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 GOP Blogs Has Started Live Blogging

Some of the good bloggers at the First District Gop will be live blogging the Super Tuesday Part II tonite. John Niemela has already started. Check out his post here. I have it on good word that Saul Anuzis might be blogging over there also. If that doesn’t do it for you, there will be jugglers, puppies, kitties and the Osmonds. Just kidding.

Michigan GOP chairman relishes the game of politics

A friend on facebook posted this article about Michigan GOP Chairman, from the freep. I thought I would post a few snippets.

• Saul Anuzis, the effervescent chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, knows how to do modern politics.
• He blogs, he texts, he podcasts and micro-targets. But he also knows there is a timeless and nontechnical side to politics -- fun.

• Anuzis -- the son of Lithuanian immigrants who learned English as a second language -- never graduated from college and was a successful entrepreneur before returning to professional politics. Good humor seems to be part of his makeup.

  He is a completely partisan Republican, who grew up in a working-class family in Detroit, was a member of the Teamsters in college and assumed his political identity when he realized Ted Kennedy might win the Democratic nomination for president in 1980.

I think this is an awesome all American story. Not all Republicans come from "Old Money, daahhlings."

• He considers himself a classic Reagan Republican, an ideological movement conservative who happens to be working in a job most often filled by a technocrat. Anuzis said last week that his most difficult moments as chairman have come not in confrontations with Democrats but with fellow Republicans.

  "A lot of people didn't like it too much when I started linking stories on my blog about Congress spending like drunken sailors," he said, "because it was our congressmen."

• "Every day you get to get out of bed trying to figure out ways to beat Democrats," he said. "I really like that." [more here]
  

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.

Michigan Politics: Mitt Shadow of "Real Deal"?

Well, for you, my dear sweet reader(s), I have bought a subscription to The St. Ignace News, just to bring you this story and possibly others in the future. Here is a column from George Weeks regarding Mitt Romney's and his dad's, George Romney, candidacies.

• Michigan Politics
• Mitt Calls Self 'Shadow of the Real Deal,' George
• By George Weeks

• There are some similarities and stark contrasts among the factors in last week's demise of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign and that of his father's bid four decades ago.
• Both men were success stories in the private sector before becoming governors, and both had political battles with Arizona senators.
• For both, wars of the day were at play - shooting wars overseas and ideological wars within the GOP - as each Romney made an abrupt and surprise withdrawal from quest for the White House.

• Group-think of journalists who do the first drafts of history was that Michigan Governor George Romney was done in by blurting out in a Detroit TV interview, "I just had the greatest brainwashing that anybody can get" during U.S briefings in Vietnam. But there was more to it than that.
• While Romney acknowledged in a 1987 interview with this scribe that he was "cut to pieces" after his comment, he insisted there were other reasons, including "dirty tricks" the Richard Nixon camp used to spread "distortions" about Romney spending increases as governor.

I had heard about the "brainwashing" comment made by George Romney. I don't know too much about the "spending" thing. I do know that I have talked to some of the older people, in Michigan, that have said that they liked Governor George Romney. These people thought he was a pretty good governor.

• By the same token, the front-runner status of Mitt Romney had already evaporated when the former Massachusetts governor dropped out rather than, as he spun it, damage by a prolonged fight the chance of Senator John McCain, the post-Super Tuesday frontrunner who last summer was counted out by the media herd.
• Said Romney: "I feel I have to now stand aside for our party and for our country. If I fight on in my campaign, all the way to the convention, I'd forestall the launch of a national campaign, and, frankly I'd make it easier for Sen. [Hillary] Clinton or [Barack] Obama to win. Frankly, in this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror."
• It was a noble declaration from a Michigan native who impressively won our January 15 GOP primary over McCain, victor over now-President George W. Bush here in 2000.

• There's talk of Mitt Romney being in a good position to seek the presidential nomination in 2012 if there is not an incumbent.
• Writes Republican State Chairman Saul Anuzis: "I wish we could make it Senator Romney or even Governor Romney-- again…from Michigan!?!"

I agree with Mr. Anuzis' quote.

To read all of this article, you need subscription. From The St. Ignace News as to who George Weeks is; George Weeks retired in 2006 after 22 years as political columnist for The Detroit News. His weekly Michigan Politics column is syndicated by Superior Features.

Email Update from the Michigan Republican Party

I got this email yesterday from the state party regarding the upcoming primary in MICHIGAN ON JANUARY 15.
All your questions will be answered here.

Victory Update :: News from the Michigan Republican Party

MICHIGAN MATTERS IN A BIG WAY

On Tuesday, one million Michiganians - or more - will head to the polls to vote for their candidate to be the next president of the United States. That's more than the number of people who voted in the Iowa Caucuses and New Hampshire Primary combined. Michigan is positioned to be a make-or-break state for Republican candidates. Michigan is a better test of a candidate's general election appeal than most of the early primary states. Michigan is a perennial bellwether political state. Its citizenry is extremely diverse and it has a long tradition of independent-minded voters. A Republican who does well in Michigan will do well across the country. The early states set the tone and tenor of the primary elections. That is why I pushed so hard to move up Michigan's GOP Primary. With our single-state recession, higher-than-average unemployment, recent population losses, and the largest tax increase in state history that Governor Granholm recently shoved down our throats, Michigan faces unique economic challenges the next president must help address. Making sure the Republican contenders spend time in Michigan getting to know its people and issues will make sure we have a friend in the White House next January. American Spectator Editor Bill Kristol said Michigan will be "ground zero" for Republicans seeking the nomination. You can hear his interview with WJR-AM's Frank Beckmann here. Political pundit and former President Clinton advisor Dick Morris told FOX News Channel that Michigan will determine who is the GOP presidential nominee.

