Gallup: Republicans Appear Poised to Win Big on Tuesday - Lead in generic ballot large enough to give Republicans solid majority control of U.S. House

Republicans Appear Poised to Win Big on Tuesday - Lead in generic ballot large enough to give Republicans solid majority control of U.S. House
by Frank Newport, Jeffrey M. Jones, and Lydia Saad

PRINCETON, NJ -- The final USA Today/Gallup measure of Americans' voting intentions for Congress shows Republicans continuing to hold a substantial lead over Democrats among likely voters, a lead large enough to suggest that regardless of turnout, the Republicans will win more than the 40 seats needed to give them the majority in the U.S. House.


The results are from Gallup's Oct. 28-31 survey of 1,539 likely voters. It finds 52% to 55% of likely voters preferring the Republican candidate and 40% to 42% for the Democratic candidate on the national generic ballot -- depending on turnout assumptions. Gallup's analysis of several indicators of voter turnout from the weekend poll suggests turnout will be slightly higher than in recent years, at 45%. This would give the Republicans a 55% to 40% lead on the generic ballot, with 5% undecided.





Republicans' 15-point lead among likely voters contrasts with their 4-point lead, 48% to 44%, among registered voters, highlighting the importance of higher GOP turnout to the election outcome. This wide difference between the GOP's margin among registered voters and its margin among likely voters is similar to the 2002 midterms, in which Democrats led by 5 points among all registered voters in Gallup's final pre-election poll, while Republicans led by 6 points among likely voters -- an 11-point gain.


These final estimates of the vote among registered and likely voters are consistent with Gallup polling since Sept. 23. Republicans have led by an average of 4 points among registered voters and by 16 points among a low-turnout estimate of likely voters since that time. Thus, while voter preferences could change in the final two days, perhaps resulting from Democrats' final push to motivate their base to turn out, voter preferences appear to be quite settled in this final post-Labor Day phase of the campaign.


A Republican Majority Very Likely


Gallup models the number of seats a party will control based on that party's share of the national two-party vote for the House of Representatives, using historical voting data in midterm elections from 1946 to 2006. The model takes into account the majority party in Congress entering the elections.


Gallup's historical model suggests that a party needs at least a two-point advantage in the national House vote to win a majority of the 435 seats. The Republicans' current likely voter margin suggests that this scenario is highly probable, making the question of interest this election not whether the GOP will win the majority, but by how much. Taking Gallup's final survey's margin of error into account, the historical model predicts that the Republicans could gain anywhere from 60 seats on up, with gains well beyond that possible.


It should be noted, however, that this year's 15-point gap in favor of the Republican candidates among likely voters is unprecedented in Gallup polling and could result in the largest Republican margin in House voting in several generations. This means that seat projections have moved into uncharted territory, in which past relationships between the national two-party vote and the number of seats won may not be maintained.


Additionally, efforts by state legislatures in recent years have attempted to insulate incumbent members of Congress from strong partisan tides such as are in force this year. Congressional district lines have been drawn to make them safe for specific parties, which may reduce the impact of national trends on election outcomes.


In the early part of the 20th century, it was not unusual for an election to bring about a change in party control of 50 House seats or more. In recent decades, the partisan shifts have been more modest, with the Republicans' 54-seat gain in 1994 a rare exception.


Turnout Holds the Key


To the extent Tuesday does bring about a strong Republican wave, it will be to a significant degree the result of turnout. Republicans have a slender 4-point advantage in the preferences of registered voters, which expands to 15 among likely voters. Republicans usually turn out at higher rates than Democrats, so the margin's expansion is not unusual, but its size this year is. In general, Republicans' advantage in the vote is strongest in an average turnout scenario, while higher turnout scenarios bring more Democrats into the likely voter pool and increase the Democratic share of the vote.


Republicans' turnout advantage is highlighted by two key questions used as part of Gallup's likely voter model. One asks Americans how much thought they have given to the upcoming elections; the other asks those who say they plan to vote how certain they are about voting.


The Oct. 28-31 poll finds that nationally, 75% of Republicans and independents who lean Republican are "absolutely certain" they will vote in the 2010 midterms, compared with 68% of Democrats. While these figures are not the only indicator of relative turnout strength -- this is just one question in Gallup's seven-item likely voter model -- the record-high seven-point gap between the parties is strongly indicative of a relative surge in GOP turnout.





Similarly, 68% of Republicans and Republican leaners say they have given quite a lot of or some thought to the elections. This compares with 54% of Democrats giving the same amount of thought to the elections, resulting in a 14-point difference between the parties. That gap is greater than any Gallup has seen since and including the 1994 midterms.




Overall, Gallup's final likely voter pool consists of 35% of Americans identifying as Republicans, 32% as Democrats, and 32% as independents.


Vote by Key Demographic Groups


The structure of the vote among subgroups of the American population follows typical patterns.


Republicans do best among the following groups: men, whites, those living in the South and West, higher-income households, those who are married, and those who attend church frequently, with Democrats generally doing better among the demographic counterparts in each instance. (For full results by subgroup, please see page 2.)


There is virtually no difference in the percentage of Republican and Democratic likely voters supporting their own party's candidate. Ninety-two percent of Democrats are voting for the Democratic candidate in their district, and 96% of Republican likely voters are voting for the Republican candidate. Independents tilt toward the Republican candidate by a sizable 59% to 31% margin. The margin for Republican congressional candidates among independents is much greater among likely voters than among registered voters, suggesting independents voting Republican are significantly more likely to turn out than are those voting Democratic.


Key Indicators on Election Eve


The final pre-election survey continues to show that most key indicators assessing the political climate are not favorable toward the incumbent party.


President Obama's job approval rating among national adults is at 45% in this final pre-election survey. This is higher than the 38% job approval rating George W. Bush had just before the 2006 midterm elections, lower than Bush's 63% approval before the 2002 midterms and Bill Clinton's 66% approval before the 1998 midterms, and about the same as the 46% Clinton had before the 1994 midterms. Presidents whose approval ratings have been below 50% have suffered an average loss of 36 House seats in midterm elections since 1946.


Twenty-one percent of Americans approve of the job Congress is doing, and 22% of Americans say they are satisfied with the way things are going in the country right now. Both of these measures are essentially tied with or lower than those before any previous midterm elections since Gallup began measuring them systematically.



Explore more Gallup data relating to the upcoming congressional midterm elections, including Gallup's complete generic ballot trend since 1950, in our Election 2010 Key Indicators interactive.


Learn more about Gallup's likely voter models for the 2010 midterm congressional elections.


Survey Methods

Results for this USA Today/Gallup poll are based on telephone interviews with 2,240 national adults, aged 18 and older, conducted Oct. 28-31, 2010. For results based on the total sample of national adults, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±2 percentage points.

For results based on the sample of 2,027 registered voters, the maximum margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

Results for likely voters are based on the subsample of 1,539 survey respondents deemed most likely to vote in the November 2010 midterm elections, according to a series of questions measuring current voting intentions and past voting behavior. For results based on the total sample of likely voters, one can say with 95% confidence that the maximum margin of sampling error is ±4 percentage points. Based on past voting history in United States midterm elections and current interest in the election, turnout is assumed to be 45% of the voting-age population.

Interviews are conducted with respondents on landline telephones (for respondents with a landline telephone) and cellular phones (for respondents who are cell phone only). Each sample includes a minimum quota of 150 cell-phone-only respondents and 850 landline respondents, with additional minimum quotas among landline respondents for gender within region. Landline respondents are chosen at random within each household on the basis of which member had the most recent birthday.

Samples are weighted by gender, age, race, education, region, and phone lines. Demographic weighting targets are based on the March 2009 Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older non-institutionalized population living in continental U.S. telephone households. All reported margins of sampling error include the computed design effects for weighting and sample design.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/144125/Republicans-Appear-Poised-Win-Big-Tuesday.aspx

Tuesday 8:30 PM: Rocky for Congress Victory Party in Troy!

Join Us for the Rocky for Congress
Victory Party in Troy
Beginning at 8:30 pm, all Rocky volunteers and supporters are invited to gather at the Troy Marriott Hotel at 200 W. Big Beaver to await election results. Come join Rocky and Amalia and celebrate earning the opportunity to turn America around.

We need you Monday & Tuesday for a GOP victory!!

Help Rocky & the Republican ticket out at a Michigan Republican Fix Michigan Center on Monday or Tuesday by calling voters or visiting them at their doorstep with literature. Give us a couple of hours for victory on Tuesday night!!

MONDAY HOURS
9 AM - 9 PM

TUESDAY HOURS (phones only)
9 AM - 7:30 PM

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 102, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

We need you Sunday 12:00 - 6:00 PM for victory on Tuesday!

Join us on Sunday for door knocking, phone calling and lawn sign distribution from 12:00 - 6:00 PM at one of these Oakland County Fix Michigan Centers sponsored by the Michigan Republican Party for all of our GOP nominees:

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 102, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

You are needed @ 4 Oakland County Fix Michigan Centers for calling & walking toward a GOP victory!

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 202, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

Join us tonight @ 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 PM for the final Republican Roundup for a GOP victory!

REPUBLICAN ROUNDUP - FINAL ROUNDUP BEFORE ELECTION DAY

Join the

9th Congressional District Republican Party

For a briefing by the

Michigan Republican Party

We think you agree that House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her liberal friend Congressman Gary Peters need to be fired on November 2nd.
Please join us on a teleconference with the Michigan Republican Party as to how we can work together in the last few days of this election to dump Gary Peters and elect Rocky Raczkowski and the entire GOP ticket. The polls show the race is a dead heat. By learning how you can help at a local Fix Michigan Center you will help achieve victory.

Join us on Thursday Evening, October 28, during one of three identical conference calls: 6:30 PM, 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM

Please dial: 1-218-486-8700
Use this participant access code: 319025#

Let's have a conversation about taking back our country on Thursday evening either at 6:30, 7:30 or 8:30 PM. We can't do it without you.
Talk to you then!

URGENT: Final Money Bomb to Keep Rocky's Ads on T.V.

Don't let Rocky's ads go off the air because of lack of funds! He needs a last minute push with new dollars for the final t.v. buy which must happen immediately. Please give generously via credit card. https://www.rockyworksforus.com/contribute/

Tea Party Express - National Bus Tour - Rolls in to Summit Place Mall Friday for Get Out The Vote Rally!

