Moving Forward ...
Analysis on the August 3rd Gubernatorial Election
By James Muffett, President of Citizens for Traditional Values
Take
this survey and tell us what YOU think!
I
have been asked my opinion on what took place Tuesday, August 3, 2010 regarding
the outcome of the gubernatorial primary election.
I believe that leaders are appointed and chosen: both by the people and by God.
Sometimes the results are very disappointing and leave us with questions about
going forward from here. How should we continue the battle for our ideas, our
values and our issues? The worst choice is inactivity, retirement from citizen
participation and a sad retrieval from cultural engagement at all.
In thinking about the upcoming November General Election, as responsible
Christian citizens, we should be mindful of a few things.
TWO WINDOWS: In every election there are two windows through which
we must look. In the primary, which often provides a variety of options, we pick
the candidate we like the most and work for them, contribute to them, campaign
for them and vote for them. The problem is that our candidate does not always
win.
In the most recent Republican Gubernatorial Primary, social conservatives split
their vote four ways, with a sizeable majority (64%) of the Republican voters
choosing a conservative candidate. So when you hear the media talk about the
Michigan Republican party moving more moderate that is simply not true.
The rank and file are overwhelmingly pro-life and pro-family.
This same situation also happened a few years ago in the 7th Congressional
District when four conservative Republicans divided the vote allowing the
moderate to win. Open seats often attract multiple candidates and no one can
tell them not to run. In this race, conservatives were unable to agree on the
best standard bearer, and by default, with only 36% of the vote, the more
moderate candidate won.
After the primary, however, a recalculation is necessary for the General
election. The window of comparison has now changed. In this new window, if you
wish to support a viable candidate, your options are narrowed considerably, and
it often appears that there are no "good" choices.
When given this kind of decision, it is my philosophy to choose the candidate
who has the best chance to do the least harm (considering our philosophy of
limited government), or the candidate who lines up closest to your values. I
have never come across a perfect candidate yet!
OUR CHOICES: In this recent primary, next to all of the other
Republicans, Rick Snyder was not
my choice. Compared to Virg
Bernero, however, he looks pretty good. It is important to note, that as
of
the writing of this analysis, Mr. Bernero has already received prestigious
endorsements from pro-gay rights groups, anti-life organizations and pro-union
status quo networks. For more
information
click here. And there are still over 70 days left of the
campaign so who knows what is coming next!
I understand that some people will find it very difficult to vote for someone
who does not represent their views in full. However, in this case, with only two
viable candidates, if you choose not to vote, the mathematical effect will be a
vote for Bernero. That is something my conscience would never allow me to do,
but I understand fully that others might have a different view.
MANY BATTLE LINES ARE DRAWN: Regardless of your choice for
Governor, remember that there are many other crucial races being decided in
November. The ballot this fall will include contests for State House, State
Senate, State Supreme Court, U.S. Congress, Attorney General, Secretary of
State, State School Board and University Boards. Certainly among all of those
races, everyone should be able to find a candidate to support.
Congress There are 3 Congressional Seats in play this fall. Tim Walberg
in the 7th, Rocky Raczkowski in the 9th and Dan Benishek in the 1st, are all
conservative and viable candidates. Wouldn't you rather have a conservative
standing guard for you in Washington DC to fight the current liberal agenda?
State Senate We currently have a narrow conservative majority in the
State Senate, but because of term limits, 29 of the 38 Districts have open
seats. The Senate has been an incredibly important conservative firewall against
the liberal agenda, and continues to be critical in supporting our values of
life, family and limited government.
State House Although the liberals have controlled the State House since
2006, there are an incredible number of great conservative candidates running in
districts throughout Michigan.
Michigan Supreme Court This Court will once again take center stage in
the November elections. News stories are flying all over the country as to how
liberal judges with empathetic philosophies are ignoring the Constitution and
taking the law into their own hands. We have had an incredibly conservative
Supreme Court for over a decade now, and that majority is now on the line.
Justice Young has been a stalwart defender of the idea that a judge must
"interpret" the law-not "make" the law. We must pay attention to the judiciary
and support justices with conservative philosophies!
MOVING FORWARD There are many important battle lines this
November. I urge all conservatives to stop finger pointing, casting blame, being
distracted by confusion or stop thinking "if only." Now is the time for
statesmanship and diplomacy.
I urge everyone to follow their own conscience, while not condemning others for
following theirs. Find candidates at all levels who share your values and get
involved in their campaigns.
Let us all become citizens of excellence who work to build a community that is
stronger next time. And remember, elections like the one we just went through
are part of what makes America great-the opportunity to choose!
In God, not government, do we trust. Providence, in the end, will determine the
outcomes and our duty as Responsible Christian Citizens does not change no
matter who is in office. Let our aim always be righteousness, our manner love
and respect, our olive branch dignity and our purpose to continue to restore the
brilliant bedrock of sacrifice and reliance on God our founding fathers so
willingly established so long ago.
God bless America and God bless these next few days of selecting leaders for our
fine state of Michigan.
James Muffett
President
Citizens for Traditional Values (PAC)
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candidates
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