150 Days until Election Day

June 7, 2008

MORNING UPDATE:FDR’S D-DAY PRAYER…President Franklin Delano Roosevelt leads the nation in prayer on June 6, 1944 as the Greatest Generation launched its mightiest battle of the Second World War. This prayer was replayed around the country yesterday.

PIZZA & POLITICS…a big success as usual. State Committee meets this morning.

CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT SCHOOL…ends a second day, into the final stretch as we prepare to battle for a conservative, Republican House majority.

FLINT TV…Genesee County Chair Denise Graves and I taped the Republican response to the Democrats "dream ticket" of Obama and Clinton yesterday. I said that dream ticket will be a "nightmare for America." Watch "Newsmaker" on channel 12 Saturday and Sunday. Tax and spend policies don’t work…see Michigan.If you like what Governor Granholm has done for Michigan…you’ll love what Barack Obama is going to do to America.This will be a race about McCain’s experience, knowledge and judgment vs. Obama’s inexperience. Who’s ready to be Commander in Chief?

PANDER ALERT…writes NBC Political Director Chuck Todd and his Team in their excellent political blog Frist Read: "Obama’s lucky we’re all so obsessed with secret meetings, because his apparent reversal on Jerusalem — telling AIPAC that the city must remain "undivided" and then backtracking yesterday by saying …that the city should be up to negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians - could be used by McCain as an example of inexperience. Did Obama, in his exuberance to win over Jewish voters, just say what the group wanted to hear regarding Jerusalem? Or did he not realize what he was saying? All in all, this wasn’t a good moment for Obama." He’s just another politician who will say anything to get elected.

MEET BARACK OBAMA…the new web page launched by the Republican National Committee…the more you know, the more you and your neighbors will worry.

QUESTIONS FOR OBAMA…FROM GEORGE WILL…like only George Will can ask them. If you haven’t seen these, please take the time to go to the original article.

FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING…RE-START NUCLEAR POWER…America wants peace and prosperity. We need to become less dependent on foreign oil and have more domestic sources of power. Cheap, reliable and affordable energy will change the world. More below.

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FOR THE LATEST NEWS, COMMENTARY & INFORMATION:

Check…out…our…online Articles of Interest………News…you…can…use………

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THE REST OF THE STORY:

- NUCLEAR POWER…is the world’s largest source of emission-free energy. Nuclear power plants produce no controlled air pollutants, such as sulfur and particulates, or greenhouse gases. The use of nuclear power in place of other energy sources helps to keep the air clean, preserve the Earth’s climate, avoid ground-level ozone formation and prevent acid rain.Nuclear power has important implications for our national security.

Inexpensive nuclear power, in combination with fuel cell technology, could significantly reduce our dependency on foreign oil.Nuclear power plants have experienced an admirable safety record. About 20% of electricity generated in the U.S. comes from nuclear power, and in the last forty years of this production, not one single fatality has occurred as a result of the operation of a civilian nuclear power plant in the United States. In comparison, many people die in coal mining accidents every year and approximately ten thousand Americans die every year from pollution related to coal burning.

More information here and here.

TODAY’S TOP STORIES

The followingstories and more are available at my Articles of Interest online.

Job Losses and Surge in Oil Spread Gloom on Economy

By PETER S. GOODMAN / The New York Times

The unemployment rate surged to 5.5 percent in May from 5 percent - the sharpest monthly spike in 22 years - as the economy lost 49,000 jobs, registering a fifth consecutive month of decline, the Labor Department reported Friday. The weak jobs report, coupled with a staggering rise in the price of oil - up a record $10.75 a barrel to more than $138 - unleashed a feverish sell-off on Wall Street, sending the Dow Jones industrial average down nearly 400 points. The dollar plunged against several major currencies.

Text Message Scandal: Mayor, Beatty forced to talk

BY JOE SWICKARD • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick can be questioned under oath in a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit brought by the Free Press, Wayne County Circuit Judge Robert Colombo Jr. ruled Friday. The judge rejected the mayor’s claim that his pending criminal case offered him blanket protection under the Fifth Amendment to refuse to testify.

