Brownback Bails, Huckabee Hampered
The latest from Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference
By Bluey Posted in 2008 — Comments (7) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
In my previous post about the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference, I noted that nine Republican presidential candidates would be in attendance this weekend. Scratch that. There will only be six.
Mike Huckabee, who was supposed to share the platform at lunch with Mitt Romney, was forced to cancel when he apparently missed a flight and would have had to fly an expensive charter to Mackinac Island. Because campaign-finance rules would have required him to pay thousands more for the flight, he opted to skip the event. Huckabee issued this statement last night:
Thanks to a new law by Congress that went into effect Monday, we were prohibited from using the air transportation that was being provided that made getting there possible. Commercial airline schedules couldn’t get us there until after things were over Friday – and we would have to have left even before they started on Saturday. The new rules are fine if a candidate has unlimited money or its own plane, but for those of us who don't, it has really hampered our ability to get places.
I was really looking forward to attending the Michigan event this weekend, but unfortunately the realities of my schedule overcame my ability to get there, on time to speak and meet with supporters. I called the chairman of the Michigan Republican Party to express my regret and the rationale for my decision, and I appreciate his understanding of this most unfortunate development. I know that this will be a tremendous event and I wish all participants a successful weekend in what is truly one of the most scenic parts of the country.
Two of the speakers scheduled to address the Republican faithful this morning, Sen. Sam Brownback and Rep. Tom Tancredo, also didn't show. Tancredo had apparently backed out last week, but Brownback was a late scratch. I don't have any details about why he chose not to come, but the result was a lengthy speech by Rep. Ron Paul.
Paul used his time to attack free trade, slam big government and criticize U.S. involvement in Iraq. Some of it was good, but Paul seemed to focus too much on minutia. It was also mostly negative and depressing -- hardly what high-spirited activists wanted to hear at 9 in the morning. He had a hearty band of supporters to cheer him on, but nowhere near the applause Giuliani received last night.
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Brownback Bails, Huckabee Hampered 7 Comments (0 topical, 7 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Given that Michigan has a Canadian-born Governor, it's ironic that their union-laden businesses compete so horrifically badly on the international market.
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I just read that Canada is enjoying their lowest unemployment rate in 33 years... but, at an unemployment rate of 6%, their national unemployment is higher than 47 US states and the District of Columbia (only behind Alaska's 6.1%, Mississippi's 6.7%, and Michigan's 7.2%).
Of course, you're being sarcastic, so the point is moot :)
"I don't understand why the same newspaper commentators who bemoan the terrible education given to poor people are always so eager to have those poor people get out and vote." - P.J. O'Rourke
If Huck can't make it to the airport on time, how can he run the country?
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Hoof
That's got to be right up there in the top 10 of about the dumbest reasons not to vote for someone for President.
They could not make airline connections, and they could not fly for free on a corporate jet.
For someone who has been here all of 5 hours, you set a record. Congratulations.
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Mike Gamecock DeVine @ The Charlotte Observer
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"One man with courage makes a majority" - Andrew Jackson
...for a Michigan audience, that is. Although I disagree with it, I see a large and throaty opposition to free trade coming from a few different College Republican organizations in the state. I can't speak for the state party as a whole, but the reaction to the global economy in Michigan has been to have no part in it whatsoever.
"I don't understand why the same newspaper commentators who bemoan the terrible education given to poor people are always so eager to have those poor people get out and vote." - P.J. O'Rourke