POSTED 1/4/07

2006 County Commission Races

2002-06 Gubernatorial Result Maps

2000-06 Senatorial Result Maps

Graphic Anatomy of Victory: Michigan (w/maps)

This is an article from the Daily KOS concerning the Democratic victory in Michigan. It has lots of statistics and maps for those interested election numbers.

Meet your new Michigan legislative leaders! (From MichiganLiberal.Com by: matt Tue Nov 14, 2006 at 15:45:17 PM EST)

Senate Majority Leader: Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) Biography from the 2005-06 Michigan Manual: Republican, of Rochester; born at Almont, Michigan; B.A., history, 1989, University of Michigan; Spanish language and Spanish history study abroad, Universidad de Sevilla, Spain, Summer 1988; J.D., 1993, Detroit College of Law with a term studying international law and business at Cambridge University in England and the University of Paris-Sorbonne in France; real estate broker’s license, 1994, Curry Management Institute; married to Cristina; son Benjamin, daughter Gabriella; member, Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, State Bar of Michigan, Washington D.C. Bar, American Bar Association, Oakland County Bar Association, Sports Lawyers Association; member, Michigan Association of REALTORS; president and owner of Freedom Realty, Inc., and of Pro Management, Inc.; former local prosecuting attorney; practicing attorney; member, Republican State Committee; 1996 Republican nominee for the University of Michigan Board of Regents; elected to the House of Representatives, 1998, 2000; elected to the State Senate, 2002; Assistant Majority Leader. Senate Minority Leader: Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) Biography from the 2005-06 Michigan Manual: Democrat, of Battle Creek; born October 2, 1961; B.A. summa cum laude, Albion College, 1984; Phi Beta Kappa; M.P.A., Western Michigan University, 1987; M.A., 1996, and Ph.D. candidate, Michigan State University; coordinator, Calhoun County Human Services Coordinating Council, 1992-1997; executive director, Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan, 1987-1992; Battle Creek City Commissioner, 1995-1997; urban planner, Calhoun County Planning Department, 1984-1987; community involvement: Habitat for Humanity (founding member), Food Bank of South Central Michigan, Calhoun County Democratic Party, Chamber of Commerce, board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Urban League of Battle Creek; elected to the House of Representatives, 1996, 1998, 2000; elected to the State Senate, 2002; Senate Democratic Floor Leader. Speaker of the Michigan House: Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) Biography from the 2005-06 Michigan Manual: Democrat, of Redford Township; 43; wife, Carol; children, Matt, Jack, Austin, and Teagan; member, St. Valentine Parish; bachelor’s degree in accounting and law degree from the University of Notre Dame; formerly managing director of Wynnchurch Capital, president of DSC Ltd., aide to New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley; attorney; magistrate for 17th District Court; member, Redford Planning Commission; elected to the House of Representatives in a special election, November 2004 and the general election, 2004. House Republican Leader: Craig DeRoche (R-Novi) Biography from the 2005-06 Michigan Manual: Republican, of Novi; born October 4, 1970; wife, Stacey; daughters, Carley and Zoe; graduated from Walled Lake Western High School; attended Central Michigan University, bachelor’s degree, finance; insurance work; former member, Novi City Council; former member, advisory board for Michigan Political Leadership program at Michigan State University; former member, Novi Chamber of Commerce; Milford Presbyterian Church; elected to the House of Representatives, 2002, 2004; elected Speaker of the House, 2005.

POSTED 11/15/07

After his expected, unchallenged election, Reid told reporters he plans to work with the Republican minority "with open arms because we realize that the only way to accomplish anything is on a bipartisan basis." He said the incoming Democratic majority would "treat the minority as they did not treat us. They will be involved in decisions."

He said his goal was to "reestablish the legislative branch of government."

Sen. Richard Durbin, of Illinois, assistant minority leader since January 2005, was elected majority whip. Democratic leaders asked Sen. Charles Schumer, of New York, to stay on as the chairman of the party's campaign committee after overseeing last week's midterm elections. Schumer will also assume the title of vice chairman of the Democratic caucus.

"He'll be called upon to do lots of different things," Reid said about Schumer.

Sen. Patty Murray, of Washington state, was elected party conference secretary and Sen. Debbie Stabenow from Michigan will head the party steering committee.

"We know that America has spoken," Reid said after the morning caucus meeting in the ornate Old Senate Chamber. "We must do everything we can to move the country forward." Reid said the American middle class is "getting squeezed." He said action needs to be taken on health care, education, and relieving the tax burden on the middle class families.

Durbin said the Democrats realize that a "51-vote majority is as thin as they come." He said they have a "chance, even a challenge, to restore dignity to this great American institution."

