Joel Westrom's Message about Last Night's Live Blogging

Here is the First District email blast that Joel Westrom sent out regarding the Live Bloggin on www.firstgopblogs.com for the March 4 Presidential Primaries.

First District Updates -Live Blog Success

March 5, 2008 First District- We had a great night last night with our new First District blog site. We had several people participating sharing thoughts and stories from all over the District. Special thanks to Keith Almli, John Niemela and Kathy Wells for taking the challenge on and delivering a great event. Couple comments from last night’s event… John Niemela (Houghton County) “The live blogging event hosted by the First District GOP was like attending a Primary Watching - District Wide event. Having fellow Republican Activists sharing their observations or items they found while viewing TV, Cable News or online media was an enjoyable evening.” Kathy Wells (Mackinac County) “Last night's live blogging on www.firstgopblogs.com was a great example of First District members participating in team work and having lots of fun. It was great to have Saul Anuzis, Michigan GOP Chairman, join in with us.” Saul Anuzis (Chairman, Michigan Republican Party) Excerpt from daily blog. “Congratulations to the First Congressional District for running “live” blog last night, tracking commentary and numbers on the presidential primary…once again, leading the way. Special thanks to Kathy Wells, John Niemela and Keith Almli. Maybe a new meaning to #1(First)!?!” We’ve done great things over the last year to help improve communications in the First District using technology and there is a still lot of room for growth. I receive emails weekly from people across the District asking all kinds of questions and suggestions on a range of issues. Keep them coming and lets keep moving forward in the First. Joel Westrom

www.FirstGOP.com

Since I can not add in the link to Mr. Anuzis' blog post on "That's Saul, Folks," in the original message, I will add it here.

First District GOP Blogs

Just finished Live Blogging on First GOP Blogs. Saul Anuzis, along with Joel Westrom are over there blogging. Check it out!

First District Now Has it's Own Blog!

If you recall, a while back I said there was a group project in the works. Well it is official, Michigan First District GOP now has a blog. Here is the email announcement from Joel Westrom.

February 29, 2008 Baraga- On our way home from State Convention a couple weeks ago it was discussed by several people about putting a First District blog site together. Several people submitted ideas on how to do that. Keith Almli (Baraga County, left) and Kathy Wells (Mackinac County, right) worked together to bring this discussion to a reality. On behalf of the First District, I’m pleased to announce www.firstgopblogs.com as a new blog site for the District. Keith has spent several days working on this and we are very proud of him. We encourage you all to sign up and submit your thoughts. The site is set up for each County (31 in the First) to submit your information. Keep the District informed on you latest events or fundraisers or take a moment to tell us how you felt about a State or National issue. 1st District- I’m working with the officers to schedule our next First District meeting. We are planning to have it centrally located in the District within the next 5-6 weeks. We’ll keep you posted and encourage you all to attend. Our last meeting in Gladwin was a huge success co-hosted by Hubert Fisk and Darlene Conner. Over 80 people in attendance. Meetings have been doubling in size since we started. Thank you all for those who have made them a success.

www.FirstGOP.com

Yeah, that is me in the right side. I know, that is a crappy picture. Why he used that pic is beyond me. I have a long skinny nose. I have heard that is a typical Czech feature. So that makes me feel a little better. If you want to say something about my forehead, just remember "Big foreheads are sexy...in Eastern Europe."
If you are from the First District (Upper Peninsula and Northern Michigan), join in on the fun. If you are not, read it and see how us First District Republicans are newsworthy and politically minded. I will be blogging on the Mackinac County Page.

Posted also on Michigan Redneck II.

Some Pictures

I am still editing pictures. They are being edited in order of importance, then chronological. The most important are those that are First District related.

Saul Anuzis speaking at First District Caucus Meeting

Mackinac County Delegates (left to right) Robert Winkelman, Kathy Wells (yours truly dear, sweet, adorable, favorite blogger), John Monville

Me with City of Lansing in the background

Me in front of the Michigan Capitol Building (in the background)

Newt Gingrinch (Yeah, yeah, I know this ain't First District, but hay, it's Newt, Newt the man)

First Districters seated at the Convention


Joel Westrom, another Man with a Plan

Tony Stackpoole and friend

People on Carpio Express Yooper Bus

Group picture, in Gaylord

Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of Frank Egeler. If you took any of him send them to me at gypzychik (at) yahoo.com. More pictures on the way.

