in Kalamazoo County against Don Cooney. Upton won K Township 6, 7, 9, 11 and Kalamazoo 6, 17, 25 while losing Cooper 5 and Oshtemo 5.

In the state senate race, Tonya Schuitmaker racked up 58% against Bobby Hopewell. Robert Jones got about 2000 absentee votes, or 2.5%, which did not affect the outcome. He would have lost had he not died before the election. Tonya won K Township 9 while losing Comstock 3, Cooper 5, Oshtemo 5, and Portage 1, 2, 7. Tom George won this seat with 57% in 2002 and 52% in 2006.

In the 61st district, Margaret O'Brien beat Thomas Batten with 61.6% of the vote. This is the sort of margins Republicans won in this district in the '90s, before it dropped to the high 50s (early 2000s) and low 50s (2006, 2008). The only precinct in Kalamazoo Township that Margaret won was #9. The only other precincts that she lost were Oshtemo 4 (townhouses, apartments), 5 (low-rent apartments) and Portage 2 (trailer park).

In the 60th district, Jeff Fernandez lost to Sean McCann, who got 63.3% of the vote. Jeff won Cooper 1-4, and lost every other precinct. He did improve on the Republicans who ran against Robert Jones, who won 70% (2006) and 75% (2008). There was never any reason to think that this district was winnable, yet somehow every two years local Republicans delude themselves into thinking it is and waste money on it. Jeff Fernandez would be well-served to run for Kalamazoo City Commission, where he would have a real chance of winning and doing some good.

In the 63rd district, future state house speaker Jase Bolger won every Kalamazoo County precinct in his district except Comstock 3. He also won all of his precincts in Calhoun County.

Republicans picked up two seats in districts 10 and 12 on the Kalamazoo County Commission, winning a 10-7 majority. Here are the results of contested races.
7. (Milwood) Kai Phillips 33.8%, David Buskirk 66.2%
9. (northern Portage) Nasim Ansari 59.1% Chuck Vliek 40.9%
10. (central Portage) Phil Stinchcomb 56.4% Michael Quinn 43.6%
11. (Texas) Tim Rogowski 66.8% Barbara Hammon 33.2%
12. (Oshtemo) Brandt Iden 53.5% Scott McCormick 46.5%
13. (Alamo/Cooper) Deb Buchholz 67.2% Harvey Hanna 32.8%
15. (Comstock) Ann Niewenhuis 61.9% Leroy Crabtree 38.1%
16. (Pavillion/Climax) John Gisler 54.7% Thomas Post 35.2% George Henderson 10.1%
17. (Schoolcraft/Brady) David Maturen 68.7% Jerry Rudolph 31.3%

In past election cycles, this blog has been critical of Republicans who refused to campaign for their seats and lost them to the democrats. Thankfully, this trend was reversed this time. Tonya worked very hard, and Margaret worked hard even when she didn't have to. Stinchcomb worked hard for his win. Iden didn't work as hard as he should have. Democrats will come for this seat again in the future.

In other local races, conservatives in Allegan County failed to unseat a Granholm-appointed judge a second time after beating him in 2008. Allegan voters said no to a new jail for a second time, and by a larger margin. A Republican beat the only democrat on the Allegan County commission.

The Calhoun County commission went from 6-1 democrat to 5-2 Republican. The Cass County Commission went from 8-7 Republican to 12-3 Republican and David Taylor, father of Kalamazoo County commissioner John Taylor lost his reelection. The VanBuren County commission went from 5-2 Republican (in 2009) to 7-0 Republican.

Election Preview

Today is election day.

Here are previous election previews:
2010 Election Preview
Michigan Senate Races
Kalamazoo County Commission Races

Here are links to election results:
Election Results

Classic Post: Why Voting is Rational

Top US Senate races for conservatives (non-incumbent):
1. AK Joe Miller
2. UT Mike Lee
3. KY Rand Paul
4. NV Sharron Angle
5. CO Ken Buck
6. WI Ron Johnson
7. PA Pat Toomey
8. FL Marco Rubio
9. DE Christine O'Donnell
10. WV John Raese

Top Governor races for conservatives:
1. CO Tom Tancredo
2. FL Rick Scott
3. MN Tom Emmer
4. SC Nikki Haley
5. GA Nathan Deal
6. IL Bill Brady
7. ME Paul LePage
8. AK Sean Parnell
9. NV Brian Sandoval
10. NY Carl Paladino

Selected House races of interest to conservatives:
MI Justin Amash
MI Tim Walberg
MI Dan Benishek
MI Rocky Raczkowski
OR Arthur Robinson
PA Lou Barletta
FL Allen West
SC Tim Scott
CA Van Tran
AZ Jesse Kelly

Top Michigan Senate races for conservatives
1. David Robertson
2. Tom Casperson
3. Patrick Colbeck
4. Mike Green
5. Dave Hildenbrand

Local races of interest:
20. Schuitmaker/Hopewell
61. O'Brien/Batten
60. Fernandez/McCann
63. Bolger/Morgan
80. Nesbitt/Erdmann
Allegan Judge: Ballergeon v. Marks

County Commission:
Phil Stinchcomb
John Gisler
Brandt Iden
Nasim Ansari

Other selected elections of interest:
Kansas SOS: Kris Kobach
SC AG: Alan Wilson
AZ Civil Rights Initiative
Rhode Island and Providence Plantations: Rename 'Rhode Island' HELL NO!

POLITICAL UPDATE--Government

This update focuses on government.

Gary North: Overthrowing the US Police State
Gary North: How To Get Rid of NPR
Gary North: The Government Is Impoverishing You
Thomas Sowell: Government Greed
Thomas Sowell: Politics Versus Gold
Thomas Sowell: Medical Care Facts and Fables
Chuck Baldwin: Obamacare Must And Can Be Repealed

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Election News

Election news around Kalamazoo.