GET OUT AND VOTE TUESDAY, JAN. 15

The best way to defeat Senator Clinton and the Democrats is to get out and vote for one of our Republican candidates for president. A strong GOP turnout will energize the grassroots and will show that Michigan will be a state to be reckoned with come November. You can find out where you vote by visiting the Michigan Secretary of State's Web site at www.michigan.gov/vote. Voters across America are repudiating Senator Clinton and the Democrats rhetoric of retreat, pessimism, and blaming America for the world's troubles. All of the Republican candidates on the Michigan ballot have a better vision for American than Senator Clinton and the Democrat also-rans who want to be Commander-In-Chief.

A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN NEAR YOU

It will be hard to go anywhere in Michigan in the next few days without running into a Republican presidential candidate. The GOP candidates have released full and vigorous Michigan campaign schedules through Primary Night. We are witnessing history in the making and this is our chance to be part of it. I will be attending many campaign visits and stops over the next few days and I look forward to seeing you there. For an up-to-date calendar of MI GOP Primary Events, visit our website at www.MIGOP.org.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GOP PRIMARY

Q: When and where will the election be held? A: Tuesday, Jan. 15 at all normal polling locations. To locate your polling location, visit www.michigan.gov/vote. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Q: Who is administering this election? A: This is a state-run primary election and will be administered by county, township and city clerks. Q: Can I vote by absentee ballot? A: Yes - per Michigan law, if you expect to be out of town, are age 60 or over, or are disabled, unable to vote without assistance at the polls, are in jail awaiting arraignment or trial, unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons, or are appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence, you may vote by absentee ballot. Simply call your city or township clerk to request an absentee ballot application. Q: I've heard people refer to this as a "closed" election - do I have to register with either party in order to vote? A: No, party registration is not required. When you arrive at your polling location you will request either a Republican or a Democrat ballot and a record will be kept as to which ballot you requested. You can only vote in the Republican primary or the Democrat primary - not both. You vote will be kept private as in all elections. Q: Which candidates will appear on the Republican ballot? A: Nine Republicans will appear on the ballot: Sam Brownback, Rudy Giuliani, Duncan Hunter, Mike Huckabee, John McCain, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Tom Tancredo. Please note: the ballots were printed prior to the date that Sam Brownback and Tom Tancredo dropped out of the race. There is also the option of voting for "uncommitted," which is a vote to send to uncommitted delegates to the National Convention.

DON'T FORGET TO VISIT THE MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY ONLINE STORE!

Our secure, user-friendly site offers a variety of Republican items, including sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, travel mugs, and more! Perfect for personal use, holiday presents, or volunteer gifts, our items will allow you to confidently display your Republican pride. Visit www.migop.org/store to view, purchase, or comment on our selection of unique Republican items.

JOIN SAUL'S A-LIST!

Not getting Saul's daily Articles of Interest? Not getting the Michigan Republican Party press releases? Join Saul's A-List now to get updates. Sign up today at http://www.migop.org/ExactTarget/A-list.asp

UPCOMING EVENTS

Click here to view all the events in your county for the year.

BLOG

Don't forget to check out the MIGOP blog at http://migop.blogs.com/blog/

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.

Michigan Republican State Convention will be Held in Lansing this Year

On "That's Saul, Folks" today Michigan Republican State Party Chairman Saul Anuzis has all the details about the upcoming state convention.

• FEBRUARY 15 & 16, 2008 - State Convention & State Committee Meeting
• Friday, February 15th & Saturday, February 16th - Lansing Center / Lansing Radisson Hotel, Lansing. State Convention will be held for the purposes of electing National Committee delegates, National Committeeman, and National Committeewoman. District Caucuses will be held Friday night at the Lansing Radisson Hotel and the Lansing Center. Convention floor proceedings held Saturday AM at the Lansing Center. More details to be distributed at County Conventions.

If you are a precinct delegate or just want to know how it all works go here to find out more info, regarding the county conventions. Your county chair should be sending info to you soon, if you're a delegate.

I am so glad to hear it will be in Lansing. The last two I attended were in Grand Rapids. Don't get me wrong I like Grand Rapids and the Amway Grand Hotel Plaza, but I lived in Lansing for a couple years and it would be nice to visit again. I want to head on to the Green Door Bar & Grill to have a couple drinks and listen to the live blues music.

Two Great Michiganders who May Possibly Run Against Sen. Carl Levin

From That's Saul Folks.

• Former Representative Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski and Representative Jack Hoogendyk are serious considering running for the United States Senate against long time incumbent Carl Levin. This could be an exciting prospect, please encourage your favorite potential candidate to enter the race.

