Mike Bouchard held a teleconference with bloggers that I was, unfortunately, unable to participate in. However, John Hawkins at Right Wing News sat in on the conference and has many positive things to say about Mike:
My first impression? Bouchard seems to be charismatic, energetic, and as tough as you’d expect a sheriff to be. He also had no problem pulling out the brass knuckles to use on Stabenow.
At one point he said he was going to, “pound her in the nose with reality.” He also accused her of being a “jellyfish” who talked in “Washingtonspeak.” He made a good case for that, by the way.
He pointed out that he supports the House position on illegal immigration — while Stabenow voted for giving Social Security to illegals, but against making English America’s official language.
He talked about how Stabenow is killing jobs in Washington and voted for the “Bridge to Nowhere” twice, while he’s a fiscal conservative.
He noted that Stabenow is for trial lawyers, while he’s for tort reform.
Also, in response to a question, he made it clear that he respected the President, but didn’t agree with his approach on illegal immigration and spending.
In his best line of the teleconference, Bouchard talked about how ridiculous it would be to set a date to withdraw from Iraq. He said something like (This isn’t a quote):
People say we’re going to pull out on such and such a date. I’d say, what’s that based on? Did you just pull that date out of thin air? If I had a hostage situation, I would never go up to my men and say rush hour is at 5, so this situation has to be taken care of by 4:49. You just can’t put your men in the field in that position.
As far as the horse race aspect of the race went, he noted that he has gotten a lot of Democratic votes as Sheriff. In fact, he said he got 100,000 more votes in his county than Bush did in 2004.
He also noted that the party was united in Michigan and that they have all gotten together to handle the ground game — which sounds incredibly impressive by the way. Get this, he said that they’ve already done more voter contacts than were done in the presidential campaign and noted that DeVos, who’s running for Governor, will fund the biggest ground games in the history of the state.
Put it all together and not only do I think Bouchard is definitely capable of knocking off Stabenow, I think that this one could turn into one of our best pick up opportunities in the Senate before it’s over.
So far I like what I’m hearing. And I like Mike’s no nonsense way of talking. This is best exemplified in his most recent television ad, in which he says about illegal immigration, “I’m a 20-year lawman. Anything that starts with ‘illegal,’ I’m going to be against.”
Common sense. How refreshing.
Lorie adds: I was in on the teleconference, but have not yet transcribed my notes from it. My general feel for Bouchard is that he is right on the issues, that he is a fighter and an optimist and will work hard to win. I also got the impression that he is very action oriented. His energy came across on the phone and I was impressed.
I’m glad you like him, Kim. But if his “Communications Director” doesn’t take my private e-mail off his mailing list, I’m gonna send him a very brutal “request” that he do so. And if that doesn’t work, I’ll have to make it a more public drubbing. And without any consideration for the candidate or his positions.
Are you listening, Mr. All?
J.
You got it Jay!
Bouchard has done a bang-up job as Oakland County Sheriff, including washing away many of the – er – practices of the previous administration of that office.
Fiscally responsible, 100% sound on law-and-order matters, right on immigration, and his officers generally speak very well of him and have confidence in his leadership.
If I still lived in OC, I’d vote for him with no qualms.
llater,
llamas
Aunt Bea’s strategy, it seems to me, is: “Do nothing and run on your record.”
With Candice Miller and a Romney daughter or two, Michigan has many top female candidates, but we are stuck with two of the worst: Granholm and Stabenow (aunt Bea).
The Democratic (NOW) Ad campaign “We’re not going back” is the best they can come up with? What else are they going to say?: “Stick with us, Michigan is last in all categories?”
Bouchard should counter with: “We’re not going any lower”.
Being a resident of michigan, i am taking very special interest in the races here. I like what i see in the advertising push for DeVos and Bouchard. Granholm beat Posthumus in 2002 because nobody knew who Posthumus was and everyone saw Granholm’s name all over the place. This time around i see and hear advertising for DeVos and Bouchard all over the place. I feel if these two get elected, many things in this state can start picking up, such as job numbers as well as getting many of the fees, fines and taxes that were imposed by granholm over the last four years reversed.
It’s very refreshing to see candidates with clear ideas and plans spelled right out so that anyone can see them and understand them. not just a “i hate bush and republicans” message. That message will not get anyone in a sensible state elected come this november.
“He talked about how Stabenow is killing jobs in Washington and voted for the ‘Bridge to Nowhere'”
This was a massive highway re-authorization bill:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2005_Transportation_Equity_Act
which passed 89-11
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=109&session=1&vote=00125
What did it do for Michigan?
“This bill will provide more than $1.123 billion annually to fund transportation projects in Michigan, $239 million more per year than the prior six year highway bill, and will create 61,500 new jobs across the State.”
http://levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=242226
If Bouchard was in her place and refused to vote for it, he would have to be an idiot.
Stabenow has been a self-imposed blight on Michigan for 2 decades. However, just because someone now in her own party has the guts to point it out doesn’t make them any better.