City boards move to recoup $30M from Kilpatrick backer

Christine MacDonald and David Josar / The Detroit News

DETROIT — Two city employee pension funds may be out as much as $30 million in loans that helped a member of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s legal defense fund buy a freight airline company.

Boos drown mayor’s speech

George Hunter and Catherine Jun / The Detroit News

DETROIT — For the first time in memory, Detroit hockey fans booed free beer. That’s because it was Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick making the offer.

Woes, expectations mount for DPS chief

BY ROCHELLE RILEY • FREE PRESS COLUMNIST

The Detroit Public Schools budget deficit has grown from $45 million to $65 million — and could grow higher, Superintendent Connie Calloway said.

Bush weighs more economic stimulation

BY TERENCE HUNT • ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — President George W. Bush is considering new measures to help stimulate the battered economy, the White House said Friday as unemployment and oil prices soared and Wall Street sank.

Canvassers: Schauer can run for Michigan’s 7th District seat

Posted by Kathy Barks Hoffman | The Associated Press

LANSING — State Sen. Mark Schauer has enough valid signatures to run for Michigan’s 7th District congressional seat, despite allegations of fraud by fellow Democratic candidate Sharon Renier, the Board of State Canvassers said Thursday.

McCain campaign says lean mode will win

By: Mike Allen Politico.com

Advisers to Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) told reporters Friday that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) will get a sharp bounce in the polls that could last most of the summer, but they said Republicans have built a muscular campaign that can prevail in a brutal political environment. "We’re not the Obama campaign - and don’t NEED to be," said one PowerPoint slide showing during a during a 100-minute strategy briefing aimed at reassuring donors and supporters while rebutting press skepticism about McCain’s campaign structure.

Veepstakes: Pawlenty Aims to Raise Profile Within GOP

By Chris Cilliza / The Fix

Publicly, Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) demurs when asked about his interest in serving as John McCain’s running-mate. Privately, however, Pawlenty is doing all the right things to make sure he keeps his name in the mix as spring turns to summer.

Laura Berman: Clinton’s defeat crushes women

They counted on her, clamored for her. And when Hillary Clinton’s defeat came, many women took it like a body blow.

Paid for byMichigan Republican Party

Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee

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I was informed Tuesday Afternoon that U.S. Congressional Candidate, Tom Casperson, will be attending a meet & greet in Mac City. Here is the info on that.

Mancino’s is hosting a little meet and greet/fundraiser for Tom on his way back from Lansing Thursday night.

Thursday
May 22nd
6:00-8:30PM
Mancino’s
Mackinaw City
717 Nicolet Street
Light Snacks and Beverages being served
It’s a meet and greet/fundraiser. No amount is set to attend event. Thanks again for your support.

I posted this on Michigan Redneck II Tuesday afternoon, along with other info regarding the First District Congressional Race. Check it out here.

Check out the John Larson for State Representative website at http://www.JohnLarson4Rep.com Please let me know your comments.   John Larson is running against Mike Lahti (D)

Your are invited to a special Meet and Greet event for Tom Casperson Saturday, April 26, 2008 from 3:30 to 6:30 in L’Anse.  The event will be held at a home of Jim and Jean Westrom, 329 N. Main Street. L’Anse. Tom Casperson is running for the Congress. All are welcome to come and meet Tom.  Light snacks and drinks will be available.  People attending will have a chance to talk to Tom and ask any questions about his race and issues concerning them. We hope you can come and bring your friends and neighbors Please forward this information to others who may be interested in attending.

For further information or directions please call

Keith Almli
906-524-2248

  Many people are running from Michigan everyday because they may lose their jobs. 

THIS EDITORIAL IS IN THE PAPERS THIS WEEK

Over the past couple of weeks I have been watching an important story unfold as the truth is finally let out. You may not know that the Granholm-Cherry Inaugural Committee is in trouble with the IRS.