State, county races top ballots in Southwest Michigan
A recap of the Editorial Board's endorsements
Bobby Hopewell campaign brings in $23,200 in 20th District Senate race; Tonya Schuitmaker way ahead in fundraising
Liberals, conservatives debate Congressman Fred Upton as he eyes chairmanship of House Energy Committee
City of Kalamazoo mails sample ballots with Jones' name: Clerk says decision followed internal debate
A rousing celebration of life: State Rep. Robert B. Jones remembered for bringing people together
Allegan County judge's race plagued by robocalls from special interest groups
Republican Rick Snyder rallies supporters in Portage

No Constitutional Convention

This earlier post on the dangers of a constitutional convention is highly relevant now that election day draws close. Vote no on proposal 1.

Constitutional Convention? No!

Call Me Doctor

Law School

Political Science PhDs

English PhDs

Piled Higher and Deeper

Educational Progress:

B.S.: Bullsh**
M.S.: More sh**
Ph.D.: Piled higher and deeper

Election News

This update focuses on local election news.

Republican Rick Snyder rallies supporters in Portage
New absentee ballots available for voters in state Senate's 20th District
Allegan County judge's race plagued by robocalls from special interest groups
Political newcomer Dave Morgan squaring off with incumbent Rep. James Bolger in Michigan House's 63rd District
'Quirky' federal law forces Richland Township trustee Deborah Robinson to drop election bid
Four challengers hope to unseat veteran Michigan Congressman Fred Upton in the 6th District
Michigan Senate hopeful Bobby Hopewell: New candidate, but same issues in the race
State won't budge on absentee-voter mailing in Michigan's 20th District Senate race
Bobby Hopewell, Tonya Schuitmaker hit campaign trail in state Senate's 20th District in wake of Robert Jones' death

POLITICAL UPDATE--Environmentalism

This update focuses on environmentalism.

Will Grigg: Gaia's Jolly Jokesters
Jeff Tucker: Bedbugs of the State
William Andersen: The New York Times and Lies about 'Acid Rain'
Dan Flynn: Global Warming’s Golden Moment Has Passed
John Stossel: Going "Green"

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Change to Hopewell

The democrats have selected Kalamazoo mayor Bobby Hopewell to replace Robert Jones as their nominee for state senate.

Democrats select Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell to replace Robert B. Jones on the Nov. 2 ballot in the state Senate's 20th District

Hopewell is notable for his membership in an extreme anti-gun organization.

Hopewell Hates Guns (1)
Hopewell Hates Guns (2)

Hopewell is also a passionate supporter of Kalamazoo's discriminatory gay rights ordinance.

More on Hopewell's positions here:

Analysis of Kalamazoo City Commission Races

Robert Jones, RIP

Democrat state rep. and former mayor of Kalamazoo died on Sunday.

This blog will fondly remember Jones' trademark handlebar mustache.

Local News

Election news around Kalamazoo.

Democrats select Kalamazoo Mayor Bobby Hopewell to replace Robert B. Jones on the Nov. 2 ballot in the state Senate's 20th District
Jack Lessenberry: Should Robert B. Jones have been running for office?
Democrats reflect on life of Robert B. Jones as they prepare to nominate a replacement for the ballot tonight
Robert B. Jones "loved being out there with people," Kalamazoo city commissioners say
Democratic Party leaders to meet Tuesday in Kalamazoo to name a state Senate ballot replacement for Robert B. Jones
Kalamazoo had 'no greater champion' than state Rep. Robert B. Jones, says Mayor Bobby Hopewell
Absentee balloting frozen in Michigan Senate 20th District race after candidate Robert Jones' death; election officials to meet today
State Representative and former Kalamazoo Mayor Robert B. Jones reported dead Sunday morning

Third-party candidates makes their cases in the state House's 80th District: Cheryl Evick, Bill Bradley seek to replace Schuitmaker
Jeff Fernandez and Sean McCann vie for 60th District House seat being vacated by Robert Jones
Job creation and business taxes are issues in 61st District House race between Thomas Batten and Margaret O'Brien
Erdmann, Nesbitt vie to replace Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker in state House 80th District
Southwest Michigan voters get rematch in state House 59th District: Democrat Carol Higgins again vies against Republican Matt Lori

Same goal, different approaches for Robert Jones and Tonya Schuitmaker in 20th Senate District race
Robert Jones and Tonya Schuitmaker lament "extreme pressure" from some groups
Video replay: Robert Jones and Tonya Schuitmaker speak about their Senate seat candidacies
Jones makes pitch to cut lawmaker pay: Schuitmaker says proposal doesn't go far enough
Allegan County board members get challenged: 5 of 11 have opposition in November

Was MPI Research's 3,300-job expansion plan oversold by MEDC, politicians?

POLITICALUPDATE--The Economy

This update focuses on the economy.

Gary North: End the Fed and Get the Gold
Gary North: We Have a Bright Future
Gary North: The Junk Bond Future of the US Treasury
Gary North: You're Sitting on a Powderkeg
Peter Schiff: Race to the Bottom
Gary North: Why Gold Is Rising
Gary North: Who Are the Real Experts on Gold?
Gary North: Greenspan's Dark Cloud

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

POLITICAL UPDATE--Liberalism

This update focuses on liberalism.

Gary North: Cheerleader for Hitler's Economics
Dan Flynn: Dupes
Steve Sailer: Dinesh D’Souza: The Right Enemies, But The Wrong Thesis
Dan Flynn: No Rules for Radicals
Pat Buchanan: Judge Vaughn Walker, The Solomon of San Francisco
Dan Flynn: People's Historian Revealed as the Kremlin's Historian
Dan Flynn: Top 10 Examples of NAACP Racism
Phyllis Schlafly: More Unaccountable Obama Czars

Much information on liberal individuals and organizations can be found at David Horowitz's Discover the Network site.