Tea Party Express - National Bus Tour - Get Out The Vote Rally

Friday, October 29 · 4:00pm - 6:30pm

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Location Summit Place Mall - outside old Macy's store - corner of Telegraph & Elizabeth Lake Roads
315 N. Telegraph Road
Waterford, MI

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More Info Join the three Tea Party Express buses, special guest speakers & candidates for office who will reclaim our government on election day. Bring friends/family/neighbors. Family friendly event so please make sure your signs/placards are child appropriate. Spread the word!

Free and ample parking.

http://www.teapartyexpress.org/

Breaking: 9th. Congressional District Republicans Endorse in 5 Key Races

The 9th. Congressional District Republican Party's Executive Committee just unanimously endorsed the following candidates at their regularly scheduled meeting held in Bloomfield Hills.

Endorsements were made for:

FOR SUPREME COURT (vote for not more than two)

Justice Robert Young
Judge Mary Beth Kelly

FOR OAKLAND COUNTY PROBATE JUDGE (vote for not more than one)

Kathleen Ryan

FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE - 54-2 (Troy & Clawson - vote for not more than one)

Michael A. Martone

FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGE - 48 (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, Keego Harbor, Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake and West Bloomfield Township - vote for not more than one)

Marc Barron

FOR OAKLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEE (vote for not more than three)

Dan Kelly
Fred M. Mester



Please vote NO on all tax increases (millage rate hikes) on all local ballots.

Gallup poll: Republicans 'in position to win'

Gallup poll: Republicans 'in position to win'


By ANDY BARR | 10/26/10 7:48 AM EDT

Republicans hold a significant lead among likely voters on a generic congressional ballot heading into the last week of the campaign, according to a new Gallup poll.

Gallup's model of a high-turnout scenario – where more than 40 percent of the electorate votes – shows Republicans leading 52 percent to 43 percent. If fewer than 40 percent of voters turn out, the GOP lead jumps to 14 percentage points, 55 percent to 41 percent.

Gallup editor-in-chief Frank Newport said the data shows Republicans remain “in position to win control of the House of Representatives in next week's midterm elections.”

The poll shows Democrats only trail Republicans by 4 percentage points among registered voters.

“Republicans have held the upper hand all year in terms of enthusiasm and turnout, giving their candidates clear advantages among likely voters,” Newport wrote. “Democrats appear to have closed that gap a little, particularly when the last four days of Gallup's interviewing are taken into account, and are thus doing slightly better in Gallup's voting estimates.”

The data is based on two polls conducted Oct. 14-17 and Oct. 21-24. For the registered voter sample, 2,746 registered voters were surveyed for a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Gallup surveyed 1,989 likely voters, the sample for which comes with a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/44179.html#ixzz13T4rzr9v

Cantor: Obama, Pelosi & Congressional Democrats Extreme Not Tea Party

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor: Obama is extreme not Tea Party
By Jeff Winkler - The Daily Caller | Published: 9:02 AM 10/22/2010

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor said it is President Obama and his political agenda that is out of the mainstream, not the Tea Party movement.

“This administration and the Obama/Pelosi agenda that has been unfolded over the last 20 months is the extreme agenda,” he said on CBS Friday. Cantor rejected assertions that the Tea Party is an extremist movement.

Cantor said Democrats and their allies have failed to recognize that many people in this country are scared of an over-reaching government and that’s the extremism they want to see stopped.

“People are tired of Washington spending the money we don’t have, they’re tired of the expanse of government into almost every aspect of our lives,” Cantor said. “And frankly, they want to see us return to the America that has always stood as the beacon of prosperity to the world.”



Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2010/10/22/house-minority-whip-eric-cantor-obama-is-extreme-not-tea-party/#ixzz1368JQ2S4

Gary Peters' Playbook: Rep. Peters Voted Against Banning Taxpayer Funding of Abortions in Obamacare - Refused to Support Stupak Amendment

Taxpayer-Funded Abortion - Voted AGAINST the Stupak Amendment, which would have prevented the use of taxpayer funds for abortions. Low-income women have been victims of far-right-wing extremists for too many years. While rich women could afford an abortion, those less fortunate could not afford to do so. This inequity made it more difficult for the poor, and saddled society with the costs of taking care of millions of their unwanted babies. Gary Peters stood up against religious bigots by fighting to provide taxpayer funds to help these women in need. http://www.peters4congress.com/

Sources:
http://www.peters4congress.com/
National Right to Life Committee
Republican National Coalition for Life
Right to Life of Michigan

11 Days Left to Help Fire Nancy Pelosi/Gary Peters - Stop in 4 Oakland County Fix Michigan Centers to Volunteer Today!

You have 11 days left to help fire Nancy Pelosi & her leftwing lap dog U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Liberalism). Have you helped yet?

We need you to help make voter contacts via telephone surveys or voter visits in local neighborhoods. Please visit the Michigan Republican Fix Michigan Centers listed below near you:

Monday - Saturday 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 102, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

You can also pick up lawn signs at these centers for:

Rick Snyder/Brian Calley for Governor/Lt. Governor
Bill Schuette for Attorney General
Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State
Bob Young/Mary Beth Kelly for Supreme Court
Rocky Raczkowski for Congress
Your State Senate Nominee
Your State Representative Nominee
Your Oakland County Commissioner Nominee

Bumper stickers are available as well. Stop in today or call to help! We CANNOT achieve victory without you and your friends/family. Fire Pelosi & Peters by helping today!!

Pew Research: Republicans leading the generic congressional ballot by a whopping ten points among likely voters, 50% to 40% - Rep. Peters Be Afraid!

October 21, 2010

Political Wire

Republicans Expand Lead in Generic Ballot
The latest Pew Research survey finds Republicans leading the generic congressional ballot by a whopping ten points among likely voters, 50% to 40%. Last month, Republicans held a seven point lead.

Key finding: "The Republicans' advantage in 2010 is largely being driven by a swing in preferences among independent voters. Currently, likely independent voters favor the Republican candidate by 19 points (49% Republican vs. 30% Democrat). In November 2006, Democrats held a seven-point lead among likely independent voters."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/21/republicans_expand_lead_in_generic_ballot.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=political-wire

Detroit News: Raczkowski touts free market, big budget cuts

Last Updated: October 21. 2010
The Detroit News

Raczkowski touts free market, big budget cuts

Nathan Hurst Detroit News Washington Bureau / Detroit News Washington Bureau
Washington— When his father first held him up to click levers in a voting booth in the early 1970s, a political mantra was imbedded in little Andrew Raczkowski: Vote Democrat.

Forty years later, the 9th District challenger to U.S. Rep. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is a tea party-backed Republican with a tough-guy nickname — Rocky — and a tough-guy image — he served two tours of duty in Operation Enduring Freedom — who wants to slash taxes, ease business regulation and "defeat the Obama-Pelosi machine."

To convince Oakland County voters to hitch a ride to the right with him, Raczkowski is touting his adherence to many of the same free market, small government ideals espoused by former President Ronald Reagan, the man he says transformed his Polish immigrant family from Democrats to GOP lifers.

"My father was ecstatic to be an American. The country embodied the deep work ethic my parents held," Raczkowski said. "They wanted to add to the country, not take away from it, and Reagan embodied that."

How Raczkowski's pitch will play out to voters Nov. 2 won't just answer the question of whether he has what it takes to topple Peters, the freshman who was swept into office as part of the 2008 Obama wave.

The results of the race in Oakland County — once a Republican stronghold — will also be viewed as a microcosm of political theater playing across the country: Can a conservative, tea party-backed candidate who ran far to the right in a primary boost enough appeal to beat a Democrat who's running as a middle-of-the-road guy?

It might not be as easy for him as it would've been 10 years ago, when he last ran for the state Legislature.

"This is a different Oakland County," said Bill Ballenger, editor of the nonpartisan Inside Michigan Politics newsletter.

But in this year of anti-incumbent fervor, Raczkowski's conservative chops helped him to defeat Paul Welday, a former staffer for Rep. Joe Knollenberg, the more moderate Republican whom Peters ousted in 2008.

Wants cuts at Pentagon
Raczkowski was slammed for comments made in June questioning President Barack Obama's citizenship, which caused a post-primary firestorm. He subsequently withdrew the comments. He's also taken hits for comments he's made in support of privatizing Social Security, though his campaign says Raczkowski wants to protect benefits for those who've paid into the system with guarantees for future beneficiaries.

He questions the need for a federal Department of Education, responding to a Detroit News editorial board survey that it's an "unnecessary … no-value-added middleman."

Yet bucking conventional conservative wisdom, Raczkowski also wants to see budgets slashed at the Pentagon, which he says is spending "way too much time and money" on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan "in place of things we could be doing back at home."

He's also had to fight off accusations of fraud and theft in a lawsuit against a firm he used to head, Star Tickets of Grand Rapids. Welday used the suit against him in the primary and Peters has raised the issue as well.

The suit alleges Raczkowski and his company knowingly misreported ticket sales for a series of concerts featuring the '70s rock band KISS, singer John Fogerty, country singer Kenny Chesney and comedian Larry the Cable Guy at a motorcycle rally in 2008, and that Raczkowski himself hid ticket stubs to support sales receipts representing tens of thousands fewer customers than paid to show up.

The promoter is seeking more than $6 million in damages.

Raczkowski denies the accusations and has circulated court documents showing the Texas man suing him was recently charged with cocaine possession and is in dire financial straits. He's also suing Peters and Michigan Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer over ads they've aired about the lawsuit.

A fan of Reagan
On the campaign trail, Raczkowski hasn't hesitated to talk about his role in the Army, where he served for 24 years after enlisting at age 17. His military experience, he said, gave him two important things: a deeper love of country and his nickname, which became his middle name.

His latest tour of duty came as he was hoping to challenge Sen. Carl Levin, D-Detroit, for a second time in 2008 (he lost badly to the popular Democrat in 2002).

Raczkowski entered politics in 1994 with a losing primary bid to unseat former state Rep. Jan Dolan. He decided to run, he said, after unsuccessfully trying to contact Dolan for help starting his printing business. Raczkowski ultimately agreed to take the post in 1996 at age 27 following Dolan's retirement.

State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop worked with Raczkowski for two terms in the lower chamber and credited the candidate with "really kick-starting the venture capital push in Michigan," a push Bishop extended after Raczkowski was term-limited from another run in 2002.

Raczkowski tries to deflect the hits he's taken by channeling Reagan.