The committee owes the Federal Government $19,535 as of 10-09-2006, according to the IRS “Notice of Federal Tax Lien” dated and signed on Feb. 7, 2008, The Granholm-Cherry Committee claims it had no idea and issued the statement

“The Inaugural Committee was established to limit taxpayer expenses related to the 2003 inauguration. Our accountants filed tax returns with the IRS. The Committee was dissolved in 2005. The first we heard of the lien was yesterday [Wednesday, March 5^th] accountants are obtaining information from the IRS concerning the basis of the lien. We will take all appropriate measures to resolve this issue”

I do know for sure the media in the Lower Peninsula has this story covered. This makes me wonder why it is not covered by the media in the Upper Peninsula.

I have contacted various media outlet throughout the state with no response. In my opinion, it seems very obvious…someone doesn’t want you to know.

If this concerns you as a resident of Michigan, I urge you to find out more and contact your state legislators demanding an answer.

If you would like to research this topic please go to Google and type in “Granholm-Cherry Tax Lien”.

Keith Almli

L’Anse

906-524-2248

Upper Michigan - Over the past week I have hounded the media in the Upper Peninsula to air the story about the Granholm-Cherry Tax Lien, with no success we cannot let this happen.  Its now up to you to tell your local media you want to hear it! .. Makes you think what else you don’t know about.. hmm? Incase you have not heard, Heres a Youtube video from a downstate news program.  You may attempt to contact tv6 at:   http://www.wluctv6.com/about/contact_us.aspx
  Mining Gazette: http://www.miningjournal.netMining Journal: http://www.mininggazette.com  Its up to you what the media shows! Your opinion matters!     

State Representative Tom Casperson is making his official announcement for US Congress Monday, March 17^th in Escanaba.

The event will be at the Day’s Inn (Escanaba) on US 41 from 12:00 to 1:00.

Event is open for all to all and light appetizers will be served.

For additional information, please contact Diane Casperson at 906-280-8800.

About Tom:

BACKGROUND:

Tom Casperson was elected in November 2002 to the Michigan House of Representatives in an upset of Menominee Mayor Laurie Stupak. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2006, securing as much as 68% of the vote.

Prior to being elected to the State House, Casperson worked in his family’s log trucking business for 27 years, including 12 years as owner and operator of Casperson and Son Trucking. He represented the third generation in the business started by his grandfather.

Casperson was born July 20, 1959 in Escanaba, and graduated from Escanaba High School in 1977.  He and his wife Diane, whom he married in 1982, continue to reside in Escanaba with their four children: Ashley, Tommy, Hillary, and Dane.

Casperson, elected by his peers as an Assistant Majority Whip, has served as the Chair of the House Conservation, Forestry and Outdoor Recreation Committee.  He has also served as Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee, as well as a member of the Committees overseeing Agriculture, Energy & Technology, Veterans Affairs, Tourism, and Transportation Appropriations.  Additionally, Casperson has served on House Sub-Committees that examined a wide range of issues, including: Tourism, Alternative Energy, Gas Pricing, Cormorants, and Secretary of State Fees.

AFFILIATIONS:

Casperson served on the Board of Directors and the Transportation Committee for the Michigan Association of Timbermen; as President of the Michigan Professional Log Truck Council; and on the Legislative Committee of the Timber Producers Association.  He also served on the Board of New Life Assembly of God Church in Escanaba for nine years, and is a member of the Bark River Lions.

Casperson is a member of the National Rifle Association; the National Federation of Independent Business; and the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners, whom he also serves as a Board member.

DISTRICT ASSOCIATIONS:

Although Casperson represents only 3 of the District’s 31 counties, he is already well established throughout the District, and has unique knowledge of the issues and dynamics of the District, for a number of reasons, including:

• He is the only elected Republican legislator (State and Federal) from the Upper Peninsula (which comprises nearly one-half of the District’s counties).  In fact, he is one of only five Republican legislators in the entire District.  As a result, necessity has required him to take an active and visible role promoting conservative causes throughout the District.
• His willingness to travel the District, logging on average 7000 miles each year outside of his District, but within the First Congressional District, to meet the people & address the issues facing the District
• The positive relationship he has built with the media.  Casperson has annually been featured on as many as:
  • 38 radio shows (not merely daily news interviews) ranging from local stations in the District, to Lansing and metro Detroit stations, to Sirius Satellite Radio;
  • 10 television programs (again, minus regular station nightly news interviews) ranging from Marquette to Fox News in New York; and
  • quarterly newspaper editorial interviews (again, minus regular nightly news coverage), and op ed submissions, in papers as diverse as the Escanaba Daily Press to the Detroit Free Press.
• His tireless work ethic, leading him to regularly attend everything from Eagle Scout ceremonies, to Lincoln Day Dinners, to classroom visits, to Township meetings.

