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Freedom is when the people can speak, democracy is when the government listens.
Alastair Farrugia

I think Michigan is listening…and watching jobs leave our state as we fight a single state recession led by Governor Granholm as the rest of the country produces over 5.3 million new jobs…while we lose over 103,000 jobs under Granholm.

Michigan Republicans came out of our convention yesterday united, fired up and ready for battle to help turn Michigan around.

In contrast to the Democrat convention…where Governor Granholm did little more than ignored her record of job loss, whitewash her lack of leadership and pandering to special interests. Instead she launched into rationalization of what has been referred to her “state of denial”, attacking Dick Devos and blaming the ills of the world and Michigan on China and…well, just fill in the blank.

Dick DeVos rocked the convention with a dynamic and passionate speech about his vision for Michigan and the need for a change.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and Attorney General Mike Cox generated tons of excitement as their “teams” provided a constant presence of young folks and enthusiasm as they worked Friday’s caucuses and then provided lots of excitement on the floor of the convention. Both had great video presentations and gave stirring speeches the laid out their records of success and plans for the future. It was an upbeat and positive message that made the case of why we need to re-elect two of Michigan’s most effective office holders.

Sheriff Mike Bouchard delivered a fantastic speech, drawing a clear contrast between where he and Debbie Stabenow stand on the issues. Their styles, their perspective and their vision for Michigan and America couldn’t be more different. One of Mike’s best lines was that if he came back after six years in the United States Senate and all he had managed to do was pass a bill to change the name of a federal building in Detroit…”fire me”. Mike stood on stage with his family and made a clear and compelling case of why Michigan needs to send Mike Bouchard to the U.S. Senate.

Mike was introduced by Keith Butler who in his classic fiery style laid out the case of why Debbie Stabenow must go. Using his now universally accepted line about “Do Nothing Debbie”, Keith talked about the values we Republicans share, how Mike Bouchard has fought for those values throughout his career in law enforcement and in the legislature…and how Mike Bouchard is the change Michigan and our country needs. What a class act!!!

We closed the convention with a speech and stage performance of the likes we have never seen. I’ve been going to convention for over 20 years and never saw or heard a candidate do a better job of delivering a message, drawing a contrast and firing up the delegates as Dick DeVos did! Dick walked the stage and laid out a stark contrast between a businessman and leader who understands, who has created jobs, who has run a manufacturing business, who has successfully competed around the world, who keeps his promises, who isn’t tied to special interests, and most importantly who has the vision and plan to turn Michigan around. Granholm vs DeVos….night and day!

DeVos didn’t play the blame game. He didn’t look for excuses. He encouraged action…leadership…experience…and commitment to make a difference.

Dick DeVos delivered one of the best speeches I’ve ever heard. And I say that not in the traditional sense of purely stage presence, but rather in the perspective of style and substance. He was forceful, passionate and direct. His message was clear, succinct and powerful. He was comfortable, confident and clearly in charge. He actually looked like a man who could…should be our Governor!

As one delegate told me after the speech “I was worried about Dick going up against a trained actress, who’s stage presence and style is second to none…but he’s come a long way…this is going to be a horse race.” I couldn’t agree more.

The “Bus Tour” left the convention with much of the ticket on board. Over the next 4 days, Dick DeVos and other statewide Republican candidates will be traveling around Michigan, introducing candidates to Michigan voters, delivering our message of the change we need…one on one in communities around our state.

Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox, Maura Corrigan, Marc Shulman, Dave Porteous, Andy McLemore and John Akouri joined Dick as we made our first leg of the trip “Downriver”.

On our second stop in the city of Wayne, we met up with a over 50 bikers from the metro Detroit are. DeVos, Johnson, Bouchard and I quickly changed our clothes, threw on some riding boots and got on our Harleys.

We road from Wayne to Lincoln Park, meeting with voters along the way. Over 50 bikers join the DeVos team on a ride for change. DeVos led the ride on his Harley Softail, as riders with DeVos and Bouchard stickers took to the road. It’s not your father’s old Republican party folks!!!

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/08/not_your_father.html

This weekend is a study in contrast.

The Democrats convention and speeches are all about excuses and blame. The Republicans talked about hope, plans and the future.

The Democrats could let a weekend go by without stooping to their classic dirty tricks. They brought some guy fresh out of Connecticut to tape the convention and “spin his perspective” to some of the media and others pretending to be a “volunteer” for the party. He misrepresented himself, illegally acquired credentials that allowed him full access to our convention. He was trying to monkey with convention and interfere with the press and once he was confronted about his “strange activities” he quickly exited the convention. He showed up later at our last stop in Southfield, clearly one of the Michigan Democratic Party’s latest dirty tricksters…in contrast, we have bracketers, who openly and honestly attend events, tape candidates, put up the Jobs Clock and Border Clock at Democrat events. Open, honest and straightforward….even though we’ve received some tough treatment from the folks on the other side.

Anyways, sorry for the delay this morning, but I needed a good, long nights sleep. My feet are still tingling from all the running around we did over the last two days.

This was a great weekend for Republican. Our State Convention was a big hit. The ticket is set and ready to go. Clearly, this is one of the strongest tickets the Republican Party has ever fielded for the fall election. Our activists smell blood, we’re better organized than we’ve ever been before…and we’re ready to take our message of hope and provide the change we need to turn Michigan around.

Let’s go get em!!!

For complete post go to:

http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/08/articles_of_int_25.html

Saulius “Saul” Anuzis
Chairman
Michigan Republican Party