| Take a look at the map of Michigan located here, courtesy of the New York Times. Click on Michigan to get a county by county Obama vs. McCain listing. Notice anything interesting? Aside from the fact that the map unintentionally makes all of Wisconsin look like everyone solidly voted for Obama, notice the large swatch of blue running down the right side of the state. Yes, the same right side of the state that has been classically thought of as an easy win for Republican US Congressional candidates. I’ll take that it’s simplistic, but something is itching at me that Representative McCotter’s seat might not be the only pickup we have a crack at in 2010. (If you haven’t noticed from my own site already, I’m a huge supporter of Natalie Mosher’s campaign.) Since it looks like our favorite internet meme Rep. @petehoekstra will be throwing his hat in the ring to run for governor of Michigan, it looks to me that there might be a large possibility to win this seat. I know that Daily Kos disagrees with me, but given the success at the top of the ticket in 2008, I don’t see why a dynamic centrist democrat could, with a bit of luck, win this seat - or at least make a play for it. So far as I’ve heard, no one has put their hat in the ring. So here’s my message to the people who made the west coast of Michigan blue in 2008. Don’t be scared! Vote your mind, not what has been historically been your party. There’s one of you among your ranks that can do wonders in congress. Stand up to what you think the results will be and run - run one heck of a race, and there’s a chance. The time is now to make a play, while it’s early, while the GOP slings itself thru what is shaping up to be a muddy primary. You’ll have a clear path to get out your message of what West Michigan actually needs while they bicker at each other. Win or lose, it’ll be worth it. |
