MI GOP Senate Primary
Written by Mark Harris on November 20th, 2005So Save The GOP readers, I have been trying to do research on this Senate primary in Michigan between Keith Butler, Mike Bouchard, and Jerry Zandstra. I know Bouchard is supposedly the uber-RINO and that Butler was the first Republican elected to Detroit City Council in ages, but what’s up with Zandstra?
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Jerry Zandstra is a strong conservative who is the only candidate in the race willing to take the conservative position on the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative. MCRI would outlaw racial preferences in state universities and government.
He is pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, and in favor of immigration reform. He is certainly the most conservative candidate in what is becoming a hotly contested Primary.
http://www.detnews.com/2005/editorial/0511/10/A15-377777.htm
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/regional/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1132014258323280.xml&storylist=newsmichigan
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I know that Keith Butler was a minister who got elected to Detroit City Council as a Republican (geez, even Detroit can do it, what’s wrong with Pittsburgh??). I believe that he is endorsed by JC Watts, so that sounds like a good thing, but I don’t know much about him other than that.
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Butler and Zandstra are definitely the conservatives. I like them both. I have problems with each on certain issues. (Butler coming out against MCRI and Zandstra’s support for McCain’s torture bill.) Of the two Zandstra’s support for McCain’s proposal is more troublesome. Nevertheless, I will be energized to vote for either one in the general vs. Stabenow.
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The three candidates debated in Oakland County, which is home turf for Butler and Bouchard. Zandstra began the race with little name ID. He came our strong and equaled the applause and often stole the show. He demonstrated his expertise in economics. He is the only one addressing Michigan’s big problem. It’s the economy… Interestingly, I have heard Dick DeVos quoting Zandstra in his speeches.
Butler is a very wealthy black minister that runs several churches. His nearly million dollar salary and his health and wealth gospel that he preaches has scared people. He has blown over a million dollars on his campaign. got al the endorsements from the party apparatus early. Net result, he’s in third place. He does t connect with people and has no real grasp of issues other than talking points. To his credit, he has given years of service to the Republican party. The unofficial theory is that the National party figured Michigan was out of reach and liked the idea of running a black candidate who they owed a favor two. The plus was he would self fund.
Bouchard dropped out of the race early on for “health reasons”. I don’t know who really believes it. Personal issues are often suggested and gain credibility by the effort from party bosses to demand a “clean” fight. Bouchard is NOT a conservative and is a light weight on the issues. During the debate, Zandstra embarrassed both Butler and Bouchard by pointing out they had never read NAFTA. Zandstra has traveled to Central America and lectured on it.
Bouchard has plenty of local and statewide experience. He seems like the perfect running mate for DeVos as Lt Gov. The U.S. Senate deals with national and international issues. Bouchard is the current Sheriff of Oakland county and is staying in his job during his campaign. Butler is also remaining in the pulpit. Zandstra has resigned his ministry as Senior pastor for as Christian Reformed church. He maintains limited contact with business partners and left his job at a political think tank because it is “non-partisan” (check out: Acton Institute)
Bouchard can be considered a RINO (Republican in name only) This may be a bit unfair. He is shallow on the issues, but a solid party guy. I believe Butler would be a “yes man”. He is proud of bringing home bacon (pork) during his Detroit city council days. He has an ego problem that might make him fit in with most other senators. As a “yes man” he will be more likely to tow the party line. Zandstra is a “double dipper” he is a fiscal and social conservative. He would be a rare true conservative in the U.S. Senate. I don’t think he would tow the party line, I think he would move the party to tow the conservative line.