Grassroots in Michigan

IN THIS ISSUE
MIGOP Convention
Democrat Candidate for Attorney General, David Leyton publicly criticized by Virginia prosecutor in Flint serial stabber Elias Abuelazam Case
Fake Tea Party loses Court Ballot to be placed on November General Ballot
See You in Hell! (MI:)

MIGOP Convention

First of all if you were a first time delegate attendee to State Convention…the wait for credentials is not the normal experience. Evidently, someone thought it was a good idea to print the credentials out as delegates registered instead of having credentials already printed out. Allow me to assume that the next Convention will return to that process!

I had the honor of giving the nomination speech for Ruth Johnson, who I personally endorsed and who was victorious and is the MIGOP candidate for Secretary of State! It was great experience but a little strange to have yourself broadcast on a jumbo-tron screen 35ft tall!

The text of the nomination speech HERE

Another candidate I personally endorsed, Bill Schuette also was victorious, and is the MIGOP Attorney General candidate

Congratulations Ruth and Bill!

In another important race, Robert Young and Mary Beth Kelly won for Supreme Court. More on this race later….

There was a proposal that the GOP go on record as opposing the convening of a Michigan Constitutional Convention which passed by a wide margin, excellent news.
More detail to come….

For a list of the MIGOP slate for this coming November general election click Here

The MIGOP Slate, presented at end of the Convention

Democrat Candidate for Attorney General David Leyton publically criticized by Virginia prosecutor in Flint serial stabber Elias Abuelazam Case

Too Busy Campaigning?
This is the man who wants to be the “people’s attorney” for Michigan!

Leyton Serial Stabber Summary
WTOP, Serial Stabbing snub irks Loudoun prosecutor – August 27, 2010

In Brief:
Elias Abuelazam has been arraigned on a charge of assault with intent to murder. Although he has only been charged for one attack, more charges are expected. Abuelazam, in total, is accused of stabbing attacks on 13 people in the Flint-area, 5 resulting in death. There is also 1 Ohio non-fatal stabbing, an additional 3 non-fatal attacks in Virginia and an investigation into a probable link to a 2009 homicide stabbing in Virginia.

Abuelazam was extradited from Atlanta to Michigan on 8-26-2010. The extradition itself was drawn out and costly.

Failure to Communicate:
The prosecutor for Loundoun County in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Jim Plowman publically criticized David Leyton for failing to return his phone calls and messages. On one occasion, Plowman claims he asked to speak directly to Leyton regarding the Abuelazam case.

Investigators linked the attacks in Virginia to the Flint stabbings over 2 weeks ago before Abuelazam was extradited to Michigan. Over those two weeks, Leyton did not contact anyone from Virginia.

A spokesman for Leyton said that Leyton was unaware of any calls from Plowman.

Leyton and Plowman were in contact the morning after the news report was published.

Jim Plowman Quotes:

“You’d think they’d return my phone calls, especially since I have information that will help them”

“I know multi-jurisdictional cases are tough, but I should be able to get my counterpart on the phone.”

“I’m not going to track him down.” [When offered Leyton’s cell phone number to call him directly]

Fake Tea Party in the News

Michigan (Fake) Tea Party group loses bid to place names on ballot

Mark Steffak’s fake political tea party lost their court battle today to be placed on the November ballot. Tea Party attorney Mike Hodge may appeal to the MI Supreme Court.

GOP candidate for Secretarty of State, Ruth Johnson helped to derail the “fake” Tea Party by uncovering suspected election fraud involving some of their “so-called” candidates. Two high-ranking officials in the Oakland County Democratic Party were forced to resign in the wake of the investigation that Ruth began. Furthermore, Ruth turned over information to the FBI.

See You in Hell!

RetakeOurGov is inviting you and your friends to go to Hell and back to fight Obama’s Socialist policies. Join us at the Dam Site Inn in Hell, MI for a TEA Party on Wednesday September 1, 2010.
Why did we chose September 1? September 1 is the 666th day since Obama was elected. We could think of no better date to publicize America’s slide into a Socialist Hell!