"He had an incredible sense of humor," Raczkowski said of the former president. "In politics, without that, what else do you have?"

nhurst@detnews.com

(202) 662-6738



From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101021/POLITICS02/10210393/0/METRO/Raczkowski-touts-free-market--big-budget-cuts#ixzz1301VTFS6

Michigan's Biggest Liar: Michigan Democrat Chairman Mark Brewer

When will the lies stop?

Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party has been a consistent liar over the years, running vicious political campaigns to smear opponents by any means necessary. Brewer is one of the biggest liars in Michigan politics and has worked to tarnish the good names of Michigan’s public officials, and now that it is election season, he is pulling out all of the stops to try and defeat his opponents no matter the cost. Brewer has taken aim at many in the public arena including Justice Cliff Taylor, Justice Bob Young, Rick Snyder, Bill Schuette, and many others. Most of the claims he has launched are half-truths, deceptions, and/or down-right lies, and we are not going to let Mr. Brewer get away with it. These smear campaigns are the ugliest part of the political process, but fortunately studies have shown that voters reject this gutter-style brand of politics in favor of an open and honest dialogue about the issues.
For far too long Mark Brewer has stretched the truth, lied, and disregarded the consequences of his negative campaigns. You can help us debunk other lies by identifying questionable claims that you see or hear from Mr. Brewer and send them to Michigan's Biggest Liar.

The election is only two weeks away and Mr. Brewer is sure to reach into his bag of dirty campaign tricks before November 2nd. Stay informed and keep track of all of his lies at www.MichigansBiggestLiar.com.

Please Join Republican Congressional Candidates

RNC COALITIONS

CONFERENCE CALL

Please Join
Republican Congressional Candidates

When: Thursday, October 21 at 4:00 PM EDT

Where: Dial-In Number: 888-566-2143 Code: 4743829

Rasmussen: Most Voters Oppose the Reelection of Anyone Who Voted for the Health Care Law, Auto Bailouts, Stimulus Plan - Rep. Gary Peters Voted YES!

Most Voters Oppose the Reelection of Anyone Who Voted for the Health Care Law, Auto Bailouts, Stimulus Plan
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Incumbents, beware: The major votes you’ve cast in Congress over the past couple years appear likely to come back to haunt you this Election Day.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that most Likely Voters think their representative in Congress does not deserve reelection if he or she voted for the national health care law, the auto bailouts or the $787-billion economic stimulus plan. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Those votes also appear to be driving factors in the GOP’s consistent lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot. Most strong supporters of President Obama believe those who voted for the measures should be reelected. Even more of those who Strongly Oppose the president disagree.

Forty-three percent (43%) of all Likely Voters say someone who voted for the health care law deserves to be reelected. Fifty percent (50%) oppose their reelection.

Thirty-six percent (36%) say if their local representative voted for the taxpayer bailouts of General Motors and Chrysler, he or she deserves to be returned to Congress. Fifty-three percent (53%) say that person does not deserve reelection.

Similarly, 41% say their representative in Congress should be reelected if he or she voted for the stimulus plan. But 50% don’t see it that way and say the individual should not be reelected.

The partisan divide is predictable since virtually no congressional Republicans voted for any of these measures. So Democratic voters overwhelmingly think those in Congress who voted for them should be reelected, while Republicans feel just as strongly that they should not be reelected.

But, tellingly, voters not affiliated with either party also feel strongly that supporters of the health care law, the auto bailouts and the stimulus should not be returned to Congress.

This survey of 1,000 Likely U.S. Voters was conducted October 18-19, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted byPulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Sixty-two percent (62%) of voters think it would be better for the country if most congressional incumbents are defeated this November. Just 27% think their representative in Congress is the best possible person for the job, and only 37% think their local congressional representative deserves reelection.

Republican candidates currently hold a nine-point lead on the Generic Congressional Ballot. That means 48% would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate, while 39% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

Among those who would vote Republican, 80% or more say those who supported the health care bill, the auto bailouts and the stimulus plan should not be reelected. Those who would vote for the Democrat are slightly less emphatic in their support for those who backed the measures.

Only 19% of all voters think that most members of Congress understand how their decisions impact the economy. Sixty-seven percent (67%) say they do not.

But just 37% believe most voters understand the impact of Obama administration policies. A plurality (45%) appear to agree with President Obama that instead most voters are too scared of those policies to think clearly. Eighteen percent (18%) are not sure.

Republicans and unaffiliated voters believe more strongly than Democrats that most voters are scared.

In today’s Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll, 47% of voters say they at least somewhat approve of the president's performance, while 52% disapprove. This includes 30% who Strongly Approve and 42% who Strongly Disapprove.

More than 90% of those who Strongly Approve of the job the president is doing think those who supported the health care bill and the stimulus in Congress should be reelected. They are less supportive of those who backed the auto bailouts.

But among those who Strongly Disapprove of how the president is doing, opposition to those Congress members’ reelection is at an even higher level.

Since Democrats in Congress passed the health care law in late March, support for its repeal has ranged from a low of 53% to a high of 63%.

Fifty-three percent (53%) of Americans still think the federal government bailout of General Motors and Chrysler was a bad idea.

Voters continue to give the stimulus plan mixed reviews. Thirty-four percent (34%) say it has helped the economy, but 39% think it has hurt the economy. Twenty-two percent (22%) say it has had no impact.

With two weeks to go until Election Day, voters trust Republicans more than Democrats on eight out of 10 important issues regularly tracked by Rasmussen Reports including the economy and health care.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it's free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/october_2010/most_voters_oppose_the_reelection_of_anyone_who_voted_for_the_health_care_law_auto_bailouts_stimulus_plan

Republicans Target Rep. Gary Peters' Mentor, Friend & Boss: Extreme Leftwing Speaker Nancy Pelosi

US Republicans target 'witch' Pelosi


AFP/File – US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, seen here on September 15,pledged to extend tax cuts for most Americans … .by Olivier Knox Olivier Knox – Tue Oct 19, 5:08 am ET
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has proved an irresistible target to Republicans, who have branded the powerful Democrat a "wicked witch" and a would-be puppy killer ahead of November 2 elections.

The Republican National Committee (RNC) has staged a nationwide "Fire Nancy Pelosi" bus tour to energize core supporters for the fight to retake the US Congress and dump the San Francisco lawmaker from her lofty perch.

Republicans have spoofed Pelosi as Disney's would-be Dalmatian skinner "Cruella," and portrayed her as "the wicked witch" of high taxes in a television commercial that sees her challenger melt her down to nothing with a bucket of water -- a nod to "The Wizard of Oz."

Pelosi, whose office says she has raised 52.3 million dollars this election cycle and held 212 political events in 24 US states plus Puerto Rico, recently shrugged off the attacks at a recent Washington forum for powerful women.

If "no one's talking about you, you have to wonder what you were doing," she said, calling the often personal attacks the "highest compliment" and stressing that US politics requires "a suit of armor" and the ability "to take a punch."

Pelosi, who as House speaker is technically the third-ranking elected US official, has pulled few punches in pushing President Barack Obama's agenda through a sometimes reluctant House of Representatives, even with numerous Democratic defections.

She powered an 800-billion-dollar economic stimulus plan to passage in February 2009, drove legislation to fight climate change through in June 2009, and led a Wall Street overhaul bill over Republican objections in June 2010.

Defending the largely party-line votes on such sweeping measures, Pelosi, 70, says "bipartisanship is nice, but it cannot be a substitute for action, not having it cannot prevent us from going forward."

Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner has described himself as "hopping mad" over some of Pelosi's hardball tactics -- notably the 11th-hour unveiling of the text of the controversial climate bill.

And deep US public frustration at the sour US economy and stubbornly high unemployment hovering near 10 percent now threatens to cost Democrats their majority in the House if Republicans can post a net gain of 39 seats.

"She's an inviting target, because she's emblematic of the Congress, and voters have very little respect, now, for Congress as an institution," according to Darrell West, director of Governance Studies at the Brookings Institution think tank in Washington.

And Republicans aim to "make her the poster child for a misbehaving and misguided Congress," much as then-president Bill Clinton vilified then-house speaker Newt Gingrich, West told AFP.

But Republicans are not Pelosi's only problem: Vulnerable centrist Democrats like Representative Chet Edwards of Texas, who she once floated as a possible running mate for then-candidate Obama, are running away from her.

Edwards recently unveiled a television ad that declares: "When President Obama and Nancy Pelosi pressured Chet Edwards, Chet stood up to them and voted 'no' against their trillion-dollar health care bill, and no to cap-and-trade," as the climate bill is known.

There have been many women advisers to US presidents, three women US secretaries of state, two women US vice presidential hopefuls from major parties -- but only one woman House speaker, second in line for the presidency.

Nancy Patricia D'Alesandro was born to a political family with roots in Venice, Genoa, Abruzzi, Campobasso and Sicily and raised in Baltimore's "Little Italy."

"We were devoutly Catholic, deeply patriotic, proud of our Italian American heritage, and staunchly Democratic," she once wrote.

She was first elected to Congress in 1987, joined the Democratic House leadership in 2001, became the first woman to lead a major US party in the House in 2002, rising to speaker after Democrats won a majority in 2006.

Pelosi has been a force on US foreign policy, notably leveling forceful attacks on China's human rights record, criticizing the war in Iraq and making frequent trips to Italy.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101019/ts_alt_afp/usvotepelosi_20101019090837

CBS Poll: 1/3 of Obama Backers Won't Vote Democrat - Nancy Pelosi Democrats like Rep. Gary Peters in Huge Trouble!

October 19, 2010 7:05 AM
Poll: 1/3 of Obama Backers Won't Vote Democrat
Posted by Bill Plante

A new CBS News-Knowledge Networks Poll shows President Obama's approval rating among people who voted for him in 2008 remains very strong, at 82 percent, but that will do little to help Democrats hold onto seats in Congress on November 2.



CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante reports that, for the White House, keeping control of the House and Senate is all about getting Democrats and Independents who voted for the president in 2008 back to the polls, and on that score, the latest poll numbers show Mr. Obama hasn't closed the sale.



Only two-thirds of Democrats who voted for President Obama in 2008 say they'll vote for one of his fellow Democrats in 2010. The biggest erosion of support is among independents; just 42 percent of Obama's 2008 independent voters say they'll support a Democrat this year. Twelve percent say they'll vote for a Republican, and 38 percent were still undecided.