Additionally, to promote and tackle issues facing the First District, Casperson has brought over 50 of his legislative colleagues into the District.

HONORS & AWARDS:

• Advocate of the Year presented by the Michigan Manufacturer’s Association in recognition of "advocacy and outstanding performance;"
• The Tuebor Award, presented by Michigan Forest Products Council in recognition of "excellence in defending Michigan’s forests;"
• Legislative Leadership Award presented by Great Lakes Timber Professionals in recognition of "leadership in supporting sustainable forest management;"
• Legislator of the Year presented by Safari International. Legislative Leadership Award presented the County Road Association in recognition of "tireless efforts for safe roads and bridges;"
• Outstanding Conservation Award presented by the Delta Conservation District in recognition of "outstanding accomplishments in the conservation of forestry;"
• Lake States Region Logging Safety and Innovation Award"  presented by Husqvarna;
• Literacy Award presented by the Friends of Education in recognition of "support for Michigan’s Free Book Program;"
• Certificates of Appreciation from Northern Michigan University, Abate, and the Upper Peninsula Optometrists;
• Special Volunteer Award presented by the Michigan Association of Timbermen in recognition of involvement on the Log Truck Safety Task Force;
• National Logging Safety & Innovations Award presented by the American Logging Council in recognition of designing, building and using a “state of the art” cribbed trailer to safely haul timber.

LEGISLATIVE ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Since being elected to the House, Casperson has introduced fifty three Bills and seven Resolutions, and authored twenty Public Acts, including:

The Crib Truck Bill:  The issue that drove Casperson to run for the House after a mother and her daughter were killed as a result of a log spill.  The legislation permits timber haulers to haul wood "cross-ways" in "crib," which is a measurably safer manner to haul timber.  (Public Act 142 of 2003)

The Healthy Forest Package:  A package of Bills requiring the Department of Natural Resources to certify Michigan’s forest as sustainable forests. (Public Act 125 of 2004)

Metallic Mining Reform: Legislation that permitted (through arguably the worlds most stringent rules) Metallic Mining in Michigan, and allows for significant job growth. (Public Act 449 of 2004),

The Castle Doctrine:  An Act that gives Michigan citizens the right to use force to defend themselves, and providing law abiding citizens with civil immunity.  (Public Act 313 of 2006)

House Bill 5339: A Bill which prevented the State from seizing control of the Mackinac Bridge (Public Act 332 of 2005).

House Bill 6003: Legislation that provided $80 million to county road commission to allow them to expedite local road projects.  (Public Act 141 of 2006)

House Bill 5843:  An Act that protects children, homeowners and communities from the growing threat of methamphetamine labs.  (Public Act 263 of 2006).

Driving Michigan:  A package of Bills that provides greater retail access to renewable fuels.  (Public Act 116 of 2006).

House Bill 6245: Legislation that amended the Cervidae Producers Act at the request of the Industry to provide for updated and industry-acceptable standards. (Public Act 561 of 2006).

Amendments:  In addition to being the primary author of twenty public acts, Casperson also successfully authored countless amendments to bills on a wide range of issues confronting the District, including amendments that: provided needed funding for the Sex Offender Registry; kept the Iron River State Police Post open; maintained the judicial staffing of the Dickinson County Circuit Court; provided needed funding for Northern Michigan University and Newberry Correctional Facility; and provided additional base funding for Bay De Noc Community College.

Over at The American Spectator is an article speculating on who could be John McCain’s VP.

The Nation’s Pulse
McCain-Somebody ‘08
By John Tabin
Published 3/5/2008 2:46:25 AM

With last night’s victories, John McCain crossed the 1191-delegate line, winning the nomination. Now he has the luxury of standing back, letting Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama beat each other up and raising money for the Fall race.