POLITICAL UPDATE--The Culture War

This update focuses on the culture war.

Steve Sailer: Diversity Is Strength! It’s Also…A Lot Of Problems For Democrats (Richly Deserved)
Steve Sailer: The Real Inequality Scandal: Rich, Poor and MSM Gang Up On American Middle Class
Phyllis Schlafly: Bloomberg Wants to be a Kingmaker
James Fulford: The Fulford File: Koran Burning, Mosque Building, And The First Amendment
Steve Sailer: Whatever Happened to the Democrats’ Youth/Minority Voter Juggernaut?
Pat Buchanan: The Myth of Equality
Gary North: Of Course, the Recession Wasn't Engineered
Gary North: Eight Unbreakable Rules for Hard-Core Tea Party Activists (or Any Other Special-Interest Coalition)
Steve Sailer: Why Don’t Hispanics (And Italians) Project Like Jews?

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Kalamazoo County Board leaders face challengers: Long-time members Buskirk, Buchholtz seek to retain positions
Kalamazoo County board rematch hotly contested: Campaign spending highest of any district
Portage ponders relaxing rules on backyard chickens
Defeated once, Allegan Judge William A. Baillargeon faces challenge again
Topic of race not easy for some, but professor hopes to spur conversation
Western Michigan University wants $100 million science facility to expand research capabilities
Prosecutor Margaret Bakker, sole practitioner Paul W. Klein vie to replace retiring Allegan judge
Recession hitting hard in Kalamazoo County: Census data show troubling jobless, income, poverty rates
Judge urges Janet Karpus to mentor other women behind bars: Former aide gets 2 years for defrauding billionaire Jon Stryker
UPDATE: Kalamazoo City Commission chooses former city attorney Robert Cinabro replace Terry Kuseske on commission

POLITICAL UPDATE--Government

This update focuses on government.

Gary North: A Red-Alert Threat to the Regime
Jeff Crouere: Government the Villain in Katrina Tragedy
Thomas Sowell: "Moral Hazard" in Politics
Walter Williams: Who Cares About Our Future?
John Seiler: Will California Repudiate Its Debt?
Will Grigg: Presidential Dictatorship: Not Thinking Things Through

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Veteran legislators Robert Jones, Tonya Schuitmaker vie for Michigan Senate seat
Question is 'when' not 'if' WMU will get medical school in Kalamazoo
8 finalists seek open Kalamazoo City Commission seat; new commissioner expected to be named Monday
Western Michigan University property considered in master plan: Oshtemo updating land-use plan for southeast side
Western Michigan University trustees approve land swap with Wesley Foundation
Kalamazoo County politics gives administrator grief: Performance evaluations affected by hot-button issues
Comstock supervisor says township is victim in alleged scheme: Invested money came from water, sewer fund

POLITICAL UPDATE--News from Abroad

This update focuses on news from abroad.

Gary North: The European Banking Crisis: Next Phase
Michelle Malkin: The Eternal Flame of Muslim Outrage
Phyllis Schlafly: Time to START Standing Up for America
Pat Buchanan: The Cakewalk War: What Does It Profit America If We Save Anbar And Lose Arizona?
Pat Buchanan: The Real Sin of Michael Steele
Ann Coulter: BILL KRISTOL MUST RESIGN

POLITICAL UPDATES are archived here.

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

16 candidates vie to replace the late Terry Kuseske on Kalamazoo City Commission
Comstock Township says it has recovered $1 million that was invested in alleged Ponzi scheme
Enrollment slide continues at private schools: Head count down at most in Kalamazoo County
Congressional candidates Fred Upton and Don Cooney offer their views during Saturday debate in Kalamazoo
Rally planned in support of funding for I-73/74 which would go from Myrtle Beach, S.C. to Grayling, MI
Brian Calley, GOP candidate for lieutenant governor, to speak Friday at the Beacon Club in Portage
City of Kalamazoo moves ahead on medical-marijuana ordinance
Rick Snyder will be in Kalamazoo Tuesday

Rocky Leading Peters?

A new poll by the Rossman Group has Rocky Raczkowski leading Congressman Gary Peters in the 9th Congressional district. This is a surprise as Rocky has not been considered a top-tier candidate and the race has not attracted as much attention as the 1st or 7th districts.

U.S. Rep. Peters trails in latest tracking poll

45% Raczkowski
41% Peters
10% Undecided

They also polled the statewide races.

Governor
51% Snyder
32% Bernero
17% Undecided

Attorney General
40% Scheutte
31% Leyton
29% Undecided

Secretary of State
42% Johnson
28% Benson
30% Undecided

------------------

The Detroit Free Press also has a new poll.

Poll shows Snyder has widening lead over Bernero at 53% to 29%

Governor
53% Snyder
29% Bernero
15% Undecided

Attorney General
39% Scheutte
25% Leyton
31% Undecided

Secretary of State
31% Johnson
25% Benson
39% Undecided

POLITICAL UPDATE--The Economy

This update focuses on the economy.

Ron Paul: On More Stimulus Spending
Ron Paul: Successful Economic Policies? For Whom?
Steve Sailer: The New Synthesis—And Our Posterity
Gary North: The Fed's Digital Bullets
Gary North: Coming: Great Depression 2
Gary North: Bernanke's Jackson Hole Speech
Gary North: Where the Robber Meets the Road
Gary North: Keynesianism Is Dying
Gary North: The Two-Front War on Gold

See also:
Gary North series: What is Money?
The Recession Reader
The Bailout Reader

Republicans Lead Michigan Races

Recent polls show good news for Michigan Republicans.