The one-word slogan that defined candidate Obama's campaign, "change" has been hard to come by, according to those surveyed. Just 16 percent of Obama voters believe he has brought significant change to the way Washington works. Almost half (48 percent) of independents say he's brought little change, or none at all.



Many supporters of Obama from 2008 are unhappy with Washington in general; 58 percent said they were dissatisfied or angry about the way things are going in the nation's capital. Only 41 percent say they're satisfied or enthusiastic about the federal government's performance. Independents are especially dissatisfied; with almost seven in 10 expressing that view.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019995-503544.html

Gallup gauges that Republicans hold a lead with voters of 17 percentage points - Rep. Gary Peters oh where do you run to?

Gallup poll: Voters prefer GOP

Supporters pick up election signs at a rally for Republicans in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday. | AP Photo
By ANDY BARR | 10/19/10 7:47 AM EDT
Republicans continue to hold a commanding lead among likely voters on a generic congressional ballot, according to a new Gallup survey.

The GOP holds a 5 percent lead among registered voters and a lead among likely voters of 11 points or 17 points, depending on the turnout model.

Among registered voters, the GOP lead has increased by 2 percentage points in just the last week, jumping to a 48-to-43 percent margin.

If turnout is typical – around 40 percent – Gallup gauges that Republicans hold a lead of 17 percentage points. If turnout is higher than normal, the GOP has an 11 percent lead.

The data comes from two Gallup surveys conducted Oct. 7-10 and Oct. 14-17 that polled 2,700 registered voters, including 1,900 likely voters, nationwide. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percentage points.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43819.html#ixzz12oJaNZSt

CBS News: National Debt Up to $3 Trillion on Obama's Watch - Rep. Gary Peters Voted YES!

National Debt Up $3 Trillion on Obama's Watch
Posted by Mark Knoller

New numbers posted today on the Treasury Department website show the National Debt has increased by more than $3 trillion since President Obama took office.


The National Debt stood at $10.626 trillion the day Mr. Obama was inaugurated. The Bureau of Public Debt reported today that the National Debt had hit an all time high of $13.665 trillion.


The Debt increased $4.9 trillion during President Bush's two terms. The Administration has projected the National Debt will soar in Mr. Obama's fourth year in office to nearly $16.5-trillion in 2012. That's more than 100 percent of the value of the nation's economy and $5.9-trillion above what it was his first day on the job.


Mr. Obama frequently lays blame for soaring federal deficits on his predecessor.


"By the time I got into office we already had a $1.3 trillion deficit and we had exploded the national debt," he said last month during one of his backyard chats with Americans.


Just last Friday, the Treasury Department portrayed it as good news when it reported that the federal deficit in the fiscal year that ended September 30th was $1.294 trillion. That's less than the $1.416 trillion deficit accrued in 2009 - the largest federal deficit ever recorded. It was also less than the $1.556 trillion that had been initially projected for 2010.


The soaring deficit and Debt is one of the reasons Mr. Obama is adamantly opposed to extending tax cuts for Americans earning over $250,000 a year.


The ten year cost would total $700-billion and Mr. Obama says it would needlessly add to the deficit and Debt.


"And then we've got to pay interest to China or whoever else is willing to buy our debt," he repeatedly argued in recent weeks.


President Obama and Congress await recommendations on ways to reduce federal deficits from the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform.


The 18-member panel will report December 1st - after the midterm election.


The Commission, chaired by Democrat Erskine Bowles and Republican Alan Simpson, was established by Mr. Obama to provide recommendations on how to "put the budget into primary balance, meaning that the federal government will pay for all of its programmatic obligations."


The federal budget was last in balance from 1998 to 2001.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20019931-503544.html

Mother of All GOP Pizza Parties & Rock the 248 for Rocky & Rick is Tuesday!

Join the

9th Congressional District Republican Party

and

Oakland County Republican Party

for the

MOTHER OF ALL GOP PIZZA PARTIES
Tuesday, October 19th,
6:00 PM

Complimentary event to enjoy the fun, pizza and fellowship - then stay for Rock the 248.
&
ROCK THE 248
FOR ROCKY & RICK

Tuesday, October 19th,
9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
(Stop in whenever you have time to help!)
Join grassroots activists as we plan to survey voters by telephone for Rocky Raczkowski for Congress and Rick Snyder / Brian Calley for Governor / Lt. Governor and the entire Republican ticket. Bring friends / neighbors / family. Let's rock the 248 area code in support of the Republican statewide ticket!
Join us for ROCK THE 248 at (food & soft drinks provided):
Tues., Oct. 19, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Troy Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party

Tues., Oct. 19, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Novi Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
(New Center for Western 9th District Republicans)

Tues., Oct. 19, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Clarkston Fix Michigan Center/Michigan Republican Party
(New Center for Northern 9th District Republicans)

Tues., Oct. 19, 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM: Oakland County GOP HQ/Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
(See below for the Locations of the Fix Michigan Centers)


Fix Michigan Center Location Information:
Troy Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
671 E Big Beaver Rd Ste 101; Troy
(Located on the north side of Big Beaver Road west of Rochester Road; next to Big Beaver Tavern - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Novi Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
41700 Gardenbrook Rd Ste 202; Novi
(Difficult location in the area south of I-96, east of Novi Road and north of Grand River Avenue - Using map links or GPS unit is advised - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
5770 S Main St Ste D; Clarkston
(Located just north of Dixie Hwy [M-24] - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
203-470-4261


Oakland County GOP HQ / Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Ave; Bloomfield Twp
(Located on the southeast bound side of Woodward Avenue south of Square Lake Road - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Can't make the posted time?:
The Fix Michigan Centers are open everyday from 9 AM - 9 PM (Sunday hours: 12 PM - 6 PM). So stop in and help out whenever you are free!

Questions?:
Contact the Michigan Republican Party field team at the above listed telephone numbers/email addresses. See you there!

Event Restrictions:
Cameras and electronic recording devices of any kind are prohibited.

########################################################################
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: twitter.com@MI9thGOP
FRIEND OUR FACEBOOK GROUP: Michigan's 9th Congressional District Republicans
VISIT OUR WEBSITE: www.MI9thGOP.com
E-MAIL US: MI9thGOP@gmail.com
########################################################################
PAID FOR WITH REGULATED FUNDS BY:
9th District Republican Committee
PO Box 4553
Troy MI 48099-4553
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Michigan Ninth Congressional District Republicans
PO Box 4553
Troy Michigan 48099-4553
United States

Rasmussen Poll Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 48%, Democrats 39%

Generic Congressional Ballot
Generic Congressional Ballot: Republicans 48%, Democrats 39%

Monday, October 18, 2010 Email to a Friend ShareThis.AdvertisementElection Day is just two weeks away, and Republican candidates hold a nine-point lead over Democrats on the Generic Congressional Ballot for the week ending Sunday, October 17, 2010.

Forty-eight percent (48%) of respondents say they would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate, while 39% would opt for his or her Democratic opponent.

Even more worrisome for Democrats, however, is the finding that among the voters who are most closely following the midterm elections Republicans hold a 55% to 36% lead.

While the margin has varied somewhat from week-to-week, Republicans have been consistently ahead on the Generic Ballot for over a year, and their lead has run as high as 12 points and as low as three points. When Barack Obama first took office as president of the United States, the Democrats enjoyed a seven-point lead on the Generic Ballot.

Among voters not affiliated with either major party, Republicans hold a 17-point lead.

The Republican advantage comes from a number of factors. One is the fact that midterm elections typically feature an older electorate with a smaller share of minority voters. Additionally, in 2010, there is clearly an enthusiasm gap favoring the GOP.

Results for this survey are compiled on a full-week basis, and crosstabs for full-week results and generic ballot trends are available for Platinum Members only.

(Want a free daily e-mail update ? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The Generic Ballot results were much different during the last two election cycles when Democrats regularly had large leads. The two parties were very close through the spring of 2009, but in June, around the time Democrats began their campaign for health care reform, Republicans pulled ahead for good.

The Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Senate Balance of Power rankings shows Democrats with a 48-46 advantage, while six races remain Toss-Ups (California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Washington, West Virginia).

The Rasmussen Reports Gubernatorial Scorecard projects 27 governorships for the GOP, 13 for the Democrats and 10 Toss-Ups (Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Hawaii, Maine, Minnesota, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont).

Most voters continue to favor repeal of the national health care law, but the number of voters who expect the law to increase the deficit has fallen to the lowest point since its passage by Congress in March.

Nearly three-out-of-four (73%) believe it is at least somewhat likely that the new law will cause some companies to drop health insurance coverage for their employees, including 47% who say it is Very Likely.

With midterm elections bearing down, it’s perhaps no surprise that Democrats like the idea of one party running both Congress and the White House. Republicans and voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties are less thrilled by the idea.

Voters are more cynical than ever about the promises politicians make on the campaign trail.

For the second week in a row, 32% of Likely Voters now say the country is heading in the right direction.

Nearly half the voters in the country now think it is more common for people who are not eligible to vote to be allowed to do so than for eligible voters to be prevented from voting.

Despite assurances from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, most Americans are not confident in the Fed’s ability to combat low inflation and high unemployment rates. Americans also continue to show a lack of confidence in the stability of the U.S. banking industry.

A majority of voters prefer a candidate who tries to cut spending more than one who tries to get his district its fair share of that spending. But then most Americans feel the federal government has too much money and doesn't spend it well.

A plurality of voters nationwide continues to believe the U.S. situation in Afghanistan will get worse in the next six months.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it's free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/mood_of_america/generic_congressional_ballot

Senator Wicker Urges Congress to Cut Spending as Treasury Announces $1.3 Trillion Deficit for '10: Rep. Gary Peters Voted for this Mess & Would Again

Wicker Urges Congress to Cut Spending as Treasury Announces $1.3 Trillion Deficit for 2010
Mississippi lawmaker advocates reducing spending to restore fiscal health


Monday, October 18, 2010


WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) today made the following statement after the Treasury Department confirmed the federal government’s deficit totaled $1.3 trillion in 2010.

“Today’s Treasury Department announcement about the deficit confirms what Americans have been warning all along – Washington is dangerously spending more than we can afford,” said Wicker. “Rather than creating jobs and improving the economy, the failed stimulus bill and government bailouts created one of the largest deficits in American history since the Second World War.

