Another Congressman Endorses Jeb Bush. Why?

Michigan will hold it's presidential primary on March 8th,

Mike Bishop

2016.  

Many are asking wondering what the fascination with Jeb Bush is.   Jeb has struggled in the polls.  He is also considered the heart of the Republican establishment.  

Jeb’s recent debate performances makes one want to believe that even he doesn’t want the position.

Michigan Republican Leadership though stands behind Jeb Bush as additional legislators jump on to this sinking ship.

Just this week Congressman Mike Bishop endorsed Jeb Bush for the Republican presidential nomination.

Mike Bishop,  who is a a first-term Congressman resides in Rochester joins first time Congressman  Dave Trott who is from Birmingham, in endorsing Jeb Bush. Both of these Congressman represent the majority of Oakland County.

Mike Bishop may have a tough race ahead as former Hollywood socialite and actress Melissa Gilbert (D) of Howell Michigan has announced her run for Michigan's 8th Congressional District.  

Melissa Gilbert though has had a bumpy start as it was discovered she owes over $400,000 in back taxes and her husband has been donating to her campaign rather than paying off her tax debt. 

One has to wonder though, if an establishment endorsement will have an effect on Bishop's re-election race.

Joining Bishop and Trott in their support for Jeb Bush is Congressman Fred Upton.

The remaining Republican Congressmen have either endorsed other candidates or have yet to endorse a candidate.

Congressman John Moolenaar who resides in Midland has endorsed U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida in September.

Congresswoman and rumored Gubernatorial candidate Candice Miller,  who resides in Harrison Township has endorsed former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiornia during  mid-September Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference .

Congressman Justin Amash, who is from Cascade Township,  was the first to endorse when he announced in May of this year that he was endorsing libertarian-leaning U.S. Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky. 

Congressman  Dan Benishek of Crystal Falls,  Tim Walberg of Tipton and Bill Huizenga of Zeeland have yet to endorse a presidential candidate. 

Michigan's 4th Congressional District: Candidate Mitchell Is Missing

John Moolenaar       Paul Mitchell       Peter Konetchy

Three Republicans are seeking to represent the 4th district in the U.S. House — Peter Konetchy, John Moolenaar, and Paul Mitchell.  So far there have been five public forums between the candidates — but Mitchell has skipped every one.

July 8th, Clinton, Shiawassee, and Gratiot County GOP Debate.  All candidates confirmed attendance.  A week before the event a Mitchell staffer reported informally that Mitchell would not be in attendance because “he was up in the polls, and the first rule of politics is never debate if you’re ahead.” The report was dismissed by the event organizers, but the night before the debate Mitchell canceled because of a “family health” situation.  Konetchy and Moolenaar attended.

July 17th, VFW debate in Montcalm County,

July 19th, Mecosta County GOP Picnic,

July 22nd, Midland “We the People” Tea Party,

July 17th, Skidway Lake, Ogemaw County.

Is it just me, or do others notice a pattern?

It seems odd that Mitchell refuses to interact with the people he wishes to represent.  Early in the campaign, Mitchell did expose himself to questions from various groups, and he apparently didn't like the interaction.  Voters, potential constituents, asked “inconvenient” questions about his donations to Stabenow, his receipt of stimulus money, his residency, or simply questions about how he would actually address the problems facing the nation.

Mitchell now refuses to attend events where people can question him where his answers can be posted throughout the public record.  Instead he is trying to literally “buy” the election by using an obscene amount of his own money to saturate the district with market-tested, focus-group, platitudes.  He seems to be single handedly supporting the post office and local media by sending what seems like daily flyers to virtually every voter in the district and by running unending attack ads, which may or may not have any semblance to reality.

If you have the stomach for it, read his brochures and listen to his ads.  They simply state platitudes such as “take on career politicians and bureaucrats”, “reduce the scope and size of government”, “eliminate reckless regulations”, blah, blah, blah.  He offers no substance or means of accomplishing these platitudes, but allows the reader to relate their frustration to his poll-tested words.

If Mitchell refuses to honestly answer “inconvenient” questions before the election, what makes us think he’ll do a 180 degree turn after the election, acquire an honorable character, and suddenly start to interact with the people?  This election is critical to the survival of this nation.  Please choose constitutional principles over money.

St. Johns debate, July 8, 2014. Konetchy and Mooleaar attended -- Mitchell was a no-show