And what about that running mate? The question for McCain is what function his pick should serve. McCain certainly doesn’t need to ballast his ticket with age and gravitas, as George W. Bush did when he selected Dick Cheney. McCain will be 72 when the next president takes the oath of office, and might want to go with a relatively young running mate who can carry the torch into the 2016 election. That would rule out Fred Thompson, who will be 66 on inauguration day.

As much as I hate to say this, It is true about Fred’s age. Unfortunately, this is his only hindrance. He was a thee true conservative over all of those who had run in the ‘08 POTUS race.

Since McCain will be running against a Democratic candidate who is either black or female, some have suggested he practice a bit of tokenism in his selection. Colin Powell is too old (70) and too unpopular with conservatives. Condoleezza Rice seems uninterested in electoral politics, and in any case would muddy McCain’s foreign policy message, which has emphasized his track record of criticizing the Bush administration from the right on the management of the Iraq occupation. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison is 64, which may be too old.

Michael Steele, former lieutenant governor of Maryland, would be high on the shortlist if he’d won his 2004 Senate race, but he didn’t. Other names in this category that get tossed around include congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, former congressman J.C. Watts, and Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin.

I am willing to admit there is some case to this. But at the same point I would like to think the Republican Party should be above “identity” politics. Some of the people mentioned above would be great, such as Condi Rice, Michael Steele or J.C. Watts. The others, I agree on the age thing or I don’t know too much about them. But I do believe that if they are the running mate, they should be chosen based solely on merit.

The article goes on to mention geography balance.

Less abrasive southern Governors Sonny Perdue of Georgia, Haley Barbour of Mississippi, and especially Mark Sanford of South Carolina might be able to satisfy southerners and social conservatives without angering other factions of the party.

Now, I really like Haley Barbour.

McCain might follow this logic and select his friend Rudy Giuliani. It would dismay social conservatives, who are already slightly skittish about McCain, but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t do it if he decides he wants to. [Read all the possible choices here]

Mitt Romney is left out of the “equation.” If it can’t be Fred, I would like it to be Romney. I think he needs to have a running mate who would be good for the economy. Thoughts?

Also posted on Michigan Redneck II.

For the past several weeks I have been troubled when listening to countless people talk about why they SUPPORT Barack Obama. I think I have finally but my finger on this unsettling feeling!

How many years have (WE) Conservatives had to put up with the “Left Wing Liberal Loonies” label us as “Mind Numbed Robots” because we agreed with Rush Limbaugh (and now the many other Conservative Talk Show Hosts on the Radio and Cable News Programs) They tried to “demonize” us because we would speak positively about things Rush would say.

If we were asked why we supported these statements … we could rattle off many specific examples or reasons why!

We would cite long-held beliefs and opinions to back up our Conservative Views.

This past week while listening to the Fox News coverage of the Super Tuesday II primaries (in Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island and Vermont) Alisyn Camerota was talking with students at the University of Ohio. She asked numerous students why they were excited and supporting Barack Obama, There answers were frightening!

Ahhh …. Uhmmmm …. Ohhhhhh because he is talking about Change!

When asked to list one accomplishment as a US Senator … Ohhhh …. Ahhhhh …. Uhmmmmm he will get people to work together to make changes in Washington …..

GIVE ME A BREAK …..

Not one person could give a specific accomplishment of Barack Obama from his service in the US Senate.

If he could accomplish all of this changes …..

Where Was He?

and

Why Didn’t He?

DO ANYTHING since he because a US Senator from Illinois?

Could it be that he got busy running for the Presidency and not serving his constituents or the county?

These Barack Obama supporters don’t have the facts to back up their position.

Could They Be the MIND NUMB ROBOTS … that Conservatives were accused to BE?

Don’t get me WRONG … I am not calling Obama Supporters or Dems names … but I hope they would look at the facts and realize Barack Obama does not have the experience or the ability to secure accomplishments to LEAD this country as President. Talk is Cheap!

John Niemela
www.houghtongop.com
www.firstgopblogs.com
www.firstgopblogs.com/houghton