Notes about the Michigan GOP Convention

Editors Note; I was re-reading this and found a few grammatical errors, Oopsie. I am now going to edit.

I am a bit hung over and need to get my thoughts in order. But here is a quick recap.
Took the "Carpio Express Yooper Bus" down to the Michigan Republican State Convention, in Lansing, Michigan. Stopped at Mancinos in Mackinac City for lunch. Had a roast beef sandwich and a beer. Talked, had another beer. Talked, had another beer. Talked, had another beer. This went on for a while.
Got to Lansing. Bus dropped some of us off at Red Roof Inn. There was a mix up with the reservations. Not on the part of the First District, but on the part of the hotel. Stood around a while some people ended up leaving for town, to find a room. Things got figured out. I got in my room. Didn't have much time to get ready to attend the First District Caucus.
Attended the the First District Caucus. Heard great speakers. Joel Westrom called the caucus to order. Keith Butler, Janet Huckabee, Holly Hughes, Jack Hoogendyk, Tom Casperson, (not necessarily in that order) and many others were there to speak. I am sad to announce that Rocky Raczkowski will not be running for US Senate. He will be sent on military duty. Delegates were selected, to represent the First District, at the National Convention. It was announced at the meeting that Chuck Yob, Michigan National Committeeman, would be hosting a party for all Michigan Republicans, at Rum Runners in Lansing. More on that later.
Was originally going to hang out at the Green Door in Lansing, but decided to go to the Yob party. Hey, it was free drinks! I can't even count how many whiskey sours I drank. There was a free shuttle to pick people up from the Lansing Convention and take them to Rum Runners. The Yob party was upstairs. It was freakin awesome!!! There was dueling pianos. Great music, lotsa energy. Was there from 9:30pm to 1:30am, and danced my booty off. More on that later.
Was absolutely hungry afterwards. Someone I was hanging out with went with me to Theio's restaurant in downtown Lansing. When I lived in East Lansing and went to the bars in Lansing, that was where we went out after drinking. Along with Denney's, this was another hang out for everyone to go to after the bars closed. It was funny. We were the only Republicans there. It was just young, drunk kids.
Didn't get back to my room 'til a quarter after three. Didn't wake up 'til a quarter after eight. Had to be to the convention at 9am. Didn't get there 'til 9:20am. This year's convention was better than last year. As with the Friday night caucus, great speakers, lotsa energy. Holly Hughes was re-elected as our National Committeewoman. Keith Butler was elected as our National Committeeman. Holly Hughes gave a plaque to Chuck Yob. The plaque was from the stump of the Oak tree that was from *Jackson, Michigan at the founding of the original National GOP party meeting*. Janet Huckabee spoke about Mike Huckabee. John McCain had prepared a video to be played at the convention. And of course our chairman, Saul Anuzis spoke. Oh, and of course, Newt Gingrich had prepared a video to be played at the convention. More on that later.
I had been invited to a blogger party that would have taken place after the convention. But I didn't have a ride to bring me back to the UP. So I was stuck on the bus. It was fun. There was some good conversations. There was also talk about having trying to get the state party to hold a convention in Marquette. You heard it here first!! I'll tell ya what, we may have all been Republicans, but on the First District bus, it is like a Kennedy Family Reunion.
I will have a full post on all these items later.
PS, I was recognized by Brandon Darin, a Romney worker, at Rum Runners. He said he loved my blog. So, a special message to Brandon, your awesome dude!

*A correction was made from an anonymous reader. The original statement was this; first Oak tree that was cut down to build the new Michigan GOP Headquarters.

Up Next...