"More than one out of every 10 Mississippians is looking for work, leading many to question what they are getting in return for their tax dollars. Clearly, increasing government spending is not the answer to our economic problems. The reckless spending of today limits the opportunities for future generations. If we fail to drastically reduce the size of the government, our children and grandchildren will be forced to bear the burden.”

Earlier this month, the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office first reported the $1.3 trillion federal deficit during the 2010 fiscal year, which ended on September 30. The total U.S. debt stands at $13.6 trillion.

# # #

http://www.wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=NewsRoom.PressReleases&ContentRecord_id=bf9e8125-cfa2-44d9-2612-d76d5bfb3a4a&Region_id=&Issue_id=

Wall Street Journal: Democrats Pull Plug on a Dozen House Races. Is Rep. Gary Peters Doomed?

Politicalwire.com
October 16, 2010

Democrats Pull Plug on a Dozen House Races
"Democratic strategists acknowledged they are abandoning a dozen House seats the party now holds, as they try to salvage their majority in the chamber by shoring up candidates with better chances," the Wall Street Journal reports.

"The retrenching now under way happens in every election and is typically painful for the party running behind. Democrats are loath to admit that they are cutting off any of their candidates, but two Democrats familiar with the election strategy said that about a dozen seats now held by the party are lost. Ad-tracking data show that none of these districts is slated to receive party-funded TV ads."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/16/democrats_pull_plug_on_a_dozen_house_races.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=political-wire

Americans for Tax Reform Spends $513,000 to Expose Rep. Gary Peters' Extreme Leftwing Voting Record

Beltway Confidential
www.washingtonexaminer.com


Where they’re spending: ATR goes after Grijalva, Rahall, Sestak
By: David Freddoso
Online Opinion Editor
10/15/10 10:30 AM EDT

Over at NRO, Andrew Stiles writes that Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz., is in mortal peril. He mentions that Americans for Tax Reform is planning an ad buy against him.

This morning the group reported its independent expenditure: $220,000 in television airtime. ATR is also pouring money into other unlikely GOP targets:

•$301,000 for ads against Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga.
•$513,000 for ads against Rep. Gary Peters, D-Mich.
•$463,000 for ads against Rep. Lincoln Davis, D-Tenn.
•$300,000 for ads against Rep.Nick Rahall, D-W.Va.
ATR is also spending $316,000 against a much more likely target, Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania’s Senate race.

Some of the ads are modeled after this one, with the names and states (obviously) changed: (see link below)



Read more at the Washington Examiner: http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/where-theyre-spending-atr-goes-after-grijalva-rahall-sestak-105027509.html#ixzz12Xa8QYFI

You need you today until 9 PM at Oakland Fix Michigan Centers - Super Saturday calls/walking happening now!

Today is Super Saturday! Make voter contact telephone calls or walk door to door for Rocky for Congress, Snyder/Calley & for the entire GOP team today until 9 PM at one of these Republican Fix Michigan Centers:

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center:
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 202, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

You can pick up lawns signs/bumper stickers/literature at the centers too!

Help out today --- take back Congress & take back Michigan!

Michigan Law Enforcement Picks Bill Schuette for Attorney General - Vote for Bill Schuette Nov. 2nd!

Chiefs of Police
Endorse Schuette
Southeastern Chiefs Support Schuette for AG

The Southeastern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police is endorsing former Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette for Attorney General.
The President of the Association, Chief Michael Lauretti of the Eastpointe Police Department, said that Bill Schuette “has always been fair and impartial and a friend to Law Enforcement and will make a fine Attorney General.”
“The Attorney General is the top law enforcement official in Michigan, so it is an honor to be endorsed by so many law enforcement leaders,” Schuette said. “These leaders understand that our state has to put public safety first if Michigan is going to make a successful turnaround.”
Read Full Release Here

Bouchard Backs Bill
Oakland County Sheriff for Schuette

Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard today announced his endorsement of Bill Schuette for Attorney General.
“The first task of government is safety,” Bouchard said. “Unfortunately, state government is broken, and too often it is failing to make the hard choices to ensure that public safety is the top priority. Michigan families need a new team that will make fundamental changes to ensure their safety. I’ve worked with Bill Schuette, and I know he is the right person to be Michigan’s next Attorney General.”
Mike Bouchard is Sheriff of one of the largest law enforcement agencies in America with nearly 1,200 employees. Bouchard served at Ground Zero after 9/11 and he also served on the streets of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. In addition, he serves on the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force, and is President Emeritus of the Major County Sheriffs of America.

Police Organizations Association Endorses Schuette for Attorney General
MAPO Joins with POAM, FOP, Deputy Sheriff’s &
Wayne County Chiefs of Police

Those Who Fight Crime the Most like Schuette the Best
The Michigan Association of Police Organizations (MAPO) has endorsed Bill Schuette for Attorney General.
The MAPO consists of the following nine organizations:
The Detroit Police Officers Association.
The Detroit Lieutenants and Sergeants Association.
The Flint Police Officers Association.
The Grand Rapids Police Officers Association.
The Michigan State Police Troopers Association.
The Michigan State Police Command Officers Association.
The Police Officers Labor Council.
The Michigan Association of Police.
The Warren Police Officers Association.

U.S. Treasury Department Reports $1.3 Trillion Dollar Deficit, Rep. Paul Ryan Exposes the Real Nancy Pelosi/Gary Peters Record

PAUL RYAN: TOO MUCH SPENDING, TOO FEW JOBS
by Paul Ryan on Friday, October 15, 2010 at 4:33pm.



U.S. Treasury Department reports $1.3 trillion dollar deficit



WASHINGTON – The Federal Government’s budget deficit for the fiscal year 2010 hit $1.3 trillion, according to a report released earlier today by the U.S. Treasury Department. This marks the second straight year the Federal government spent more than one trillion dollars in borrowed money, and the first time in modern history that the U.S. House of Representatives failed to pass a budget to account for their fiscal mismanagement.



In response to Treasury’s findings, House Budget Committee Ranking Member Paul Ryan (WI-01) issued the following statement:




“Today’s Treasury report makes clear Washington’s reckless spending spree plunged our nation deeper into debt. The $1.3 trillion deficit underscores the irresponsibility of Congress’ failure to pass a budget for this year. We cannot afford the twin deficits of too much spending and too few jobs – both the result of Washington’s failed economic policies. We urgently need to chart a new course.”




Key facts about Washington’s fiscal failures:




- Spin Can’t Hide Substance. The Obama Administration is seeking to put a positive gloss on the objectively terrible budget news. While statements from the Administration argue their fiscal stewardship improved the budget situation, a closer look at the FY2010 data shows the explosion in Federal spending and the continued weakness in the U.S. economy.





■The Obama Administration seeks credit for the $1.3 trillion dollar budget deficit coming in slightly lower than projected. Rather than any actual fiscal restraint, the lower figure is due to smaller outlays from recent one-time interventions in the economy. When lower-than-anticipated spending from the Troubled Asset Relief Program, Federal deposit insurance, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac are excluded, government spending continued to substantially increase in 2010.
■The Obama Administration also sought credit for higher revenue than anticipated, but this increase is almost entirely due to the increase in Federal Reserve’s earnings from its $2.3 trillion balance sheet. Both individual income and payroll tax collections declined in 2010, a reflection of anemic economic growth and high unemployment.
- Unprecedented Surge in Spending. Since January 2009, House Democrats passed more than $3 trillion in new spending increases, with a 24% increase in non-defense discretionary spending.



- Unsustainable Deficits and Debt. The $1.3 trillion deficit pushed total debt past $13.6 trillion this year. While Congress failed to pass a budget this year, the President’s budget plan doubles the debt in five years, and triples it in ten.




- More Spending, More Borrowing. Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently announced her intention to advance legislation during the lame duck session next month to add another $14 billion to the deficit and debt with another spending proposal. President Obama, despite recently admitting “there’s no such thing as shovel-ready projects,” continues to call for $50 billion in new stimulus spending.





- Higher Taxes. Democratic leaders rejected a bipartisan consensus that opposes across the board tax hikes set to hit on January 1, and instead adjourned with a promise to raise taxes on families and small businesses amidst continued economic hardships. House Republicans argue to stop the tax hikes and cut government spending to help spur economic growth, job creation, and fiscal responsibility.





###




TO LEARN MORE: http://house.gov/budget_republicans

Tomorrow is Saturday: Join us Across Oakland County @ Super Saturday in Bloomfield, Novi, Orion Township & Troy

JOIN

the
9th Congressional District Republican Party
At
MOVE OAKLAND '10:
RALLY & VOTER CONTACT SUPER SATURDAY

Saturday, October 16th

Join Republican Party officials, GOP nominees and grassroots activists as we plan to rally our GOP ticket to victory and gather to walk precincts in the area or survey voters by telephone for Rocky Raczkowski for Congress and Rick Snyder / Brian Calley for Governor / Lt. Governor and the entire Republican ticket. Bring friends / neighbors / family. Let's move Oakland in support of the Republican statewide ticket!
NOTE: If you would like to walk your own precinct, then please RSVP by any Tuesday before 3:00 PM so we can create a walk book for you for that weekend. Otherwise, we will send people out in teams in the surrounding area. Reserve your precinct walk list by contacting the director of the office you want to pick your walk book up from. Contact information is listed below.
Join us for Move Oakland '10 at our Fix Michigan Centers (coffee & bagels provided):

Sat., Oct. 16 - 9:30 AM: Greater Oakland Republican Club (GOGOP) HQ
3677 S Lapeer Rd; Lake Orion, MI
(Located north of Silverbell Rd and next to Wally Edgar Chevrolet - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Walking precincts in the Rochester / Rochester Hills / Oakland Township area.

Sat., Oct. 16 - 9:30 AM:
Troy Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party

Sat., Oct. 16 - 9:30 AM:
Novi Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party

Sat., Oct. 16 - 9:30 AM:
Clarkston Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party - On Saturdays, the Clarkston FMC operates jointly at the Greater Oakland Republican Club (GOGOP) HQ. Please review GOGOP's meeting times and location listed above.