Read today's articles of interest from Saul Anuzis' blog, here.

Michigan Might be Getting Another Debate

There just may be another Republican Debate in Michigan. There was already a Republican Debate in Dearborn, Michigan on Oct. 9. I thought this was the best, most lively and energetic Republican Debate. But then again I could be biased, being from Michigan and all. This possible debate, if it happens would take place at the auto show in Detroit, Michigan. That would be freakin awesome. Here is some of the article in The Daily Press, of Escanaba, Michigan. If ya want to read the full article without dealing with my comments go directly here.

• GOP leader proposes debate at auto show
• WASHINGTON (AP) — Michigan Republicans are hoping to stage a presidential debate at the Detroit auto show two days before the Michigan primary featuring the top three GOP finishers from the New Hampshire primary and Iowa caucus.
• Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis said Wednesday that he was proposing to hold the debate at Cobo Hall on Jan. 13, the first day of the media preview of the North American International Auto Show. The presidential primary is Jan. 15.
• Anuzis said he has spoken to representatives for all the main candidates in the Republican field as well as potential television partners, but said no final decision has been reached.
• He said the debate would help showcase Michigan’s auto industry and by limiting the participants to the top three candidates from the Iowa and New Hampshire contests, it would be the ‘‘first debate in the country that actually starts narrowing the field of who participates in the debate,’’ Anuzis said.

This all sounds good. Except I think it should be up to four or five. Considering the way the Republican race has been going. There are still Republicans, nationally and state, that are undecided. Some are still switching back and forth. To be honest, I am kinda bummed with Mr. Anuzis, someone who wants to see reform in this process. Yet, here it looks like possibly he is letting new Hampshowa dictating how Michiganders should think. Don't get me wrong, I like Mr. Anuzis, I just think this is too narrow within the field. But then again, I am just some chick sitting at my computer typing my thoughts and he is the State Party Chairman.
The timing is going to be interesting. Chippewa County will be hosting a Lincoln Day Dinner Brunch on the same day. If the debate does go through I wonder how the LDD would play through? That would be kinda interesting.
Click here to read the rest of the article. To read about the previous debate click on the Michigan Debate Tag below.

Rotate regional presidential primary

From the Kalamazoo gazette is an article regarding Saul Anuzis' and Debbie Dingell's plan for future Presidential Primaries.

• Sometimes, when people from opposing political parties put their heads together, sanity happens.

Oh so true!

• Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saul Anuzis and prominent Democrat Debbie Dingell -- apparently as dismayed as the rest of us that Michigan's presidential primaries are utterly fouled up -- have come up with a plan to hold six regional presidential primaries, starting in 2012.

• The two say a lottery would take away the incentive for states unhappy with their standing to jump to the head of the line -- as Michigan and Florida attempted this year.

• But we'd be concerned that a state relegated by lottery to the back of the pack for too many elections running would eventually take matters into its own hands.

I am going to have to agree with the writer of this article on the lottery issue. I would say that the first time around should be done by lottery. It would probably be the most fair and it wouldn't look like anyone was being favored. After the 2012 lottery has been done, work from there and repeat every four years. Example could be this; according to Download dingellanuzis_modified_plan.doc there would be six regions. Say for example in the "2012 primary lottery" it went in order of Region 5,4,6,2,1,3. That's how it would be for every other primary, no lottery in 2016 nor afterwards. This is no one's thought except mine, so don't take it too serious. What do I know? OK, another thought. Do the lottery in 2012, but put the region that includes Iowa last. Then the region that includes New Hampshire second to last, the region that includes South Carolina third. The other three regions would participate in the 2012 lottery. In 2016 it would be the last lottery and all the regions would be included.

• It certainly can't get much more messed up than it is this year.

Duh!

• Their first-in-the-nation status has given uncommon political influence to white, small-town America in election after election at a time when America is getting more racially and religiously diverse.
• This year, a number of states decided to ignore national party rules and scheduled primaries or caucuses before Iowa's and New Hampshire's dates.
• The response? Not only did Iowa and New Hampshire move their election dates even earlier, but the national parties ordered sanctions. For Michigan, where lawmakers and the governor agreed to move the date up to Jan. 15, that means the Democratic National Committee will refuse to seat any delegates from this state. Michigan Republicans expect to lose about half of their delegates to the Republican National Convention.

Read the article here.
Read all the comprehensive plan devised by Anuzis and Dingell, here. Be sure to check out the docus and maps that detail their plans.
From the post in "That's Saul, Folks."

• LANSING -- Michigan Democratic National Committeewoman Debbie Dingell and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Saulius “Saul” Anuzis today proposed a bi-partisan presidential primary selection plan that would solve the problems surrounding the current method used by each party to select presidential nominees...
• See the attached link for the plans specifics.

• Download dingellanuzis_modified_plan.doc
• Download diingellanuzis_map_regions.pdf
• Download dingellanuzis_map_6up.pdf
• Download dingellanuzis_map_electoral_college.doc
• Download dingellanuzis_rnc_rule_draft.doc

Click the above link to read the full article.

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!