...Michigan Primary! Woo-hoo! The Red-headed step child will be getting attention on Jan 15, like it or not. Take that, you MSM, like it or not. I have noticed that since the Iowa Caucus, when the media is talking to pundits they keep saying up next is New Hampshire, which is now over, and then on to Florida (whose Primary is on Jan. 29). The pundits interrupt to say Michigan is between New Hampshire and Florida. The media seems to wave that with a slight of hand.
To all you Michigan citizens out there, I want you to go vote. But, you must go to your local polling place informed. I do not want you embarrassing this great state. I don't want to hear on the local news or major news media about exit polls that any of you said the most important reason for voting for your candidate was that "he shares (your) values," gag. I do feel values are important, but in this post 9/11 world, values should not be the most important thing. Keeping America safe and illegal immigration and domestic issues are the most important thing.
The buzz word going around seems to be "change." Would someone please tell me what this means? For the life of me, I can't figure it out. I have been hearing that some of the candidates are trying to take down the "establishment." But again, what does that mean? What are the motives behind that? I admit I fell for that in the beginning. But here is the deal. Are they trying to "bring down the 'establishment'" to include all or are they trying to "bring down the 'establishment'" to install their own "establishment"? If the latter is true then we are in no different place. Perhaps this is what "change" is. If this is what change is, I don't want it.
Back to the original reason for my post about the Michigan Primary. Here is some factoids from the New York Times regarding the Michigan Primary.

• Republicans

• John McCain and Mitt Romney are competing heavily, with Mr. Romney hoping that a victory in the state where his father was governor will restore momentum. Mr. McCain was in fourth place in an early December poll, yet some predict that independents or Democrats may vote for Mr. McCain, as they did in 2000, when he beat George W. Bush in an upset victory. The Detroit Free Press notes that evangelical Christians, Mr. Huckabee's primary supporters in Iowa, make up no more than 20 percent of the Republican base here.

Delegate selection

• Republicans

• January 15, 2008 Winner-take-all primary (Open) 30 delegates at stake

• Based on the voting in the Jan. 15 primary, 57 of Michigan’s 60 delegates to the national convention are allocated to the candidate receiving the most votes. Forty-five of those 57 are allocated to the candidate receiving the most votes in each of the state’s 15 Congressional districts; 12 are allocated proportionally to the candidates based on the statewide vote. Three additional unpledged delegates are selected from among party leaders at a state convention Feb. 15-16.

Since I am a Republican, plus the Democrats (candidates) are boycotting Michigan I have only included Republican details. For all the info, including Democrat details click here.

Check out some of the Republican Candidates that will be making stops in Michigan, from Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis, on "That's Saul Folks." I will give info that regards the Michigan First Congressional District.

Thursday, Jan. 10

6:00PM Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Montmorency Republican Parties
Presidential Gathering
Confirmed Speakers: State Senator Allen
State Representative Casperson
Stoney Creek Restaurant
19011 East M 68
Onaway, MI

Saturday, Jan. 12

6:00PM Charlevoix, Emmet, Antrim, Otsego Republican Parties
Reagan Day Dinner
Confirmed Speakers: Congressman Hunter
Senator Brownback on behalf of
Senator McCain
Congressman Hoekstra
State Representative Casperson
State Representative Hoogendyk
U.S. Senate Candidate Raczkowski
Attorney General Cox
State Senator Allen
State Representative Elsenheimer
Castle Farms
5052 M 66 North
Charlevoix, MI
Contact: Wes Dilworth (231) 582-6886

Monday, Jan. 14

7:30AM Grand Traverse-Leelanau Republican Parties
Presidential Breakfast
Confirmed Speakers: Rev. Keith Butler, former U.S. Senate Candidate
Park Place Hotel
300 East State Street
Traverse City, MI

Tuesday, Jan. 15 – Michigan GOP Primary

8:15 AM McCain for President

Traverse City Get-Out-The-Vote Rally

Northwestern Michigan College Haggerty Place

715 East Front Street

Traverse City, MI

If you are not from the First District and would like to see if a candidate is coming to a town near you, check out all the info here. I know, I am a Thompson supporter and there is nothing going on for Thompson, in Michigan. But most important, I am a Michigander before I am an American. Oh, before I forget. A presidential candidate is giving the Upper Peninsula attention. From First District email update Mitt Romney will be making an appearance in Marquette, Michigan. Here are the details.