Poll: Snyder keeps lead on Bernero, with few undecided
Schuette leads for AG; Johnson in Secretary of State race
Mash-up in Michigan
RealClearPolitics-MI7

Governor:
56% Snyder
36% Bernero
_8% Undecided

Attorney General:
43% Scheutte
34% Leyton
22% Undecided

Secretary of State:
43% Johnson
31% Benson
24% Undecided

Supreme Court:
21% Robert Young
16% Denise Langford Morris
61% Undecided

22% Mary Beth Kelly
14% Alton Davis
61% Undecided

(It isn't clear why these races were separated, as they appear together on the November ballot. It also isn't clear if they identified the incumbents as such.)

Proposal 1 (Constitutional Convention):
35% Yes
39% No
26% Undecided

Proposal 2 (Ban felons from office):
72% Yes
15% No
12% Undecided

MI Congressional Races:
District 1:
45% Benishek
29% McDowell

District 3:
51% Amash
30% Miles

District 7:
45% Walberg
37% Schauer

50% Walberg
40% Schauer

Remembering 9/11

Remembering September 11

9/11 and Immigration
College Republicans of WMU honor the victims of 9/11 in a tribute of 2,997 flags
Notes from the Chairman

2010 Election Preview

The primary elections and state party conventions for 2010 have passed. Michigan's top constitutional offices, congressional seats, and the entire state legislature will be up for election next November. This article may be updated as the election approaches.

2010 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing

Governor-Leans Republican
Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm is term-limited. She is fairly unpopular due to the state of Michigan's economy on her watch. Republicans have a good chance of picking up this seat.

On the democrat side, Lieutenant Governor John Cherry was seen as the clear favorite, but dropped out due to the widespread perception that he could not win the general election. The democrat candidate is Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, formerly a state senator and representative. Bernero is backed by labor unions and 'progressives'. His running mate is Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence, a member of the anti-gun group Mayors Against Illegal Guns.

The Republican nominee is Ann Arbor businessman Rick Snyder. Snyder is a moderate who is not pro-life. His positions on many issues are unclear. He won the primary with strong support from independent voters. His running mate is state rep. Brian Calley, a conservative.

See also:
Rick Snyder's Ten Platitudes
Granholm's Third Term
Virg Bernero: Career Politician

Attorney General-Leans Republican
Current Republican Attorney General Mike Cox is term limited. Both parties nominated candidates at conventions in August. Democrats chose Genessee County Prosecutor David Leyton to be their nominee.

The Republican candidate is former Michigan Court of Appeals Judge, state senator, and congressman Bill Scheutte from the Midland area. Both Scheute is generally considered conservative.

Secretary of State-Leans Republican
Current Republican Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land is term limited. WSU law professor Jocelyn Bensen is the democrat nominee. She is a radical leftist who has worked for many leftist organizations including the Southern Poverty Law Center and NAACP.

The Republican nominee is Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson. She is a conservative and former state representative. She helped to expose the fake tea party scandal in Oakland County.

Michigan Supreme Court
There are two seats up for election on the Michigan Supreme Court. They are those of conservative Republican Robert Young and renegade moderate Republican Elizabeth Weaver. Young is running for reelection. Weaver announced for reelection as an independent, then resigned allowing Governor Granholm to appoint as her successor democrat Alton Davis, who will run as an incumbent.

Republicans also nominated Wayne County judge Mary Beth Kelly and democrats nominated Oakland County judge Denise Langford Morris.

See also: Weaver's Betrayal

Other Statewide Offices
State Board of Education
Republicans: Eileen Weiser, Dr. Richard Zeile
Democrats: Elizabeth Bauer, Lupe Ramos-Montigny

U os M Board of Regents
Republicans: Andrea Fischer Newman, Andrew Richner
Democrats: Paul Brown, Greg Stephens

MSU Board of Trestees
Republicans: Mitch Lyons, Brian Breslin
Democrats: Dennis Denno, Colleen McNamara

WSU Board of Governors
Republicans: Diane Dunakiss, Danielle Karmanos
Democrats: Ed Bruley, Brenda Moon

Democrats have swept the education board elections in 2006 and 2008.

Michigan Congressional Seats
Democrats picked up two Michigan congressional districts in 2008. These will be highly contested seats in 2010. Long-time incumbents Bart Stupak, Pete Hoekstra, and Vern Ehlers are retiring, and Carolyn Kilpatrick was defeated by state senator Hansen Clarke in the democrat primary. Most other seats will be safe for the incumbent party.

1st District (Upper Peninsula, Northern Lower Peninsula) Toss-up.
Democrat Bart Stupak announced his retirement shortly after voting for Obamacare. While Stupak held this seat for 18 years, it is politically competitive and has been won by Republicans in the past. The democrat nominee will be state rep. Gary McDowell, who is nominally pro-life and pro-gun, after democrats forced all the other candidates (Joel Sheltrown, Connie Saltonstall, Matt Gillard) out of the race. The Republican nominee is Doctor Dan Benishek, who beat state senator Jason Allen by 15 votes in the primary. The district is ideologically ideosyncratic and highly competitive.

3rd District (Kent County) Safe Republican.
Republican moderate Vern Ehlers is retiring. The Republican nominee is conservative state rep. and Tea Party favorite Justin Amash. Democrats nominated Pat Miles for this seat.

6th District (Kalamazoo/St. Joseph) Safe Republican.
Moderate Republican Fred Upton is running for a 13th term. He overcame a surprisingly strong challenge by staunch conservative former state rep. Jack Hoogendyk, who won 43% in the primary. The democrat candidate will be leftist Kalamazoo City Commissioner Don Cooney, who lost to Upton in 2008 by over 20%. There will also be several third party candidates.