Dam Site Inn
4095 Patterson Lake Road, Pinckney, MI 48169-9064 (734) 878-9300

The Dam Site Inn is providing large outdoor tents to handle an overflow crowd – so come on out rain or shine! This event will be both informative and fun. We’ll have food, drink, candidates, a policy expert, and a conservative talk radio host!

We will have a wide array of special guests. Those that have confirmed already include Joe Hune (R) Candidate for the 22nd Senate District, Cindy Denby (R) Candidate for the 47th House District, Dr. Dave Janda a noted Health Care expert and opponent of socialized medicine, and Thayrone X the conservative talk radio host on WAAM (1600 am) radio in Ann Arbor. We will be confirming other special guests during the weeks to come. As an added feature, Thayrone X will be doing some commercial break-ins from the event which will be aired that evening during the Michael Savage show!

Michigan Patriots,

2010-the year we TAKE MICHIGAN BACK! Part 1

2009 was a momentous year because We the People went to war. Not just with those outside our country but from within.  We are at war with those who have methodically worked to dismantle our Constitution, torn apart our representative Republic, and who wish to put another form of government in its place.

We have made progress in the “court of public opinion” with President Obama’s popularity plummeting at the polls as we have held tea parties, town halls, protested, called, faxed and e-mailed. The liberals/ socialist /fascists are on the run and we will continue to keep the pressure up…the winning of governors’ races in New Jersey, Virginia, and most recently, the election of Scott Brown to Ted Kennedy’s US Senate seat prove that people are fed up…We have the momentum NOW!

The 2010 elections are one of the most important in our life time.

For 2010 we must turn our attention to home, to our beloved Michigan. As Michiganders we have seen the results of the same liberal’s policies that the Obama regime is now trying to implement. After 8 years of liberal “leadership” Michigan is in shambles. Unemployment is at almost 15%, the Car Capitol of the World has seen a government take over of GM, jobs evaporate, foreclosures rise and families leave.

Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!

If we are honest with ourselves we must take responsibility for not being educated and active in the polices that have shaped our lives and hurt Michigan. We need to change that, for our state, our families, and our future. We must muster all soldiers in the Constitutional Conservative army.

But how do we accomplish that?

WE MUST:

ü      Identify Constitutional Conservative Candidates with character, in all offices, local, county, state, school boards, and court system, who believe that holding office is a civic duty and that the government is the problem not the answer!

All Michigan House and Senate seats are up for re-election – we have a tremendous opportunity in 2010!

ü      We at Grassroots in Michigan are working on a site that will be “one stop shopping” for information on candidates, races and issues in Michigan as well as tools to  research candidates, voting records and ballot initiatives.

ü      We also ask Michiganders to send us information about what is going on in your District to grassrootsinMI@gmail. You may have a sneak preview by  going here: http://micc.grassrootsmichigan.com/

Campaigns need two things: People and Money

ü      We must support these candidates with time and/or money. It doesn’t matter if you have 1 hour of 40 hours to give, $5 or $5,000. What matters is that you become engaged. Any campaign will plug you in, in an area that you are comfortable with. Literature drops, phone, banks, admin, door-to door etc are opportunities.

Part Two:

Take over your Party

Like it or not, we have a two party system, despite the talk of a 3^rd party. Third parties historically have either disappeared or simply can not win. And to TAKE BACK MICHIGAN we must win.

So how do we, as Constitutional Conservatives take over a party?

You want to change the direction? Then find other people who think like you do and get organized “within” the party. Focus on the next set of Republican precinct organizational meetings and county conventions where local party officials are elected, as well as delegates to district and state conventions. Identify the dates and locations and share them with your friends

ü      County (Republican) precinct organizational meetings can be found here : http://www.migop.org/index.php/site/contactCountyRep/a/

The little secret among party insiders (of either party) is that the number of people that participate in the actual organizational meetings where leadership is elected is incredibly low. Far lower even than the small percentage that participates in primary elections

Most precinct delegates require little to no campaigning and some are elected with just one vote! Deadline for filing to run in Michigan is no later than 4:00pm May, 11, 2010 at your county, city, or township clerk office.

ü      Requirements for becoming a precinct delegate in your county can be found here: http://www.scribd.com/word/embed/25453902 (Printable and downloadable)

ü      Application to become a precinct delegate can be found here: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/Aff-ID_Precnt_139901_7.pdf

ü      Identify those who currently have jobs within your county party and where they stand on our core conservative principles. Then either support them or replace them. It’s as simple as that.