SPECIAL EVENT

Governor Mitt Romney in Marquette, Sunday 1/13/08

Governor Mitt Romney has scheduled an Upper Peninsula stop in Marquette. The event will be held this Sunday (January 13^th) at The “W” on Sawyer International Airport at 2:45 PM and open to the public.

This is the first Presidential stop we’ve seen from the campaign trail and honored to host. More details to come soon but feel free to email with any questions.

Joel Westrom

Chairman

First Congressional District

Keep checking this blog throughout the week to see Michigan related updates regarding the Jan 15 Primary and other Michigan related content. I am trying to get guest posters. If you would like to be a guest poster, regarding the Michigan Primary, please email me at gypzychik (at) yahoo.com. Send your info at any time before or on January 15. Michiganders preferred but anyone from any state is welcome, so long as it is Michigan related content. Fred Thompson posts will be accepted at any time and will be posted as soon as I receive them. There will be a Michigan Primary marathon here at Michigan Redneck on January 15, possibly on the 14th also. If you have come to this particular post through a search engine click on my blog name and you will be taken to the home page.

Slatecard

I just said below that I normally don't share email exchanges. Well, here is another one. I feel this is important. It is to help raise money for Tom Casperson and the Republican Party throughout the state. Anyways, I was told to forward to friends and family. I think this is the best way to do that. I will give credit to both Frank Egeler and Joel Westrom for sending it out to the First District.

Let’s show that Tom Casperson has our support.
Please visit http://slatecard.com/slatecards/migop and make a modest donation to Tom’s Congressional account. Whatever you can give. The number of donors is almost as important as the amounts.
Also forward this to your friends!!
Saul has set up a MIGOP Slatecard to raise $75,000 statewide tonight. Tom will need all of our financial support to be successful in getting a Republican to represent the First Congressional District. For more see Saul’s e-mail below.

Liberals probably don't think we can do it
Democrats don’t think we can do it
But I think we can. I believe in our small and growing on-line community of internet activists.
I have created a “slate” on slatecard.com for the top Michigan congressional races.
The Democrats are going after two incumbents…Congressman Joe Knollenberg and Congressman Tim Walberg. There has been some talk of going after Congressman Rogers and Congressman Mc Cotter…but nothing serious yet.
We have a great shot with Tom Casperson challenging Democrat Congressman Bart Stupak.
Go to: http://slatecard.com/slatecards/migop
Make an on-line contribution today…show your support…show other activists that Republicans can “learn” to take advantage of the web and internet technology as well. This is a great tool that I hope you will use and pass on to friends and possible supporters
Slatecard.com is new and trying to raise it’s first $75,000 by tonight…the GOP’s first attempt at a great concept the Democrats have utilized very effectively. Please join us
If you agree with me that we can reach our goal, please visit http://slatecard.com right now and stand-up to be counted. Give generously to the candidates you support.
If you are willing to give $10 or $25 or even $100 to some of our most competitive races here in Michigan …join us at:
http://slatecard.com/slatecards/migop

This is it. Make it count.

Thanks.

Saulius "Saul" Anuzis
Chairman
Michigan Republican Party
Secchia-Weiser Republican Center
520 Seymour Street
Lansing , MI 48933

I Am Now a Member of the Big Wig Club!

Normally I don't post email exchanges here, unless it is from a mass emailing that I feel is important to let ya know about, but since Joel Westrom says that I am a member of the Big Wig Club I thought I would share that honor with everyone. I am not going to add all the boring stuff. It started out me commenting to him about the First District site. He thanked me and I wrote back asking about the details of the Republican nominating convention for the presidential race it looks like we will have in Michigan. This kinda tells ya how it will happen.

Me: If ya have time, how is this primary convention going to work?Someone commented on RightMichigan.com that it
is going to be the big wigs choosing. I thought it would be like other
conventions, where delegates from all the counties would be selected
to attend and "vote on the floor." So are "little people" like me not
gonna be able to go?

Joel: Actually, you would be considered on of the big wigs. Instead of
900,000+ Repulicans going to the voting booths it would be more 2500 people
selected by counties. Very similar to the convention where I got
elected.
Welcome to the big wig club. :)

Me: Thank you for the info. I don't know if I want to be considered a big
wig or not, after all, I am a Michigan Redneck ;). I guess
I should feel honored nonetheless.
Not to sound like a dork, but when you say it will be like the
"convention where you were elected" do you mean that when the First District
and other districts gather in their little conference rooms on Friday
night that's when we cast our votes? Or is it like when all the Michigan
Republicans gather Saturday am and elect the committee members or the
national convention nominates the nominee?

Joel: It would be like the Saturday deal we had but a little more
interesting.

Interesting, I shall say. I have never been to one of these presidential nominating conventions, just the regular ones. I have heard about previous ones and I guess they can get heated and passionate. Ohhh...I can't wait! What fun!

Three Reasons Why I am Glad to be Part of Michigan's First Congressional District

I thought I would talk about three of the best reasons I like being part of the First District, Tony Stackpoole, Frank Egeler and Joel Westrom.

During the 2004 Presidential Elections I had been reading on the Internet about George Bush. I really wanted to help out and volunteer. I had always been a Republican and volunteered off and on for about ten years, along with voting for George Bush in 2000 election. As my regular readers know, I live in a small town in the Upper Peninsula. Thus when President Bush was running for re-election there wasn't any volunteering going on. I had contacted the Bush headquarters in Michigan to see what I could do. I was given the name of the Mackinac County Party Chairman and I did contact him, but he said he probably wouldn't be do anything in regards to phone banks or handing out fliers. I called the headquarters again and told them that our county wasn't going to do anything. I wanted to know if there was anything I could do through the headquarters or a nearby county. The gentleman I had talked to told me that there would be a weekly phone bank in Chippewa County and that I could join them. He told me to meet up at Cup of the Day Coffee Shop in Sault Ste. Marie, owned by Tony Stackpoole.

TONY STACKPOOLE

This was my first time meeting Tony, Chippewa County Chairman. He is a really gung-ho Republican. He was very nice and welcoming the first time I met him. I was given a cell phone, and an info sheet to read off of and told to sit at one of the tables. I did this once a week for about a month. Towards the end of the phone bank, and time was getting close to the election, Tony encouraged me to stay involved in Republican politics. He encouraged me to get involved in my county's local party activities. He gave me info about the upcoming State Convention, that was to happen in February of '05. At this time Mackinac County did not have elected Republican delegates. He told me to attend the Mackinac County meeting that would be selecting delegates to attend the State Convention, and let them know I would be interested in attending the convention. He told me that because the Upper Peninsula and 1st District is so large that for every convention they get together and take a bus down. He gave me the name of who to contact that was in charge of organizing for the bus. That person was Frank Egeler.
Ever since I have met Tony he always asks me to sit with him at events. He really helps me feel comfortable at events where I may not know to many people. He was kind enough to give me a ride to the district meeting in March.

FRANK EGELER

The first time I met Frank was on the bus to travel down to Grand Rapids for the State Convention. He was really nice, I had talked to him on the phone. I hope he's not reading this, but I have to say on the phone he sounded like he would be old and kinda short with gray bald hair, and chubby too. I was surprised when I first met him, he doesn't look like that at all. Beer and sparkling wine flows on this bus, provided by Frank.
This was my first State Convention, since the '96 convention in Lansing, Michigan. I had a ton of fun, going down and coming back. I met quite a few nice people on the bus.
Frank has been really awesome since then. He puts up with me even though I make fun of him. Him and State Rep Tom Casperson gave me a ride down to the most recent district meeting. I got to make fun of him, so did Tom. Poor Frank.
In fact we met up with Joel Westrom and his passengers at the Big Buck Brewery in Gaylord, after the meeting.

JOEL WESTROM

Back before the '07 State Convention in Feb. in Grand Rapids Frank and Tony asked me to support Joel Westrom for 1st District Chairman. He had a website and they asked me to take a look. They also asked him to call me and tell me why he was running for chairman and what his plans were for the First District. All of my regular readers know that I never support someone just because a friend "told me to." I am way to independent for that.
The first communication I ever had with Joel Westrom was when he called and talked about his thoughts about the First District. He asked for my input. I told him I thought many of his ideas sounded pretty good.
He wanted to organize a group to host something on behalf of the 1st District at the Mackinac Leadership Republican Conference. He also talked about having a "candidate school," where potential candidates and staff could get a crash course in campaigning. He talked about hosting First District events and meetings throughout the district, in different locations. I felt that these things fell in with my thoughts. I hung up the phone thinking he sounded pretty good. I did tell him that while I liked everything he said, I still could not definitely support him. I wanted to hear from/about his competition.
The only thing I had heard about his competition, after talking to Joel, was from one of her supporters and he didn't have much to say about her. That was when I decided to support Joel.
Oh, could I tell a good story about the events leading to and at the '07 convention, but this ain't the place. It has to do with a big rift between Joel, his competition, each of their supporters deciding on taking a different bus, me not knowing this and taking the wrong bus.
Let's not forget her trying to "buy my vote" when the woman who was to be my roommate at the hotel I would be staying at during the convention thought that I wasn't going, since I got on the wrong bus and those on Joel's bus didn't know I would be there, just arriving on the wrong bus. I thought the free room was just a show of kindness. Well y'all know I hate dishonesty in politics and nobody can buy my vote. At the 1st District Conference at the convention I voted for Joel. He had only won by less than 5 votes.
I met him, personally, after the 1st District Conference when Tony, a friend of Tony's, Frank and I were at the bar of the Amway Grand Hotel in Grand Rapids. There was quite a few people standing around talking, for quite a while. I was standing around Frank. He never did introduce me to Joel, what a rudie. So I took the initiative to put out my hand and introduce myself to Joel. I also got to meet Saul Anuzis, the State Party Chairman, at this group.
He probably doesn't remember this, but I was standing behind him, holding a cosmopolitan. Don't even get on my case about drinking a fancy yuppy drink. Even rednecks can live in luxury, for just a moment. Oh, back to the story. I was standing there talking to someone else and he didn't know I was there and backed up into me. It was funnier at the moment. I rode back on the bus with Frank and Joel. Joel was kind enough to pay for me to ride on that bus.
When we all met up for lunch after the meeting in Gladwin he footed the bill for all of us. After the meeting I had asked Frank if we were going to stop for beer and burgers. He said we would. I just thought it would be some hole in the wall. But the Big Buck is a big nice micro brewery. I got my menu and saw the prices. Well this little redneck wasn't expecting the prices to be so much. I looked at Frank and asked who was paying. I was just joking, honest. Frank said not to worry, it was taken care of. There were six of us. Joel even payed for the beers Frank and I ordered.
He has even been kind enough to write a guest post for me, before the Mac Conference. He talked about the conference, 1st District and Tom Casperson. Without being prompted, he had nice things to say about me.

In conclusion, all three of these guys, Tony, Frank and Joel, are great assets to the First District. When ya have questions, have a problem with another person or an issue, or just one of them. They will listen when ya call or email them. They will answer ya back. Not that I have ever had a problem against either one of them, but I am sure if someone did they would listen. No offense to Frank or Tony, but Joel is better at responding back. I have emailed him and gone on to another site, and next thing I know soon after I sent the email I get an email alert and it is Joel responding. I think that is nice. Not that he is able to do that all the time. He does have a life ya know.
In things that does not affect me directly, these guys are wonderful also. Joel is full of energy and ideas. He does a lot to bring the people of the counties that are spread through out the spacious district. He is very active in bringing new ideas and statewide attention to this oft forgotten part of Michigan.
As the District Field Director Frank tirelessly travels the state to represent the First District. He is really gung-ho about getting Tom Casperson elected to the US Congress in '08. Plus he likes classic rock.
Tony does a lot for his community. He is seriously involved in Big Brothers and Big Sisters program. He is a major cheerleader for the college republicans at Lake Superior State University. He works hard to help them out and gettting them involved. Even though we don't agree on who should be the presidential nominee, I do have to give him props for getting representatives for Mitt Romney up to the UP.