7th District (Battle Creek/Jackson) Leans Republican.
Democrat Mark Schauer very narrowly defeated Republican Congressman Tim Walberg 49-46 in a hard-fought and bitter race in 2008. In 2009, Republicans picked up the senate seat that Schauer vacated by a landslide 61-34 margin. Now Walberg is seeking to reclaim his seat, and easily won the nomination again. Schauer has compiled a highly liberal voting record in Washington, supporting socialized medicine, cap-and-trade, the Obama stimulus plan, and more. Several polls have shown Walberg to be the favorite.

9th District (eastern Oakland County) Leans Democrat.
Democrat Gary Peters won this seat by defeating Republican Joe Knollenberg by a wide margin. The Republican nominee is former state rep. Rocky Rachowski.

15th District (Downriver, Ann Arbor, Monroe County) Safe Democrat.
Democrat John Dingell, a 55-year incumbent, is facing a stronger than usual challenge from Republican Dr. Rob Steele. One poll showed the race with 9 points.

Michigan Senate
All 38 seats in the Michigan state senate are up for election, and 29 have no incumbent due to term limits. Republicans succently hold a 22-16 advantage after winning a 2009 special election to replace Mark Schauer. Democrats will likely target Republican-held seats in Kalamazoo County, Grand Rapids, the northeastern lower peninsula, Muskegon County, and western Wayne County. Republicans will target democrat-held seats in southern Genessee County, the Upper Peninsula, the Thumb, central Macomb county, and Livonia.

Michigan Senate Races

20th District-Leans Republican
This district includes all of Kalamazoo County and a small part of VanBuren county. Republican Senator Tom George is leaving due to term limits. There are contested races on both sides. On the democrat side, state Rep. Robert Jones of Kalamazoo is the nominee. He is a liberal who supported several gay rights measures and pushed a bill to allow a tax increase for the Kalamazoo arena proposal.

On the Republican side, the nominee is state rep. Tonya Schuitmaker, who has represented about 30,000 people in the 21st district in VanBuren County since 2004. She is moderate to conservative. Schuitmaker opposed making English the official language of Michigan and voted to ban smoking in restaurants and bars.

The state senate seats surrounding Kalamazoo County are safely Republican. Mike Nofs should easily hold the 19th district [Calhoun, Jackson Counties] while the seats vacated by Cameron Brown [St. Joseph, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenewaee Counties], Ron Jelenik [Berrien, VanBuren, Cass Counties] and Patty Birkholz [Allegan, Barry, Eaton Counties] should stay Republican.

Michigan House
All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives are up for election. Democrats currently have a 67-43 majority. Republicans will likely target a number of seats that they lost over the past three cycles. 52 seats are open due to term limits or candidates running for other offices.

Area State House Races

The above post examines local state house races in greater detail. Most local state house races are not especially competitive.

Kalamazoo County Commission
All 17 seats on the Kalamazoo County Commission will be up for election. Democrats hold a 9-8 edge. Republicans will target the seat of democrat John Niewenhuis in Oshtemo Township, who lost in the primary, and Michael Quinn in central Portage. Democrats may target Ann Niewenhuis in Comstock Township and Nasim Ansari in northern Portage. The races are examined in greater detail in the following post.

Kalamazoo County Commission Races

Michigan Senate Races

All 38 seats in the Michigan Senate are up for election in 2010. The majority of current senators are term-limited. Republicans currently have a 22-16 majority, and have controlled the senate for the past 25 years.

2010 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing
Republican Michigander district profiles (see sidebar)

1. [eastern Detroit] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Hansen Clarke (term-limited, defeated Congressional incumbent Carolyn Kilpatrick)
Democrat: Coleman Young
Republican: Dakeisha Harwick
Analysis: Young is a current state rep. and the young son of the late race-baiting mayor of Detroit.

2. [northern Detroit, Grosse Pointes] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Martha Scott (term-limited)
Democrat: Bert Johnson
Republican: John Chouinard
Analysis: Johnson is a current state rep and also a convicted criminal.

3. [central Detroit, Dearborn] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Irma Clark-Coleman (term-limited)
Democrat: Morris Hood
Republican: Doug Mitchell
Analysis: Hood is a state rep.

4. [central Detroit] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Buzz Thomas (term-limited)
Democrats: Virgil Smith
Republican: Frederick Robinson
Analysis: Smith is a current or former state rep.

5. [western Detroit] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Tupak Hunter (running for reelection)
Democrat: Tupak Hunter
Republican: Bonnie Patrick
Analysis: None

6. [Livonia, Westland, Redford] Leans democrat.
Incumbent: Glenn Andersen (running for reelection)
Democrat: Glenn Andersen
Republican: John Pastor
Analysis: This district was drawn to lean Republican. Andersen defeated Republican senator Laura Toy in 2006. Pastor is a former state rep. from Livonia. Pastor has only raised a few thousand dollars, compared to hundreds of thousands for Andersen.

7. [western, southern Wayne County] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Bruce Patterson (term-limited)
Democrat: Kathleen Law
Republican: Patrick Colbeck
Independent: John Stewart
Analysis: This Republican district is highly vulnerable. Law is a former state rep. from the southern tier of the district. Colbeck is a tea party candidate endorsed by Right to Life. Fundraising in this district is competitive. Stewart is a liberal former Republican state rep. from the Northville/Plymouth area.

8. [downriver Detroit suburbs] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Ray Basham (term-limited)
Democrat: Hoon-Yung Hopgood
Republican: Ken Larkin
Analysis: Hopgood is a former state rep.

9. [southern Macomb County] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Dennis Olshove (term-limited)
Democrat: Steven Bieda
Republican: Michael Ennis
Analysis: Bieda is a current or former state rep.

10. [central Macomb County] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Mickey Switalski (term-limited, ran for Congress against incumbent Sander Levin)
Democrat: Paul Gieleghem
Republican: Tory Rocca
Analysis: Rocca is a state rep. from Sterling Heights, Gielegham is a Macomb County commissioner and former state rep. This race should be highly competitive. Rocca has had decent fundraising, while Gieleghem spent his money in a competitive primary.

11. [northern Macomb County] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Alan Sanborn (term-limited)
Democrat: Jim Ayers
Republican: Jack Brandenburg
Analysis: Brandenburg is a former state rep. He is a conservative who did not represent much of the district.

12. [northeastern Oakland County] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Mike Bishop (term-limited, ran for Attorney General)
Democrat: Cassandra Ulbrich
Republican: Jim Marleau
Analysis: Marleau is a former state rep.

13. [Troy, Royal Oak, Bloomfield] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: John Pappageorge (running for reelection)
Democrat: Aaron Bailey
Republican: John Pappageorge
Analysis: This district was hotly contested in 2006, with Pappageorge narrowly defeating Andy Levin. This year, democrats failed to find a strong candidate.

14. [southeastern Oakland County] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Gilda Jacobs (term-limited)
Democrat: Vincent Gregory
Republicans: Michael Peters
Analysis: Gregory is a current state rep.

15. [southwestern Oakland County] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Nancy Cassis (term-limited)
Democrats: Pam Jackson
Republicans: Mike Kowall
Analysis: Kowall is a former state rep.

16. [Lenewaee, Hillsdale, Branch, St. Joseph Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Cameron Brown (term-limited, ran for Secretary of State)
Democrat: Doug Spade
Republican: Bruce Caswell
Analysis: Both are current or former state reps.

17. [Monroe, parts of Washtenaw and Jackson Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Randy Richardville (running for reelection)
Democrat: John Spencer
Republican: Randy Richardville
Analysis: This district is competitive in principle, but democrats failed to recruit a strong candidate.

18. [Washtenaw County] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Liz Brater (term-limited)
Democrat: Rebekah Warren
Republican: John Hochstetler
Analysis: Warren is a state rep.

19. [Calhoun, Jackson Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Mike Nofs (running for reelection)
Democrat: Brenda Abbey
Republican: Mike Nofs
Analysis: This seat was held by democrat Mark Schauer until he left for Congress. Nofs won a special election overwhelmingly of Martin Griffin in 2009. Democrats did not recruit a credible candidate this time.

20. [Kalamazoo County] Leans Republican.
Incumbent: Tom George (term-limited, ran for Governor)
Democrat: Robert Jones
Republican: Tonya Schuitmaker
Analysis: George won a close reelection in 2006 over Alexander Lipsey. Jones is a popular state rep and former mayor of Kalamazoo. He is a liberal. Schuitmaker is a state rep. who represents a small part of VanBuren County. She is moderate to conservative. Both spent most of their money in competitive primaries, but Tonya was a stronger fundraiser. Kalamazoo city democrats often have difficulty in the rest of the county. A good Republican year should be enough to overcome Tonya's geographical disadvantage.

21. [Berrien, Cass, VanBuren Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Ron Jelenek (term-limited)
Democrat: Scott Elliott
Republican: John Proos
Analysis: Proos is a state rep. and former staffer for Congressman Fred Upton.

22. [Livingston, Shiawassee Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Valde Garcia (term-limited)
Democrat: Chuck Fellows
Republican: Joe Hune
Analysis: Hune is a state rep.

23. [northeastern Oakland County] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: Gretchen Whitmer (running for reelection)
Democrat: Gretchen Whitmer
Republican: Kyle Haubrich
Analysis: Whitmer dropped out of the race for Attorney General.

24. [Allegan, Barry, Eaton Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Patty Birkholz (term-limited)
Democrat: Michelle DiSano
Republican: Rick Jones
Analysis: Jones is a state rep. from Eaton County.

25. [St. Clair, Lapeer Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Jud Gilbert (term-limited)
Democrat: John Nugent
Republican: Phil Pavlov
Analysis: Pavlov is a current or former state rep.

26. [eastern Genessee, northwest Oakland Counties] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Deb Cherry (term-limited)
Democrat: Paula Zelenko
Republican: David Robertson
Analysis: Zelenko and Robertson are former state reps. Robertson is a strong conservative. Robertson has had strong fundraising, but spent his money in the primary. This seat was competitive in 2002 despite Republicans not devoting any attention to it.

27. [Flint, western Genessee County] Safe democrat.
Incumbent: John Gleason (running for reelection)
Democrat: John Gleason
Republican: Vernon Molnar
Analysis: Gleason is safe.

28. [Kent County outside Grand Rapids] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Mark Jansen (running for reelection)
Democrat: Robin Golden
Republican: Mark Jansen
Analysis: None.

29. [Grand Rapids, Kentwood] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Bill Hardiman (term-limited, ran for Congress)
Democrat: Dave LaGrand
Republican: Dave Hildenbrand
Analysis: Hildenbrand is a state rep from Lowell, while LaGrand was a Grand Rapids city commissioner. Hildenbrand has a fundraising advantage, while LaGrand has a geographic advantage.

30. [Ottowa County] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Wayne Kuipers (term-limited, ran for Congress)
Democrat: John Chester
Republican: Arlan Meekhof
Analysis: Meekhof is a state rep.

31. [the Thumb] Leans democrat.
Incumbent: Jim Barcia (term-limited)
Democrat: Jeff Mayes
Republican: Mike Green
Analysis: Mayes is a state rep. from Bay County. Green lost to Barcia, a former congressman, in 2002. Mayes has a strong fundraising advantage. Green sponsored the concealed carry bill when he was in the state house.