.ü Know the rules. Get copies of state and local party rules. Study them and pay particular attention to the rules of procedure. Remember that the personnel that you are trying to replace knows them. You need to also. Get a copy Robert’s Rules of Order In Brief http://www.robertsrules.com/ STUDY THEM so you and your conservative coalition won’t be out maneuvered!

ü      Continue to go to your county party meetings, form a coalition with other constitutional conservatives there, vote, go to the state convention, get on the executive committee, run for vice county chair, and then county chair, then you will be helping to pick the candidates on your party ticket!

When you change who is driving, you’ll change where the vehicle is headed. And in the process you’ll build critical infrastructure for the party, which will make it more likely to be successful for the issues you care about – and help build the conservative movement at the same time!

Elections have consequences, as they say, and that applies not just to public office but also to party office. If you’re really committed to conservative principles, then don’t make it any easier for liberals to win – GET INVOLVED!

• If you want real change, then focus on the real problem. Change the personnel.

In a nutshell precinct delegates:

What is a Precinct Delegate?
The role of Precinct Delegate is extremely important and is as “grassroots” as you can get. Precinct Delegates are elected by that precinct’s voters to serve as a liaison between voters and the Democrat or Republican Party in your neighborhood.

What is a Precinct?
The precinct is the smallest political unit in the country and it is where elections are won or lost. All voters in a precinct vote at one location. It is your neighborhood, where you know the people and the issues most important to them.

What do Precinct Delegates do?
As a grassroots leader for your party in your precinct, a Precinct Delegate might:
1. Help people get registered to vote; take information on issues and candidates to voters
2. Identify and recruit others interested in your party
3. Help turn out your party’s vote in your neighborhood on Election Day; or inform party leaders about the issues that concern voters.

Complete printable and downloadable copy here: http://www.scribd.com/doc/25453283/What-is-a-Precinct-Delegate

Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!

Have you recently moved to Michigan or just became of voting age?

Please don’t forget to register to vote. 2010 is an important election year!

Information below on how to register to vote in Michigan

Monday, Jan. 25 is the last day to register to vote for the Feb. 23 election.

To register, applicants must be at least 18 years old by Election Day and be U.S. citizens. Applicants must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register.

Voters may register by mail; at their county, city or township clerk’s office; or by visiting any Secretary of State branch office.
The mail-in form is on the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

First-time voters who register by mail must vote in person in their first election, unless they hand-deliver the application to their local clerk, are 60 years old or older, are disabled, or are overseas.

To check their registration status, residents may visit the Michigan Voter Information Center at www.Michigan.gov/vote. Residents can also find information on voting by absentee ballot, Michigan’s voter identification requirement, using voting equipment and contacting their local clerk. In addition, they will find a map to their local polling place and a sample ballot.

Voters who qualify may choose to cast an absentee ballot on Election Day. As a registered voter, you may obtain an absentee ballot if you are:
• age 60 or older
• unable to attend the polls without the assistance of another
• expecting to be out of town on Election Day
• in jail awaiting arraignment or trial
• unable to attend the polls due to religious reasons
• appointed to work as an election inspector in a precinct outside of your precinct of residence.

Those who wish to receive their absentee ballot by mail must submit their application by 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 22. Voters who request an absentee ballot in person on Monday, Feb. 22 must vote the ballot in the clerk’s office. Emergency absentee ballots are available under certain conditions through 4 p.m. on Election Day.

Residents are reminded of the voter identification requirement when at the polls on Election Day. They will be asked to present photo ID, such as a Michigan driver’s license or identification card. Anyone who does not have an acceptable form of photo ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls can still vote. They will sign a brief affidavit stating that they’re not in possession of photo ID. Their ballots will be included with all others and counted on Election Day.

Voters who don’t have a Michigan driver’s license or identification card can show the following forms of photo ID, as long as they are current:
• Driver’s license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• U.S. passport
• Military identification card with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or an accredited institution of higher education, such as a college or university
• Tribal identification card with photo.
Additional election information can be found at www.Michigan.gov/sos.