All in all I just have one thing to say to all of them.

Just Dropping By

Today is the first day of snow in this little part of the UP.

I feel so bad that I have not posted in quite a while. And there is so much going on to. Freaky stuff I tell ya.
Pat Robertson has sold his soul and has endorsed Rudy Giuliani. Another Christian "leader", who was Mike Huckabee's mentor is endorsing Mitt Romney. Sam Brownback is endorsing John McCain. The Arkansas Republican Assemblies is endorsing Fred Thompson. I feel like I am living in some bizzarro world, parallel universe. Folks, it looks like us little people need to use those brains of ours that God has given us and realize who the true honest conservative is, that is Mike Huckabee.
I wish I could get more into all this. So much is going on in my personal life, within the past few days. I am still recovering from being sick. Last Saturday I organized a Mike Huckabee table for the First District meeting in Gaylord, that Joel Westrom asked me to organize. Today I had to go to the courthouse to do election canvassing. That is after all the votes have been tallied there are canvassers who check to see that everything matches up. Now I have to get packed for my bus trip to downstate. It is snowing and will be tomorrow, so I don't want to risk driving in the cold without heat in the car. I will be attending the Clinton County Lincoln Day Dinner, where Mike Huckabee will be the Guest of Honor. If you are interested in attending please go to www.ccrp.us. Try to email one of the contacts and let them know you will be attending. Tickets can still be bought at the door, but it would be nice to let them know you will be there. I will get back to ya this weekend, with all the details.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Just a Quicky

I am still rather drained to do a full post. Which is a total bummer, since there is so much going on. But there was so much excitement about Mike Huckabee at Saturday's meeting that I thought I would at least stop by to tell ya a few quickies. Of course the purpose of this meeting was mainly about Michigan's First District.
On the national '08 aspect everything went swimmingly, at least on the Huckabee side. Get this, I was so worried that other candidates would have payed staff there and have big 'ol huge displays that I and George Dunn went out of our ways to make a great display. I was bummed that some of the stuff the campaign sent didn't get here in time. But once I got there it didn't matter. No joke, there was nothing for any of the other candidates, other than a pamphlet about John McCain. Not even a Mitt Romney sign, Michigan's media darling. No one was there specifically to represent anyone. The official Mitt Romney staffer in Michigan was a no show. I guess he went to the Michigan/Michigan St. game to be with Mitt. Holly Hughes, National Committeewoman spoke about Michigan politics, while adding a little bit about John McCain. But she didn't have to much in a way of a speech about John McCain. Nothing on Guiliani. Nothing on the other guys.
George Dunn gave a great speech on why he "likes Mike" and why Michiganders in the First District should support him. He got a huge round of applause. Joel Westrom asked one of the guys whom he knows supports, and I guess volunteers for, Mitt Romney about what's going on for the Romney support. He talked a little bit about checking out Mitt's website and volunteering and giving money. He got polite applause.
Kathy's neutral note; Mitt Romney called in from the game and said hi. I guess if I didn't already support Mike Huckabee I would think that was nice. I am sure Mike Huckabee would do the same if there was a district meeting and football game in Arkansas, where he attended the game, on the same day. Same with the other candidates.
Oh, and I would like to thank State Rep. Tom Casperson and Frank "the Dork" Egeler for giving me a ride to and back. I had tons of fun. I wouldn't have had as much fun if I drove by myself. I guess that is one positive aspect of having a crappy car. Joel Westrom, First District Chairman, did a fantastic job with the meeting as a whole. Although everytime he got up to speak I kept noticing that his hair looked like a cross between Mitt Romney's and Bill Clinton's. Ya know when ya see either of these two guys on TV ya just want to reach through the television and mess with their perfectly coiffed hair? Yeah, that was Joel's hair.
Well anyways I thought I would give a quicky, but me being me, I got long winded. Believe it or not, but I have way more to say. Including what Frank "the dork" told Joel what I said about his hair.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

(I'm just itching to see if Frank or Joel find this. They like to stalk themselves and see what people say about them.)