32. [Saginaw, Gratiot Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Roger Khan (running for reelection)
Democrat: Debasish Mridha
Republican: Roger Khan
Analysis: Democrats failed to recruit a strong candidate against Khan, who won a nail-biter in 2006.

33. [Clinton, Ionia, Montcalm, Isabella Counties] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Alan Cropsey (term-limited)
Democrat: James Hoisington
Republican: Judy Emmons
Analysis: Emmons was appointed to replace state rep. Brian Calley, who was selected to be Rick Snyder's running mate for Lieutenant Governor. She is a former state rep. from Montcalm County.

34. [Muskegon County] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Gerald VanWoerkem (term-limited)
Democrat: Mary Valentine
Republican: Geoff Hansen
Analysis: Both are state reps. This seat has been quite competitive in past elections. Hansen has a fundraising advantage, while Valentine has a geographic advantage.

35. [north-central lower peninsula] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Michelle McManus (term-limited, running for Secretary of State)
Democrat: Roger Dunigan
Republican: Darwin Booher
Analysis: Booher is a state rep.

36. [northeastern lower peninsula, Midland] Toss-up.
Incumbent: Tony Stamas (term-limited)
Democrat: Andy Neumann
Republican: John Moolenaar
Analysis: Neumann narrowly lost a race to the incumbent in 2002. Both candidates are state reps. Moolenaar has a large fundraising advantage.

37. [northern lower peninsula, eastern upper peninsula] Safe Republican.
Incumbent: Jason Allen (term-limited, ran for Congress)
Democrat: Bob Carr
Republican: Howard Walker
Analysis: Walker is a state rep.

38. [Upper Peninsula] Leans democrat.
Incumbent: Mike Prusi (term-limited)
Democrat: Michael Lahti
Republicans: Tom Casperson
Analysis: Lahti is a state rep. Casperson is a former state rep. who lost to Congressman Bart Stupak in 2008. Casperson has a fundraising advatage.

Summary of Ratings:
Safe democrat: 11
Leans democrat: 3
Toss-up: 6
Lean Republican: 1
Safe Republican: 17

Kalamazoo County Commission Races

The nominees for Kalamazoo County Commission were decided in the August primary. Here we examine the contested races. Democrats currently control the board 9-8. To win back control, Republicans will have to hold all the seats that lean Republican while picking up at least one of the two competitive seats that are held by democrats.

Note that some ratings have change since the primary.

Unofficial Candidates List for August 3, 2010 Primary

Many races are uncontested. No Republicans filed for districts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. No democrats filed for districts 8 or 14. Democrat Michael Seals defeated incumbent democrat Franklin Thompson in district 6.

7. [Milwood area] Safe democrat.
Incumbent David Buskirk is being challenged by Republican Kai Phillips. Buskirk is a long-time popular incumbent, and is safe here. Phillips ran unsuccessfully for Kalamazoo City Commission last year.

9. [northern Portage] Leans Republican.
Incumbent Republican Nasim Ansari is being challenged by democrat Chuck Vliek. Ansari, a veteran of the County Commission and Portage City Council, was first elected with 67% of the vote in 2002. However, he has faced closer elections since then, dropping to 52% in 2008. Vliek is the son of longtime Portage City Council member Ted Vliek.

10. [central Portage] Leans Republican.
Incumbent democrat Michael Quinn is being challenged by Republican Phil Stinchcomb. Quinn was elected in 2008 by defeating former Portage Mayor James Graham, who did almost no campaigning. Republican Tom Drabik was retiring. Quinn opposed the arena proposal and cosponsored a measure that would have prevented abortion funding, which may alienate some democrats. Stinchcomb is a conservative Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Portage City Council last year.

11. [Texas Township] Safe Republican.
Republican Tim Rogowski is seeking a full term after recently being appointed to fill the seat of the late Grady Biby. Democrat Barbara Hammon is also seeking this seat, which is the most Republican in the county.

12. [Oshtemo Township] Leans Republican.
Democrat incumbent John Nieuwenhuis was defeated in the democrat primary by Oshtemo Township Trustee Scott McCormick. He received on 30% in a three-way race. Nieuwenhuis defeated incumbent Republican Bob Brink, who did little campaigning, in 2006 and held off Republican Chris Haenicke in 2008. McCormick did no visible campaigning in 2008 and was elected purely based on straight-ticket voting. He is a leftist who cites ralph Nader and Dennis Kucinich as his political role models. The Republican nominee will be Brandt Iden.

13. [Cooper and Alamo Townships, Parchment] Safe Republican.
Incumbent Republican Deb Buchholtz faces democrat Harvey Hanna.

15. [Comstock Township] Leans Republican.
Incumbent Republican Ann Nieuwenshuis faces democrat Leroy Crabtree, who she unseated in 2008. Nieuwenhuis, a moderate Republican, opposed the arena while supporting abortion funding. She was one of very few Republicans in the state to unseat an incumbent democrat in 2008. Crabtree, a moderate union democrat, unseated Republican Joe VanBruggen in 2006.

16. [Pavillion, Climax, Fulton Townships] Leans Republican.
Incumbent Jeff Balkema is retiring. Republicans nominated John Gisler, a leader of a local taxpayers group. Thomas Post, who ran several close-but-losing races against Balkema, will be the democrat nominee.

17. [Brady, Schoolcraft, Priare Ronde Townships] Safe Republican.
Incumbent moderate Republican David Maturen faces democrat Jerry Rudolph.

Political Extortion

An article in the Lansing State Journal explains how MSU Trustee was ousted at the state convention.

GOP faction worked to oust MSU trustee from place on ticket

Conflicting stories
There is a back story to this that is unprovable, a case of conflicting accounts of a private conversation, but part of the picture nonetheless.

