Col. Voters raise taxes

While this does not directly effect MI-11, Colorado voters have chosen to raise their own taxes.... I wonder how this would go over here in S/E MI.

Tony and the PDA

I have been informed that Tony Trupiano may be on PDA's board. I have not had much interaction with PDA, but the only mention that I have seen of Tony and PDA (Other then the previous post) states that he is on their board of advisors. (Appaerntly he M/C'd and spoke at one of thier events) The PDA advisory board page has no mention of him though.

I will comment on 'the sell' after I get a better look at Tony.

PDA endorses Tony, maybe

An In These Times article on the Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is claiming that Tony Trupiano will receive their second candidate endorsement. A quick peek and search of the PDA website gives no indication of this, but if it is true it is a guarantee $5000 dollars for his campaign. A decent chunk of early money, which hopefully will lead to some more dough.

I hope this doesn't make Tony move hard to the left, the district as a whole is still 55-45 in favor of the Republicans. Any democratic candidate needs moderates support from both side of the aisle, McCotter by coming out against CAFTA and the Presidents Social Security plan has given himself some wiggle room with moderates. But if Tony uses this to get support form the progressives in the district and creates and maintains a seemingly moderate positions on key issues, he may be able to create an alliance between the left and the middle to defeat the established right in the district.

Tony and Thad sittin in a blog

A national blog mentioned Tony Trupiano as weak candidate to go up against Thad McCotter. He may be right, but he may be wrong. Tony has never had to 'prove' himself in a campaign and he does have many hours of sound bytes already available to the Republicans. But if he adopts a a competent strategy and has the discipline to do it, then he may have a chance. Judging by his weight loss he has the discipline.

Observer is observing the race

Some more mention of our two Don Quixotes, both from the Observer

Ray Raczkowski enters the race

...And so does Tony Trupiano

Tony in the media

I am gonna put links any mention of Tony Trupiano, Ray Raczkowski and of crouse Thad McCotter that I see. Hears the 1st one

tony trupiano annouces
http://www.freep.com/news/state/....

this one breifly mentions tony trupiano in a list of radio people
http://www.opednews.com/articles/....

Out of the ether a site emerges, eh

So one of the 2 (or is it now 3??) Democratic candidates in Michigan’s 11th district finally put up a site. The layout and graphics are acceptable for an early site, but the message is just hair above what one would expect from someone running for student body president at a Division II school. Take a look at it yourself and judge.

It is easy to see that Ray is planning on pushing Social Secruity, the economy and energy. Unfortunately someone should tell him that Thad is against privatizing Social Security.

The Econmic strategy is not much better off, they (or maybe it is just he??) bury the lead. Which, unfortunately, is a good thing since it is summed up as "Theory of Constraints". Why would any one use the word 'theory' in politics? It adds uncertainty, it adds doubt, does it add something positive that I missed? To compound things the theory is never explained, they go from naming the theory, to everyone lives a better life; in a manner of a couple lines.

The Energy portion may be his only strong area, but it like the rest of the site suffers from under whelming writing, poor explanation of ideas.

More on Ray rays campaign is to come.
Tony Trupiano is supposed to have a site up at www.tony4congress.com as of tonight I have yet to see it.

Why

The 2006 Congressional races starting to get interesting. Candidates are are declaring... and they haven't a clue what's gonna hit them.

Michigan 11 district is such a conundrum. If the Dems post a candidate with modicum of skill and a bit of luck they could pull it off. But that is really to much to ask isn't it.

In the next few weeks I am gonna look at different aspect of this district, trying to show how Thad should retain his seat. And what the Dems aren't doing to knock him off.

Go Thad
Go Dems

Hopefully it will be good race.