Congress

--Dan Balz's "Sunday Take," WashPost A2, "A young Wisconsin trio could shape the direction of the GOP": "Their names are Scott Walker, Reince Priebus and Paul Ryan. Walker is the newly elected governor of Wisconsin. Priebus is the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee. Ryan, perhaps the best known of the three, is the new chairman of the House Budget Committee and he delivered the Republican response to President Obama's State of the Union address. They all grew up in southern Wisconsin. They are close in age, ranging from late 30s to early 40s ... They share a worldview, a set of conservative values and a determination to show the country that conservative governance can solve many of the nation's problems. And in Wisconsin, they found a way to unify the party establishment with the tea party movement, avoiding many of the conflicts that occurred in other states." http://wapo.st/eOIwlo

Hoekstra and 100 Jobs Theme

I like this one--very creative. If you have not followed this campaign, Congressman Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) is leaving Congress to run for Governor. He is ahead in the polls. His focus in Congress was foreign affairs and intelligence. He also worked intensely small business issues and also to prevent the federal government from competing with businesses in the private sector.

His campaign for Governor has now created a very interesting campaign tactic: dropping in on a few businesses each week and working there for a few hours. He gets to visit with customers and owners and find out what is on their minds. He gets to experience working conditions of all sorts of different businesses and their employees. Not to mention that he gets lots of great local press who cover this--especially in small towns across Michigan.

Smart move Congressman.

Stupak Press Conference on Retirement

go to:

http://mediasite.nmu.edu/NMUMediasite/Viewer/?peid=75fede9a0575462eb1bd622647fdc3cd

UP Legislative Retirements due to term limits

The Upper Peninsula has two state senators and four state representatives.

Both the state senators, Prusi and Allen, are retiring due to term limits.

State Representatives McDowell (Soo) and Lahti (Houghton) are running for the state senate.

That means we lose all of our seniority in the state Senate and half of it in the state House. This like the Stupak retirement will mean less state aid to our district because we will have freshman legislators who will not have the experience and the connections that the men they are replacing have in the legislature. Seniority matters. Seniority means dollars, programs and services in those districts with public officials with seniority.

Upper Peninsula Congressional Seniority

With Stupak's retirement the Upper Peninsula and the entire 1st Congressional District will lose all the benefits of Stupak's 16 years of seniority and all the federal dollars that it brings to the district.

His tenure and experience enabled him to bring millions and millions of federal dollars into the district. Whether the people of the 1st Congressional District elect a Democrat or a Republican they will still be a freshman--which means years and years before we get the federal dollars rolling again into the district.

Stupak Retires

It is a very hard job being a member of Congress. The lifestyle is awful.

No time at home, constantly on the road, constantly raising money and no private life.

Now add in constant media coverage and intrusion into your private life and constant questioning of your values, belief system and honesty.

No wonder members of Congress want to retire earlier than normal. Whew.

Congressman Stupak I am sure found this a difficult decision.