Sat., Oct. 16 - 10:00 AM: Oakland County GOP HQ/Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
(See below for the Locations of the Fix Michigan Centers)

Fix Michigan Center Location Information:

Troy Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
671 E Big Beaver Rd Ste 101; Troy
(Located on the north side of Big Beaver Road west of Rochester Road; next to Big Beaver Tavern - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Novi Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
41700 Gardenbrook Rd Ste 202; Novi
(Difficult location in the area south of I-96, east of Novi Road and north of Grand River Avenue - Using map links or GPS unit is advised - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center / Michigan Republican Party
(Closed on Saturdays - On Saturdays, the Clarkston FMC operates jointly at the Greater Oakland Republican Club HQ)
5770 S Main St Ste D; Clarkston
(Located just north of Dixie Hwy [M-24] - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
203-470-4261

Oakland County GOP HQ / Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Ave; Bloomfield Twp
(Located on the southeast bound side of Woodward Avenue south of Square Lake Road - Map Links: Tight View - Mid View - Wide View)
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Can't make the posted time?:
The Fix Michigan Centers are open everyday from 9 AM - 9 PM (Sunday hours: 12 PM - 6 PM). So stop in and help out whenever you are free!

Questions?:
Contact the Michigan Republican Party field team at the above listed telephone numbers/email addresses. See you there!

Event Restrictions:
Cameras and electronic recording devices of any kind are prohibited.

Rocky Opens Rochester Hills Campaign Office - Grand Opening Saturday, October 16th!

Grand Opening
Rocky for Congress Satellite Office
945 S. Rochester Rd., Rochester Hills
Join us on Saturday, October 16th
1 pm to 4 pm

Sign up to walk a precinct, make phone calls, get a yard sign or bumper sticker.

84% of Repubs and 68% of voters not affiliated w/ political parties like candidates who cut spending: Rep. Gary Peters voted 4 $800 billion stimulus

Most Voters Prefer A Candidate Who Lays Off The Pork
Friday, October 15, 2010
Rasmussen Reports
Many members of Congress pride themselves on their ability to bring home pork barrel spending, but with the mood of the voters in 2010, that may not be such a good idea.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely U.S. Voters finds that 60% prefer a candidate who would work to cut federal government spending over one who would work to make sure his district gets a fair share of that spending.

Only half as many (31%) favor a candidate who would focus on getting the district its share of the spending.

Eighty-four percent (84%) of Republicans and 68% of voters not affiliated with either of the major political parties like a candidate who works to cut spending.

But 56% of Democrats disagree and opt for the candidate who will try to bring home a fair share of federal monies. Still, even 33% of those in Nancy Pelosi’s party prefer the candidate who will work to cut spending.

Not surprisingly, the gap on spending is even bigger between the Political Class and Mainstream Voters than it is between Republicans and Democrats. Seventy-four percent (74%) of Mainstream voters want a candidate who will focus on spending cuts, but 83% of those in the Political Class like a candidate more interested in getting a piece of the federal spending pie (see more about the Mainstream and Political Class divide).

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters U.S. Voters was conducted on October 12-13, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

These results are consistent with long-held views by most voters that cutting government spending is good for the economy. Most also believe smaller deficits and lower taxes help the economy.

Sixty-one percent (61%) say cutting government spending would create more jobs than the $50 billion infrastructure plan proposed by President Obama.

At a time when the economy is the top concern for voters, this belief that spending cuts will help the economy is creating challenges for Democrats in the Midterm elections. Most voters believe that Democrats in Congress want to raise taxes and spending.

Of course, it may not matter what the candidate says his emphasis will be since voters are more cynical than ever about the promises politicians make on the campaign trail.

Additionally, 60% say most members of Congress don’t care what their constituents think anyway.

“These attitudes are part of the reason why voters voted against the party in power in 2006 and 2008 and are poised to do so again in 2010,”says Scott Rasmussen, president of Rasmussen Reports. “The gap between the American people and their political leaders may be bigger than at any time since the colonies had their dispute with England in the 1770s.”

Rasmussen has released two books this year, In Search of Self-Governance and Mad as Hell: How the Tea Party Movement is Fundamentally Remaking Our Two Party System.

Please sign up for the Rasmussen Reports daily e-mail update (it's free) or follow us on Twitter or Facebook. Let us keep you up to date with the latest public opinion news.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/general_politics/october_2010/most_voters_prefer_a_candidate_who_lays_off_the_pork

The Hill: Voters find Democratic party more extremist. Most likely for the extreme votes cast by Nancy Pelosi & Gary Peters?

The Hill: Voters find Democratic party more extremist.

Posted by Moe Lane (Profile)

Thursday, October 14th at 10:45AM EDT

No Comments
This was one of their questions in their recent poll of ten open-seats (details here): 44% of likely voters think that the Democratic party is too extreme, as opposed to 37% who think that the GOP is too extreme. According to this poll, in fact, 22% of Democrats think that their own party is too extreme (11% of Republicans think the same of their own party)… and the breakdown of independent voters is virtually identical (43/37) to that of likely voters.

It’s the one-in-five of Democrats that’s the most interesting: consider that the districts being surveyed are a pretty good mix of Red and Blue, but did not have much in the way of hyper-Blue urban areas. What they’re surveying here are the suburban and mildly urban areas, where people feel perfectly safe in openly having Republican friends and where a GOP bumper sticker won’t get your car keyed. And in those places Democratic… I believe that it’s called ‘branding’… is taking a bit of a a beating. Why? One argument is that it’s because ordinary, decent Democrats are noticing that their leadership is somewhat at odds with the regular party voter:

“It is a reflection that the faces of leadership of the Democrats in government are seen as very liberal faces: Reid, [House Speaker Nancy] Pelosi [Calif.] and Obama,” [former GOP Congressman Vin Weber] said. “The leading faces of the Republican Party aren’t that well-known.”

Democratic Party strategists have tried to change that dynamic, working to raise the profile of House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio), who would be in line to replace Pelosi as Speaker in the event of a GOP victory in the House.

But that effort has shown limited success.


…And I have to push back on this. John Boehner, Radical Republican? Look, I have a healthy respect for the man’s ability to hold together the GOP House caucus in the 111th Congress on a number of what turned out to be absolutely critical votes. It was a gamble to enforce 100% opposition to the stimulus, and it was a gamble that got him and the rest of the House GOP leadership loudly derided and attacked at the time. And I have some faint hope that he gets that the forces that seem poised to make him the next Speaker of the House are going to be ‘vast, cool, and unsympathetic’ to any attempts to go back to Business As Usual*. So I’m not trying to be insulting when I say this: the only really outre thing about John Boehner is that he smokes in public. Compare that to Nancy Pelosi, who jammed a monstrosity of a health care bill down our throats, and then grinned at the choking screams.

And the Democrats wonder why the inhabitants of Earth aren’t buying what they’re selling this cycle.

http://www.redstate.com/moe_lane/2010/10/14/the-hill-voters-find-democratic-party-more-extremist/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Actuary independent report: Rep. Gary Peters' vote on healthcare takeover will result in increased out-of-pocket cost 4 seniors on Medicare Advantage

Medicare actuary: Reform will cost some seniors
Politico.com

Sebelius says the changes will end up strengthening the program. | AP Photo
By JENNIFER HABERKORN | 10/13/10 12:00 PM EDT Updated: 10/14/10 5:35 AM EDT
A Medicare official concedes that seniors may have to dig deeper into their wallets next year thanks to the health care law.

The new analysis obtained by POLITICO finds the health care overhaul will result in increased out-of-pocket costs for seniors on Medicare Advantage plans.

Richard Foster, the actuary for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, also tells Senate Republicans that the overhaul will result in “less generous benefit packages” for Medicare Advantage plans next year. Foster is independent from the administration and non-partisan.

Democrats have long contended that Medicare Advantage plans – private insurance alternatives to Medicare – overpay private insurers, increasing premiums for everyone, and needs to be reformulated.

But Republicans say dramatic changes to the program mean some seniors won’t be able to keep their plans – a promise President Barack Obama made during the reform debate – and the GOP has made the issue part of its attempt to roll back the health law.

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, says the administration is trying to downplay the effects of the overhaul on the Medicare Advantage plans.

“Painting a rosy picture of Medicare Advantage options denies the facts from the government’s own chief actuary,” he said in a statement to POLITICO. “And it’s a disservice to the 11 million current beneficiaries who count on this popular program.”

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius says, in a separate letter sent recently to Grassley, the changes in the health care overhaul will end up strengthening the program.

“Next year, seniors will have new benefits, new protections against fraud, and better Medicare Advantage choices with meaningful differences at affordable premiums, and more beneficiaries will participate in the program,” she wrote.

Sebelius says that the remaining Medicare Advantage plans have higher standards to meet, stemming from a 2008 Medicare law. In addition, 99.7 percent of Medicare beneficiaries who have access to an Advantage plan this year will have it next year and that premiums are expected to decline by 1 percent next year.

Foster says the additional costs seniors face will be partially offset by other pieces of the law, including reduced cost sharing for Medicare Parts A and B, lower Part B premiums and the filling of the prescription drug donut hole.

Last week, Grassley’s office highlighted an error Sebelius made in a speech to a gathering of AARP members. She incorrectly said the number of Medicare Advantage plans would increase next year. HHS later changed the written copy of the speech online without highlighting the change, which angered Grassley.

“Despite making a limited correction last week to an earlier speech delivered in Florida, the administration refuses to set the record straight appropriately,” Grassley said.

“But a new letter from Medicare’s chief actuary is nonpartisan and indisputable. Seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage will pay more out of their own pockets as a result of the new health care law. Their costs will go up by hundreds of dollars on average in the coming years, by $346 in 2011 to a high of $923 in 2017.”

CLARIFICATION: The cost estimate came from the office of the actuary for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, an independent, non-partisan office.



Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1010/43529.html#ixzz12L4eOiWA

Another Reason to Fire the Democrats in '10: Biden Says Obama Asked Him to Run Again

Biden Says Obama Asked Him to Run Again
Political Wire
Vice President Joe Biden told the New York Times "he will be on the ticket with President Obama in 2012 -- all that buzz about Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton replacing him notwithstanding."

Said Biden: "I tell you what, there's real trust, that's why he's asked me to run again. Look, he said, 'We're going to run together, are you going to run?' I said, 'Of course, you want me to run with you, I'm happy to run with you.' "

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/13/biden_says_obama_asked_him_to_run_again.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=political-wire

4 Oakland County GOP Fix Michigan Centers support Rocky for Congress, Snyder for Governor - they need your volunteer hours for victory! Stop by!!

Phone calling & door knocking toward victory! Please stop by one of the Michigan Republican Party FIX MICHIGAN CENTERS supporting Rocky Raczkowski for Congress, Rick Snyder for Governor & the entire GOP ticket by helping today.