Reid has served the past two years as Senate minority leader, replacing Tom Daschle of South Dakota who lost his seat in the 2004 election.

Like other Democrats, Reid favors a phased withdrawal from Iraq, beginning within months, a key issue in last week's elections that saw the Democratic Party take control of both houses of Congress. As a moderate Democrat, Reid breaks with many in his party in opposing abortion and gun control.

Reid was born to a poor Nevada family who lived in a shack with no toilet or hot water in the small desert town of Searchlight in 1939. He earned a law degree while working as a U.S. Capitol police officer and was a former amateur boxer.

Reid told the Associated Press that he supports former CIA director Robert Gates as the new incoming secretary of defense and hopes to have him confirmed by the end of the year.

"I hope we can move it forward quickly," Reid told the A.P.

Intellpuke: You can read this article by Washington Post staff writer Daniela Deane, reporting from Washington, D.C., in context here: www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2006/11/14/AR2006111400637.html

 (From Free Internet Press)             POSTED 11/15/06

 POSTED 11/15/06

It looks like someone else is in a state of denial.

Yesterday, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani set up an exploratory committee for a possible run at the Republican presidential nomination in 2008. Arizona Senator John McCain made a similar announcement over the weekend. It is likely that Bill Frist, Mitt Romney, George Pataki and Mike Huckabee will do the same in the coming weeks.

As of now, if he does indeed run, Giuliani will try to gain Republican support by cuddling up to President Bush. The former New York Mayor defended George W. Bush yesterday, even comparing the recent anti-Bush sentiment to the kind that the late Winston Churchill received years ago:

"It doesn't matter what the media does to ridicule him or misinterpret him or defeat him. They ridiculed Winston Churchill. They belittled Ronald Reagan. But like President Bush, they were optimists. Leaders need to be optimists. Their vision is beyond the present, and it's set on a future of real peace and security," Giuliani said.

I will give Giuliani one thing: It is easy to misinterpret a guy who has trouble finishing a sentence. But it sure isn't easy to misinterpret policies that have hurt working families in this country. That was why Bush and his party got a vote of 'no confidence' one week ago.

Really though, I can understand quite well why Giuliani would want to cozy up to Bush when he runs for president. The two have the same mentality when it comes to invoking 9/11 for the moral high ground on everything. In other words, expect the campaign to turn into an "I was there and you weren't" sort of thing.

FROM -- The Blue State A Young Progressive's Daily Analysis of Political News, Elections and Campaign Strategy

POSTED 11/15/06

FROM -- The Blue State A Young Progressive's Daily Analysis of Political News, Elections and Campaign Strategy

POSTED 11/15/06

(From RAW STORY) Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) has officially been named Speaker-elect of the House of Representatives, RAW STORY has learned.

Democrats chose Pelosi unanimously earlier this morning. Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-SC) was elected majority whip and Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) was chosen to become caucus chairman.

Democratic Representatives then defied the new speaker-elect in the contentious battle for majority leader between Reps. John Murtha (D-PA) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD), which ended with Hoyer trouncing Murtha in a vote of 149-86.

Pelosi had lobbied on behalf of Murtha, a controversial and conservative Pelosi loyalist, against Hoyer, who had once challenged the speaker-elect to become minority whip.

"We've had our debate," Pelosi announced immediately after what she characterized as Hoyer's "stunning" victory. "Now, that is over. As we say in church, let there be peace on earth--and let it begin with us."

POSTED 11/17/06

  POSTED 11/15/06

SIERRA CLUB DECLARES VICTORY AS POMBO (CA-11) GOES DOWN

Statement by Executive Director Carl Pope

Pleasanton, CA - "The Sierra Club congratulates Jerry McNerney on his important victory over Richard Pombo. We salute McNerney for fighting the good fight, for defying the odds and taking on Pombo when almost no one else would. Jerry McNerney's win is testament to the values of courage and persistence. The hope he has given to millions of Californians and Americans will not go away any time soon.

"It has been clear to us for a long time that Richard Pombo's views were way too extreme and his relationships to special interests way too cozy to honestly serve the public on issues like clean air, clean water, and protecting wildlands. We are very pleased to see that the voters in the 11th-district agreed with us.

"The hundreds of Sierra Club volunteers and staff who worked tirelessly this past year to hold Richard Pombo accountable deserve a ton of credit for turning what many pundits thought would be a cakewalk for the incumbent into a win. They, along with fellow environmental organizations, sent an important message that any candidate who allows him or herself to be recklessly out of touch with mainstream environmental values is vulnerable.

