 State GOP Chairman
Assures Party Faithful
By John Minnis
 Despite a Detroit News story to the contrary, the Michigan Republican Party is not in financial difficulty, state GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis told a crowd of the party faithful at the Eastside Republican Club PAC annual dinner April 24 at Sindbad's Restaurant in Detroit.
In reality, the state organization has $230,000 in debts and $252,000 in cash on hand, Anuzis said.
ERC PAC Chairman Lita McKeehan welcomed the guests to the annual dinner and invited Grosse Pointe Park Mayor Palmer Heenan to say the invocation.
Anuzis was introduced by Tom McCleary, ERC vice chairman and emcee for the event.
“He's made a lot of contributions people don't realize,” McCleary said of Anuzis. “He was the driving force behind the new GOP office in Lansing.
Anuzis said, “This is not going to be an election in pastel colors. It is going to be in bold colors. The difference between John McCain and Barack Obama or whoever wins the Democratic nomination is going to be stark.”
Obama is probably the most unqualified candidate to ever run for the presidency, Anuzis said.
The state GOP chairman said he has always been a big believer in primaries.
“A good, healthy primary usually gives you a better election cycle going out,” he said. “This is the first time since Ronald Reagan that a GOP candidate is leading both Democratic candidates this early in the campaign.”
He warned that capital gains, inheritance and other tax cuts are due to expire in two years and that the Democrats are looking at “Cuban-style health care.”
“If we socialize medicine in the United States, where are the Canadians going to go for health care?” he asked. “It's a crazy system that hasn't worked anywhere in the world. And it's an expensive system.” >>More PAC event.
 State GOP Leader Jack HoogendykCalls for Increased Government Efficiency
Calling for improved government efficiency, low taxes and strong national defense, Jack Hoogendyk appealed to ERC members and guests at its March 18 Forum held at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Hoogendyk, 52, was in town campaigning for the nomination and the opportunity to challenge Sen. Carl Levin, 73, who is seeking his sixth, six-year term. To gain an official place on the August 5, 2008, primary election ballot, Hoogendyk is presently circulating nominating petitions.
Considering the challenges of the campaign and demands for service in the U.S. Senate, Hoogendyk said, “I'm the right person for the job.”
“One thing I learned from my years working in sales is that the private sector is a lot better at running things than the government -- it is much more efficient,” Hoogendyk told the audience.
Pointing to his record in the legislature, he reported that he'd never voted for a tax hike or budget increase greater than the rate of inflation.
Hoogendyk said that what sets him apart from the incumbent are his conservative stands for less government, more freedom, lower taxes, the Second Amendment right-to-bear-arms, and his a pro-life position.>>More Hoogendyk.
Late Richard Durant Honored With Memorial Gift
Honoring the memory of the late Richard Durant, Mike Gallaway of the Eastside Republican Club read a tribute to the longtime activist during the club's February 19 meeting at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial. >>Read Pointes Lose a Leader.
GOP Leader Andrew Raczkowski
 Called to U.S. Army Active Duty--Again
Andrew "Rocky" Raczkowski, former majority leader of the Michigan House of Representatives and Michigan GOP vice-chairman, announced his call to active duty in remarks to the Eastside Republican Club, February 19, 2008, at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial, Grosse Pointe Farms.
As a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, Raczkowski, a 22-year Army veteran, said that he has been given six to seven months to prepare for his next deployment.
Faced with another frontline tour with the U.S. Army, Raczkowski said he will be unable to engage U.S. Senator Carl Levin in a 2008 rematch, and endorses fellow-Republican Jack Hoogendyk of Kalamazoo for the seat.
In 2002, Raczkowski was the GOP nominee challenging Levin in his bid for a fifth term in the U.S. Senate.
Consequently, Raczkowski encouraged his audience to support Hoogendyk as he ramps up his campaign to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator Carl Levin in the November General Election. >>More 'Rocky.'
 National Committeewoman ExplainsMichigan's Early Presidential Primary
“I understand how much we gained by having this primary early, and on the same date as the Democrats,” said National committeewoman Holly Hughes.
Speaking to the Eastside Republican Club Forum at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial on January 22, she explained, “In this election, in one day, we have identified over 800,000 potential GOP voters.”
According to Hughes, “We can be sure that the candidates all understand our one-state recession, and the value of Great Lakes water as a Michigan resource.” She added that Michigan needed this type of visibility and national attention for our survival.
Hughes said the primary demonstrated the value of “grassroots” workers. As a participant and observer of GOP affairs both here and around the nation, she observed, “Michigan is very well organized.”
These grassroots workers, she said, “know who to call to make things happen.”
“One of the things I noted was that one-fourth of all votes cast was by absentee ballot, even before New Hampshire.” This was due to the necessity of releasing the absent voter ballots early.
The national committeewoman explained, “I support Sen. McCain, but I know others support Romney and other candidates.” Hughes promised that after the convention, “I will support the nominee of the party.” >>More Hughes.
Members Select New Officers at ERC's 2008 Annual Meeting
Eastside Republican Club members elected officers and directors at the club's January 22, 2008, annual meeting.