In March, Nugent told the MIRS newsletter that Chuck Yob, former member of the Republican National Committee and a consultant for Strategic National Campaign Management, the Grand Rapids firm run by his son, John, came to him with a proposition. Yob would work for Nugent's campaign for $5,000 a month. If Nugent wasn't interested, Yob would find somebody to run against him.

"The conversation never happened as described," Yob said in an e-mail Tuesday. "It is unfortunate that it has been so mischaracterized. Whether this was done in an effort to build support within the establishment of the Party, I do not know, but it seems to have backfired."

But, as it happened, Lyons did hire Strategic National to manage his campaign, but said that it wasn't Yob who asked him to run.

"I wouldn't have run under those circumstances," he said. "I'm my own man. There is too much involved in a statewide campaign."

Votes 'out of step'
Voorheis said he is "just someone who believes in Mitch."

Glenn said he got the information on Nugent from a young Republican activist and former party vice-chairman named Matt Hall, who circulated an e-mail of his own.

Hall said he considers John Yob a friend, and did give $25 to Lyons' campaign, but said he has no formal or informal affiliation with that campaign.

He said in an e-mail that he went after Nugent because he "voted with the Democrat trustees ... to enact radical social policies pushed by far left campus activists."

"These votes were out of step with the mainstream of the Republican Party and the general public," he said. "The Republican delegates made the right choice replacing him."

Hall campaigned with and for Lyons on the floor of the convention.

Money On Fire Update!

Now that the post-primary campaign finance reports are out, we have the final answer to the question of how badly the three local self-funding candidates wasted their money.

The three candidates are Mark Totten, Lorence Wenke, and Grant Taylor.

We consider the number of dollars spent per vote.

Mark Totten
Spent: $167, 736
Votes: 3876
Dollars per vote: $43.28 per vote

Lorence Wenke
Spent: $380,879
Votes: 8371
Dollars per vote: $45.50 per vote

Grant Taylor
Spent: $95,246
Votes: 737
Dollars per vote: $129.23 per vote

GRANT TAYLOR WINS!!!

POLITICAL UPDATE--Education

This update focuses on education.

JH Huebert: School Vouchers Are Not Libertarian
Steve Sailer: “Bad Students”—Unmentionable Cause Of The Great Achievement Gap
Phyllis Schlafly: Un-American American History Courses
Gary North: Bring Down the Ruling Elite
Gary North: The Ron Paul Curriculum
Phyllis Schlafly: The NEA's Latest Shenanigans
John Taylor Gatto: The Public School Nightmare
Gennady Stolyarov II: Public Schools Are Anti-Mind

Learn more about education issues in Education Reporter.

Granholm's Third Term

What a choice we have for governor in November. On the one hand, we have someone who hires a longtime democrat aide to Granholm, Cherry, and Carl Levin. On the other hand, we have... democrat Virg Bernero.

DE WITT JOINS SNYDER CAMPAIGN
Chris De Witt, a longtime Democratic operative who has worked for Governor Jennifer Granholm, Lt. Governor John Cherry Jr., former Attorney General Frank Kelley and U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, made a stunning move Friday and joined the campaign of Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder as a senior adviser.

Republicans who ignore warning signs like this should not be surprised when Snyder turns out to be a liberal. Republican turncoat governor Arnold Schwarzenegger did the same thing when he ran for governor of California, and after a year of acting like a conservative, he became a de facto democrat.

Snyder ran a gauzy, platitude-filled primary campaign in which he was never seriously challenged on the issues. Snyder's nerdy businessman who can 'reinvent Michigan' is to 2010 as Barack Obama's tranformative, post-partisan optimist preaching 'hope and change' is to 2008.

As far as anyone can tell, Snyder's economic plan is essentially the same as Granholm's policies that have failed for eight years. He wants to use government to pick winners and losers and 'help' business. Don't be surprised when we get the same results.

Fake Tea Party Exposed, Defeated

The Michigan Supreme Court drove a stake through the heart of the fake tea party, ruling 5-2 to affirm the board of canvassers' ruling denying it a spot on the ballot. The Republicans and democrats Davis and Cavanagh were the majority.

Meanwhile, in a case of real journalism, the Free Press provides an even larger mountain of evidence that the fake tea party was a democrat party operation from the beginning.

Michigan Tea Party has some Democratic ties

We know Oakland County democrat chairman Mike McGuinness, who is only 26, and his roommate Jason Bauer, their executive director, were involved. What we don't yet know is if democrat party boss Mark Brewer was behind the whole thing. Given how amateurish the whole operation was, maybe he wasn't.

We also don't yet know who paid the costs of the paid petition gatherers and the fake tea party lawyer.

Meanwhile, real tea partiers should redouble their efforts to elect conservatives in November.

Interview with Amash

National Review interviews state rep. Justin Amash, who is the Republican nominee for the third congressional seat being vacated by Vern Ehlers.

Facebook the Nation

Local News

Local news around Kalamazoo.

Jones calls again for penalties for hiring illegal immigrants
Kalamazoo River oil spill workers detained in Texas
Police arrest alleged undocumented immigrants said to have worked on Kalamazoo River oil spill cleanup

Democrat Don Cooney plans to join Labor Day rally in bid against Republican U.S. Rep. Fred Upton
Western Michigan University names Martha Warfield Vice President for diversity and inclusion
Michigan senate race was costly: GOP field alone spent more than $700,000
Kalamazoo city commissioner succumbs to cancer: Terry Kuseske remembered for his compassion
Poll shows majority of voters support making Michigan a right-to-work state

Western Michigan University hires new fundraising vice president
Western Michigan University's summer vacation?: Construction
On the ballot: Southwest Michigan voters will have a lot to consider in November