"Pombo's defeat is not just a victory for the people of California's 11th-district. This is a moment to be savored by anyone who loves Yosemite National Park or the California coast or Giant Sequoia National Monument, places Pombo worked to mine, drill, or log. On the issue of energy policy in particular, America is extremely fortunate to be replacing someone who's energy priorities were dictated by Big Oil with a man who is an expert on renewable wind power and who has the vision to help our nation develop smart new energy technologies and jobs."

For detailed information on the Sierra Club Political Committee efforts to defeat Richard Pombo, go to:

http://www.sierraclub.org/pressroom/releases/pr2006-11-07.asp

(Click on the name)

POSTED 11/2/06

(This excerpt is from a copyrighted story from the "Editor & Publisher" website, please used the hyperlink at the bottom to read the entire story.)

The true stories of how American troops, killed in Iraq, actually died keep spilling out this week. On Tuesday, we explored the case of Kenny Stanton, Jr., murdered last month by our allies, the Iraqi police, though the military didn’t make that known at the time. Now we learn that one of the first female soldiers killed in Iraq died by her own hand after objecting to interrogation techniques used on prisoners.

She was Army specialist Alyssa Peterson, 27, a Flagstaff, Az., native serving with C Company, 311th Military Intelligence BN, 101st Airborne. Peterson was an Arabic-speaking interrogator assigned to the prison at our air base in troubled Tal-Afar in northwestern Iraq. According to official records, she died on Sept. 15, 2003, from a “non-hostile weapons discharge.”

She was only the third American woman killed in Iraq so her death drew wide press attention. A “non-hostile weapons discharge” leading to death is not unusual in Iraq, often quite accidental, so this one apparently raised few eyebrows. The Arizona Republic, three days after her death, reported that Army officials “said that a number of possible scenarios are being considered, including Peterson's own weapon discharging, the weapon of another soldier discharging or the accidental shooting of Peterson by an Iraqi civilian.”

But in this case, a longtime radio and newspaper reporter named Kevin Elston, unsatisfied with the public story, decided to probe deeper in 2005, "just on a hunch," he told E&P today. He made "hundreds of phone calls" to the military and couldn't get anywhere, so he filed a Freedom of Information Act request. When the documents of the official investigation of her death arrived, they contained bombshell revelations. Here’s what the Flagstaff public radio station, KNAU, where Elston now works, reported yesterday:

“Peterson objected to the interrogation techniques used on prisoners. She refused to participate after only two nights working in the unit known as the cage. Army spokespersons for her unit have refused to describe the interrogation techniques Alyssa objected to. They say all records of those techniques have now been destroyed….”

She was was then assigned to the base gate, where she monitored Iraqi guards, and sent to suicide prevention training. “But on the night of September 15th, 2003, Army investigators concluded she shot and killed herself with her service rifle,” the documents disclose.

The Army talked to some of Peterson's colleagues. Asked to summarize their comments, Elston told E&P: "The reactions to the suicide were that she was having a difficult time separating her personal feelings from her professional duties. That was the consistent point in the testimonies, that she objected to the interrogation techniques, without describing what those techniques were."

GO TO EDITOR AND PUBLISHER                                   POSTED 11/2/06

A PARTY WITHOUT MORAL VALUES!

South Bend Airport - October 28, 2006

Representative John Conyers, Jr., a Detroit Democrat, was re-elected to the 14th Congressional District in November 2004, to his 20 term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The district covers all of Highland Park and Hamtramck, as well as large portions of Detroit and Dearborn. Due to the Congressional redistricting of 2000 Representative Conyers also now represents the Down River communities of Melvindale, Allen Park, Southgate, Riverview, Trenton,Gibraltar, and Grosse  

Kim Clark and John Conyers

From the Kim Clark for Congress Website

Fighting for Michigan's Working Families

Representative Conyers has spent his entire career fighting for Michigan's working families. As a supporter of the UAW, Congressman Conyers is well aware of the struggles that affect working families. With families facing skyrocketing health care costs, rising unemployment and an outdated minimum wage, Conyers continues to fight for equal pay for women and minorities, a raise in the minimum wage, and full employment for all Americans. He opposes the Bush Administration's attempts to roll back worker safety standards, the elimination of overtime in favor of flex-time, and efforts to undermine workers' collective bargaining rights in both the public and private sectors. Currently, Mr. Conyers is working on legislation that Would protect workers' pensions and health care in cases of bankruptcy such as those involving Enron, Worldcom, and National Steel.