Stop by Monday - Saturday (9:00 AM - 9:00 PM) & Sunday (12:00 - 6:00 PM)

Bloomfield Fix Michigan Center
42651 Woodward Avenue, Bloomfield Hills
Director: Bobby Talbot
btalbot@migopvictory.org
517-862-8321

Troy Fix Michigan Center:
671 E. Big Beaver, Suite 101, Troy
Director: Addison Pierce
apierce@migopvictory.org
517-862-8300

Clarkston Fix Michigan Center:
5770 S. Main St., Suite D, Clarkston
Director: Mike Compagnoni
mike@migopvictory.org
517-214-2801

Novi Fix Michigan Center:
41700 Gardenbrook, Suite 202, Novi
Director: Ann-Marie Gostomski
agostomski@migopvictory.org
517-348-9490

OAKLAND PRESS: Vote Bill Schuette for Attorney General & Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State!

OAKLAND PRESS
Editorial: No doubt Johnson and Schuette are best
Published: Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Political races that offer two well-qualified candidates for one position are a bonus for voters.

But they often make it difficult for newspapers to pick whom it considers the best. Usually, the candidate endorsed has a slight edge in some category.

However, once in a while a race has a candidate who is head and shoulders above his or her opponent.

That is the case in both the battle for Michigan Secretary of State and Michigan Attorney General.

With all due respect to their Democratic opponents, who have strong credentials, Republicans Ruth Johnson and Bill Schuette are the obvious choices in these two races.

We’re particularly impressed with Johnson, of Holly, whose experience and knowledge is far superior to her Democratic opponent, Jocelyn Benson of Detroit.

But what is even more important about Johnson is that she is not a politician merely seeking another elected position.

Johnson is the epitome of a public servant who works hard for the benefit of the general public. She is honest, focused and efficient. As Oakland County Clerk she has been an outstanding administrator, running that department proficiently and effectively.

Her work ethic and values are beyond reproach. Other politicians should follow her example.

Benson is a bright, young and charming attorney who no doubt has a stellar future in politics and as an attorney. She teaches election law at Wayne State University and has written a book on the role of the Secretary of State in enforcing election and campaign finance laws.

But in this race, Johnson shines.

Johnson has served as county clerk since 2004 and, previous to that, was in the state House of Representatives for two terms.

She was elected to the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in 1988 and served five terms, including six years as vice chairperson.

One of her many accomplishments was to lead investigations into the misappropriation of funds at the Oakland County Intermediate School District. The probe resulted in criminal charges against then superintendent James Redmond.

Schuette, of Midland, is also very well experienced and qualified to serve as attorney general.

He has an extensive and varied resume that includes a stint as a congressman during the Reagan administration. Schuette was elected in 1984.

In 1991 Gov. John Engler appointed him director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture. Then in 1994, Schuette was elected to the Michigan Senate. Beginning in 2002, Schuette served for six years on the Michigan Court of Appeals.

Leyton, of Flint, also has a distinguished career. He has been an attorney for 26 years. In November 2008, Leyton was re-elected to his second four-year term as Genesee County Prosecuting Attorney. Prior to that, he served 12 years on the Flint Township Board of Trustees and previously was a clerk.

To repeat: Pick Johnson for Michigan Secretary of State and Schuette for Michigan Attorney General.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2010/10/06/opinion/doc4cad1e4a21cf9273313665.txt

The Hill's Healthwatch: Rep. Gary Peters is being criticized from both the right and the left this week over his support for healthcare reform

Healthcare takes center stage in Michigan
By Mike Lillis - 10/11/10 01:09 PM ET
Healthwatch
The Hill's Healthcare blog

Michigan Democratic Rep. Gary Peters is being criticized from both the right and the left this week over his support for healthcare reform.

In a debate Sunday with his Republican, independent and Green Party challengers, the freshman Democrat was forced to defend his vote against three candidates who all want to see the law repealed, the Detroit Free Press reported.

"Peters defended his vote, saying he still feels it's critical to provide affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, noting that it does a variety of important things, like prohibit insurance companies from rescinding coverage for people who get sick and allow children to stay on their parents' insurance benefits until age 26," the Free Press wrote.

Republican Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski disagreed. "It was a power grab by our government," he said. "I pledge to repeal it."

Meanwhile, Green Party candidate Douglas Campbell says the new law is too conservative. He wants to scrap it in favor of a universal coverage system backed by the federal government, the Free Press noted.

The latest analysis from the Cook Political Report indicates the race is tight but that the district "leans Democratic."

http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/health-reform-implementation/123663-healthcare-takes-center-stage-in-michigan

2010 Oakland County Republican Party Voter Guide

2010 Oakland County Republican Party Voter Guide

Statewide
Governor: Rick Snyder
Lt. Governor: Brian Calley
Secretary of State: Ruth Johnson
Attorney General: Bill Schuette

Congress
8th: Mike Rogers
9th: Rocky Raczkowski
11th: Thaddeus McCotter
12th: Don Volaric

Michigan State Senate
12th: Jim Marleau
13th: John Pappageorge
14th: Michael Peters
15th: Mike Kowall
26th: Dave Robertson

Michigan House of Representatives
26th: Ken Rosen
27th: Michelangelo Fortuna
29th: Bret Allen
35th: Michael Weinenger
37th: Christopher Atallah
38th: Hugh Crawford
39th: Lois Shulman
40th: Chuck Moss
41st: Marty Knollenberg
43rd: Gail Haines
44th: Eileen Kowall
45th: Tom McMillin
46th: Brad Jacobsen
66th: Bill Rogers

State Board of Education
Eileen Weiser
Richard Zeile

Regent of the University of Michigan
Andrea Fischer Newman
Andrew Richner

Trustee of Michigan State University
Brian Breslin
Mitch Lyons

Governor of Wayne State University
Diane Dunaskiss
Danialle Karmanos

Oakland County Board of Commissioners
1st: Beth Nuccio
2nd: Bill Bullard
3rd: Mike Gingell
4th: Tom Middleton
5th: John Scott
6th: Jim Runestad
7th: Christine Long
8th: Philip Weipert
9th: Kathy Crawford
10th: Stuart Foster
11th: Bob Kittle
12th: Jeff Matis
13th: Robert Gosselin
14th: Bill Dwyer
15th: Al Zaparackas
16th: Shelley Goodman Taub
17th: Anne Marie Blake
18th: Mark Ellis
19th: Mike Bosnic
20th: David Potts
21st: Mordechai Klainberg
22nd: Ezra Drissman
23rd: Charles Ehrenreich
24th: Antoine Delaforterie
25th: Richard Parisi

*Non-Partisan Ballot*
Supreme Court
Mary Beth Kelly
Bob Young
Probate Court
Kathleen Ryan
48th District Court
Marc Barron
52nd District Court
Michael Martone

Oakland Community College Board (Individuals listed below have had past/present involvement with OCRP)
Fred Mester
Thomas Kuhn
Olga Meyer
Dan Kelly
Debbie Macon

Detroit News: Brooks Patterson on Rep. Gary Peters' Negative Campaigning

Posted by L. Brooks Patterson on Thu, Oct 7, 2010 at 11:11 AM
Deflect, Deflect, Deflect
A reporter once asked famed mountain climber Sir George Mallory why he scaled Mt. Everest. He answered, "Because it's there."

A reporter once asked Willie Sutton why he robbed banks. He said, "Because that's where the money is."

If a reporter were to ask Congressman Gary Peters why he spends so much money on negative campaigning, he would say, "Because it works."

By "works" Peters obviously means that it deflects the public's attention away from his own extreme liberal voting record - a record Peters hopes the public will forget. Let's be honest, folks, how does an incumbent Congressman run on a record that includes the following votes:

•A vote for "Cap and Trade" (more often called "Cap and Tax"). It raises energy costs so significantly that it will drive American manufacturing offshore.
•A vote for Obamacare despite the overwhelming opposition of his constituents back home. This "let them eat cake" vote will impose trillions of debt upon our children and grandchildren.
•A vote for TARP, the Wall Street bailout. (Obviously, Peters did not want the public to remember that he worked for two major Wall Street institutions for over 22 years and now has the audacity to say he wants to hold those greedy bastards on Wall Street accountable!)
It's all about deflecting the public's attention.

When I was in law school, the professor who taught trial practice must have been thinking of Gary Peters when he told the old story that most lawyers have heard many times. The professor opined that "When the facts are on your side, you hammer the facts to the jury. When the law is on your side, then you hammer the law to the jury." One student raised his hand and asked, "What happens if you have neither the facts nor the law on your side?" The old professor looked at him and said, "That's when you put your opponent on trial."

Congressman Peters has taken this professor's advice to a whole new level. He hopes the public will forget his true voting record and join him in his tawdry effort to put Rocky Raczkowski on trial.



From The Detroit News: http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/brooksblog/index.php#ixzz129xtOyRZ

Detroit News: Brooks Patterson States Gary Peters' Campaign is One of the Nastiest, Negative Midterms Races Ever

Posted by L. Brooks Patterson on Tue, Oct 12, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Tell A Lie, Tell It Big, And Tell It Often
Congressman Gary Peters is spending an extraordinary amount of money funding one of the nastiest, most negative campaigns in the midterm elections anywhere in the United States of America.

He has been running an ad over-and-over accusing Rocky Raczkowski of being sued "by his PARTNERS in a business scheme."

Peters knows that is a lie. But as we learned during the Nazi era under the tutelage of the Minister of Propaganda Joseph Goebbels, "Tell a lie, tell it big, and tell it often, and people will begin to believe it."

So let's take a closer look at Herr Peters' campaign ad.

A concert promoter by the name of David T. Rosen (who is now bankrupt and is facing cocaine possession charges) wanted to put on a concert. So he hires a consultant to advise him what to do; he hires a talent agency to line up the musical acts for the concert; and he hires Rocky Raczkowski's company called Star Tickets Plus to handle ticket sales and distribution.

When the concert goes bust (some of the named acts didn't show up), the promoter loses money and decides to sue all the people he had hired. Rosen sued his consultants, vendors, and suppliers, not PARTNERS.

Let me break it down with a very simple example: If I hire you to mow my yard and our relationship breaks down and we sue each other, you're not all of a sudden my PARTNER, you are a guy that I hired to mow my yard. No more - no less.