Officers for 2008 are Julie Corbett, chairman, Thomas R. McCleary, Jr., vice chairman, Jenny Nolan, treasurer, and Linda R. Solterisch, secretary.
Directors are John Stempfle, Paul Decker, and Shirley Lamar. >>See photo.
Josh Romney Brings 'Mitt Mobile'
To ERC Forum in Grosse Pointe Farms
“My dad is incredibly optimistic about the future of this country,” said Josh Romney, son of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, speaking to the Eastside Republican Club Forum October 16, 2007.
 The 32-year-old Romney brought the Romney “Mitt Mobile” to the Grosse Pointe War Memorial as part of his travel in support of his father's campaign.
The younger Romney said, “I want to tell you a little bit about my dad -- what he believes -- and about the campaign.”
Explaining his father's optimism, he noted that as a nation we have overcome multiple challenges, including world wars and economic depression. Today's threats, he said, will also be overcome.
The Michigan primary is important, he said because many voters in states with later primaries are not paying attention yet.”
One of five Romney sons, Josh Romney has crisscrossed the country promoting Romney for President. >>More Romney.
Local Delegates to National Convention Picked
Delegates from Michigan's 13th congressional district to the 2008 Republican National Convention have been picked. >>See story.
Lawrence Reed Calls for Leadership
To Fix Ailing Michigan Fundamentals
“Statesmen are a cut above politicians,” said Lawrence W. Reed, president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, addressing the September 18, 2007, Eastside Republican Club Forum.
 Reed said principled leadership is really “statesmanship,” and it differs from merely playing politics.
He explained, “Politicians are run-of-the-mill, nothing-specials who seek office for the thrill of it, for the power and notoriety it brings.”
The role of the Mackinac Center, Reed said, “is aimed at educating people as to which is most effective, central planners or rules of the marketplace.” >>Learn more about the Mackinac Center at Mackinac.org.
Reed said, “Some politicians are better than others, but it takes something more to rise above mere politics, which is the meat grinder of principles. The best politician knows how to deftly manipulate the levers of power for personal advantage, but the statesman's allegiance is to loftier objectives.” >>More Reed on Fundamentals.
Political 527 Data an 'Open Secret'
Details about tax-exempt 527 organizations engaging in political activity through unlimited soft money are now available through OpenSecrets.org, the web site of the Center for Responsive Politics. >>See money raised by top fifty 527 groups.
 Detroit News Journalist FinleySees Michigan Leadership Deficit
“If this is not Michigan's worst fiscal crisis, it is one of the worst,” said Nolan Finley, editorial page editor of The Detroit News, as he offered his perspective on Michigan and its political leadership, at the ERC Forum on June 19, 2007.
Talking about the crisis, he said, “We must address our State leadership deficit if we hope to cope with it.”
In a reference to Michigan's current chief executive, he pulled no punches saying, “This is probably the worst Governor since World War II.”
Finley reported that data show 49 other states experienced economic growth last year, while Michigan with its GDP decline ranked the Wolverine State 50th.
“I'm not sure the people of Michigan realize they are all alone in this,” Finley said. The State is alone in losing jobs and household income. If the trend continues, he said, “We will be below the household income of Alabama!”
Then Finley added, “We will have this governor for three and one-half more years!” >>Read more.
 Congressman Thad McCotterHeadlined 2007 PAC Dinner at Sindbad's
In a wide-ranging discussion of national issues, U.S. Congressman Thaddeus G. McCotter of Livonia spoke May 30 to the annual Eastside Republican Club P.A.C. dinner at Sindbad's in Detroit.
He addressed the global war on terror, immigration, and tax policies. McCotter's grasp of national and international issues was evident as he answered the far-ranging questions posed by his audience.
Lita M. McKeehan, chairman of the Eastside Republican Club Political Action Committee, said that proceeds from the P.A.C. event would be used to support local GOP candidates.
In addition to McKeehan, P.A.C. committee members include John Stempfle, Ed Joseph, Tom McCleary, Linda Solterisch, Carol Hackleman, Jeffrey Neilson, and Alice Baetz. The ERC chair, Julie Corbett, serves as ex officio member of the group.
Congressman McCotter represents the 11th District of Michigan, a suburban district of Detroit that includes portions of Western Oakland and Western Wayne Counties. >>More details.
 Jim Nicholson Shares OptimismAbout Detroit at April ERC Forum
“Correcting problems in Detroit has to start with leadership,” said James B. Nicholson, CEO of PVS Chemicals in Detroit and 1996 Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, in remarks April 17 to the ERC Forum at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Praising Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, Nicholson said, "He is showing signs of leadership we haven't seen from our Governor!"
The Republican leader explained, "He is making progress in working out Detroit's budget problems."
Nicholson said of Detroit, “There is a lot of negative noise--too much bad news, instead of good news.”
Nicholson is president and chief executive officer of PVS Chemicals, Inc., an international manufacturer, distributor and marketer of chemicals and related environmental services. >>More Nicholson.
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Speaker of the House: $27,000,