Congressman Conyers and candidate Jess Minks, 11th District County Commission

Working for Quality, Affordable Healthcare

For more than three decades, Congressman Conyers has led efforts in Congress to reform the health care system. He is the founder and chairman of the Congressional Universal Health Care Task Force, a 45 member caucus whose mission is to pass universal health care legislation by 2005. This legislation would guarantee every American access to affordable, comprehensive, quality health care. The caucus introduced House Concurrent Resolution 99, which has the support of over 450 grassroots organizations across the country, and dozens of Members of Congress. He recently introduced the United States National Health Insurance Act, H.R. 676, a Medicare For All Single Payer bill which has the endorsement of over 4000 physicians nationally. Further, Representative Conyers introduced the Resident Physician Safety Protection Act in order to reduce the hours that resident physicians work, so they can perform at optimal levels. The American Medical Association and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education have adopted major provisions of the bill.

Congressman Conyers and candidate Jess Minks, 11th District County Commission, conversing outside South Bend Airport

POSTED 11/2/06

POSTED 8/26/06

DeVos.  DeRoche.  DeLay.  DeSame
 
Republican candidate campaigning for vouchers.
YOU'LL FIND NO HONOR OR INTEGRITY HERE

You’re a moderate Republican. You’re intelligent, successful, and you’re a patriot to your country and your state. You believe in fiscal responsibility, you believe in law and order, you believe in protecting our environment, you believe in safeguarding the safety and security of our families, you believe in defending our infrastructure from attack (or just selling it as Indiana Republicans did to the Toll Road). In short, you believe in just about everything that Governor Jennifer Granholm stands for.

You are intelligent and reasonable; you are a thinker and not a follower. You see Granholm as a good person who has done much to improve the economic position of Michigan in the global economy. You see Granholm as a decent and honorable person. You are disturbed by the ads that the Republican candidate runs on TV – lies and distortions and not much substance about his agenda. For example, in one recent ad he stands before a GM factory being torn down and decries our governor – but fails to mention that the factory is nearly 100 years old and GM is REPLACING IT with another across town. He fails to mention that the Governor has saved those jobs! Lies and dishonor do not appeal to you!

As a moderate Republican you have seen your party hijacked by extremists – ideologues whose beliefs have nothing to do with reality. Or, if not ideologues, you see your party dominated by right-wing religious extremists and fanatics (there is just no other way to describe these misguided people bent upon destroying basic American convictions as they established the new American theocracy).  

As a moderate you watched the primary election and you saw that every Republican of common sense and intelligence was defeated by religious or ideologue extremists. Every moderate Republican was defeated in the primary – every one of them! 

As a final insult to your common sense and intelligence, your party has put up the Amway Guy for Governor. The Amway Guy! Think about that – his family was the genius behind this great pyramid scheme that cheated millions of people out of their hard earned money. This ….. (words escape me at this insult to good Republicans everywhere)  ….  most despicable “businessman” [“cheat: would be a better term] is now your party’s candidate for governor! 

 On top of that, the Amway Guy is a religious extremist. He was the main force behind the voucher ballot issue several years ago. Common sense Republicans and Democrats joined together to defeat the Amway Guy two to one on that idiotic proposal that would have destroyed public schools in Michigan. To this day, the Amway Guy and his family support PAC’s that promote the voucher issue in different states. This is fact – although his campaign is too dishonest to tell you -- he still believes in and supports vouchers. 

This extremist thinks public schools should teach creationism in Michigan science classrooms. The Detroit Free Press reports (September 20, 2006) -- The Republican gubernatorial candidate thinks Michigan’s science curriculum should include a discussion about intelligent design. Intelligent design is creationism. “I would like to see the ideas of intelligent design that many scientists are now suggesting is a very viable alternative theory,” DeVos told the Associated Press this week during an interview on education. (What reputable scientist thinks creationism is a viable alternate theory? Name just one.) A federal judge, a patriot, in December barred the school system in Dover, Pa., from teaching intelligent design alongside evolution in high school biology classes. The judge said intelligent design is religion masquerading as science and that teaching it alongside evolution violates the separation of church and state.

So, what is a decent, thinking, intelligent, moderate Republican to do?

A Charlevoix business man, a moderate Republican, has started a group called Republicans for Granholm. Gil Ziegler wants to see Republicans keep control of the legislature; but, when it comes to a choice between GOP Amway Guy and Jennifer Granholm, he’s voting Democratic.  

From the South Bend Tribune (8/25/06) “As an automotive supplier, no one needs to tell me that Michigan has taken some hard hits in its manufacturing economy,” said Ziegler, who owns Alken-Ziegler, a privately held metal forming and machining company with offices in Kalkaska and Livonia, where Ziegler also has a home. 

“Governor Granholm has strategies in place to bring us through this difficult period, with a stronger and more diverse economy in the future,” he added.

You know in your heart, it's right!
You haven't left your party; your party left you!

 POSTED 10/27/06