Peters, as a lawyer, knows the difference between a vendor who supplies services and a partner. Peters also knows that if he can trump up the charges to make it look like Rocky is being sued by his "PARTNER," then it sounds more sinister. (In fact, one of Peters' paid actors in his ad said exactly that: "If he ripped off his business partners, how can we trust him?")

Tell a lie, tell it big, and tell it often. Herr Peters knows his history.



From The Detroit News: http://apps.detnews.com/apps/blogs/brooksblog/index.php#ixzz129vZbgEt

George Soros: I Can’t Stop a Republican ‘Avalanche’ - Note to Gary Peters' Supporters Your Guy is Going Down in November!

Soros: I Can’t Stop a Republican ‘Avalanche’
By SEWELL CHAN
George Soros, the billionaire financier who was an energetic Democratic donor in the last several election cycles but is sitting this one out, is not feeling optimistic about Democratic prospects.

“I made an exception getting involved in 2004,” Mr. Soros, 80, said in a brief interview Friday at a forum sponsored by the Bretton Woods Committee, which promotes understanding of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

“And since I didn’t succeed in 2004, I remained engaged in 2006 and 2008. But I’m basically not a party man. I’d just been forced into that situation by what I considered the excesses of the Bush administration.”

Mr. Soros, a champion of liberal causes, has been directing his money to groups that work on health care and the environment, rather than electoral politics. Asked if the prospect of Republican control of one or both houses of Congress concerned him, he said: “It does, because I think they are pushing the wrong policies, but I’m not in a position to stop it. I don’t believe in standing in the way of an avalanche.”

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/11/soros-i-cant-stop-a-republican-avalanche/?hp

Rasmussen: 55% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law; Voters trust Republicans more than Democrats, 48% to 40%, on the handling of the issue of health care

Health Care Law
55% Favor Repeal of Health Care Law
Monday, October 11, 2010 Email to a Friend ShareThis.AdvertisementThe majority of U.S. voters continue to favor repeal of the new national health care law but are slightly less emphatic about the impact the law will have on the country.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 55% of Likely U.S. Voters at least somewhat favor repeal of the new health care law. Only 39% oppose repeal. These figures include 41% who Strongly Favor repeal and 32% who are Strongly Opposed. (To see survey question wording, click here.)

Since Congress' passage of the bill in late March, support for repeal has ranged from a low of 53% to a high of 63%.

But 41% now say the new health care law will be good for the country, the highest level of optimism measured since early July. Forty-nine percent (49%) still believe the law will be bad for the country, but that's the first time that belief has fallen below 50% since March. In prior surveys, those thinking the law will be good for America have ranged from 32% to 41%; in those same surveys, 49% to 57% have predicted it will be bad for the county.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter or Facebook.

The survey of 1,000 Likely Voters was conducted on October 8-9, 2010 by Rasmussen Reports. The margin of sampling error is +/- 3 percentage points with a 95% level of confidence. Field work for all Rasmussen Reports surveys is conducted by Pulse Opinion Research, LLC. See methodology.

Consistent with findings since passage of the bill, 79% of Republicans and 56% of voters not affiliated with either major party favor repeal of the health care law, while 59% of Democrats hold the opposing view.

Similarly, 75% of Mainstream voters favor repeal, but 53% of the Political Class are opposed.

Thirty-eight percent (38%) of those voters with health insurance say it’s likely the new health care overhaul will mean they have to change their insurance coverage. Fifty-two percent (52%), however, disagree and say it’s not likely they will have to switch their coverage. These findings show little change since mid-June.

Among those same voters who have health insurance, an overwhelming majority (82%) rate their coverage as good or excellent. Just four percent (4%) rate their health insurance coverage as poor. These findings, too, have been fairly consistent since June.

With midterm elections scarcely a month away, voters rank health care second just behind the economy on a list of 10 important issues on voters’ minds this November.

Voters trust Republicans more than Democrats, 48% to 40%, on the handling of the issue of health care.

Detroit News Editorial Page: Rocky Raczkowski for Congress!

Editorial: Candidates best suited for U.S. House of Representatives
These candidates are best suited to serve Michigan residents in the House of Representatives
It's a strange year in Michigan for congressional races, as it is across the country. One incumbent congresswoman — Democrat Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick — was booted by voters in the August primary, and three more face unusually spirited challenges.

Meanwhile, voters also have the chance to fill three seats left open by retirements. We offer these endorsements in the most competitive races: 9th District (Oakland County): This is among the most-watched races in the country because it is a microcosm of the national election trend. Democratic Rep. Gary Peters of Bloomfield Hills won his seat during the 2008 Obama tsunami. Now, Peters is at risk of becoming a victim of the tidal wave that's expected to wash out Democrats. His opponent is Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski of Farmington Hills, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran and former state lawmaker. Like many other moderate Democrats, Peters abandoned his stated commitment to fiscal discipline and bowed to pressure from House leadership in backing questionable big-spending initiatives. It is only since the campaign intensified that he has returned to the economic positions he championed while seeking the office in 2008.

Raczkowski promises to make reducing the debt and spending his top priorities in Congress. He backs a pay cut for federal employees, who have seen their incomes rise while workers in the private sector have sacrificed pay and benefits.

And in an unusual twist for a conservative, Raczkowski says he would advocate an immediate end to the war in Afghanistan, where he says the hugely expensive attempt at nation building is doomed to failure.

In a year in which controlling spending and reining in the deficit to foster a better climate for job creation top the concerns of voters, Rocky Raczkowski is the better choice in the 9th District. 15th District (western Wayne, Washtenaw and Monroe counties): Democratic Rep. John Dingell of Dearborn, who is seeking his 29th term in the House, also faces a tough challenge from a fiscally conservative Republican opponent, Dr. Rob Steele of Ypsilanti. Dingell's name is on the unpopular health care bill, he wholeheartedly backed the stimulus and would raise taxes on high-income earners. But in a district that includes Ann Arbor, Dingell's views are not so out of line with those of the people he represents.

Yet Dingell has hardly marched lock step with the House leadership. In fact, the far-left wing of his party, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, conspired to oust Dingell from the chairmanship of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

He was targeted for the same reason we feel he should remain in Congress: because he fought for the domestic automobile industry. Dingell has often been the only thing standing between Detroit's automakers and the coastal liberals who would regulate them out of business. He vows to continue to do so, and Michigan will need him to keep that vow.

The industry is not out of danger. Just this month, the Obama administration floated the possibility of raising the mileage mandate to 60 mpg by 2025. Dingell understands the cost of such regulation, and insists that any environmental benefits be balanced against the impact on automotive jobs. Michigan can't afford to lose his reasonable voice. John Dingell should be returned for another term.

13th District (Detroit, Grosse Pointes): State Sen. Hansen Clarke, D-Detroit, upset Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in the primary and now faces Republican John Hauler, a Grosse Pointe Woods businessman.

We gave Hauler a hard look because we believe Congress needs the balance of more fiscal conservatives. But we found his support of protectionist trade policies curious and were disappointed that he wouldn't consider a private investment option for Social Security.

Clarke takes similar positions on those issues, but it's what you'd expect from a candidate who has never pretended to be anything but liberal. We are intrigued by Clarke's enthusiastic commitment to attack deficit spending, and without raising taxes. He says he is a disciple of anti-debt financial planner Dave Ramsey in his personal life, claiming to now live debt-free. That sort of discipline would be useful in the Democratic caucus.

In truth, we've often been critical of Clarke's performance in the Senate. But there's no question about his integrity, his deep affection for the people of his district, or his understanding of their challenges. Hansen Clarke will give the 13th District a better representative than it's had in decades.

7th District: (south, mid-Michigan) This race is a rematch of the 2008 election, when Democrat Mark Schauer of Battle Creek defeated the first-term Republican incumbent Tim Wahlberg of Tipton. Neither candidate is perfect for the district's moderate, swing voters. Schauer is too liberal and Wahlberg is too conservative.

But his commitment to fiscal discipline and deficit reduction gives Wahlberg an edge this time. Schauer has been one of the most loyal votes for Pelosi, and that has often placed him at odds with the people he was elected to represent.

Wahlberg would make the 2001 tax cuts permanent to bring some certainty to the economy, and he would roll back the spending explosion of the past several years. He pledges to fight to keep Republicans from repeating their mistakes after winning the House in 1994, when they abandoned their pledge to be fiscally responsible. He says he will stay focused on economic issues and not actively pursue a socially conservative agenda. Tim Wahlberg is the best choice for the 7th District. 1st District (northern Michigan, Upper Peninsula): The last-minute retirement of veteran Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak left this seat wide open. A vigorous campaign is being fought between Republican Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls, and Gary McDowell of Pickford.

McDowell, a farmer, has experience in the state Legislature, where he voted against reforms that would have restructured state spending. He would likely do the same in Washington.

Benishek is a physician who would bring experience working in the medical industry to the rewriting of the health care bill. He calls himself a deficit hawk, and would vote against tax hikes that would threaten the nation's struggling economic recovery. Dan Benishek should be elected in the 1st District.

2nd District (west Michigan): Republican Rep. Pete Hoekstra retired from this seat to run for governor. It's being sought by Republican Bill Huizenga, a term-limited state senator from Zeeland, and Democrat Fred Johnson, a Hope College professor from Holland.

Huizenga was an advocate of reform in the Senate, as well as for measures that would spark economic growth, such as the Michigan film incentives. He would vote to hold the line on spending in the House, but he could also be counted on to offer innovative ideas for growing the economy. Bill Huizenga would serve the 2nd District well.

3rd District (Grand Rapids area): Another retirement, that of Republican Rep. Vern Ehlers, leaves this seat open. The contenders are first term state Rep. Justin Amash, R-Grand Rapids, and Democrat Pat Miles, a Grand Rapids attorney.

Miles is a bright and engaging candidate. But he backs most of the initiatives passed by Congress over the past two years, and that places him out of step with much of this conservative district. He would also raise taxes in the face of a faltering recovery.

Amash says he would encourage job creation by establishing a more certain tax and regulatory environment. He also would hold the line on taxes and spending. Justin Amash is best for the 3rd District. The remaining congressional seats in Michigan are held by incumbents who face less vigorous challenges.



From The Detroit News: http://www.detnews.com/article/20101011/OPINION01/10110314/1008/Editorial--Candidates-best-suited-for-U.S.-House-of-Representatives#ixzz123SiiyDc