Why The Michigan Republican Party Still Doesn’t Get It
Mike Nofs is the Republican nominee for the special election this Tuesday in State Senate District 19. By all accounts Mike Nofs is a nice guy. And according to an article written last May, “Nofs said he believes he should be the Republican candidate because he listens to everyone’s ideas and works across party lines.” That sounds reasonable. And while trying to compromise and work with others is something to be proud of, there are still a few fundamental issues out there where compromising means simply enabling the same bad parties who are holding behind progress.
For example, take Mr. Nofs’ endorsements by both the Michigan Educational Association (MEA) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Too many times, Republican voters are swayed by a candidate’s endorsements from Right to Life and Citizens for Traditional Values, while ignoring the “economic” allies that the politician has. And when we talk about “traditional values,” shouldn’t we also consider a government that lives within its means, and allows individuals to make an honest living without being overburdened by unnecessary taxes, regulations, and forced unionism?
As MakeLansingListen.com mentions: “So while the Republican Party is looking for this to be their big comeback win, we are convinced that their support of Mike proves they weren’t listening on April 15th as 20,000 people attended Tea Parties around the State to say they were Taxed Enough Already. Let’s tell Mike and all the rest of the big spenders in Lansing that we are mad as heck and we’re not going to take it anymore!”
Among the “Big Spender Top 10 Votes” made by Mike Nofs include both being “1 of 3 House GOP [members] to vote to keep the special benefit loophole for teacher retirement system,” and “1 of 4 House GOP to vote to protect public school employee union’s costly health benefit plan from competition.” These “protections” are better known to the MEA as the sacred cow called MESSA.
Nofs was also “1 of just 6 House GOP [members] to vote AGAINST competitive contracting for public school services like busing, food, and custodial.” For this “brave” vote, Nofs earned the endorsement of the SEIU, who states that Mike “Nofs opposes privatizing state services because he understands that there are ultimately no cost savings.” Tell this to Oakland County Sherriff, and current gubernatorial candidate, Mike Bouchard who has privatized county services in his department, resulting in savings of $15 million since he assumed office roughly ten years ago.
The Republicans may very well win this election in the short run. But this short-term victory will do nothing to restore the long-term lack of credibility that the Republican Party continues to suffer from. Republican victories at the ballot box will do little to improve the state’s current malaise when many of these same Republicans, such as Mr. Nofs, are susceptible to the political pressure inflicted by organized labor.
Which makes it an even greater irony that Democratic Detroit Mayor Dave Bing is arguably more conservative than most of the elected Republican officials in Michigan when it comes to demanding concessions from government employee unions. Mr. Bing has a big election coming up this Tuesday as well. Yet he refuses to succumb to the usual political pressure presented by organized labor. Bing recognizes that such pressure ultimately defeats the whole purpose for which he got involved in politics in the first place. He should be commended for his profile in courage, regardless of partisan affiliation or lack thereof.
Some have said that “if you wanted a ‘true conservative’ to be our nominee next week, you SHOULD HAVE FOUND ONE AND BUILT AN ORGANIZATION AND RAN AND WON THE PRIMARY.” Well, that’s easier said than done when the state Republican Party puts all of their muscle behind one favored guy. And this type of disingenuous statement is entitled to a simple response. And that’s “true conservatives” do have the choice on Tuesday to vote for Libertarian Greg Merle. “The former Republican said he became despondent with the GOP after the party made John McCain its 2008 presidential nominee…”
The RLC as a matter of policy will not endorse a Libertarian candidate running against a Republican. But frankly, considering the fact that Nofs is endorsed by both the MEA and SEIU, we can’t say that we blame conservatives in the 19th Senate District if they choose to vote for Merle. And we also appreciate the challenge to “build an organization” of our own to win primaries because that is precisely what the Republican Liberty Caucus sets out to do.
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Candidates like Nofs are in the mold of a Dede Scazzafava and do nothing to build grassroots support. Perhaps the GOP will learn a lesson from NY 23.