I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
After last week’s controversial cancellation of a scheduled appearance at a fundraiser by the Kent County GOP because of his moderate views on social issues, Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman spent the weekend attending a series of local Republican events around the state. Along the way, he ignored the controversy and stuck to his positive message about the need to broaden the base of the Republican party.
Despite the fact that the controversy that erupted after Kent County GOP chair Joanne Vorhees abruptly withdrew an invitation to speak at an event last weekend after finding out that he supported civil unions for gays and lesbians — which Vorhees said in an email to supporters was necessary because the party needed to “stand on principle and return to our roots” — is symbolic of a widening divide within the party between the social conservative base and more moderate and pragmatic Republicans, Huntsman delicately avoided criticizing his opponents and focused instead on a positive message.
He told Michigan Republicans the same thing he told the Salt Lake Tribune before he left for his trip, “The party needs to broaden itself. The only way we’re going to bring people who have defected into the independent party and nonaffiliated category is through ideas, is through bold solutions to our everyday problems.”
Rather than getting into a war of words with Vorhees and other social conservatives, Huntsman deftly deflected the issue with humor, telling a Friday night gathering of Oakland County Republicans, “I’ve got an extra hour that’s free if anyone would like to go hang out, but that’s another issue.”
And he stayed on his positive message of rebuilding the party. “Republicans have to earn back the trust of the American people,” he told the group. Voters are looking for action on issues that impact them the most; jobs, education, quality of life.” That message likely resonated with the crowd in Oakland County, which is the home of Chrysler.
RightMichigan’s Nick De Leeuw managed to get a brief interview with Huntsman while he was in Grand Rapids for an impromptu fundraiser organized by new Michigan GOP chairman Ron Weiser. Here’s the video:
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter