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.

I Met Rudy Giuliani Twice

No, I have not switched over to the other side. I got to meet Rudy Giuliani first when I was on the porch of the Grand Hotel. I was talking to friends and he was walking by. I saw him and said to myself, "that's Rudy Giuliani." I wasn't sure at first. He looks much healthier and of average weight in person. He walked by and shook peoples hands, including mine.

My mom was unable to attend anywhere at the Grand, so she didn't get to meet him. She rode a bike around the island while I was at the Grand. After we met back in town we went shopping and ate dinner.

We didn't get back on the ferry until the 9pm boat. Almost everyone waiting for the boat was Ron Paul supporters. They were obnoxious. I will get back to that more in detail in another post. While we were waiting they got really loud, shouting "Ron Paul, Ron Paul, Ron Paul....!!". There was some security, police and sheriff deputies. People were getting out cameras. My mom said that must be Ron Paul coming. I left my camera in my bag, thinking I didn't want to get a pic of Ron Paul. Then someone said it's Rudy Giuliani. So I rushed to get out my camera. By the time it was set I missed him. Once he got up to the boat entrance on the dock non Paul supporters went up to him and got pictures. My mom and I went to get pictures. He got on the ferry to go to Mackinaw City. I guess he had to catch a plane late tonight. My mom and I were going to take the St. Ignace Ferry back. We found out that the last ferry for St. Iggy was at 8pm. So we had to take the Mackinaw ferry back and grandma picked us up in Mac City.

Huckabee Unity

SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY, SATURDAY!!!

SEPTEMBER 22, 2007

Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney will be coming to Mackinac Island to battle it out.

The gloves will come off in the Dining room of the Grand Hotel at 12:30pm to 2:00pm.

BE THERE, BE THERE, BE THERE!!!

Originally posted on 8/26/07.

Before I start this post I want to thank Kevin Tracy for the poster graphics. This does go with the post I had in mind about unity. As Huckabee supporters we need to unite and help Mike Huckabee the best way we can. "United we stand, divided we fall." I was thinking about the fact that Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney will be speaking at the same luncheon on the island. I thought about how this will be a good and interesting match. I had the idea for super imposing a picture of Mike and Mitt boxing, but I don't know how to do that. I knew Kevin had the ability to do something like that. I asked him and he came up with the above poster.

Here's my point, we all are able to do something to help Mike Huckabee out. Not one of us can do everything. If we all come together and put our brainstorming and talents together we can accomplish a lot.

Now for my message to all of you in Michigan. We need to show up to the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference to support Mike Huckabee. I understand that it may be exspensive and a long distance for many of you. Please at least pray and try to find a way to make it. It will be $100 for registration. The meal ticket will only be $30, to eat in luxury and most important, hear Mike Huckabee make one of his moving speeches.

Now I understand that room rates on the island will be expensive. Some of you may not be able to afford room rates, there. Room rates in St Ignace will be much cheaper. St. Ignace room rates would be anywhere from $100 to $250 cheaper. There are four different ferry docks in St. Ignace. Ya would have to take a ferry whether ya stay on the island or not. To find out about St Ignace tourism, hotels, ferry and much more info go to http://www.stignace.com/. Granted, ya can also stay in Mackinaw City. But I think St. Ignace is a better town, it's in the UP. Plus, ya would have a chance to travel over the Mackinac "Mighty Mac" Bridge.

Now some of you may be whining about not being able to stay on the island to attend all the parties. While attending great parties with free alcohol is fun, that is not the most important thing. The most important thing is to show everyone on Mackinac Island how much support Mike Huckabee has. I know Mitt will host a party. I don't know if Mike will host a party. Again, it doesn't matter. Mike Huckabee doesn't need to buy my support. There will be other parties to attend, before the last boat leaves the island.

Tell ya what, if you really want to party til closing time, I can be your tour guide in St. Ignace and we can party at one of the bars. In fact, that would be a good idea to talk about Mike Huckabee in St. Ignace, with the people who are not attending the conference. Just let's not get too drunk and look like idiots, making Mike Huckabee look like he has idiots supporting him. Sipping a few drinks would be okay. DON'T get in a bar fight either! Take a cab or have a non-drinking friend give ya a ride if you drink too much!

What'd ya say? Mike Huckabee has come out swinging for the people of Arkansas, us and the people of America. Let's come out swinging for Mike Huckabee!!

God Bless from the Upper Peninsula in Michigan!

Mighty Mac sure is Mighty

I want to share some of the pics I took from the Mackinac Bridge yesterday.

Starting to walk the bridge

View of mackinac Island from the bridge

Riders on a truck

Getting near the first tower

View of the cables and towers

Dizzying of view looking up at towers

View of the moon in the AM

(The little white spot between the first cable and tower is the moon)

Center brace of bridge

People on top of second tower

Walking on the grate

Everyone walking toward Mackinaw City

Fort in Mackinaw City

(This was awesome. British soldiers fired the cannon while we were walking)

My certificate number is 20,880

Finish Line

After I arrived in Mac City I walked toward the line to get on the school bus to get back to St Ignace. The line stretched from one end of Mac City to the other. The wait to get back was 3 hours. About 20 buses did not show up, plus there was more people than expected. Walkers from as far as California and Texas came for the 50th bridge walk.